Chairman & Comm'r George Mentz is the Founder of GAFM ® and the CWM Chartered Wealth Manger ® Institute. Mentz is the CEO of the Global Academy of Finance and Management ® Certification and Education Institute Worldwide which is an EU Accredited and ISO 21001 and ISO 29993 Certified Educational Body. Mentz is a governmental Commissioner for the Civil Service Commission and also a Commissioner for the Airport Commission. In addition to his legal and corporate career, Counselor Mentz has taught and designed over 300 graduate and undergraduate courses specializing in finance, business, and law. Mentz enjoys teaching: Introduction to Financial Planning, Advanced Wealth Management, Ethics, and Financial Innovations. Mentz has an earned Doctor of Jurisprudence/JD from Loyola (EU - ( Doctorat en Droit - Doktor der Rechtswissenschaft ), an MBA in financial planning/international business and a CILS graduate Certificate in International Law. Mentz holds a B.A. degree with a focus in politics from LSU. Mentz earned and held clean FINRA/NASD licenses of Series 7. 63, and 65 in the late 1990s as an investment banker for a Wall Street Firm. Mentz has held various designations such as: ChMC, CFC, QFP, CWM, and completed a tax preparation certificate with Jackson Hewitt. Mentz has been recently ranked #2 in the world as a Wealth Management influencer and #5 in the world as a Management and project management "thought leader". Professor Mentz is a strategic advisor to the University of Colorado CU Leeds School of Business Executive Programs.
Hon. George Mentz was elected in 2025 as The Chairman for the Civil Service Commission for the Government - Police and Fire Officers with over 1,500 fire and police officers and staffs including SWAT teams and a budget of roughly $200 Million Dollars Per year. Mentz also serves on the TRE and other Boards that have facilitated over $100 million dollars in charity to those in need in the last 3 years.
Mentz has volunteered for several US presidents and in 2019-21 has served as a US Commissioner for the White House Presidential Scholars Program 2019-22 while Mentz has also volunteered as an economic analyst writer for the Dept. of Labor from 2007-21. Mentz is also a government Commissioner for the Colorado Springs Airport which is larger than JFK and Laguardia combined, and Counselor Mentz is also a Commissioner for the Civil Service Commission Colorado.
Mentz has written and published over 100+ books and audio books and has written for the US government, O-Books UK, eFinancialCareers, & National Underwriter. Mentz continues to write as a wealth & economics commentator for top news media outlets and has won several awards as an author and professor.
Mentz has been ranked in the Top 50 Thought Leaders for Project Management, HR, B2B and Wealth Management. Mentz was recently Honored to be Ranked as a #2 in the World as a Wealth Management. In 2021, Mentz won a "Best Books of All Time won a "Best Books of All Time" book award with his "Wealth Management Intelligent Investor" making it to BookAuthority's Best Wealth Management books in History!
Over the years, many of Mentz’s books have been Amazon bestsellers on in areas of Wealth Management, Personal Growth, Management, Finance, Education and Training, Money and Monetary Policy, Comparative Religion, Developmental Psychology, Metaphysics & Philosophical Criticism, Cognitive Neuroscience & Cognitive Neuropsychology, Mysticism, Project Management, Civil Service Test Guides, Religion, and in Spirituality.
Mentz is a licensed counselor of law LA/EDLA and Fed Cts Colorado, and he is the Seigneur of the Ancient Norman Fief Blondel which is one of the oldest legally recognized privatly owned fiefs in the UK Crown Dependencies. Mentz is an Associate of St. George House Windsor Castle UK 2020-21, and he serves on the Board of Directors of Loyola University Alumni Association 2020-2. Mentz is a distinguished member of the Order of St. Georg Habsburg Lorraine and has been approved as The Chancellor of the Worldwide Anglican Church. Professor Mentz is an award winning professor for the Top Ranked Texas A&M Law School Graduate Programs where he received professorial excellence recognition from students & veterans 2023.
Mentz and his companies have trained and certified thousands of professionals in over 150 countries and Mentz has served on the advisory board of the World e-Commerce Forum in London, and the GFF Global Finance Forum in Switzerland. Mentz has been featured or quoted in the AP, The Hill, National Law Journal, Forbes, Reuters, Wall St. Journal, The Hindu National, El Norte Latin America, the Financial Times, NYSSA, The China Daily, & The Arab Times. Mentz enjoys tennis, travel and spending time with his 3 children. www.GMentz.com
Counselor Mentz's recent Judicial, Diplomatic, and Law Professor Work Include:
* Judicial Chancellor for WAC Worldwide Anglican Church - Presiding Legal Officer over Law and Cases.
* Judge for White House Presidential Sholars Awards for the US Federal Government (Commissioner & Federal Awards Judge)
* Election Judge for Election Integrity - Colorado USA, El Paso County, State USA
* Expert Witness on Financial Banking Securities Law - NASD FINRA Arbitration Mediation - Federal Issues
* Editor of Canon Law and Disciplinary Law for Patriarch and Seminary and House of Bishops
* Crafting diplomatic agreements with NGOs, Charities, Fortune 500 Style Companies, Non Profits, and International Organizations
* Teaching various sections of Banking, FinTech, & Wealth Management Law to Post Doctoral Students in a National Top Tier Accredited Law School Graduate Program.
