For nearly 30 years, Darlene has dedicated her expertise to help clients lead a full life by implementing thoughtful financial strategies to pursue their goals. Compassionate and conscientious, she offers trusted guidance to individuals and families seeking to preserve their wealth and secure the future they’ve worked hard to achieve.

Darlene holds the prestigious CFP® certification, one of the most respected financial planning credentials among consumers and the recognized standard of excellence in personal financial planning. CFP® professionals complete a rigorous and comprehensive program, which covers the financial planning process, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management and insurance. 

Before beginning her tenure in the financial services industry, Darlene worked for 15 years at Hydreco, a unit of General Signal Corporation, most recently serving as the assistant to the president and the salaried benefits administrator. When Hydreco was acquired by a firm that was not offering retiree medical coverage – requiring retirement-eligible employees to retire early and without planning – Darlene was unable to recommend financial service firms to employees for liability reasons. Recognizing this need for financial guidance inspired Darlene to change her career trajectory and to help individuals and families as a financial advisor.

Darlene began her financial services career in 1987 at Roney & Company. She served as general partner when the firm was acquired by Bank One in 1998, and later by Raymond James in 1999. Well respected among her peers, she was a member of the Raymond James Women’s Advisory Council from 1999 to 2006, and in 2008 was inducted into the NAPEW “Women of Excellence” Registry*. Darlene was also recognized in 2015 as a member of the prestigious Raymond James Chairman’s Council** and has been recognized as a member of the Raymond James President’s Club in 2002 and from 2005 to 2017.

Darlene earned an associate’s degree in business administration from Kalamazoo Valley Community College and was a bachelor of business administration candidate at Western Michigan University.

When she’s not in the office, Darlene enjoys reading, cooking, exercising and golfing. She stays active as a volunteer with YWCA Kalamazoo and as a member of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. Originally from St. Louis, she lives in Kalamazoo with her husband, Timothy, and their cocker spaniel, Baylee Bella.