Our Founder - Our Philosophy

Lenard S. Cohen, CLU , CFP™

When Len hires other professionals - doctors, lawyers, landscapers, home improvement contractors, or anyone else - he prefers doing business with people who have a broad scope of talents and who take the time to get to know him. He believes that his clients want and deserve the same treatment. That's the service you will get. Len is committed to giving each client the time and consideration to listen and to understand.

Many firms have grown large by fragmenting activities and breaking tasks into small, standardized pieces. They have lost the art of listening. Len has never been willing to accept this approach. It misses the "big picture" and it is not adequate. He is committed to the principle that relationships with clients can only be built by getting to know the client and by helping to navigate together by implementing a financial strategy.

Len's most important business strategy is to listen to his clients and to ask enough questions to be certain he understands your concerns and goals before offering advice and solutions. When he does offer ideas, they come from many years of experience and learning as a financial services professional. Len's recommendations are customized to fit the unique circumstances of each client. Since 1981, Len has worked with clients in the Washington metropolitan area and many of his first clients are still with him. Each relationship is managed with concern and sensitivity that has grown through a long term commitment. In many cases, Len now works with multiple generations of the same families.

At this stage in his career, Len plans to continue in this work for another twenty years. Len is a Branch Manager, managing an Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction for Walnut Street Securities, Inc. (WSS). Through WSS, Len offers advisory services, fee-base managed account , stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities and other financial instruments.

Len was President in 2003-2004 of the Suburban Maryland Estate Planning Council. His technical skills are evidenced by his attainment of the Chartered Life Underwriter and  CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Practitioner and Accredited Estate Planner  designations -- which are awarded to those who demonstrate proficiency and professionalism in their careers. He has been an instructor in professional continuing education programs for insurance agents and other financial services professionals. Len has degrees from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, University of Illinois, and University of Hawaii. He and his wife of thirty years, Marilla, live in Darnestown.  He has two adult daughters.

Len Cohen is a registered representative and financial planner of and offers securities and financial planning services through Walnut Street Securities, Inc. (WSS), Member FINRA/SIPC.  CF Services Group, Inc. is a separate entity from WSS.