236 Ponte Vedra Dr Suite 101
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Ph: (904) 280-1669, ext 401
Toll Free: (800) 965-5554
Fax: (904) 280-1602
WillM@montoyabrower.com
The principal owner and founder of Montoya Brower & Associates, “Will” Montoya is widely recognized as a trusted financial advisor and an employee benefits expert.
He continues to play an active role in designing and implementing employee benefit packages for clients. Along with his colleagues, Will also personally advises clients about the broad variety of benefits and executive compensation issues that can affect business performance and the bottom line.
Will brings a wealth of experience to his organization and clients. He is a Qualifying Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, has been honored as a Chairman’s Council Producer for Lincoln National, and has held Certified Life Underwriter (CLU) certification since 1991. Will also holds Series 6, Series 7 and Series 65 NASD registrations, and has a Life, Health & Variable Annuity License.
Montoya Brower & Associates ranked No. 3 on The Business Journal’s 2008 list of largest independent insurance agencies in Northeast Florida.
Will began his investment career as a registered representative with Dean Witter Reynolds in 1985, assisting individuals and corporations with their investment needs that included transactions in stocks, bonds, limited partnerships and mutual funds. By 1988, he had obtained his commodities license.
In 1989, Will chose to affiliate with Lincoln Financial Advisors and launch his own business, Montoya Financial Services, which served businesses and their owner/executives. Initially he concentrated on investments, insurance and financial planning. Before long, Will also was being ask by clients to design and implement employee benefit packages that contained group health, dental, life, short- and long-term disability and retirement plans, as well as to provide comprehensive support for these packages.
Uninterrupted growth, and three expansions into larger quarters followed, as did opportunities. In 2003, Will merged with Darby Brower to form Montoya Brower & Associates, as the organization is known today. In 2005, Montoya Brower established two distinct business units. The new organization enables the company to better deliver a wide range of employee benefits services, and to assist individuals with their investment needs.
Will is a 1984 graduate of Baker University in Kansas – “the oldest school west of the Mississippi,” as he says proudly – where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and was a distinguished member of the Blue Key Honor Society. Upon graduation, he joined Club Corp of America (CCA) in Dallas as a staff accountant and helped monitor the financial activities of five exclusive country and city clubs on the west coast.
Will is a long-time resident of Ponte Vedra Beach. He and his wife Leslie have been married for 20 years, and are the proud parents of a son and two daughters, and they make it a point to participate in their children’s athletic and academic lives.
A community leader, too, Will serves on the board of the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra Beach, and is an active sponsor and participant of the Beaches Fine Arts Triathlon Series. He also served as an elected trustee of the Ponte Vedra Municipal District. He enjoys traveling, fishing and gardening. He stays active by competing in Triathlons.
Born in Maracuay, Venezuela, Will then moved with his family to Tucson, Arizona, where he grew up. After graduating from Sahuaro High School in 1980, he moved to Baldwin City, Kansas, to attend Baker University.
236 Ponte Vedra Dr Suite 101
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Ph: (904) 280-1669, ext 403
Toll Free: (800) 965-5554
Fax: (904) 280-1640
Darby.Brower@LFG.com
One of two owners of Montoya Brower & associates, Darby Brower also ranks among northeast Florida’s most recognized and highly respected financial and estate planners. His work on behalf of the company’s clients is built on more than two decades of experience, consistent success and devoted service.
As the ranking executive of Montoya Brower Financial Strategies, the company’s personal investment and wealth accumulation business unit, Darby’s primary responsibilities focus on individual wealth accumulation and wealth preservation. Included in the scope of his daily activities is financial and estate planning, individual investments, business succession planning and retirement planning. Darby also helps direct and oversee new business development for the company’s employee benefits business unit.
His professional accomplishments include the Million Dollar Roundtable and the Chairman’s Council for Lincoln Financial Advisors. Darby holds the following licenses: Series 6, Series 7 and Series 65. He also has a Life, Health and Variable Annuity License.
Darby was born in Jacksonville but then relocated with his family to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where spent his early years. He attended Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, where he obtained his bachelors degree in 1985.
Upon his graduation from college, Darby then joined NCNB and began working in its commercial banking sector. A promotion in 1987 returned him to Jacksonville, where he assumed responsibilities as manager of the NCNB Private Banking office. In 1991, Darby began his career with Lincoln Financial Advisors as a financial planner and employee benefit consultant. From 1993 to 1998, he served as Investment Sales Specialist for Lincoln Financial Advisors in addition to operating his own practice.
In 2003, Darby merged his individual practice with long-time friend and associate, Will Montoya, and formed Montoya Brower & Associates, as the organization is known today. In 2005, Darby and Will reorganized the firm and established two distinct business units. The new organization enabled the company to continue its steady growth and fully leverage opportunities in the investment and financial services field. Away from his office, Darby and his family enjoy boating, fishing and all forms of water sports. His hobbies include coaching his children’s sports teams and traveling. Darby is also an active member of Christ Episcopal Church in Ponte Vedra Beach and the Ponte Vedra Chamber of Commerce.
