Lee Fortenberry

I’m originally from Columbus, Georgia, and I’ve been in the financial services profession since 1991.

I began my career with Northwestern Mutual in the Iodice Network Office as a Financial Representative. After building a successful personal practice, I went on to launch a scratch District Network Office in 1997, earning the Growth Award in my first full year as a Managing Director. In 2001, I stepped into the role of Managing Partner for the Central Pennsylvania Group in Harrisburg, PA. During my tenure, the office reached its highest standing in Northwestern Mutual’s 110-year history. We became the only Network Office in recorded history to achieve four consecutive “Triple Doubles,” while also earning the National Management Award every year since 2001, the NAIFA Manager’s Membership Award eight times, and the Northwestern Mutual Growth Award five times. In 2010, our team received Northwestern Mutual’s prestigious Network Office Achievement Award and was named runner-up in 2012. That success led to my appointment as Managing Partner in Jackson, MS, in 2014, where I led all offices in the Southern Region in Lives Leaders’ Summit qualification for three consecutive years. In 2017, I served as Chief Training Officer for the Charlotte Network Office. In 2019, I joined Financial Growth Partners of Guardian as Managing Director, leading the Central Pennsylvania operation. I’m a graduate of Erskine College, where I earned a B.S. in Chemistry. I hold multiple professional designations, including CLU, ChFC, CFP, RHU, REBC, CASL, CAP, and an MSFS from The American College. I’ve also been honored with the Huebner Personal Mentorship Award and have served as an adjunct professor at Shippensburg University in their CFP-approved Personal Finance Program. Throughout my career, I’ve been active in industry organizations, including NAIFA, the Society of Financial Services Professionals, FINSECA, and the Financial Planning Association. I’m also a member of the 2026 Million Dollar Round Table and Beta Gamma Sigma. Before entering financial services, I served as a Captain on active duty in the United States Army and continued my service for seven years in the Maryland Army National Guard. Today, I live in Gettysburg, PA with my wife, Tina. We’re proud parents of four adult children: Courtney, Marty, Brittany, and Matthew. Moreover, proud Pop-Pop to Kira and Beckham,