Edward W. Cotney, CPhD, FWC

Edward W. Cotney is a graduate of the year long Professional Mentoring Internship Program where he became a Family Wealth Counselor (FWC) and Certified Philanthropic Developer (CPhD). Edward uses his unique training and skill sets to assist private clients and their companies with maximum wealth control and enhancement strategies.

Prior to his career in Family Wealth Counseling, Mr. Cotney fulfilled twenty years of honorable active duty service in the US Air Force. During that time, he served as an aviator logging more than 1,600 flight hours and he completed 136 parachute jumps. During his military career, he completed 7 tours of duty overseas, 3 tours in support of the United Nations, and 3 assignments as a high altitude life sciences expert on loan to Lockheed and NASA. He received degrees in physiology and aviation management.

Since his retirement, he continued his educational pursuit of advanced financial planning methods - specifically philanthropy. He specializes in training attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, non-profit organizations, and families how to implement wealth planning strategies. His forte is zero tax planning designs for sales of highly appreciated assets to include securities, real estate, 1031 exchange exits, business, and zero tax estate transfers. Serving as a fee based planner for the Wordell Law Group, Mr. Cotney is able to provide a wide array of planning ideas. As a case designer, he does not sell life insurance or securities which provide clients an opportunity to consider every possible wealth control opportunity.

Mr. Cotney has participated in several senate and congressional committees on financial elder abuse for seniors, legislation to benefit philanthropic tax law, and non-profit operations. His work has been published nationally by the Financial Advisors Magazine and the Gift Law Digest. He is a popular speaker and has produced television and radio programs on the issues of Planned Giving and Maximum Wealth Control.

Mr. Cotney’s deep concern for community, societal improvement, and business growth stems from his childhood development and assignments overseas. During that time, he saw first hand the consequences of poverty and the impact it made across economic boundaries. He currently serves as a director, officer, trustee, regent, or advisor to more than forty charitable organizations locally and across the nation.

Mr. Cotney has been married since 1981, has two children in college, and sings in his church choir each week. His hobbies include fly fishing, water and snow skiing, flying, and losing golf balls.