Meet the professionals who can help you Pursue Your Goals
We help individuals and families work toward achieving their ideal FINANCIAL FUTURE.
Meet The Team
The team behind Strategic Estate Planning Services Inc. is made up of qualified financial professionals who are passionate about helping individuals and families create a long-term financial strategy.
Mark Pruitt Founder, CEO, President & Financial Advisor
When he founded Strategic Estate Planning Services, Mark set out to attract clients by providing retirement strategies and resources with an exceptional client experience. His goal was to find people who would not only want to become lifetime clients but also powerful ambassadors for Mark and his team. Today, Mark values his decades of work with multiple generations of families.
Mark got his start in the financial services industry in 1999. His background in education helps him to present complicated information in a way that is easy for families to understand, and he truly enjoys helping clients with retirement income strategies, assets under management, annuities, life insurance, long-term care strategies and Medicare supplement plans.
Mark has passed the Series 63 and 65 securities exams, holds life and health insurance licenses in Texas and is registered as an Investment Adviser Representative. He has a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University.
Mark and his wife, Della, have been married for more than 30 years. They have two daughters, Melody and Morgan.
Della Pruitt Co-Founder and Vice President
Della Pruitt Co-Founder and Vice President
Licensed Financial Professional
Della is the co-founder of Strategic Estate Planning Services. Her relationship strengths and understanding that trust is built over time make her well suited to guide and direct the firm’s office administration.
Della holds a life and health insurance license in Texas and has a psychology degree from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri.
In her free time, Della enjoys spending time with her family. She also loves reading, movies and sports.
One of her passions is working with caregivers in the field of Alzheimer’s disease/dementia care. She leads monthly support groups for caregivers and was instrumental in starting the Hope for the Caregiver Conference at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. This annual conference provides a multitude of resources for those who are taking care of loved ones with long-term care needs.
Morgan Pruitt Financial Professional
Morgan Pruitt Financial Professional
As the daughter of founders Mark and Della Pruitt, Morgan is the second generation to serve the clients of Strategic Estate Planning Services. She joined the firm in 2015 and loves helping people understand their health and life insurance options so they can follow their dreams.. She also understands the importance of building strong relationships with clients while taking time to understand their unique situations.
Morgan holds a life and health insurance license in Texas and has a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from the University of North Texas.
Morgan is an avid animal lover and enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Lamar Kerr CFP®, CPA
Financial Advisor
LAMAR KERR, CFP®, CPA Financial Advisor
Lamar is focused on helping clients work toward their retirement dreams through a well-thought-out financial strategy for retirement.
He got his start in the financial services industry in 1996 and joined the team at Strategic Estate Planning Services in 2013. Lamar is passionate about helping people with a comprehensive approach to estate planning. Whether it is through insurance strategies, more market-oriented approaches or both, Lamar believes in helping his clients make the right choices so they can pursue their dreams.
Lamar holds life insurance licenses in Georgia and Texas. He is registered as an Investment Adviser Representative and has earned the designations of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional (CFP®) and Certified Public Accountant. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from Texas A&M University.
Away from the office, Lamar enjoys spending time with his family and traveling. He’s also an avid sports fan.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in the U.S., which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements. Lamar Kerr is not a practicing CPA. Neither the firm nor it's agents may provide tax services. Individuals should consult with a qualified professional for guidance before making any purchasing decisions.
Steven Shaw Financial Advisor
Steven Shaw Financial Advisor
Steven enjoys helping clients develop financial strategies that allow them to pursue their retirement needs and dreams with confidence.
He got his start in the financial services industry in 2002 and joined Strategic Estate Planning Services in 2014. His conviction that knowledge and understanding help consumers make wiser financial decisions leads Steven to take an educational approach with clients.
Steven has passed the Series 65 securities exam and holds a life and health insurance license in Texas. He is registered as an Investment Adviser Representative. He also has completed Medicare-related recertification since 2012.
A family man to the core, Steven and his wife have six children and numerous pets. In his free time, Steven enjoys watching movies, drinking coffee with friends and writing.
Laura HowellDirector of First Impressions
Laura HowellDirector of First Impressions
Laura is the Director of First Impressions and is our Office Coordinator. She joined the firm in 2019. She values the customized service our office provides and strives to make each individual’s experience here the best it can be on a daily basis. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Worship and Music Studies at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. She served on a church staff for 9 years coordinating and facilitating various events and programs for women of all ages. In her spare time, she is either singing, being creative with writing/crafts or baking something delicious. She and her husband, Josh, are actively involved in the music and student ministries at their church.
Amy GillisDirector of Processing
Amy GillisDirector of Processing
With a heart for service and customer care and a love of helping others achieve their goals, when Amy learned of Mark and his team's values and practices, she knew that SEPS was the place for her. As a former teacher with a background as Career Development Assistant and Listing Coordinator at Ebby Halliday Realtors, combined with her most recent position as an Underwriting Service Assistant with State Farm, stepping into the role as Director of Processing in February 2023 has been the best next step in her Career. Her desire is to grow her knowledge and abilities so that she can provide the best possible service experience and be a blessing to all she encounters here at Strategic.
Amy holds a Bachelor's of Interdisciplinary Studies from LeTourneau University and loves learning. When not working, Amy is a pet lover and can often be found pet sitting for friends and family. She also serves at her Church in Kids Kingdom and periodically serves on the Worship team as she LOVES to worship!
Her favorite verse is, Ephesians 3:20-21, "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably MORE THAN ALL we ASK or IMAGINE, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever, Amen!"
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