About us

Consortium
 

is an association of two or more individuals, companies, or organizations with the objective of participating in a common activity or pulling their resources for achieving a common goal.  kən-ˈsȯr-sh(ē-)əm  , -ˈsȯr-tē-əm

The Consortium

brings experienced specialist as a team to answer challenges that you may face.

OUR HISTORY

Our story begins in the warmth of a family kitchen, in the lush bayou of Mandeville, Louisiana.

This is where current CEO GA Michael Christy and co-founder CFO Tiffany Christy  formed the inceptive notion of providing quality financial planning for all communities, regardless of status and background. This is what would set the Consortium apart from average firms.
The word consortium means multiple businesses or companies, coming together for the same common goal. As a non proprietary company, we are able to put our clients needs above product, and tailor a strategy to assist them in reaching their goals.

The founders of the consortium have been in the business for 20 years. During this time they have worked for multiple companies which lead them to obtain all different aspects of the financial industry, both good and bad. From this journey, they were able to implement a better way to assist the challenges clientele face way beyond retirement leading into a reassuring future.

Consortium staff

Our Team Of Professionals

The Consortium is a multi-faceted firm with agents, and advisors all over the U.S.  Just as our name implies, we work with experts in every area that influence your personal wealth and/or business growth.  These experts specialize in benefits, insurance, business/estate evaluation and investments. We also have access finest lawyers, CFP, estate, and business planning attorneys in the country. We value ourselves on being a fiduciary for our client. Instead of just selling products, we consult with our clients for their needs and budget to make sure we implement the best solution, putting our clients in a better position.

Ruth Bush

Director of Benefits and Managing Director

Ruth Bush serves as the Director of Benefits and Managing Director at The Consortium, combining her vast experience in employee benefits and financial services with a deep passion for helping others. Having been a key leader at The 320 Firm, Ruth played a pivotal role in delivering comprehensive solutions to clients, and her partnership with The Consortium has expanded the firm’s capabilities in offering exceptional insurance and financial planning services.

Ruth is driven not only by her expertise but by a strong commitment to helping underprivileged individuals. Her passion for ministry and community outreach further fuels her mission to empower people, both in business and in life. She actively integrates her professional skills with her heart for service, helping clients achieve financial security and fostering a culture of care within the organization.

As a Managing Director, Ruth oversees the growth and development of advisors across The Consortium, ensuring that they carry forward the values of integrity, service, and excellence. Her leadership continues to elevate the firm, making it a trusted name in financial services.

Semmes Hughs

Associate General Agent

I continue to build strong business and personal relationships by helping clients reach their financial goals. I do this while also educating and providing insurance-based solutions for retirement and protecting their loved ones. I’ve been active in the life insurance and financial services industry since 1983. I Earned my CLU degree in 2002. My areas of expertise include risk management strategies, life insurance, disability income, long term care, annuities, and employee benefits. I am a Past Qualifying Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, past President of the Society of Financial Service Professionals and an active member of National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers. I’ve had both a retail as well as a wholesale practice, where I’ve been effective helping other colleagues with their business as it pertains to risk management planning in estate, business, and retirement planning. I was born in Jackson, MS but grew up in New Orleans. I graduated from Jesuit High School and Tulane University. I have lived in Madisonville since 2001 and have a long history of being involved in several community service, civic and social organizations with a purpose of helping those in need. I’m married to my wonderful wife, Julie, better known as “The Queen”, and my children are Elizabeth Hughs Bouanchaud (Stephen) with their daughter Lucy (YES, I’m a grandfather, Woohoo!) , Tommy, and Catherine.

Allen Churchill, CLTC

Associate Managing Director

A graduate of the George Washington University Allen worked in public affairs with highlights including stints at the National Republican
Congressional committee, Hill and Knowlton, and training Ukranian and Moldavian democracy activists. In 2006, he joined A. G. Edwards in Mandeville, LA. This was the first of several firms that he worked with in the post 2008 crash environment going through five mergers. This experience as well as going through the oil crash in the 1980”s gave him an acute sense of booms and busts that occur in markets. During this time, he developed a passion for long term care planning due to chronic illness in his family. In 2020, he was recruited by Semmes Hughs, a colleague from previous firms and Mike Christy to join The Consortium. In 2022, he was promoted to managing director and broadened his practice to include protecting clients from additional retirement risks
including market crashes, longevity, chronic illness, inflation and growth issues. This broadened focus includes attention to issues faced by small business owners including buy-sell agreements, business succession planning, retirement plans, deferred compensation, and employee benefits. Mr. Churchill employs a team approach bringing in subject specific experts as required. He is happily married to his wife, Kelli, a Mandeville area mental health therapist, and is active in his church.

