John C. Watson, III*

John has over 44 years experience in the financial services industry, affiliating with Provident Mutual on April 1, 1979.  In 2007 he affiliated with Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company and Hornor, Townsend, and Kent, Inc (HTK).

He specializes in the Business and Family Wealth Transfer marketplace, commonly known as Estate and Business Succession Planning.  In addition he specializes in the design and management of corporate Deferred Compensation plans. 

John joined Boy Scout Troop 203 in Greensboro, NC in 1966.  He earned the God and Country Award in 1968, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 1969, andremained affiliated with the Troop, serving on the Board of Review that interviews a Scout and determines if they have met the requirements for Scout Rank Advancement until the Troop disbanded in the summer of 2021.

He holds the designations of Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered  Financial Consultant (ChFC), Accredited Estate Planner (AEP), Registered Financial Consultant (RFC) and he is an Investment Advisor Representative with Hornor, Townsend, & Kent, Inc..  He holds the Series 6, Series 63, Series 65, and Series 7 securities' registrations.

He is a member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals (SFSP), Finesca (the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting [AALU]), the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), the International Forum (IF), The International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC), The International Association for Financial Planning (IAFP), and is a past President of the Greensboro Estate Planning Council.

John previously served on the Board of Directors for Finseca (formerly The Association of Advanced Life Underwriting [AALU]) from 2013 - 2018.

John has been a frequent speaker within the financial and advisory services industry.  He is also a contributor to and author of numerous articles within industry publications.

He was a contributing author of the following books:

• Wealth: Enhancement & Preservation
• Ways & Means: Maximize The Value of Your Retirement Savings
• 21st Century Wealth: Essential Financial Planning Principals.
• Love, Money, Control: Reinventing Estate Planning

John was a member for 13 years of the Nationwide Financial Network (Formerly Nationwide Provident / Provident Mutual Life Insurance Company) Presidents Club (established in 1994).  He qualified for the Premier Club and Sales Conference (formerly Top-50 and the Provident Mutual Leaders Association [PMLA]) each year since 1981.  He served as President of the Agents Advisory Council from 1990-1992 and from 2000 until retiring from the position in 2007.   He is the recipient of Provident Mutuals 2001 Boris Todorovich award, The 2004 Nationwide Provident Presidents Prestige Award and was the 2004, 2005, & 2006 Nationwide Financial Network leading producer.  Winning these awards does not evaluate the quality of services provided and is not indicitive of the agent's future performance.

For the calendar years of 2008 and 2009, John was recognized as the leading producer for Penn Mutual's Career Agency System, being awarded the prestigious Gold Medal each year. For calendar year 2010 and 2011, he was awarded with Penn Mutual's Silver Medal. In March, 2011.  For calendar year 2015, he was awarded Penn Mutual's Bronze medal.  He was named as Penn Mutual's Financial Professional of the Year in  2011.  In June, 2018, he was named as the recepient of Penn Mutual's Walter J. Scott Distinguished Service Award.  He serves on the Executive Committee of Penn Mutual's National Advisory Council, Board of Directors.  He is a member of the Penn Mutual STAR Study Group.

In 2022 and 2023, John was recognized by Forbes/Shook Research as a Best in State financial security professsional.

John is married to his wife of 40 years, Laurie.  They has a son, John, (wife Tracy and daughter Ridley) and a daughter, Madison (husband Austin).