Joseph Goetz, Ph.D.

‍A Distinguished Authority in Investment Management and Retirement Planning
Dr. Joe Goetz is a nationally acclaimed financial strategist renowned for his expertise in investment and retirement planning tailored to individuals and couples seeking to secure and enhance their financial legacies. Leveraging advanced, evidence-based investment and financial planning methodologies, Joe is dedicated to designing bespoke strategies that align with each client’s unique goals and aspirations, ensuring a clear path to lasting financial well-being. As co-founder of Elwood & Goetz Wealth Advisory Group, Joe set out to create a sophisticated, transparent, and client-centered advisory firm serving the Athens community and beyond. His unwavering commitment to excellence and client advocacy earned him the prestigious Financial Counselor of the Year award in 2013, bestowed by the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE). Recognized for his thoughtful approach and trusted counsel, Dr. Goetz now supports a diverse clientele across the United States and internationally, guiding them with integrity, insight, and personalized expertise on their journey to financial confidence and independence.

Pioneering Financial Planning Education
As a co-founder of the master’s and doctoral programs in financial planning at the University of Georgia (UGA), Professor Goetz has made a lasting impact on the profession. From 2009 to 2012, he served as Director of UGA's Financial Planning Program, guiding its growth and shaping its reputation as one of the premier programs in the nation. Today, he continues to teach graduate courses as a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Professor, UGA’s highest teaching honor. His role as an educator translates seamlessly into his client work, where he takes the time to ensure clients fully understand and are confident in their financial plans and investment strategies.

A Prolific Thought Leader in Financial Planning
Joe’s influence extends beyond his work with clients and students. He has co-authored two books and contributed over 50 peer-reviewed publications to the financial planning field. His thought leadership is highly respected, with Joe having served on the editorial boards of prestigious journals such as the Journal of Financial Planning, Journal of Personal Finance, Journal of Financial Therapy, and Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning. His expertise has also been featured in leading publications like The Wall Street Journal, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, U.S. News & World Report, and The New York Times.

Academic Excellence and Prestigious Honors
Joe’s academic journey has been marked by excellence and achievement. He earned his bachelor’s degree with honors from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he was inducted into the prestigious Mystical Seven, an honorary society overseen by the chancellor recognizing "the top seven senior students passing through the university each year." His graduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Texas Tech University resulted in three advanced degrees, including a doctorate focused on financial planning. His groundbreaking dissertation, A Five-Nation Examination of Investment Risk Tolerance, earned the national Robert O. Herrmann Outstanding Dissertation Award from the American Council on Consumer Interests (ACCI).

A Dedication to Community and Pro Bono Work
Joe’s commitment to financial empowerment extends beyond the classroom and boardroom. As a co-founder of the University of Georgia ASPIRE Clinic (name changed to Love and Money Center in 2025) and the founder of UGA's pro bono financial counseling program, Joe has spent the more than a decade championing financial education and support for low-income families in the Athens community. His pro bono program became a vital resource, serving clients from local non-profit organizations and providing them with the financial guidance needed to achieve stability. He also serves on the Board of Directors for The Ark, a local Athens nonprofit assisting those with financial emergencies, further demonstrating his passion for service and community involvement.

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