Dr. Chet Bennetts is Department Chair and Associate Provost at The American College of Financial Services, leading academic strategy, faculty development initiatives, and collegewide curriculum innovation. Formerly Program Director for the CFP® and ChFC® programs, he teaches and researches as an Assistant Professor of Financial Planning. He served 8.5 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, including a 2004-2005 Fallujah combat tour, earning the Purple Heart. After medical discharge, he built a 20+ year financial services career spanning 401(k) client services, financial planning and asset management ($400 million AUM), and leadership of 80 advisors across five states. He holds a Ph.D. in Financial Planning as well as the CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, RICP®, and CLF® designations. His award-winning research work spans the areas of behavioral finance, financial, physical, and mental well-being, AI, and policy. His 2023 legislative fellowship helped advance FINVET, a no-cost VA counseling program for veterans and caregivers.