Gene received a B.A. and a J.D. from the University of North Carolina, and he is one of only two attorneys from North Carolina ever to earn the distinction of "Fellow of the Esperti-Peterson Institute." The Esperti-Peterson Institute is the global center for research and studies of advanced wealth planning strategies for high net worth individuals and families, now located within the Academy of Multidisciplinary Practice on the campus of Michigan State University.

Gene teaches courses in estate planning for the Blue Ridge Community College and has given numerous lectures on estate planning topics at national and international conferences. He is a contributing author of the book, Ways and Means - Maximize the Value of Your Retirement Savings, a Co-Author of Asset Protection Techniques in North Carolina, and was one of the founding reviewers of Conspectus Current, a journal of the most current and relevant articles published for estate and wealth planning practitioners. He is a member of the Esperti-Peterson Institute, National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, the American Bar Association, and the North Carolina Bar Association.

Gene is married to the former Lyn Carpenter, of Gastonia, North Carolina. They have two children, John and Jennifer. They are members of the First United Methodist Church in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where Gene is a Trustee and long-time Sunday School teacher. In addition, Gene has served on the boards of numerous civic and charitable organizations, and has been active in coaching youth baseball, softball, basketball, and soccer.

Julie A. Ryan is our Trust Funding Coordinator. She works closely with our clients to insure that their estate plans work as designed by properly retitling assets and preparing Change of Beneficiary Forms as needed for insurance policies, annuities, and retirement accounts. A native of Berrien Springs, Michigan, she has lived in HendersonviUe since 1994 and has been employed by Linkous and Associates since 1997. She is a graduate of International School of Brussels, Belgium (High School) and of Bowling Green (Ohio) State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She is married to Thomas Ryan, a computer programmer with Volvo Construction Equipment; they are the parents of two sons, Chris and Steven. Julie's interests include hiking, gardening, music, and travel.

Rose Anne Perry is our Primary Document Preparation Specialist. She oversees the printing of all of our legal forms and documents. Born in North Carolina, she spent most of her life in Miami, Florida, before returning to live in Hendersonville in 1981. She has been employed by Linkous and Associates since 1999. She holds degrees in Biblical Education and in English from Miami Christian College and Florida International University. After teaching English for a number of years, she worked for a mutual fund company and for an insurance company, both in Miami, until her move to Hendersonville. Her interests include reading, hiking, and music.

Nicole has served as a research assistant for two professors in the Law School, and served as a legal intern with Linkous and Associates while pursuing her own law degree. She also worked on the successful political campaign of Congressman Van Hilleary, from the Fourth Congressional District of Tennessee.

Nicole began her law career in Charlotte, North CaroLina, where she practiced for two years before moving to Hendersonville in 1998 to join Linkous and Associates, where she now practices exclusively in the area of estate planning and trust settlement.

Nicole has attended numerous national and international conferences in the field of estate planning, and has addressed a number of civic and professional organizations on such topics as income tax planning, charitable giving, and estate planning.

Nicole is married to Dr. Gary Walicki of Arden Chiropractic, and they reside in Asheville, North CaroLina. They are members of St. Barnabas CathoLic Church, in Arden. Nicole's interest include reading, playing the violin, and cooking.