We at the Estate Retirement Planners define “your real assets” as you and your heirs.

You and your quality of life is our main concern. We help our clients maintain a happy and stress free life as they move further into the “golden years.” Our goal is to allow them to enjoy these years without worrying about their income and savings: their medical costs; their tax situations; their health care and what happens when one of both of them are no longer able to take care of themselves; and lastly how their estate transfers to their loved ones.

Founder

Debbie Montgomery Placet

Debbie earned her Bachelor of Art in Economics at Ohio Wesleyan University. She earned her C.F.P. (Certified Financial Planner) designation at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and she also studied at Oxford University and the New York School of Finance.

Debbie has an extensive background in the financial/investment industry. She started her career as a “stockbroker” on Wall Street with Merrill Lynch where she learned the investment industry. After completing the C.F.P. program she moved into financial planning for bank clients.

Debbie was recognized as one of the outstanding financial planners in the nation and was promoted to Vice President of Institutional Sales for Liberty Financial. She over saw the sales of: Liberty Securities, Stein Roe and Farnum, and Keyport Annuities.

In 1995 Debbie was approved and granted her own broker dealer, in which she continued her work as a financial planner in Arizona meeting the needs of seniors.

Debbie is married and has two children: Melissa and Emily who are the joy of her life. She enjoys spending time with them, playing tennis, and reading.

Her deep commitment to family and her clients comes from her parents: her father is a Retired Admiral in the United States Navy and her mother, a loving “stay at home mom” and friend.

Founder

Jim Placet

Mr. Placet earned his Bachelor of Science at Arizona State University in Finance. He also studied the investment industry through various course works in such areas as financial planning, estate planning, long term care, and the real estate markets.

Throughout his career he has worked for the large brokerage houses along with the banks, before establishing his own firm that specializes in serving the needs of the seniors.
Mr. Placet has been recognized as an outstanding leader in the annuity industry for the past nine years. His expertise have been called upon by national publication. His opinion is often asked for by other professionals in the industry.

Mr. Placet enjoys working with the seniors and it shows. He also enjoys spending time with his family. He can often be seen in the front row of any event that his children are participation in.

He was born in Wheaton, Illinois, the son of Hal and Rosalie. He now lives in Paradise Valley, Arizona with his family.

Thomas H. Leavell, JD

Estate Planning Attorney

Mr. Leavell earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Economics from the University of Florid, where he was a Florida Undergraduate Scholar. After working for the Palm Beach County Public Defenders Office as a felony criminal investigator for two years, he graduated from Arizona State University of Law, and was admitted to practice in Arizona state courts, the same year after passing the bar. In Dec. 2001, Leavell was admitted to the United States District Court (9th Circuit).

Throughout his career, he has worked as a law clerk/paralegal and attorney for Hyndman & Navazo, P.L.C., and Leavell practiced as a civil litigator and criminal defense lawyer. Subsequently, Mr. Leavell practiced in the areas of wills, trusts, estate planning and civil litigation for Matheny & Associates, P.C., before establishing his practice, Leavell & Associates, P.L.C., in Mesa and Scottsdale, Arizona. Leavell & Associates, P.L.C., focuses on estate planning, business and litigation services. He is a member of the Probate and Trust Section of the Arizona State Bar and is AARP endorsed.

Michelle Jangula

Director of Investor Relations

She is an Arizona native who has been involved in the financial industry since 1996. She has earned her credentials through hard work and determination. She formally became a “stock broker” at Charles Schwab and has gone on to help many financial advisors build their businesses in both big corporate America companies and for smaller companies. She has taught financial planning to financial advisors all over the state and her opinion has been sought by advisors beyond the state of Arizona. She has won many awards for her business conduct and for her client services and knowledge of the industry.

Michelle brings all of this experience and knowledge to the Estate Retirement Planners to help not only grow the company, but to make sure that every client gets the personalized attention that they need and deserve.

When she is not working she enjoys friends, family and traveling. Her favorite place to go is Sedona.

Manny Montana

Senior Estate Advisor

Manny Montana was raised in Fort Erie, Ontario. He attended the School of Business & Entrepreneurship at Niagara College. Manny graduated from Niagara College with certificate of International Business Administration.

After too many cold winters, Manny moved to sunny Scottsdale, Arizona in 1996. Manny’s hobbies include owning and driving classic cars, collecting sports and horse racing memorabilia.

He is and outdoor enthusiast who enjoys cooking and entertaining at his cabin on the Mogollon Rim on weekends with his wife Jeanne and his 9 year old son, Kohl.

At the Estate Retirement Planners he has seen firsthand the value of Estate Planning. He sees Estate Planning as an essential tool in ensuring both the client’s future as well as the future of the client’s family.

Manny helped thousands of Arizonans understand the complicated issues in estate planning. Effective estate planning is neither a simple one-time event, nor a burdensome, endless task. Nor is it restricted to individuals of a specific age, profession, income or asset base. However, even those who recognize the value of long-term estate planning often have more question than answers.

Manny can help you get the answers to all your estate planning questions. Manny takes pride in knowing that our clients feel “peace of mind” once the planning process is completed.

Debra Burton

Office Manager

Debbie has over 35 years in both inside and outside sales, sales management, and sales training. She has four years of professional sales training from the Sandler Sales Institute and a two year Associates Degree from the Sears Management School. She has attended Dale Carnegie and has been involved in the Toastmasters Organization. She is currently working toward completing her four year degree in Business, with an emphasis in Marketing, and Diversity in Corporate America.

In her sales career she has been a top performer, exceeding her quotas and setting the benchmark for others in the companies she has worked for. She has also been a sales consultant for many well known companies and has received awards and recognition for her achievements in training and motivation.

She often speaks to minority owned and women owned companies about diversity in today’s job market. Her proven approach in training of positive reinforcement has helped others achieve success in business and sales who never believed they could market and sell themselves and their products and services in business marketplace. She continues to work with entrepreneurial women entering the business world by offering sales coaching and training, as well as advice and consulting.

She recently joined the Estate Retirement Planners LLC., and is using her experience and talents alongside Mr. and Mrs. Placet, in achieving the goal of being one of the top ten financial planning firms in the nation.

Debbie was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri and now resides in north Phoenix, Arizona. She is the proud mother of two and a grandmother of five.