It’s a Different Relationship
Our People
CEFEX Certified
Integrity. Trust. Fiduciary Responsibility.
CEFEX, the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence, LLC, has certified Corkern & Company of Little Rock to the standard described in the handbook “Prudent Practices for Investment Advisors.” Corkern & Company joins the elite group of Investment Advisors to successfully complete the independent certification process.
Increased Transparency
Most advisors are compensated by the financial companies who employ them, to sell you financial products and services. Their duty and loyalty lie with that employer. CEFEX certification guarantees a level of transparency and fiduciary responsibility unmatched in the financial world.
Increased Oversight
In addition to internal compliance practices and mandatory statutory regulatory compliance, CEFEX certified firms offer independent fiduciary assessments.
Enhanced Portfolio Outcomes
Documented, repeatable processes–the CEFEX “prudent process”–earn higher returns because they are made based on a thorough understanding of long-term investments rather than trends and speculation.
Barry is a co-author of Widowed – Beginning Again Personally & Financially, published in 1999. Profits from the sale of this book are donated to nonprofit organizations that assist widows.
“It’s a great feeling to work with a human being to discuss and think through their decisions – decisions that affect their family, but also future generations.”
– Barry M. Corkern – President, CFP®, AIFA®
Servant-Minded Financial Management
Meet Our Team
Barry Corkern, CFP® AIFA®
President
Prior to forming his own firm, Corkern recognized that selling financial products for a commission was an obstacle to the client making informed decisions. He realized that people prefer to make financial decisions unclouded by commission-driven sales rhetoric. This led him to become the first person in Arkansas to register solely as an investment advisor. Corkern, as a fiduciary advisor, acts in the clients’ interests at all times and is not motivated by any third-party compensation.
Corkern led the firm to CEFEX (Center for Fiduciary Excellence) certification, which was a first in the State of Arkansas. This certification is only granted by CEFEX to firms that demonstrate adherence to astringent fiduciary best practices. It is a hallmark accomplishment, as it signifies conformity to a recognized global standard of fiduciary excellence and subjects the firm to a rigorous, multi-month audit and certification process.
Corkern has been designated as one of the best financial planners in the United States by Money Magazine and Bloomberg Wealth Manager Magazine. Arkansas Money & Politics has named him to the state list of Best Financial Advisors (reader nominated) as well as named Corkern & Company a “Company of Distinction” in Arkansas.
Although Corkern is not currently securities licensed, he has held the NASD General Securities representative and principal, variable annuity/variable life, mutual funds, and direct participation licenses.
LaQuita S. Neal
Vice President of Operations & Portfolio Assistant
Investment Advisor Representative
LaQuita Neal serves as Vice President of Operations. She also serves as Portfolio Assistant and provides client financial services assistance. She has been with the firm since 2004. She is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a degree in Psychology. For 18 years, she has been a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She has served in the financial industry since 1994.
She is the proud mother of two wonderful girls.
LaQuita S. Neal
Vice President of Operations & Portfolio Assistant
Investment Advisor Representative
LaQuita Neal serves as Vice President of Operations. She also serves as Portfolio Assistant and provides client financial services assistance. She has been with the firm since 2004. She is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a degree in Psychology. For 18 years, she has been a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She has served in the financial industry since 1994.
She is the proud mother of two wonderful girls.
“Over the course of working with Barry for 17 years, I have developed a personal relationship with each client. Ensuring their financial health and security has become the primary focus of my daily routine. On a personal level, I have enjoyed the milestones my clients and their families have experienced. Due to the relationship I have with each client, I deliver a quality knowledge as Vice-President of Operations.”
– LaQuita Neal, VP of Operations
Janice M. Corkern
Controller
Investment Advisor Representative
Jan Corkern, Controller, received her BSBA in Financial Management from the University of Arkansas. Employed with Corkern & Company since 1987, her roles and responsibilities have encompassed most of the company’s activities. She holds her Series 65 and is registered as an Investment Advisor Representative. Jan currently manages all the firm’s finances, cash management, financial reporting, and compliance.
