James P. Smith, CLU, ChFC, is the President of Atlantic Coast Advisory Group (ACAG). Jim founded ACAG in 2004 after 23 years in the financial services business. ACAG’s home office is located in Mt. Pleasant, SC. He started his career as a part time agent for Franklin Life in 1982 while on a dual career basis as a school teacher. In 1986, after finding success in the life insurance industry, he began working full time with Franklin Life. After achieving the position of Marketing VP with Franklin Life, Jim was transferred to the Southeast to be the Regional Manager. For 12 years he maintained this position during the transition from Franklin to AIG. During this time his region held a premier status among Franklin, and when American General took over, he was named Regional Vice President. Encompassing the better part of the east coast, Jim led his group to the top of the company for premium growth in 2003 in the Agency Building Division. During Jim’s tenure with Franklin, American General, and AIG he qualified for the Master’s Award and Legion of Honor, along with numerous Honor Clubs and Management Qualifications. When Jim started his own platform and registered with ING and ING Financial Partners, (currently Voya) he continued to rank among the best Managing Directors in the country. He qualified for ING’s esteemed Orange Circle and Circle of Excellence consecutively from 2006- 2011. He was named an Aviva (currently Accordia Life) Key Distribution Partner in 2012, and in 2014 he was presented the Pinnacle Award, Chairman’s Trophy & President’s Trophy, and the Million Dollar Agency Club. Jim holds his Series 26, 6, and 63 registrations and is an Investment Advisor Representative with Client One Securities, LLC. Jim is an active participant and contributor to the Charleston Community. He sits on the Children’s Hospital Fund Advisory Board at the Medical University of South Carolina since 2008 and is a board member emeritus of YES! Carolina. He was a founding board member of SouthCoast Community Bank from 1998 until is sold in 2016 and is now the Co- Chairman of Beacon Community Bank since it's inception in 2017. He also supports his alma mater, Cedarville University, where he played baseball. Jim is positioned to offer Financial Planning, Wealth Management, Long Term Strategy, Estate Planning Strategies, Wealth Transfer, Annuities and Retirement. Jim and his wife Marilyn reside in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. They have two grown children, Josh and Ashley.