Sculpture Contest Winner Articulates the Constant Struggle Between Bull and Bear Market

July 2012. KENNESAW— Henssler Financial extends hearty congratulations to Brad Dalton, a senior in the Kennesaw State University Visual Arts Program, for winning first place in the Henssler Financial sculpture contest.

“As a long-standing institution in Kennesaw, we wanted to enhance our presence in the community,” said Gene Henssler, Ph.D., president and Chief Investment Officer of Henssler Financial. “The sculpture will become an anchor point for our firm, nestled among the Crepe Myrtles on the portion of our property that faces Cherokee Street.”

The financial advisory firm leveraged its ongoing relationship with Kennesaw State University to host a design competition for School of Art and Design students, with guidance from sculpture professor Ayokunle Odeleye. Students were asked to submit a model of a stylized bear and
bull to be the basis for the sculpture Henssler Financial plans to place in front of their building.

“I wanted to serve Henssler well and give them something that would be timeless for the company—something that could be a cherry on top of their 25 successful years,” said Brad Dalton. “I wanted to stay true to what the company wanted and create an equal balance in size and strength, showing the equal struggle.”

As a financial advisory firm, the stock market plays a central role in many of the services Henssler
Financial offers clients. The bull and bear traditionally represent the opposite trends in the stock market.

“I really commend the company for reaching out to Kennesaw State University and entrusting something so important to the students,” said Ken Dalton, Brad’s father. “This was the first contest Brad ever entered, and to win—we’re very proud of him.”

“We wanted to provide an opportunity for the students of Kennesaw State University to get hands-on experience,” said William G. Lako, Jr., CFP(c), a Principal and Managing Director of the firm. “They had an opportunity to learn about Henssler, what we offer our clients and how to portray the markets’ movements. Brad’s sculpture submission was able to effectively combine those aspects into a work of art that we will be proud to display.”

“I wanted to depict the bull and bear clearly from a distance, but to still have them interact and remain respectful of what they represent,” said Brad Dalton. “I wanted the bear to take the bull by the horns, yet show that the bull is strong enough to break free.”

“Brad’s concept represents what Henssler Financial has witnessed over the years—the constant battle of wills between the bull and bear markets,” said Lako. “We feel he captured why we help clients Live Ready by showing how unpredictable the markets can be with two such strong, dominant forces.”

The sculptures were judged on artistic excellence, including both clarity of concept and ability to convey a well-developed idea. The statue has a target installation date during the fourth quarter of 2012.

About Henssler Financial

With assets under advisement of more than $1.36 billion as of June 30, 2012, Henssler Financial has been delivering comprehensive financial solutions to its individual, corporate and institutional clients for nearly 25 years. Founded in 1987 by Gene W. Henssler, Ph.D., Henssler Financial provides solutions that incorporate a range of services, including wealth management, financial planning, tax preparation and consulting, small-business retirement planning and estate planning. The firm hosts Atlanta's longest running and most respected money show on radio—“Money Talks”—airing Sunday mornings from 10-11 a.m. on Talk 920 AM.

More information on Henssler Financial can be found on the firm’s website, www.henssler.com, including important disclosures regarding Henssler Financial and its businesses.