236 Ponte Vedra Dr Suite 101
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
ph: (904) 280-1669, ext 412
toll free: (800) 965-5554
fax: (904) 280-1602
TrevorH@montoyabrower.com
Trevor Harkness joined Montoya Brower & associates in late 2004, and serves the organization as a Broker. His primary responsibilities include benefits consulting and financial planning.
Trevor brings to Montoya Brower more than eleven years of experience in the financial planning and employee benefits fields. He worked for Lincoln Financial Group for eight years before accepting his current position. Trevor holds a Life, Health and Variable Annuity License as well as a Series 7 License and a Series 63 License.
Trevor is a native of Lewisburg, West Virginia, but has lived in Jacksonville since 1979. He is a graduate of Florida State University, where he obtained a bachelor of science degree in Finance.
When he leaves the facts and figures realm, Trevor enjoys spending time with Becky, his wife of ten years, and their two children, Katie and Jack. He also enjoys jogging and is active in the Hodges Blvd. Presbyterian Church and the Gator Bowl Association.
236 Ponte Vedra Dr Suite 101
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
ph: (904) 280-1669, ext 413
toll free: (800) 965-5554
fax: (904) 280-1602
JasonG@montoyabrower.com
Jason Griggs is a Financial Planner and Employee Benefit Specialist with Montoya Brower Financial Strategies in Ponte Vedra Beach. He was born in Paulding, Ohio and grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Jason graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Business. In January 2004, he relocated to Jacksonville.
Jason has worked with Montoya Brower Financial Strategies since March 2004. Jason holds a Life, Health and Variable Annuity License as well as an NASD Series 7 registration. He is currently working towards obtaining a NASD Series 66 registration.
Since moving to Jacksonville, he has been actively involved with Beaches Habitat/Habitat for Humanity, Super Bowl XXXIX Host Committee, Boxer Aid and Rescue Coalition as well as Ronald McDonald House. Jason is also a member of the Ponte Vedra Rotary Club.
236 Ponte Vedra Dr Suite 101
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
ph: (904) 280-1669, ext 402
toll Free: (800) 965-5554
fax: (904) 280-1640
Jud.Durel@LFG.com
Jud started his career as a CPA over 20 years ago working in various consulting, auditing and tax roles for one of the big eight accounting firms. A few years into his career he enrolled into the SMU Business School and earned an MBA. Since then he has been employed in numerous financial, advisory and management roles and has been a small business owner. He is registered for securities and mutual funds and licensed for life insurance in the state of Florida and is an Investment Advisor Representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors. He is focused on objective financial planning for individuals and small business owners tackling investments, retirement, estate and business succession issues.
Jud has been married to his wife Regina for 23 years. Together, they have two sons. Outside of work, Jud enjoys fishing and golfing.
236 Ponte Vedra Dr Suite 101
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
ph: (904) 280-1669, ext. 422
fax: (904) 280-1640
ChrissS@montoyabrower.com
Chriss Spires was born in Jacksonville, Florida and traveled around the world as the son of a military father. Chriss lived in such places as Spain, Iceland, The Marshal islands and throughout the United States before returning to Jacksonville where he graduated from Englewood High school in 1980. Chriss attended Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas and played on its nationally ranked NAIA Division I football team. He graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and was inducted as a member of the Blue Key National Honor Fraternity in the same year.
Upon graduation, Chriss returned to Jacksonville and began his professional career at Atlantic National Bank, now Wachovia. In 1985 Chriss left commercial banking and joined Stockton, Whatley Davin & Company as a mortgage lending officer. Over the past 23 years Chriss has worked for various mortgage firms having managed offices in Florida, Georgia, Texas, Kansas and Illinois. During this time Chriss served on the board of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Florida and was past president of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Jacksonville. In 2001, Chriss and a business partner purchased a mortgage banking company with a statewide business platform and was responsible for overseeing the companies eight year expansion. Additionally he co-founded a subsidiary company and financial holding company where he presided as President until his recent decision to expand his professional services into the employee benefits and investment arena. Chriss continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the two companies he co-founded.
Chriss brings his collective sales and marketing experience to MB&A as he seeks to establish his financial advisory practice while helping grow the producer group of the firm. His background working with high net worth business owners and executives is well suited for guiding his clients in developing financial strategies and wealth accumulation objectives. Chriss is an adjunct professor at Florida Community College where he teaches as a credentialed instructor for the State of Florida’s mortgage brokerage licensing course.
Chriss is a youth coach with the Ponte Vedra Soccer Club active in the YMCA guides program, a member of Christ Church and involved in various charitable organizations. Chriss resides in Ponte Vedra, Florida with his wife Jennifer and their 2 children.
