Tim Fleshman brings an uncommon path to financial planning. Before joining the financial services industry, he spent years in sports and project management – working across sales and marketing, event production, logistics, and customer service. That background gave him a practical, client-first orientation that shows up directly in how he builds financial plans: methodically, with attention to the whole person, not just the numbers.

Tim is Manager of Financial Planning at Parkwoods and is based in Tucson. He and his wife recently welcomed their son Forester, and the three of them share their home with two dachshunds. On weekends you’ll usually find him cheering on the Arizona Wildcats.

Below, Tim shares how he approaches financial planning, what clients can expect when they work with him, and why simplicity is the through-line in everything he does.

How do you help clients?

The biggest way I serve clients is through financial planning. I’m either creating a new plan where a client sees their financial future laid out with achievable goals for the first time, or updating existing plans to make sure clients stay on track through all of life’s changes. The work I do through planning really helps address the concern most clients share: Will I be okay?

What should clients expect when they work with you?

I’m fully aware that when a client is told they can spend a certain amount on vacations or a new car, they’ll spend it without question. Understanding the psychology involved in financial planning has raised the care I put into every plan. Clients can expect me to build their plan with the same dedication as if I were working on my own mother’s plan. Also, I’m very nice.

What’s a recent development at Parkwoods that you’re excited to be part of?

Parkwoods is committed to delivering exceptional, comprehensive financial plans – which is why I was thrilled to join our newly formed Financial Planning Committee. I’m excited to bring my planning experience to the group and expand my knowledge as we work to build a standardized process across the firm.

What’s one misconception you often clarify for clients?

There really are no stupid questions. Building a financial plan is an exercise most clients are taking on for the first time, and they should feel welcome to ask anything. Not every question is directly relevant to the plan – but all of them are usually revealing, and they help me understand who you are.

Why does Parkwoods fit how you like to serve clients?

I wrestled with this one and started over at least four times. There are so many ways Parkwoods fits how I like to serve clients, but I kept coming back to a single word: simplicity. Parkwoods is taking the complex and often confusing financial industry and making it clearer for clients. It’s what I want and need in my own life – so naturally, I’m thrilled to be able to offer that same clarity to clients through Parkwoods.

What’s a book you’ve read recently that you’d recommend?

The last real book I read for pleasure was The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell – historical nonfiction about military strategy and philosophy around long-range bombing in World War II. These days, most of the books I thumb through don’t have any words. Good Dog, Carl is a current favorite because you can make up the dialogue each time based on the illustrations alone. But I’m looking forward to the day I can read Calvin and Hobbes with my son, Forester.

What’s your favorite local spot in Tucson?

Since Forester arrived, we’ve pivoted from hunting for good eats and libations to finding places to explore and engage with him. We now have memberships to the Tucson Children’s Museum, Reid Park Zoo, Pima Air and Space Museum, and Tucson Botanical Gardens – all highly recommended. But if you want to sample some truly Tucson cuisine, track down a food truck selling Sonoran Hot Dogs and thank me later. Tucson is a designated Creative City of Gastronomy, and Sonoran Hot Dogs are a good reason why.

Ready to see your financial picture more clearly?

Schedule a 20-minute call with a Parkwoods advisor. We’ll talk through your situation and help you understand your next steps.