Henry Swan, ChFC®, CLU®

Henry is a native Chicagoan. He spent 10 years as an architectural draftsman and project manager before joining Equitable in 1977. In 1999 he was promoted to Executive Vice President for Equitable in Chicago. He retired from that position in 2009 and is now a managing partner of Optimal Planning Partners, Inc. He works with the Business Strategies Group of Illinois, a division of Equitable Advisors to help individuals and the owners of closely held businesses become comfortable in developing and implementing tax efficient strategies to grow and protect their wealth.

He is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and holds Series 7, 66 and 24 Securities Licenses. He was awarded the title of Retirement Planning Specialist by Equitable Advisors based on the receipt of a Retirement Planning Certificate from the Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

Henry has served as a board member of the Chicago Chapter of the Society of Financial Services Professionals. He is a charter member of the African American Advisory Committee of the American College for Financial Services Professionals in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and of P.A.C.E., the American College's program to recognize its alumni for the highest standards in professional development.

He has conducted Financial Empowerment Seminars nationwide for Equitable Advisors and Black Enterprise Magazine. He has appeared frequently as an expert guest on Black Enterprise's television program, "Black Enterprise Report." He has also been a featured speaker before the National meetings of the National Association of Black Accountants, the National Association of Healthcare Service Executives and the National Basketball Retired Player Association.

In his community, he founded a non-profit community organization, “Woodgate Fathers,” whose mission is to "Increase the positive interaction between the youth and adult males in the community."  In 1987 Henry received the Good Neighbor Award from the city of Matteson, Illinois.  He also served on the Boards of The United Way of Matteson, Richton Park and Park Forest, Matteson Richton Park Elementary School District 159, Advisory Board of the Career Business and Finance Cluster for the Chicago Public Schools  and as the President of the Matteson Area Chamber of Commerce.