Financial and Retirement Planning – Tools Available to Firefighters
Robert Key, Rich Linden, Kara Tedesco, and Lamar Hernandez
Friday, June 13, 2025
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
The “Do-It-Yourself Guide to Personal Financial Improvement” course on Friday, June 13 from 2-3:30 p.m. during Fire-Rescue is designed to help you retake control of your finances, ensuring every hard-earned dollar works for you. We’ll take a look at some of the tools that are available to you through the Association website that can help you take steps toward planning for your retirement. Being prepared for the unexpected is crucial in your line of work, and we’ll show you how to stay financially ready for whatever life throws your way. Take charge of your financial future and transform your financial stress into empowerment!
Lamar Hernandez
Lamar Hernandez is an employee retirement educator in Milliman’s Employee Benefits Administration Practice. He joined the firm in 2019. Lamar is responsible for providing communication and education services to Milliman clients. Lamar has focused primarily on financial planning and retirement education for several years. Prior to joining Milliman, Lamar worked for a leading financial firm as a professional presenter/educator with employees under the Teachers Retirement System of Texas. Lamar also worked as a private wealth banker assisting affluent business owners in developing strategic and tailored solutions to increase continuance growth and profitability. He has been in the retirement industry since 2008.
Robert Key
Mr. Key is the former President of CCM Investment Advisers and now serves as a Portfolio Manager and Chief Compliance Officer. He joined CCM Investment Advisers in 1998, and his responsibilities include management of client portfolios, marketing and fundamental research in the finance sector. He is a CFA Charterholder, a former Certified Cash Manager, has served as an adjunct professor of finance at the University of South Carolina and has provided expert consultation on legal matters involving lending and securities. Mr. Key is a past President of the CFA Society of S.C.
Rich Linden
Mr. Linden joined CCM in 2024 as Portfolio Manager and Director of High-Net Worth Strategies and was promoted to President in March 2025. His primary responsibilities at CCM include strategic organization, leadership of the firm, management of individual and institutional client portfolios, investment committee contributions and analysis, and participation in the firm’s business development and marketing initiatives. Prior to joining CCM, Mr. Linden spent over two decades in portfolio management and financial advisory. In the community, he has served as a student mentor at The Citadel; volunteer youth sports coach; and advisory council member for Historic Columbia.
Kara Tedesco
Kara is a Principal and Relationship Manager of Milliman’s Employee Benefits Administration Practice. Kara joined Milliman in 1994 and started in the retirement plan industry in 1994. She consults with defined contribution clients on all areas of plan design and compliance with ERISA and related regulations.
