2020 National Advisory Board Nominees
RICK AUSTIN Rick Austin is Chairman and CEO of Austin Wealth Strategies, LLC. Rick is widely regarded as one of the top financial advisors in the country with 43 years of experience in designing integrated wealth strategies. He offers a proven process to achieve clients’ financial goals; a resource team of legal, accounting, taxation and risk management analysts; and access to the top insurance companies. Rick was chosen for select membership into The Nautilus Group, an exclusive, advanced planning team, and is a past member of its Board of Directors. His long-term affiliation with New York Life Insurance Company culminated in 2003 when he was named New York Life’s Council President. Rick serves as a member of New York Life’s Advisory Board, was elected to the Agent’s Advisory Council (AAC) and served as AAC’s past president. Rick’s industry recognitions include being a Life Member of the Million Dollar Roundtable, Top of the Table and member of the MPI Study Group. Prior to his career as a wealth advisor, Rick played professional baseball for nine years with the Cleveland Indians and the Milwaukee Brewers. A native of Tacoma, Washington, Rick is an alumnus of Washington State University. Rick’s son, Luke, joined Austin Wealth Strategies in 2005. He also has two daughters, Renee and Angie, as well as seven grandchildren.
TODD DOWNEY Todd Downey is a Founding Member of The National and served on the Advisory Board in the past. He has been a Parkville resident for 24 years and lives at The National. Todd and his wife, Laurel, celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary this past summer. Todd is currently Vice President of Compensation and Benefits for Cerner Corporation where he has worked for 34 years. He has held various positions in finance and human resources throughout his career. An avid golfer and member of The National’s Kansas City Cup Team, Todd and his family participate in many events at the Club.
JERRY FELKER Jerry Felker has served on The National Advisory Board in five different years, most recently in 2019. As one of the Club’s first members (and the very first homeowner on the south side), Jerry brought to the Board a great deal of experience and continuity. Originally from Nebraska, Jerry has lived in Parkville since 1991 and has seen huge growth in our area. He was a pharmacist for 35 years before retiring and proudly served 30 years in the Navy, in active and reserve duty, as a Combat Corpsman with the Marines. He served combat tours in both Vietnam and the Persian Gulf. Jerry was one of the three original organizers of The National’s Veterans Day Golf Tournament which began in 2003. He chaired the event the last several years. Jerry was also the Fundraising Chairman for the Folds of Honor event held at The National the past five years. He is one of the founding committee members, representing the VFW, for the Platte County Veterans’ Memorial, to be located in English Landing Park. He is a long-time member of the City of Parkville Ethics Committee (since 2009) and a five-year member of the Industrial Development Authority. Jerry currently serves as an officer at VFW Post 7356, is Past Exalted Ruler of the Elks and is the new director for Kansas City Seniors Golf for The National in 2020.
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