When not working, you can probably find Jan spending time with her family or on a tennis court; her favorite ways to fill her days. Barry and Jan have been happily married since 1996 and are delighted to be the parents of Lauren Fendley and her husband Zach and Lawson Corkern and his wife Rebecca. They are the proud “Jan-Jan” and “Bear-Bear” to their one grandchild.
“Although being a financial controller can come across as being routine and driven by processes, I find my job challenging and interesting. Many days, working remotely I do not see clients nor even the other employees in the office. However, having been a part of Corkern & Company for 36 years, it is more than a job – employees and clients are a huge priority to me. It is my personal responsibility and goal to make sure every penny is accounted for, that all accounts balance and that our company’s underlying financial processes are clean and executed with integrity.”
– Janice Corkern, Controller
Lauren E. Fendley, FPQP®
Client Relations & Media Manager
Lauren Fendley joined the team in 2020 as Client Relations and Media Manager. Her role is to manage and protect the relationships between the company and its clients by nurturing long-term professional and trusting relationships as well as the management of all media related to the firm. She also enjoys collaborating and creative problem-solving with Barry and the team so they are properly equipped to assist clients in meeting their financial goals. Lauren previously worked as a licensed and registered Occupational Therapist and continues to retain these credentials.
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from UCA, and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree from UCA.
In 2021, Lauren earned her Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional Designation to further serve the firm.
When not at work, she enjoys being active outdoors, working out, painting, cheering on the Razorbacks, and spending time with her family and church community. She is married to Zach and they have one busy toddler.
Lauren E. Fendley, FPQP®
Client Relations & Media Manager
Lauren Fendley joined the team in 2020 as Client Relations and Media Manager. Her role is to manage and protect the relationships between the company and its clients by nurturing long-term professional and trusting relationships as well as the management of all media related to the firm. She also enjoys collaborating and creative problem-solving with Barry and the team so they are properly equipped to assist clients in meeting their financial goals. Lauren previously worked as a licensed and registered Occupational Therapist and continues to retain these credentials.
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from UCA, and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree from UCA.
In 2021, Lauren earned her Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional Designation to further serve the firm.
When not at work, she enjoys being active outdoors, working out, painting, cheering on the Razorbacks and spending time with her family and church community. She is married to Zach and they have one busy toddler.
“My goal is to provide exemplary service to our clients and ensure their experience with Corkern & Company is extraordinary. This entails attention to small yet meaningful details as well as the pursuit of big picture goals for the firm. Every client interaction and marketing decision is viewed through the lens of our motto: “It’s a different relationship.” It brings me joy to connect with our clients, whether in person for an office meeting, mailing a birthday card, or simply answering the phone. I enjoy collaborating with our team to further grow our depth of services as well as contributing to our continued pursuit of integrity and excellence.”
– Lauren Fendley – Client Relations & Media Manager, FPQP®
Lawson Corkern
Associate Advisor
Investment Advisor Representative
Lawson Corkern joined the firm in 2024 and serves as as associate advisor. He holds his Series 65, Series 7, Series 63 and SIE licenses, and is currently pursuing the CFP designation. He received his BBA in Finance and Entrepreneurship from Baylor University. Lawson previously worked at J.P. Morgan in Plano, TX as a licensed and registered agent in an advisor development role.
When not at work, he loves being active outdoors, working out, hunting, fishing, spending time with his wife and church community, and cheering on the Baylor Bears, Arkansas Razorbacks, and the Dallas Cowboys.
“I love what we do because we don’t answer to a big institution. No one is feeding us investments to sell, software to implement, and ideas to spread. We have the freedom to explore the entire financial landscape and identify true and unbiased information to help clients make informed decisions. Our relationship with clients is different – it can be as broad as their needs dictate. We have the freedom to help in ways others cannot. That excites me because I know we’re providing value that’s unbiased.”
– Lawson Corkern – Associate Advisor
Objective, Independent Advice
How We Serve
As an independent, fee-only wealth manager and financial advisor, Corkern & Company is able to offer truly unbiased and objective financial advice. Using this structure allows our clients to keep and invest all of their hard-earned money while allowing us to work with only their best interests in mind.