Meet Kermit & Lauren

Kermit R. Griner Jr., CLU^®, ChFC^®, RICP^®

Financial Planner

Kermit Griner is a well-known Financial Planner specializing in comprehensive financial planning, retirement planning, and legacy solutions. He has been serving clients in multiple states since 1979. Together with his daughter, Lauren Isom, they own Griner-Isom Financial Strategies.

Throughout his nearly 40-year career, Kermit has developed a knack for giving his clients a’ha moments by explaining complex financial topics in a way that actually makes sense. He helps them understand where they currently are financially, define where they want to go, and figure out the most efficient path to get there. The end result is a financial blueprint that enables them to take action and move toward a more secure future.

Kermit holds advanced designations as a Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU^®), Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC^®), and Retirement Income Certified Professional^® (RICP^®). Kermit strongly believes that, 

“You must continue to study in this ever-changing business or the business will leave you behind.”

Kermit is a Lifetime and Qualifying member of the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) and is recognized as a Registered Representative with NYLIFE Securities, LLC and a Financial Adviser with Eagle Strategies, LLC. He is also a member of the Estate Planning Council of Columbus, Georgia.

Lauren Isom, CLTC^®

Financial Planner

Lauren Isom is a Financial Planner with nearly two decades of experience as a resource and trusted professional for her clients.  Lauren began her career path by receiving a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the Campbell School of Business at Berry College. During that time, she spent her breaks and summers interning and learning from her father, Kermit Griner, so that she could hit the ground running upon graduation.

After graduation, Lauren chose to join the New York Life family and work with her father full-time. For nearly two decades, Lauren Isom has been providing comprehensive financial planning services to clients throughout Columbus and the surrounding area. Lauren is the co-founder of Griner-Isom Financial Strategies, and she specializes in designing and implementing holistic financial plans that are aligned with each client’s unique needs and goals. When you meet Lauren, you’ll notice right away that she has a huge passion for what she does that goes all the way back to her childhood.

“My dad has been in this industry since 1979, so I grew up seeing the difference he was making in people’s lives. He protected people and empowered them with information so that they could make wise financial decisions for themselves and their families, and I knew that’s what I wanted to do as well.”

Lauren has accomplished many great things in her short career, including:

• Co-Founded Griner-Isom Financial Strategies with her father

• Became a Registered Representative with NYLIFE Securities

• Became a Financial Adviser with Eagle Strategies, LLC

• Received her Certified in Long Term Care (CLTC^®) designation from the Corporation for Long Term Care Certification, Inc.

• Earned membership into the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT)

• She is currently pursuing advanced designations for Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant^® (ChFC^®).

Lauren is proud of all those achievements, but what she’s proudest of is the fact that she has grown her practice almost exclusively through word-of-mouth referrals. She treats her clients like family and works hard to serve them well, so having their trust and receiving their referrals is a big honor for Lauren.