About us

Consortium
 

is an association of two or more individuals, companies, or organizations with the objective of participating in a common activity or pulling their resources for achieving a common goal.  kən-ˈsȯr-sh(ē-)əm  , -ˈsȯr-tē-əm

The Consortium

brings experienced specialist as a team to answer challenges that you may face.

OUR HISTORY

Our story begins in the warmth of a family kitchen, in the lush bayou of Mandeville, Louisiana.

This is where current CEO GA Michael Christy and co-founder CFO Tiffany Christy  formed the inceptive notion of providing quality financial planning for all communities, regardless of status and background. This is what would set the Consortium apart from average firms.
The word consortium means multiple businesses or companies, coming together for the same common goal. As a non proprietary company, we are able to put our clients needs above product, and tailor a strategy to assist them in reaching their goals.

The founders of the consortium have been in the business for 20 years. During this time they have worked for multiple companies which lead them to obtain all different aspects of the financial industry, both good and bad. From this journey, they were able to implement a better way to assist the challenges clientele face way beyond retirement leading into a reassuring future.

Consortium staff

Our Team Of Professionals

The Consortium is a multi-faceted firm with agents, and advisors all over the U.S.  Just as our name implies, we work with experts in every area that influence your personal wealth and/or business growth.  These experts specialize in benefits, insurance, business/estate evaluation and investments. We also have access finest lawyers, CFP, estate, and business planning attorneys in the country. We value ourselves on being a fiduciary for our client. Instead of just selling products, we consult with our clients for their needs and budget to make sure we implement the best solution, putting our clients in a better position.

Ruth Bush

Director of Benefits and Managing Director

Ruth Bush serves as the Director of Benefits and Managing Director at The Consortium, combining her vast experience in employee benefits and financial services with a deep passion for helping others. Having been a key leader at The 320 Firm, Ruth played a pivotal role in delivering comprehensive solutions to clients, and her partnership with The Consortium has expanded the firm’s capabilities in offering exceptional insurance and financial planning services.

Ruth is driven not only by her expertise but by a strong commitment to helping underprivileged individuals. Her passion for ministry and community outreach further fuels her mission to empower people, both in business and in life. She actively integrates her professional skills with her heart for service, helping clients achieve financial security and fostering a culture of care within the organization.

As a Managing Director, Ruth oversees the growth and development of advisors across The Consortium, ensuring that they carry forward the values of integrity, service, and excellence. Her leadership continues to elevate the firm, making it a trusted name in financial services.

Semmes Hughs

Associate General Agent

I continue to build strong business and personal relationships by helping clients reach their financial goals. I do this while also educating and providing insurance-based solutions for retirement and protecting their loved ones. I’ve been active in the life insurance and financial services industry since 1983. I Earned my CLU degree in 2002. My areas of expertise include risk management strategies, life insurance, disability income, long term care, annuities, and employee benefits. I am a Past Qualifying Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, past President of the Society of Financial Service Professionals and an active member of National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisers. I’ve had both a retail as well as a wholesale practice, where I’ve been effective helping other colleagues with their business as it pertains to risk management planning in estate, business, and retirement planning. I was born in Jackson, MS but grew up in New Orleans. I graduated from Jesuit High School and Tulane University. I have lived in Madisonville since 2001 and have a long history of being involved in several community service, civic and social organizations with a purpose of helping those in need. I’m married to my wonderful wife, Julie, better known as “The Queen”, and my children are Elizabeth Hughs Bouanchaud (Stephen) with their daughter Lucy (YES, I’m a grandfather, Woohoo!) , Tommy, and Catherine.

John Jabbia, LUTCF

Associate General Agent

I am originally from Natchitoches, LA and began my insurance career in 1988 as a Multi-Line insurance agent with the Louisiana Farm Bureau serving the family and small business market. I have earned many various sales awards in my career including Rookie of the Year, Agent of the Year, the National Sales Achievement Award, and Million Dollar Round Table multiple times. In 1996 I accepted a position with a company in South Louisiana, and moved my family to the Baton Rouge area, where we continue to live today. 

In 1998, I was offered a position with Hibernia National Bank Private Client Group, where I earned the title of Vice- President and became a member of the coveted CEO CIRCLE.  Change happens and in 2006, Hibernia Bank was sold and renamed Capital One Bank.  During that transition, I was offered and accepted  the position of Statewide Brokerage Director at the Louisiana Agency of MassMutual where I began recruiting and supporting independent agents with sales ideas, case design, presentation and closing  cases with high end independent producers.  In between my two stints at MassMutual Louisiana, I was Regional Vice President for Ohio National in Louisiana and Southern Arkansas. 

