Air Force Veteran Discusses Life Experience with Junior High Students

Ricky Mantei, a Centaurus Financial’s branch manager and broker in Lexington, South Carolina, has been working in the finance sector since leaving active duty as a U.S. Air Force Pilot. To share his story with others, Ricky Mantei took the opportunity to speak with around 60 junior high students looking at flight-related career paths.

In July 2019, Mr. Mantei was attending a client appreciation event in Georgia when he spotted fellow military pilot and Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) member Manny Burke talking to kids about careers in the field. He asked if he could speak to the group directly to share his personal experience starting from his time with the Air Force to his current work at Centaurus Financial.

While speaking to the group of students, he stressed the importance of having ambitious goals and being willing to put in the hard work necessary for reaching those goals. According to him, every student had opportunities that were available to them, but they would have to put in the effort to take advantage of those opportunities. He encouraged them to work with a purpose and to pursue their goals in a way that is different than the norm in today’s world.

Securities and advisory services offered through Centaurus Financial, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Centaurus Financial, Inc. and Cola Wealth Advisors are not affiliated companies. Please visit Cola’s website for more information: https://www.colawealthadvisors.com/.

Volunteering with Harvest Hope Food Bank in South Carolina

Centaurus Financial branch manager and broker Ricky Mantei works out of the company’s branch in Lexington, South Carolina. Dedicated to giving back to his community, Ricky Mantei volunteers with Harvest Hope Food Bank regularly.

The largest food bank in South Carolina, Harvest Hope works toward eliminating food insecurity and hunger throughout the state. Serving seniors, children, and rural residents across Pee Dee, Upstate, and the Midlands, the food bank provides more than 50,000 meals to people a week.

To continue its operations, Harvest Hope relies heavily on support from volunteers. Every year, it has close to 11,000 volunteers assist with its various operations, saving the food bank more than $1.3 million in staffing costs.

Volunteers are welcomed at the food bank as either individuals or part of a group. Both groups and individuals must fill out a volunteer application for Harvest Hope and be over the age of 18. Those who are under the age of 18 need a parent or guardian to sign their waiver and application, in addition to watching the volunteer orientation video that is sent following a group inquiry.

Individual volunteers are also asked to create a profile with Harvest Hope online. They can fill out their waiver and application through this profile. Coordinators at each of the food bank’s locations in Upstate, Pee Dee, and Midlands will reach out to suitable individual volunteers and groups to find a volunteer opportunity that best suits them.

Securities and advisory services offered through Centaurus Financial, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Centaurus Financial, Inc. and Cola Wealth Advisors are not affiliated companies. Please visit Cola’s website for more information: https://www.colawealthadvisors.com/.