John "JB" Birney has more than 38 years of experience as a Financial Advisor working extensively with business owners, individuals, and families. As an Investment Advisor Representative with United Planners, JB enjoys problem-solving with clients and helping them face the many challenges of investing and preserving their wealth in today’s ever-changing world. He is a passionate financial educator: bettering client lives through proper planning.
JB enjoys making his clients’ money work hard. He is passionate about helping them achieve their goals using traditional investments (Stocks, Bonds, & Mutual Funds), annuities, life insurance, alternative investments, and separately managed (fee-based) accounts. In 2019, JB created and implemented a simplified two-page financial planning process called “M.A.P.S.” By customizing an "Asset-Map" with clients, this helps to clarify the financial picture and chart their progress in meeting their unique financial goals.
JB is a past Chair of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce and a 2007 graduate of the Northeast Florida Regional Leadership Academy, which represents seven counties in Northeast Florida. He held a gubernatorial appointment from Governor Charlie Crist to the board of The Early Learning Coalition of Putnam and St. Johns Counties. Always passionate about quality early learning, JB now sits as (Interim) Board Chair of the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler & Volusia. He is proudest of his involvement in promoting early literacy and helping to bring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Flagler County!
Many know JB as a local radio personality for 20+ years, from his long-running show “Good Morning Americana” on Flagler College Radio. An avid Florida Gator sports fan, JB also enjoys live music shows, swimming, golf, and baseball. Since 1997, he has resided in Palm Coast with his wife Gail and their 2 dogs. They have three grown children who all graduated from Flagler Palm Coast High School and attended the University of Central Florida. In 2016, "Grandparenthood" began for JB & Gail…the count is now at three, and it is awesome!
About
John "JB" Birney
Owner - JBirney Financial, Inc.
Shannon Kenton
Office Manager / Insurance Specialist
Shannon Kenton joined JBirney Financial in 2011 and always provides a welcoming smile with her over 25 years of insurance and banking experience. In addition to managing the insurance department at JBirney Financial, (Life Insurance, Fixed Annuities, Long Term Care Planning and Disability Insurance) Shannon also captains all marketing efforts and runs the overall day-to-day operations. She loves working with our clients and helping counsel them on important life decisions.
She is also committed to the community she lives in. Shannon has served on the Community Advisory Board with Haven Hospice, is an active member of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, and is also a graduate of Leadership St. Johns and Leadership Flagler. She is especially proud of being a founding partner of Youth Leadership Flagler and cherishes her time working and learning with the students. She had the honor of completing the Flagler County School Board’s “Connect2 Academy” and feels empowered as a key communicator on education issues facing our community.
Shannon was raised in St. Augustine and graduated from St. Augustine High School. She studied insurance at Valencia College and holds her - Florida 2-20 General Lines Insurance license for Property & Casualty, as well as her 2-15 Health & Life (Including Annuities & Variable Contracts) Agent License. She has lived in Palm Coast for over nineteen years with her husband Frank. She has two children and three grandchildren.
Shea Birney
Administrative Coordinator
Shea Birney was hired on as the Administrative Coordinator for JBirney Financial in 2012, and has since become a priceless asset to our team. Shea excels at executing the day to day operations of the business as well as understanding and integrating current technology platforms to improve efficiency and productivity for the company.
A Florida native, Shea currently resides in Washington, DC in a fully remote capacity. In his free time, Shea enjoys writing and performing original music.
Hallie Hydrick
Executive Assistant
Hallie’s role as JBirney Financial’s Executive Assistant, is to support JB and the team with day-to-day activities; helping our workflows and processing run seamlessly. Her focus is on assisting clients and getting timely answers to their questions. As many client households face financial “moments of truth” and explore possible solutions, Hallie’s organizational skills, customer service experience, and positive attitude have proven to be an invaluable asset.
Hallie was born and raised right here in Flagler County. She is a 2011 graduate from Flagler Palm Coast High School, who graduated with Honors from Daytona State College, that very same year. She then attended the University of North Florida obtaining her BA in Business Management.
Being one of the nicest people you will ever meet, it’s a given that Hallie is very involved in our community. She currently serves on the Board for the Young Professionals Group of Flagler County and has also worked as a mentor for Flagler County’s Future Problem Solving Program and Youth Leadership Flagler.