I originally met Michael Christy in 2008 and had enjoyed working together on several management level projects. My experience with recruiting and developing independent agents prompted my joining Mike at The Consortium in 2018. Together we began building the Agency focusing first on experienced professionals in Insurance, Investment Management, and Legal.  The Consortium, LLC footprint quickly grew to multiple states with seasoned professionals across a broad spectrum of specialties.  We continue to expand seeking the best and brightest in our profession.

I bring 40 years of experience as a business owner, Insurance professional working with individuals, families, businesses, estates and Trusts, as well as protecting and growing retirement savings, wealth creation, preservation and transfer.  

My wife Mari and I have two adult children, two grandchildren, and one dog, Libby. We enjoy doing things together; traveling, fishing, golfing, cooking outdoors with family, friends, and of course, grandchildren.

Allen Churchill, CLTC

Associate Managing Director

A graduate of the George Washington University Allen worked in public affairs with highlights including stints at the National Republican
Congressional committee, Hill and Knowlton, and training Ukranian and Moldavian democracy activists. In 2006, he joined A. G. Edwards in Mandeville, LA. This was the first of several firms that he worked with in the post 2008 crash environment going through five mergers. This experience as well as going through the oil crash in the 1980”s gave him an acute sense of booms and busts that occur in markets. During this time, he developed a passion for long term care planning due to chronic illness in his family. In 2020, he was recruited by Semmes Hughs, a colleague from previous firms and Mike Christy to join The Consortium. In 2022, he was promoted to managing director and broadened his practice to include protecting clients from additional retirement risks
including market crashes, longevity, chronic illness, inflation and growth issues. This broadened focus includes attention to issues faced by small business owners including buy-sell agreements, business succession planning, retirement plans, deferred compensation, and employee benefits. Mr. Churchill employs a team approach bringing in subject specific experts as required. He is happily married to his wife, Kelli, a Mandeville area mental health therapist, and is active in his church.

Leroy Simpson, Psy.D

Chief Engagement Officer

 My passion lies in creating workplaces where all stakeholders – clients AND advisors – feel valued, motivated, and empowered to do their best and achieve their best!
Fun fact: In 2011, I got my insurance license at the motivation and love (yes you read right, love) from Mike Christy. He encouraged me to pursue it because at the time, he saw something in me that I knew I wanted to help people with myself. Ever since then, I kept a connection to finance learning everything I possibly could from paper assets in stocks and bonds to business venture capital investing to lending private credit to understanding cash flow.
Throughout my career both as an industrial organizational psychologist in consulting, an (small business & “side hustle”) investor and currently as a professor of psychology in teaching, I had the privilege of working with organizations to design and implement initiatives that champion a positive stakeholder experience. Building a strong company culture where advisors as clients can thrive is a cornerstone of my approach. I believe that the Consortium’s core values, mission, and vision should be more than just words on a poster and the way we work should reflect who we are. I’m beyond excited to collaborate with all of you to ensure these values are woven into the fabric of our daily interactions and decision-making.
My overall dynamic here at the consortium is to support building relationships between stakeholders for clients and advisors and I will be using artificial intelligence to help me accelerate this work (yes, I am bringing AI to the consortium).
I’m eager to get to know each of you better and learn about your experiences within the company.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out and connect. Let’s work together to build and grow a financial planning firm where everyone feels valued, engaged, and excited….both inside and out!

Joe Keating

My name is Joseph L. Keating, born on August 9, 1945, in the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana. When I was just two years old, my family relocated to Thibodaux, Louisiana, where I spent my formative years. For the past 48 years, I’ve called Schriever, Louisiana, my home. I’ve been fortunate to share my life with my wonderful wife, Cora Lee Guidry Keating, for 56 years. Together, we’ve raised five incredible children: Shane, Niccole, Jonas, Toby, and Sara. My professional journey began in the amusement business, where I served as a service technician and later as an office manager, overseeing a team of 40 dedicated individuals at Delta Music for 13 years. In October 1979, I embarked on a new chapter when I was recruited by Equitable Life Assurance Society of New York, one of the largest life insurance companies in the nation. During my tenure of 18.5 years, I earned several esteemed awards, including Life Member of the Hall of Fame, the Excalibur Award, and membership in the Million Dollar Round Table. I took pride in consistently ranking among the top 10 elite of both the New Orleans and Baton Rouge agencies, and I maintained the highest persistency for life insurance policies. After my time with Equitable, I transitioned into an independent agent role, representing over 50 life and annuity companies. In 1988, I obtained my Series 6 license, expanding my services to include variable annuities, variable life, mutual funds, and 401k plans. Now, I’ve shifted my focus to estate planning and specialize in marketing fixed indexed annuities, with a keen emphasis on wealth preservation. My journey has been marked by dedication, excellence, and a commitment to serving my clients’ financial needs.

