Our Story

Managing the financial implications of a life altering event or stage in life, can be a daunting, if not paralyzing task. These events come in many forms including a career transition, an inheritance, the sale of a business, a divorce, death of a spouse, and the pre and post-retirement stages of life. We believe that the key to managing these change events, is to use comprehensive financial analysis and individually tailored financial strategies that respect both the emotional and technical side of finance & investing.

John Vyge, CFP®

John Vyge, CFP® (US & Canada) is the founder and principal of Hillebrand Financial Planning. Since starting Hillebrand Financial Planning in 2004, John has became a recognized expert as a Business Plan Analyst by authoring The Dragons' Den Business Guidebook Series through John Wiley & Sons, based on the wildy popular international TV show, Dragons' Den - a.k.a. Shark Tank in the U.S. He was a business consultant and also started and was involved in several small businesses, experience he uses to coach entrepreneurs and business owners through the business plan writing process. An advanced martial artist in Kenpo Karate and Tae Kwon Do, John is also an avid cyclist, having completed a marathon, century rides, triathlons, as well as a former junior ranked tennis player. John, his wife Sandy and their two daughters live in Ashburn, Virginia.

Education & Training

John is a Certified Financial Planner™ Professional, a designation that requires adherence to the most vigorous education, ethics, experience, and examination in the personal financial industry. In order to maintain his certification in both the US & Canada, John is required to complete 60 hours of continuing education every 2 years.

• CFP® Program, Georgetown University
• CFP® Program, Canadian Institute of Financial Planning
• B.A. Economics, University of Toronto
• Continuing Education, College for Financial Planning, Denver, CO
• FPA Residency Program, Bryn Mawr, PA
• Masters Certificate in Business Analysis w/Six Sigma Green Belt Elective, Villanova University

Publications

John is a 3 time published author through John Wiley & Sons and has been quoted in various publications including the Washington Post, Business Week online, Investment News Magazine, BankRate.com and Insurance & Financial Advisor Magazine. He also authored 2 Chapters in the recently released Investing in an Uncertain Economy for Dummies and was a technical reviewer for 76 Tips for Investing in an Uncertain Economy For Canadians. For Dummies is the most widely recognized and highly regarded reference series in the world. A tenured planning professional, he is unique in that less than 2% of all CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioners in the United States have been authorized to use the CFP® marks of distinction in both the United States and Canada.

Historical Timeline

1. 1792

   24 stock brokers sign the historic Buttonwood Agreement to form the beginnings of what is now the New York Stock Exchange.

   
2. 1933

   Securities Act of 1933 is enacted to protect the public by requiring that issuers fully disclose all material information that an investor would require to make a decision regarding an investment.

3. 1972

   The IAFP enrolls its first group of students for the Certified Financial Planners (CFP) course.

   
4. 1975

   The SEC mandates negotiated commission rates for all securities transactions, opening the door for the first discount brokerage and independent investment advisers.

5. 1983

   The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors opens its doors. Today. NAPFA has more than 1,500 NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisors.

   
6. 2000

   The ICFP and the IAFP merge to form the Financial Planning Association.

   
7. 2005

   Bold Financial Planning, LLC, now known as Hillebrand Financial Planning, LLC opens its doors in Dulles, VA as an independent financial planning firm and fee only investment advisor.