Work & Credentials

The record behind the work.

Marine officer. Financial strategist. Educator. Builder. My civilian and military experience meet in one standard: understand the mission, tell the truth about the terrain, and serve the people who entrusted you with the work.

James Collins on a training field with Marines
Leadership in the field More than sixteen years of active and reserve service.
16+ yearsMarine Corps service
2012Motor Transportation Officer of the Year
MBA · FinanceOhio University
CRD 6568720Investment Adviser Representative

Civilian record

Education & professional qualifications

2015–2022Edward JonesFinancial Advisor
2022–2026LPL Financial / Fourth Dimension WealthFinancial Advisor
2025–PresentSemper Fidelis FinancialFounder · Financial Strategist
2026–PresentKairos RIA, LLCManaging Partner · President · CCO

Freedom · Military service

Formed by the Marine Corps.

Read the stories of the Marines
Service record

LtCol, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve

Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in March 2026. Commissioned in 2009 with more than sixteen years of combined active and reserve service as a logistics and motor transportation officer.

Operational experience

Two global deployments

Service with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and a 2012–2013 combat deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, with 2d Battalion, 7th Marines.

Command

Company-level leadership

Platoon leadership in active service and command of Headquarters & Service Company, 3d Battalion, 25th Marines, in the Marine Corps Reserve.

Military education

Officer and logistics formation

The Basic School, motor transportation officer training, and continuing Marine Corps professional military education in expeditionary operations, logistics, command, and staff leadership.

2012 Marine Corps Motor Transportation Officer of the YearOfficially announced by Headquarters Marine Corps for service with 2d Battalion, 7th Marines.
Combat serviceCombat Action Ribbon and Afghanistan Campaign Medal among service recognitions.
View the official Marine Corps announcement ↗

The work today

Two businesses. Clearly defined roles.

The professional page is carried by the two organizations through which I serve clients today. They are related by common ownership, but each has a distinct role, agreement, and professional boundary.

Registered investment adviser

Kairos RIA, LLC

President · Chief Compliance Officer · Investment Adviser Representative

Kairos provides planning-led investment advice under written advisory agreements. Planning establishes the purpose of the portfolio; disciplined implementation follows.

  • Investment management
  • Integrated and stand-alone financial planning
  • Retirement and rollover advice
  • Business-owner and complex-decision planning

Kairos provides investment management and financial planning. It does not prepare tax returns, sell insurance, or draft legal documents.

Explore Kairos RIA ↗
Non-advisory financial services

Semper Fidelis Financial

Founder · Financial Strategist

SFF is the trade name of J.F. Collins Wealth Management, LLC. It helps clients organize their financial lives, understand the rules, prepare for decisions, and coordinate the right professionals.

  • Relationship and planning coordination
  • Tax preparation and strategy
  • Licensed insurance and risk solutions
  • Estate organization and financial education

SFF does not provide investment advice or investment management. Those services are provided separately through Kairos RIA, LLC.

Professional connections

Credentials, context, and client resources.

Estate organization

A tailored Semper Fidelis Financial link for visitors who choose to establish a secure estate-planning profile through the licensed platform.

Open Plan My Legacy ↗

The platform helps organize estate-planning information. It does not replace advice from a qualified attorney, tax professional, or other licensed adviser.

The title is never the point. The standard is.

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