Jay Mitchell, CFP, CLU, CHFC

Managing Director

Jay Mitchell has forged a dynamic and diverse career path, blending military service, academic achievements, and extensive experience in the financial services industry. In 1990, Jay embarked on a significant chapter of his life, dedicating five years to the United States Marines. Serving as an Airframes Mechanic with VMAQ-2 and VMAQ-3, he played a crucial role during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, showcasing his commitment to duty and service. While balancing his military service, Jay pursued higher education and earned a BBA in Economics from Loyola University-New Orleans in 1999. Transitioning to the financial sector in 2005, Jay commenced his career as a Financial Advisor at Ameriprise Financial, later contributing his expertise to the Trading Desk at CapitalOne Financial Advisors in 2008-2009. His managerial acumen came to the forefront during his role as the Agency Supervisory Officer for Fleur de Lis Financial (MassMutual Financial Group/MML Investors) from 2010-2011. For over a decade, Jay held various managerial positions in Compliance at Prudential Advisors, earning him 14 years of management experience in the Financial Services Industry. Presently, Jay serves as the Managing Director for The Consortium in Mandeville, LA. In this role, he is assembling a team of Financial Advisors characterized by a passion for learning about the Financial Services Industry, combined with a strong work ethic and a spirit of entrepreneurship and independence. With an impressive array of qualifications, including FINRA Series 7, 24, 53, 66, L/H/A Insurance License, P&C Insurance License, and professional designations like CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, Jay Mitchell brings a wealth of expertise to his current role. Beyond his professional pursuits, he finds joy in live music, fine dining, and entertaining friends and family.

Reed Sigler

Wealth Management

I am a Licensed Life and Health Agent who has been practicing in the insurance industry since 2007. With over a decade of experience, I am well versed in the field of voluntary benefits, group life, group health insurance, dental, vision, and retirement income planning.
My focus on voluntary benefits allows me to provide customized solutions for clients
who want to offer additional benefits to help protect their employee’s income and
assets. I understand the importance of providing comprehensive benefits that help
employees feel valued and supported in the workplace. I also work closely with
employers to design benefit plans that meet their needs and budget. In addition to voluntary benefits, I am skilled in group life and health insurance, providing businesses with affordable and comprehensive coverage options for their employees. I  specializes in dental and vision insurance, recognizing the importance of oral and eye health for overall wellness.
My specialties also lie in Retirement Income planning, helping individuals and families navigate the complex world of retirement planning. I truly understands that everyone’s retirement goals are unique and works with clients to create personalized plans that ensure they can retire comfortably.

Harrison Wenzel

Financial Associate/Benefits Representative

Shawnghtoi Lahpai

Business Development Advisor

Born in one of the villages of the North Kachin State, JingRang Hkang, Putao of Northern Burma, I grew up in a pastoral family, taking up assigned mission tasks over the years. Under my mother’s custodianship, I could establish my foundational education and further pursue it in a heavenly atmosphere, free from the oppression of The Military Regime. Eventually, such passion for educational understanding and dynamics allowed me to majorize in religious studies, business leadership, etc. In my several academic masters and starting from the  University of Mandalay, and Southern Methodist University, SMU of Dallas, Texas. Educational trajectories would be vital to unlocking the world communities, including Burma, into one safer and cooperating enterprise. Working for American Life Insurance and Financial companies for
three years, I professionalized myself as a Retirement Financial planner both in Life & annuity, driven to create the need of Burmese-Asian-American communities. Admittedly, it is my honor, trust, and confidence to work with the Consortium and Michael Christy, the Founder, and CEO, who is also my GA upline in my Ameritas financial service for extending generous advice, services, and leadership possible in time of my need. Usually, I work from my home office:14306 Rosharon, Texas, 77583.

My wife and I have three children in our 22 years of marriage. Simon Zau is in a university preparing for his teaching carrier and professional in physics. Of course, Ing Lahpai, aka Tasia, is our daughter who plays violin in the church where I administer the pastoral ministry. She is also a proud  agent because of her progression to the insurance financial system and her college. Our youngest, Gibson, is in primary school, and he loves playing games and Monopoly, yet he is friendly and thoughtful. I love reading and writing an academic one, which I still do.

Ruth Ferry Ragusa

Benefit Specialist

Ruth Ferry Ragusa entered the financial services industry in 2009 and has been a licensed life and health insurance agent since 2011.  Ruth founded FleurINS, an independent insurance agency, in April 2018.  Ruth provides business owners and individuals insurance-based solutions to protect their assets, guarantee their income continuation and maintain their health.

