Our Team

Michael Stark, RICP®, CPFA®

Financial Planner
Million Dollar Round Table Qualifier since 2012, Court of the Table 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 & 2025
New Mexico State University graduate
FINRA Series 7, 6, 63, 65, (www.finra.org)
Life and Health and Property and Casualty Licensed
Industry Experience Since 2004

Michael specializes in financial planning, investments and insurance for individuals and business owners alike.

Michael is a member of the Million Dollar Round Table, an organization whose membership a global association of financial professionals in the life insurance and financial services business. Michael  has conducted educational workshops in the workplace settings, designed to provide general financial education.

In striving to maintain a competitive practice that can cater to a broad client base, Michael maintains relationships with independent certified public accountants and estate planning attorneys to help coordinate client needs.  Stark Financial does not provide tax or legal advice.Although Michael is committed to helping clients achieve financial freedom, his greatest joys in life are his children Cadence and Ethan.

Services may include:

  • Build a comprehensive retirement income plan that addresses income needs and other financial goals
  • Choose your optional retirement age
  • Plan for the risks faced in retirement like the uncertainties of life expectancy, inflation, health status, and investment climate
  • Review options for claiming Social Security Benefits
  • Obtain health insurance coverage to supplement Medicare or provide coverage prior to Medicare eligibility
  • Plan for the consequences of frailty later in life including long-term care needs, and other needs due to physical and mental decline
  • Consider ways to improve a plan through taking advantage of tax savings plans and other tax considerations
  • These services are provided as part of a broader financial planning process and do not guarantee any specific results.
  • I work with clients like you to help:
  • Build a comprehensive retirement income plan that addresses income needs and other financial goals
  • Choose your optional retirement age
  • Plan for the risks faced in retirement like the uncertainties of life expectancy, inflation, health status, and investment climate
  • Review options for claiming Social Security Benefits
  • Obtain health insurance coverage to supplement Medicare or provide coverage prior to Medicare eligibility
  • Plan for the consequences of frailty later in life including long-term care needs, and other needs due to physical and mental decline
  • Consider ways to improve a plan through taking advantage of tax savings plans and other tax considerations

Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®)

The RICP® designation, awarded by The American College of Financial Services, provides education focused on retirement income planning strategies and considerations, including factors that may affect retirement such as inflation, taxes, longevity, and healthcare needs.  For more information about the RICP designation visit their website at: https://www.theamericancollege.edu/designations-degrees/ricp

A Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA®) 
The CPFA® designation focuses on education related to employer-sponsored retirement plans and fiduciary responsibilities under ERISA.

  • Fiduciary Representation: May assist plan sponsors in a fiduciary capacity in accordance with applicable agreements and ERISA provisions.
  • Plan Governance: They help business owners and plan committees with investment selection, fee disclosures, and plan design.
  • Participant Education: They guide employees on how to properly optimize and manage their retirement savings
     

OTHER BUSINESS RESOURCES

Strategic Alliance

Brian H Taylor, MBA, ChFC®, CLU, CASL

Financial Planner

Brian is located in our Roswell office and partners with our firm on specialized cases in Southern NM.

Brian's role as Financial Planner is to help clients identify their goals and objectives. He then establishes a mutually agreed upon strategy that is designed to guide them to these goals. This is not typically, however, a one-time event.

As lives change, so do people's goals and needs. Brian monitors his client's situations generally on an annual or quarterly basis, but is specific to whatever the client chooses or the situation warrants. Brian earned his Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Texas at Arlington, and his Master of International Management from Thunderbird Graduate School in Glendale, Arizona.

Brian is Series 7 and 66 licensed, and is insurance-licensed in AZ, CA, CO, CT, IL, KS, LA, MI, MO, NM, NV, OK, TX, WI and Securities licensed in AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, MI, MO, NC, NM, NV, OK, PA, TX, VA, WA. California Insurance license #0G75555. State of Domicile: NM.

 

Sonya Rodriguez

Much of her career was spent at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, NM in a variety of positions to include Scholarship Coordinator, Director of Admissions, and Director of Financial Aid and retired with 37 years of service. Three (3) years after retirement she has now jumped into the financial planning world and looking forward to new horizons. Sonya a bachelor’s degree from ENMU with an emphasis in business administration. Her hobbies include photography, gardening, and family fun.

 

 

 

Anita Vance

Anita joined the team in 2013 as the personal assistant to Michael Stark and Brian Taylor. She started her career in the financial services industry in 2001 with roles as a loan officer and branch manager. Outside of the office, Anita enjoys spending time with her family, adventures outdoors, and volunteering with children at her church. 

 

 

 

 

Christina Lauritzen 

Christina joined the team in August 2025 and is the personal assistant to Michael Stark. Her responsibilities assisting Michael with daily tasks such as preparing files, answering the phone, contacting clients and prepare various forms. 

 Prior to joining the team, Christina held positions at a charter school as an educational assistant, family assistance center specialist at the Army National Guard, and admissions counselor/recruiter at NMMI. Christina owns and operates a craft business. Christina graduated from Adams State University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Outside of the office, Christina enjoys crafting and stays busy with her kids' extracurricular activities. 

 

 

Peggy Garrett
New Business Coordinator

Peggy has been in the industry approximately 20 years and assists the team with processing new business cases.