2024 - I am honored serve as the New Secretary of The Council for Business Teaching and Research of the National Business Education Association via appointment by the President. The Council for Business Teaching and Research (CBTR) works with post-secondary education worldwide serving as GWA's or good will ambassadors to boost relations worldwide. www.NBEA.org
2024 - George Mentz was honored with the Title of: "Datuk Seri" * This is very rarely granted to Europeans or Americans ! *His Royal Highness Sultant and Sovereign of the Diraja Airtiris Melayu Kampar Sultanate, Bestows the Noble Title of "Datuk Seri" to American Lawyer Comm’r George Mentz, JD MBA. This esteemed title, *Datuk Seri, represents the **Order of the Noble Seri Mahkota* of the Diraja Airtiris Melayu Kampar Sultanate (D.M.S.M.K.D.), bearing the honorific title of YBhg *Yang Berbahagia (YB) to Mentz* Datuk Seri Diraja Airtiris Melayu Kampar . The conferment signifies high recognition of Commissioner Mentz’s educational contributions to society and is a symbol of cross-cultural and interfaith unity. The award also is conferred to the wife of the recipient, and she has the title of Honourable and "Datin Seri".
Available For: Advising, Authoring, Consulting, Influencing, Speaking
Travels From: Colorado Springs
Speaking Topics: Wealth Management, Human Potential, Success, and Management Consulting
George Mentz | Points |
---|---|
Academic | 110 |
Author | 290 |
Influencer | 1652 |
Speaker | 10 |
Entrepreneur | 40 |
Total | 2102 |
Points based upon Thinkers360 patent-pending algorithm.
Tags: EdTech
Tags: Diversity and Inclusion, Finance, Sustainability
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Management, Project Management
Tags: AI, Innovation, Management
Tags: Management, HR, Project Management
Tags: Management, Leadership
Tags: Management, HR, Project Management
Tags: Social, Leadership, Project Management
Tags: Social, Leadership
Tags: Management, HR, Project Management
Tags: Leadership, Startups, Transformation
Tags: Cryptocurrency, Finance, FinTech
Tags: Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Management
Tags: Agile, Blockchain, Cloud
Tags: Business Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Leadership
Tags: Management, Leadership, Entrepreneurship
Tags: Entrepreneurship, Finance, Management
Tags: Finance, Management, Sustainability
Tags: Entrepreneurship, FinTech, Sustainability
As a college professor 22 years ago, I co-authored some papers with Dr. Richard Whiteside, who was Dean of Tulane University Admissions. Our articles were published in a few peer-reviewed journals and top higher education publications such as Educause and Journal of College Admission. [i]
Our papers are considered some of the earliest research to explore the use of the internet to recruit and promote colleges, universities, and business schools, as well as to attract students from across the globe. [ii]
Fast forward to today, and there are almost 4,000 [iii] colleges and universities in the United States, including around 1,000 business schools. [iv] The landscape is evolving, and we are at a critical juncture. Top-tier colleges, universities, law schools, and medical schools continue to enjoy significant advantages in recruitment and return on investment.
However, as tuition costs rise, it has become clear that attending a prestigious institution is no longer a straightforward decision. For example, some colleges in Boston charge tuition fees between $80,000 and $100,000 per year. In contrast, many excellent state schools can provide an equally valuable education for roughly $30,000 per year.
Additionally, some local colleges offer lower tuition costs, making them an even more affordable option. In a Newsmax article that I published 5 years ago, I researched several colleges that have free tuition and are free “wholly online” colleges or universities. [v] Furthermore, President Trump continues to “promote the plan” of creating a free online government university for working families and people who can’t afford college which could also cut the future federal debt by reducing defaulting student loans. [vi]
Several of my past articles have highlighted the return on investment in higher education. [vii] A student spending about $50,000 a year for a four-year degree may accumulate at least $200,000 in debt, which could increase substantially with graduate school expenses, ranging from $100,000 to $300,000.
I've met physicians who are burdened with college & medical school debts exceeding $400,000. The question remains: If you graduate with a generalized degree, will you be able to out-earn others who are entering the workforce without the debt?
In the papers that I co-published with Dr. Whiteside, we discussed the clear earning advantage of holding a college degree or a master's degree over the course of a lifetime and career. [viii]
Today, however, students must focus on careers and fields that are less susceptible to outsourcing. As I often tell my students, pursuing a trade such as plumbing or electrical work is a strong option for job security. Consider that over 1 MILLION engineers graduate each year in India [ix], and over 750 million people worldwide aspire to move to the United States. [x] With 96% of the global population living outside the U.S., it’s clear that competition for jobs and education is intensifying.