FleurINS proudly represents carriers such as Ameritas, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Humana, and United Health Care.  Ruth gives back to the insurance industry serving as an active member of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU), currently serves as President of the New Orleans Association of Health Underwriters (NOAHU) and Board Member of the Louisiana Association of Health Underwriters (LAHU).   Ruth is a proud supporter for The Henry Aucoin Foundation, Angel’s Place and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Corey A. Masten

Business Development Representative

I’m originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan. I fell in love with Louisiana and I’m proud to call it home. I enjoy building relationships and have a knack for understanding people. I have many years of experience as a client consultant. I obtained my B.A. from Tulane University. I love indulging in Louisiana’s fine food, festivals, and football. I am married with two girls, and we love to travel. I look forward to building a relationship with you.

Shelby Ferguson

Business Development Representative

Hey y’all! I am Shelby Ferguson, born and raised here in central Louisiana. I have been serving as an advisor and facilitator of financial and protection products for more than a decade. Over the years, I have helped my members protect their assets and their loved ones, all while giving them the peace of mind that only comes from securing one’s future. I also work with many benefit and assistance programs for our aged 65+ and disabled community members. My current primary focus is helping businesses to grow and thrive. I am here to help with recruiting, training, employee benefits, and so much more!!

June Schram

Broker

My name is June, I am a native to Arizona and I have an extensive background in sales organizations as a certified cooperate trainer and sales manager. I am a licensed insurance broker, including life, health, commercial and residential P&C, and Medicare. I have been a successful real estate agent since 2014. Prior to that, I managed sales teams for Google, FedEx, CenturyLink, AT&T, and other top Fortune 500 companies.

My husband Aaron and I have five wonderful children. My family inspires me to go out and be the best person I can be every day. In my free time I like to hike, travel, and volunteer with many local charities.

Caitlyn Christy

Director of Business Development

Originally from Columbus, Ohio, I followed my heart to the vibrant streets of New Orleans, lured by the enchanting blend of music and community. Intrigued by the ever-evolving world  of finance, I embrace its infinite depths, driven by the desire to empower my peers as they navigate life’s financial landscapes. Currently on the path to mastering the Series 65, my aim is to guide others towards financial security, nurturing their legacies with unwavering commitment and knowledge. I aspire to be a lifelong mentor, a guardian of their financial dreams, and a beacon of support through every chapter of their lives.

I would be delighted to sit down with you to explore more ways for securing YOU, a brighter financial future!

 

Michael B. Christy

CEO

Born and raised in Lancaster, Ohio, I began my journey in a small town, driven by a desire to understand the world around me. I attended Ohio University, double majoring in History and Political Science, pre-law. But fate had other plans, and my path led me into the world of finance, starting as a banker. It was there that I discovered my true passion for empowering individuals through financial stability.

I launched my career with a major Financial Services firm in Upper Arlington Ohio, where I rose quickly, becoming a leader’s level producer and hitting MDRT level production for seven consecutive years. Helping hundreds of folks achieve financial wellness. This achievement opened doors to new opportunities, and I was soon offered the role of General Agent for the Ameritas Life Insurance Company in New Orleans, Louisiana. Also beginning Consortium Private Wealth which is a Registered Investment advisory firm based here in Louisiana. The Consortium since 2018 has now expanded to several other states around the country.

In 2018, with a vision to revolutionize the financial services industry, I founded The Consortium, where I’ve had the privilege of building and leading a team of over 50 highly successful advisors, operating across 10 states. My goal is to make The Consortium a household name and establish it as a premier leader in financial services, Wealth management and Insurance. Thus setting a new standard for excellence in the industry. We are hoping to become a destination for new advisors to learn the business and build a career for a lifetime.

Beyond business, I believe in paying it forward and supporting the community that has supported me. I dedicate my time to various charitable organizations throughout New Orleans and currently sit on the board of the Northshore Performing Arts Center.

When I’m not focused on business or philanthropy, you can find me on the golf course—my other passion. After attempting a professional career post-college, I continue to embrace the game for the values it teaches: honor, pride, and honesty. These principles guide both my personal and professional life, ensuring that I lead with integrity every step of the way. I am also a proud father of two daughters Catherine and Caitlyn, who are starting to blaze their way in the world and build a life of excellence. I am currently a proud member of Trinity Episcopal Church in New Orleans, and a long time member of the Anglican Communion. I currently reside in Mandeville Louisiana, among the beautiful parks and bayous of southern Louisiana. I am proud to be a Buckeye but I am now a great lover of the south.

800  North Causway Blvd. Ste. 2b Mandeville, La 70448

(985) 377-9408