Our team

John J. Chichester, Jr.

CFP, CPA, PFS

Since 1991, John has successfully worked in the financial services industry. His unique income and estate tax reduction and wealth maximization strategies bring significant, measurable benefit to all of his clients. Specifically, John helps them to identify and implement strategic and tactical solutions that will enable them to keep more of what they accumulate, to conserve and protect those assets, and then to ultimately distribute their assets with the least amount of taxes and complexity. John primarily assists clients in clarifying their vision for their ideal future. He assesses where they really are now, and then develops a written plan that will help guide his clients to their stated vision.

John’s carefully selected client base includes professionals and business owners of closely-held companies. His practice is tailored to individuals with the wisdom to see the value of proper estate planning, the business acumen to act on objective recommendations, and the financial wherewithal to make sound, long-term decisions. Results include significant reductions in estate, income, capital gains, and gift taxes; preservation of family businesses for subsequent generations; and maximization of existing wealth through comprehensive investment planning.

John is noted for his commitment to the financial industry and for his ongoing efforts to keep abreast of the evolving complexities relating to the financial marketplace.

In his professional career, among other accomplishments, John was Senior Financial Analyst with Lehman Brothers of New York; Vice President — Financial Controller/Head of Operations with GTF Asset Management (USA), Inc., New York; and Senior Analyst for MeesPierson Fund Services, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles. In addition, John was honored as the national Rookie Financial Planner of the Year for 2005 and the national Financial Planner of the Year for 2006 through his affiliation with New England Financial. John has also been a past Chair of the Financial Planning Section for the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants and is currently the Vice Chair of The Foundation for Public Education. John also appeared in the December 2008 and September 2009 issues of Forbes Magazine as one of the Most Dependable Wealth Advisors of the Southwest United States as chosen by Goldline Research, an independent research firm.

John J. Chichester, Jr., CFP, CPA, PFS, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Professional, a Registered Representative offering securities through First Allied Securities, Inc., a registered Broker/Dealer and Member FINRA/SIPC, and an Investment Advisor Representative offering services through Hermening Advisory Services LLC and First Allied Advisory Services, Inc.

In his free time, John enjoys reading, running, tennis, working out and spending time with his wife, Michelle, and their three children, Justin, Dillon, and Owen.

Phillip Smyser

VIP Client Manager

In 2010, Phillip brought a myriad of professional experiences to Chichester Financial Group LLC as the VIP Client Manager. As John’s right-hand-man, Phillip oversees the day-to-day activities of the firm. He assists with monitoring client financial plans, researches client issues, summarizes investment asset allocations, coordinates InvestorVault, and manages the operations and production of all client 401K plans. Within the last year, Phillip has been an integral part of Chichester Financial Group LLC’s growth and leadership. His commitment to learning the financial investment industry is ever expanding and Phillip plans to sit for the Series 7 license this year and will also pursue his Series 66 & AZ Life Insurance licenses.

Phillip’s career has taken him from the Midwest to sunny Arizona. From a staff accountant, to controller, to commercial loan officer and entrepreneur, he has grown both professionally and personally. He has worked for such companies as ConAgra Flour Milling, Canteen Vending, Insight Enterprises, Inc. and his own custom cabinet business, Wood Shapers, LLC.

Service has always been at the core of Phillip’s life. He has served on multiple philanthropic boards/committees including: Life Member of the Fiesta Bowl Committee, President of the Arizona Spina Bifida Association, President of St. Joseph Catholic Church Men’s Club, and Recorder for the Knights of Columbus Chapter of St. Joseph Parish.

In his free time, Phillip enjoys spending time with his wife, Charla, son, Owen, and daughter, Lilly. Phillip also has a passion for hunting, fishing, and the outdoors.

Amber Huston

VIP Client Coordinator

Amber joined the team in 2011 and provides the first, friendly point of contact for clients. She schedules appointments, offers administrative front office support, assists with insurance-related research and recommendations, as well as other special projects. She comes to Chichester Financial Group LLC via the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants and prior to that she worked at Capital Pacific Homes of Arizona.

Amber is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Biological Sciences focusing in Wildlife and Restoration Ecology at Arizona State University. Recently, she spent a summer interning on a wildlife reserve in South Africa. Amber volunteers as an Adoptions Counselor and Trainer for Maricopa County Animal Care and Control and as a Wildlife Rehab Center Aid for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. In her spare time, Amber enjoys traveling and spending time in the outdoors with her boyfriend, Jeff, and their two dogs, Cosmo and Zelda.