Ozarks Profile: John Piatchek

What is your job?

John Piatchek describes himself as "a financial architect." "I'm a ChFC, chartered financial consultant; a CLU, chartered life underwriter; and a CFBS, certified family business specialist," he said. Piatchek has created a program he calls the "Financial Blueprint Process" because "it helps clients develop a financial blueprint to achieve their goals," he said. "It helps them to enhance and protect their assets and secure their financial future.

Please tell us about your business.

Piatchek and Associates Inc. has been in business about 40 years. "Our mission is to create value by providing leadership, building lasting relationships and designing creative financial solutions," Piatchek said. "In addition to the financial blueprint process, we offer retirement planning services, 401(k) plans, a wide selection of personal and business insurance plans and business continuation services."

What prepared you for work as a financial advisor?

Piatchek has a degree in marketing management from Southeast Missouri State University. "I've also been dealing with people since I was seven years old," he said. "I started with a pretzel stand in St. Louis, a paper route, a snow cone business, and a lawn-mowing and house-painting business. I sold encyclopedias for three years to pay my way through college." Piatchek said he's always enjoyed dealing with people and helping them solve problems. "I actually started my career while in my senior year in college and have stayed with it ever since. I would really hate to have a real job."

What's the best part of your job?

For Piatchek, the best part of his job is getting to meet all types of people and trying to help them. "I also like the independence it gives me to donate time to Ronald McDonald House Charities, the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers & Big Sisters, the Community Blood Bank and Rotary," he said.

Can you tell us something about your personal life and family?

Piatchek and his wife Diana have been married for 33 years. "She handles the books for our business and our real estate," he said. "My brother and I married sisters and he brought me into the business. We did good; we're both still married and are still in the same business." The couple's daughter Tina graduated from Southwest Missouri State University and operates a small cake decorating business. "She's married to Kenny Gott, a human resources manager at MCI. Our son Joe is a Missouri University graduate and has been a caseworker at Burrell Center for two years. He plans to attend law school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City this fall," Piatchek said.

How do you like to spend your leisure time?

"I am a basketball junkie. I've been an avid fan of the Bears, the Panthers, and the Tigers for many years. This year I attended 12 NCAA tournament games. I also play two times a week at Drury. I'm also addicted to golf and all types of cars and motorcycles. I've owned over 150 cars and 25 motorcycles. Diana jokes she is going to have me committed to the Henry Ford Clinic."