Riggs Financial Group
Matthew J Riggs
Founder & Wealth Management Advisor|CFP®, ChFC®
Forbes Best-in-State Top Financial Security Professional, 2022-2024
About Matt
Matt became a Wealth Management Advisor in 2010. He has always known the value of a dollar. By the age of 13, Matt was starting small businesses shoveling snow or other odd jobs. He earned his Bachelors in Finance from the University of South Florida and then quickly rose through the ranks of the large equipment industry. Wanting to have a more positive impact, Matt was drawn to switch careers and become a Wealth Management Advisor. He is passionate about helping others create financial security. He loves nothing more than to see a client's vision for the future come true!
Matt was born in St. Louis, MO and moved to the Tampa Bay area when he was 3 years old. He went to high school locally at Brandon High and the attended the University of South Florida where he received a BS of Finance in 1997. Matt started his career at the young age of 13 working part time for RingPower and after completing college rose to the position of Vice President. In 2006, he was referred to Northwestern Mutual by a client and after going through the comprehensive planning process and became a client himself, Matt found such value in the commitment and quality of service that in 2010 he took the leap of faith and after 18 years left RingPower to start his own financial planning practice.
Matt is married to his best friend Elizabeth. They reside in Tampa, FL with their children Lily, Cole, Parker, and Crew. In their free time, they enjoy projects around the home, gardening, traveling, and spending time with family.
Recognition / Awards
- FORUM (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
The Northwestern Mutual Forum is given to those who have reached the highest level of excellence and represents the top segment in the industry. - DISABILITY INCOME TOP 10 (2018, 2017, 2016, 2015)
- The Platinum Award (2013), The Gold Award (2011), The Silver Award (2010), The Bronze Award (2010)
Designations & Certifications
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional
Matt Riggs received his CFP® certification in 2016.
The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification is one of the most recognized financial planning marks in the world. CFP® certification identifies to the public those individuals who have met rigorous professional standards and have agreed to adhere to the principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism, and diligence when dealing with clients. The certification differs from an educational designation or state license in that it is based upon requirements that have been determined by extensive job analyses of actual practitioners in the field, and therefore, continue to evolve with the profession. The CFP® certification prepares the financial services professional for a career-long commitment to meeting the ever-changing financial needs of clients
CHARTERED FINANCIAL CONSULTANT™ (ChFC®)
Matt Riggs received his ChFC® certification in 2019.
The ChFC® designation was introduced by the American College of Financial Services in 1982. It requires the same core curriculum needed for the CFP®, plus additional coursework that further hones an applicant’s skills as a professional wealth manager. To become a ChFC®, a candidate needs to pass a total of eight courses covering all facets of financial planning. In addition, they need to have worked full-time for three of the last five years in a related field. An undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited institution counts toward one year of business experience.
FINRA- Series 7 Registration
Administered by Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and provides an individual with the qualifications necessary in order to make different types of trades with all types of general securities, excluding commodities and futures. It is also one of the steps necessary in order for a member firm associate to register with FINRA.
Get to know my dedicated team
Each of us are committed to providing exceptional service. If you need to schedule an appointment, request service, or have a question about a policy or account, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Keegan Thomas Oberer
Wealth Management Advisor
Keegan joined the team in August 2021. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Business Management from Eckerd College. Keegan has a background in finance, most recently as a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual. With 3 years in the Financial Planning industry, his mission is to help clients create and protect their secure financial futures . As the Associate Financial Advisor of Riggs Financial, he works directly with clients to help ensure their financial needs are continuously met. He is also a utility player within the team for the day to day workflow. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, traveling and spending time with his wife, Kerri and their son, Gunnar. Keegan may work with you to: Create customized Financial Plans Provide Investment strategy and advisory solutions Protect your financial plan
Nurdan Johnsingh
MBA
Director of Client Operations
Nurdan was born in NJ and moved to Tampa in 2007. She has an MBA from Pace University in NYC and has worked in finance most of her career. She previously focused on budgeting and forecasting for large corporations including L’Oreal, CVS, Johnson and Johnson and Sesame Street. She loves to travel and has a passion for cooking. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters when she isn’t handling the day-to-day operations for our team.
Christine Carter
Relationship Coordinator
Chris grew up in St. Louis and moved to Naples, Florida in 1980. Over the years, she has lived in St. Petersburg, Brandon, and in the Tampa area for the last 17 years. She graduated from Notre Dame High School in St. Louis and attended Southeast Missouri University and Meramec College. For 25-plus years, she has directly assisted a number of presidents and CEOs of major corporations and non-profits. Most recently, she provided a high level of administrative support to the former chairman, president and CEO of major equipment dealer in the state of Florida. She resides in the Tampa area with her husband, Larry, where they enjoy home projects and spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Kevin Folliet
RICP®
Director of Investment Management
Kevin joined Northwestern Mutual in November 2016 and first served as a registered financial representative before joining the planning department within Riggs Financial Group. He holds his Series 7, Series 63 securities registrations and Florida 2-15 (Life & Health) Licenses. Kevin has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the Sorbonne University of Paris, France, and a Master’s Degree in Business Management from NEOMA Business School of Reims, France. Kevin can help you with: Portfolio management Investment strategies
Jarrett W Tsai
Associate Portfolio Advisor
Jarrett was born and raised in Bradenton, Florida. Jarrett received his Bachelor’s in Finance from the University of Florida, Go Gators! He started his career at Northwestern Mutual as an intern in 2017, and upon graduating in 2018, he transitioned to a full-time associate financial advisor. After starting full-time, Jarrett had the opportunity to join the Investment Strategy Group as an associate where he assists Kevin Folliet with portfolio management, portfolio analysis, and trading. Jarrett holds his Series 7, Series 63 securities registrations and Florida 2-15 (Life & Health) License. He currently resides in Sarasota, Florida with his fiancé Jackie. When Jarrett isn’t working he enjoys reading, exercising, studying the financial markets, winter sports, and cooking. Jarrett can help you with: Investment Account Changes Portfolio adjustments Investment Analysis
Matthew White
Investment Assistant
Matthew joined Northwestern Mutual in 2024, assisting Kevin Folliet and Jarrett Tsai with implementing investment research and strategy. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in Economics from the University of Maryland, as well as the Series 7 and 66 Licenses. Matthew volunteers with a nonprofit organization called "Keep Punching" which seeks to fund brain cancer research. In his free time, you’ll find Matthew going to the gym, and playing baseball and golf.
Lending a hand in my community.
As part of Northwestern Mutual, I'm proud to help accelerate the search for better childhood cancer treatments while supporting families undergoing treatment, and survivors from late effects. Here are some of the organizations we partner with:
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF)
ALSF funds cancer research, raises awareness, and supports the families of children with cancer. Since 2012, Northwestern Mutual, its employees, and financial professionals like me have donated more than $20 million to support ALSF and fund over 400,000 research hours.
