Mark L. Smith CFP®

Mark began his career in financial services in 1989, having been raised in the culture of financial planning. Mark’s mother, Isabel, is a Certified Financial Planner® and she and Mark’s father, Larry, founded IFS in 1982.

Mark graduated summa cum laude from University of Detroit Jesuit High School and magna cum laude from Duke University. He received an MBA® from the University of Michigan in 1988, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation in 1992 from the College for Financial Planning, and shortly thereafter joined the staff of IFS. Mark became Principal of the firm in 2004. Mark holds FINRA Series 6, Series 7, & Series 24 Securities Licenses, and NASAA Series 63 License. Highly committed to service, Mark devotes a great deal of time to civic and charitable organizations, both nationally and locally.

Mark enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including water skiing, downhill skiing, and mountain climbing. He also enjoys just “being”—both in nature and with his family. He has been married since 1988, and he and his wife, Barbara, have two children, Conor and Tara.

Isabel Francis Smith

(Founder & Now Retired)

Isabel began her financial planning career in 1978 and earned a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation in 1982 from the College for Financial Planning. She served in various leadership positions, including as a member of the National Board of Directors of the Institute of Financial Planners (ICFP®), regional President of the International Association of Financial Planners (IAFP), and local President of the Oakland County Estate and Financial Planning Council (OCEFPC).

Isabel's leadership extends beyond her professional endeavors to charitable and civic contributions. She served as National Association Chairperson of Phi Beta Kappa, and received the "Heart of Gold" award from the United Foundation. In addition, she served as a Trustee of the Interlochen Center for the Arts for many years, and also served on the Bloomfield Hills Library Board of Directors. Both organizations are near and dear to her heart.

Isabel has been married since 1958, and she and her husband, Larry, have three children, Mark, Hugh, and Claire, and seven grandchildren.

Jason T. Arbetter CFP®

Jason joined Integrated Financial Strategies in early 2009, after working as an independent financial advisor with UBS for two years. He earned a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)designation from the College for Financial Planning in 2011, and holds FINRA Series 7 Securities License and NASAA Series 66 License.

Jason graduated from Prescott College in 1994 with a BA in outdoor experiential education. He worked as an outdoor educator for more than a decade, traveling extensively throughout the United States and internationally. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Rachel, sons Abe and Sam, and their dog Lucy.

Andrew M. Cronk CFP®

Andrew began his financial planning career when he joined Integrated Financial Strategies in 2011. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan in 2014 and an Associate's Degree in business administration from Oakland Community College in 2011.

Andrew earned a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation in 2017 and holds FINRA Series 6 & Series 7 Securities Licenses, and NASAA Series 66 License.

Andrew enjoys many activities including traveling, playing hockey, kayaking, golfing, fishing, and skiing.

 

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Support Staff

Our planners are assisted by an experienced and highly competent support staff in the IFS Milford, Michigan office.

Lee Sommers - Operations Manager
Lee oversees daily operations in the Milford office. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1982, with a BA in business administration. Lee and his wife, Cathy, who also is a member of the IFS team, have been married since 1985 and have four children.

Cathy Sommers - Registered Office Assistant
Cathy assists with a wide variety of administrative responsibilities. She graduated from Oakland University in 1981 with a BA in elementary education, and she holds a FINRA Series 7 Securities License. Cathy supports our planners with mutual funds and stock transactions, prepares paperwork for client investments, distributions, reviews, and wealth transfer. She and her husband, Lee, have four children.

Linda Cronk - Receptionist and Administrative Assistant
Linda studied business at Schoolcraft College and has worked in customer service for the past 20 years. She supports the firm and our clients, answering phones, scheduling appointments, processing clients’ requests, and assisting in review preparation. She and her husband, Mike, were married in 1987, and they have three children, the eldest of whom also works at IFS.

Kathleen Sommers - Administrative Assistant
Kathleen supports the firm and our clients by answering phones, assisting with client requests, and preparing financial reviews. She holds a Financial Paraplanner Qualified ProfessionalSM (FPQP®) designation. Kathleen is Lee and Cathy Sommers' daughter.

Tara Smith - Administrative Assistant
Tara assists with administrative and operational tasks. She holds a BA from Duke University and an MFA from Temple University, as well as a Financial Paraplanner Qualified ProfessionalSM (FPQP®) designation. Tara is Isabel Smith's granddaughter and Mark Smith's daughter. 

 

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