Courtesy of John R. Brant

John Brant, regional vice president at KBD & Associates in Ventura, has served as a mentor for youth, including Stewart Sinclair, at the Ventura Boys & Girls Club for many years. Sinclair was named 2008 Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year earlier this month and went on to compete with 500,000 fellow youths for State Youth of the Year.

Courtesy of John R. Brant

Stewart Sinclair met with Lieutenant Governor of California John Garamendi who presented him with a Commendation certificate in his office at the State Capitol.

One of six finalists out of 500,000, Stewart Sinclair advanced to compete in Boys and Girls Club State Youth of the Year Awards.

John R. Brant, a regional Vice President and Principal Wealth Advisor at Ventura-based financial planning firm KBD & Associates, has been involved with the Ventura Boys & Girls Club for the past 14 years serving as a volunteer, mentor and past president. Brant taught Sinclair to juggle and serves as a caring mentor, teaching jugging to youth at the Boys and Girls Club, adding another dimension to activities offered at the club.

Recently, Brant traveled to Redlands for the Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year Awards for Southern California to cheer Sinclair on as he won the prestigious award. Sinclair also was one of six finalists selected from 500,000 youths to compete in Sacramento for the Boys & Girls Clubs State Youth of the Year Awards. Although Sinclair did not win the grand prize, he received a $1,000 scholarship to help further his academic career.

When Sinclair started at the Boys & Girls Club more than 10 years ago he was timid, shy and had trouble socializing. The support provided to Sinclair by the Boys & Girls Club staff and his mentor, Brant, allowed Sinclair to blossom into a compassionate young man. "If it weren't for the Boys & Girls Club of Ventura I might still be that shy little kid in the corner," Sinclair said.

Sinclair, now a high school senior, has given back to the organization that has helped him by starting a science program at the Boys and Girls Club and has been instrumental in teaching a class that exposes kids to the world of science.

"I am very proud of Stewart and all of the things he has accomplished," Brant said. "These kids look up to us as mentors and guides and I feel privileged to have a part in helping them set and reach their goals." Brant goes on to say, "Many children spend afternoons home alone with no adult supervision or companionship. Young people need to know that someone cares and values them."

"All of us at KBD & Associates are thrilled to support our local Boys & Girls Clubs and look forward to a long-standing relationship in helping to provide positive options for today's youth and in making a difference in their future," said Stephen J. Kipp, president and CEO of KBD.

About KBD and John R. Brant

KBD & Associates is a financial planning and investment advisory firm designed to assist individuals, retirees and families attain financial freedom with individual wealth management strategies.John R. Brant currently is Regional Vice President and Principal Wealth Advisor in Ventura and is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL) with more than 17 years of experience assisting clients achieve personal financial goals.

Brant mirrors the KBD & Associates community support model. He is the winner of the Jefferson Award - one of the nation's top honors for community commitment and participation with non-profit organizations and is a 13-year board member of the Ventura Boys and Girls Club. He serves on the Rubicon Theatre Advisory Board and has been a member of the Rotary Club of Ventura for 12 years.He is a third generation resident of Ventura County. His wife, Cherie, is a published author of local Ventura County history.

For more information, call 805-650-7654, or visit the website at www.kippbrantdrummond.com.