Leroy Simpson, Psy.D

Chief Engagement Officer

 My passion lies in creating workplaces where all stakeholders – clients AND advisors – feel valued, motivated, and empowered to do their best and achieve their best!
Fun fact: In 2011, I got my insurance license at the motivation and love (yes you read right, love) from Mike Christy. He encouraged me to pursue it because at the time, he saw something in me that I knew I wanted to help people with myself. Ever since then, I kept a connection to finance learning everything I possibly could from paper assets in stocks and bonds to business venture capital investing to lending private credit to understanding cash flow.
Throughout my career both as an industrial organizational psychologist in consulting, an (small business & “side hustle”) investor and currently as a professor of psychology in teaching, I had the privilege of working with organizations to design and implement initiatives that champion a positive stakeholder experience. Building a strong company culture where advisors as clients can thrive is a cornerstone of my approach. I believe that the Consortium’s core values, mission, and vision should be more than just words on a poster and the way we work should reflect who we are. I’m beyond excited to collaborate with all of you to ensure these values are woven into the fabric of our daily interactions and decision-making.
My overall dynamic here at the consortium is to support building relationships between stakeholders for clients and advisors and I will be using artificial intelligence to help me accelerate this work (yes, I am bringing AI to the consortium).
I’m eager to get to know each of you better and learn about your experiences within the company.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out and connect. Let’s work together to build and grow a financial planning firm where everyone feels valued, engaged, and excited….both inside and out!

Joe Keating

My name is Joseph L. Keating, born on August 9, 1945, in the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana. When I was just two years old, my family relocated to Thibodaux, Louisiana, where I spent my formative years. For the past 48 years, I’ve called Schriever, Louisiana, my home. I’ve been fortunate to share my life with my wonderful wife, Cora Lee Guidry Keating, for 56 years. Together, we’ve raised five incredible children: Shane, Niccole, Jonas, Toby, and Sara. My professional journey began in the amusement business, where I served as a service technician and later as an office manager, overseeing a team of 40 dedicated individuals at Delta Music for 13 years. In October 1979, I embarked on a new chapter when I was recruited by Equitable Life Assurance Society of New York, one of the largest life insurance companies in the nation. During my tenure of 18.5 years, I earned several esteemed awards, including Life Member of the Hall of Fame, the Excalibur Award, and membership in the Million Dollar Round Table. I took pride in consistently ranking among the top 10 elite of both the New Orleans and Baton Rouge agencies, and I maintained the highest persistency for life insurance policies. After my time with Equitable, I transitioned into an independent agent role, representing over 50 life and annuity companies. In 1988, I obtained my Series 6 license, expanding my services to include variable annuities, variable life, mutual funds, and 401k plans. Now, I’ve shifted my focus to estate planning and specialize in marketing fixed indexed annuities, with a keen emphasis on wealth preservation. My journey has been marked by dedication, excellence, and a commitment to serving my clients’ financial needs.

Jay Mitchell, CFP, CLU, CHFC

Managing Director

Jay Mitchell has forged a dynamic and diverse career path, blending military service, academic achievements, and extensive experience in the financial services industry. In 1990, Jay embarked on a significant chapter of his life, dedicating five years to the United States Marines. Serving as an Airframes Mechanic with VMAQ-2 and VMAQ-3, he played a crucial role during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, showcasing his commitment to duty and service. While balancing his military service, Jay pursued higher education and earned a BBA in Economics from Loyola University-New Orleans in 1999. Transitioning to the financial sector in 2005, Jay commenced his career as a Financial Advisor at Ameriprise Financial, later contributing his expertise to the Trading Desk at CapitalOne Financial Advisors in 2008-2009. His managerial acumen came to the forefront during his role as the Agency Supervisory Officer for Fleur de Lis Financial (MassMutual Financial Group/MML Investors) from 2010-2011. For over a decade, Jay held various managerial positions in Compliance at Prudential Advisors, earning him 14 years of management experience in the Financial Services Industry. Presently, Jay serves as the Managing Director for The Consortium in Mandeville, LA. In this role, he is assembling a team of Financial Advisors characterized by a passion for learning about the Financial Services Industry, combined with a strong work ethic and a spirit of entrepreneurship and independence. With an impressive array of qualifications, including FINRA Series 7, 24, 53, 66, L/H/A Insurance License, P&C Insurance License, and professional designations like CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, Jay Mitchell brings a wealth of expertise to his current role. Beyond his professional pursuits, he finds joy in live music, fine dining, and entertaining friends and family.

Caitlyn Christy

Director of Business Development

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, I followed my heart to the vibrant streets of New Orleans, lured by the enchanting blend of music and community. Intrigued by the ever-evolving world  of finance, I embrace its infinite depths, driven by the desire to empower my peers as they navigate life’s financial landscapes. Currently on the path to mastering the Series 65, my aim is to guide others towards financial security, nurturing their legacies with unwavering commitment and knowledge. I aspire to be a lifelong mentor, a guardian of their financial dreams, and a beacon of support through every chapter of their lives.

I would be delighted to sit down with you to explore more ways for securing YOU, a brighter financial future!

 

Get In Touch

800  North Causway Blvd. Ste. 2b Mandeville, La 70448

(985) 377-9408