Jeri Turley, a financial security professional at Winged Keel Group in Richmond, VA, has overcome a challenging childhood to become a top player in the industry. Growing up in Orange County, Turley had a tough upbringing, leading her to drop out of school and eventually become emancipated from her family. However, she persevered, finishing school and graduating from James Madison University with a degree in international business and economics. After working at a government contracting firm, she joined James River Associates and eventually became the president before the firm was acquired by Winged Keel. Now, as the head of the mid-Atlantic region at Winged Keel, Turley manages a team of over 100 people across eight offices who oversee $95 billion for clients.
At Winged Keel, Turley focuses exclusively on life insurance and does not offer wealth management or financial planning services. Instead, she works closely with advisors from around the country to serve as an integral part of a client’s planning team. Turley primarily works with ultra-high net worth clients, helping them with traditional life insurance for wealth transfer purposes as well as private placement life insurance. She also assists businesses, particularly privately owned ones, with non-qualified executive benefits. Turley’s approach is based on building strong relationships and being transparent with clients to help them understand their options.
In terms of her investment philosophy, Turley emphasizes the importance of education and staying informed about the various insurance products available. She sees herself as a steward in the financial decision-making process and values strong administration and service when selling insurance. Turley believes in being present for clients through both good and challenging times, emphasizing the importance of ongoing support and communication. Despite the complexities of the industry, Turley’s goal is to simplify the process for clients and provide them with peace of mind.
One of Turley’s biggest challenges has been defining her path in the industry, especially as someone who did not come from the same background as many of her clients. However, she has embraced the challenge and focused on continuously expanding her knowledge base to better serve her clients. Turley’s advice to others in the industry is to have difficult conversations with clients, even if they are not easy topics to discuss. By approaching these conversations with empathy and professionalism, she believes that they can lead to productive outcomes and ultimately benefit the client in the long run.
Overall, Jeri Turley’s journey from a challenging childhood to a successful career in financial security is a testament to her resilience and dedication. Through her work at Winged Keel, Turley has established herself as a top professional in the industry, helping clients navigate the complexities of life insurance and financial planning. Her commitment to building relationships, providing education, and being present for her clients sets her apart as a trusted advisor and advocate in the field of financial security.