Furthermore, there are exceptional colleges and universities around the world, many of which offer valuable programs in English. The rise of online education has made it even easier for students to earn degrees from prestigious institutions without leaving home. [xi]
Returning to the original theme, if you're accepted into a well-regarded college and offered financial aid, it could be a wise decision to attend. A friend’s son, for instance, was accepted into two great colleges: one private and one public.
The private university offered a 50% scholarship, but after factoring in the scholarship, the total cost of attending the public university was comparable to the private one. In the end, the student chose the public university.
If I were advising students on their college education—whether undergraduate, law school, or MBA programs—I would encourage them to carefully evaluate the costs and the potential for financial aid. Additionally, students should consider the location and associated travel costs of attending a specific program.
If your goal is to enter the finance world, it might be worth attending a school near a financial center for networking purposes. Similarly, if you want to work in technology, you should focus on schools in areas with thriving tech industries, such as Silicon Valley.
Factors like location, climate, employability in the area, and the opportunity to meet interesting people should also play a role in your decision-making process. Most importantly, you should choose a program that makes you feel passionate and alive. Many experts today recommend a reverse-engineering approach to choosing a college and a field of study.
For example, if you love music or communications, you might want to consider a school like Loyola University, where I studied, as New Orleans is a hub for music and historical Jazz culture. Further, many colleges have a better grade curve and inflation than others. Thus, be aware of the average GPA of a college, law school or MBA program. [xii]
It is also important to research potential job outcomes for various majors. For instance, an MBA might offer a better return on investment than a law degree if you don’t plan to work in a field that requires a law license. Today, the main reason many people pursue law degrees is for the stability and benefits of working in government.
Medical and law schools also vary significantly in cost. While some private medical and law schools can be prohibitively expensive, public universities often offer programs that cost less than half as much. These considerations are critical when deciding on a path forward, and I recommend discussing these options with a financial advisor, your parents, or your children.
As an e-learning pioneer in legal and business education, I have taught and designed over 300 courses for accredited law and business schools. I encourage everyone to consider online education programs that offer degrees from well-ranked universities.
Additionally, in 2020, President Trump signed an executive order ensuring that skills, certifications, and qualifications would be treated equally to traditional degrees when hiring for federal jobs. This means that specialized certifications could give job candidates an edge over those with general degrees.
Even today, I teach as a law faculty member and online professor for one of the top ranked law schools in the USA, Texas A&M Law School. Speaking from experience, as soon as your program is in the top 25 in the USA, the applications and competition for admissions goes up dramatically. However, I teach for the LLM and Masters of Laws programs, and we can accept students from California to New York without a student having to live on site. This type of option was not available 30 years ago, but with technology and learning platforms, this type of educational opportunity is open to all qualified applicants.
With the increasing availability of free online courses, including Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), everyone should take advantage of these opportunities to earn attendance certificates or other qualifications. Be sure to investigate whether these programs can count toward college credit, as this could impact your decision-making.
Finally, many top universities or even law schools in the U.S. also offer affordable nighttime courses or “city college” programs, which provide a general degree at a fraction of the cost. [xiii]
With the new accreditation standards being implemented across the country, we may see a rise in new accreditation agencies recognizing tax-paying universities that do not benefit from tax loopholes. There is also growing support for private education systems that pay taxes to contribute to local, state, and federal operations.
Unless you are pursuing a career as a doctor, CPA, lawyer, nurse, engineer, architect, or another licensed professional, you might want to consider specializing in diplomas or trade skill licensing education rather than spending 4-5 years for a traditional college degree.
While obtaining college degrees and graduate school qualifications is necessary for professions like medicine, law, accounting, and architecture, it’s also important to explore the thousands of career opportunities available in city, state, and federal government. These public sector roles often provide excellent pay, benefits, and pension programs, but knowing the specific qualifications and requirements for these positions is key to securing a stable and rewarding career.
For many years, I volunteered as an economist for the U.S. Department of Labor, helping to create content on their websites about careers, jobs, and employment, and I can attest to the wealth of opportunities in public service. Focusing on careers that can't be easily outsourced or that offer unique, non-replicable services can ensure long-term job security and success.
Furthermore, I have recently served the White House as Commissioner for the PSP Presidential Scholars Programs, where I had the privilege of acting as both a judge and a commissioner, evaluating the top resumes from high school students across the nation to award the Presidential Medals.
The best resumes typically feature a 4.0 GPA or higher, academic awards, extensive volunteer service or part-time jobs, proficiency in a foreign language, and a demonstrated ability to excel in sports, acting, martial arts, or music.
Some students impressively complete 5-10 Advanced Placement (AP) exams, and several resumes even showcase enough credits at high school graduation to earn an associate degree. These achievements highlight not only academic excellence but also an extraordinary level of dedication, drive, and ambition. Overall, if you have this type of resume, you will have access to many brand name schools and admissions as long as colleges are fair to all applicants. [xiv]
As a further secret strategy, many of colleges around the USA offer abroad programs where you can take courses under the college banner in other nations such as South America, Europe, India, Asia or Arabia. Some ambitious students even rack up 9 or more credits attending abroad programs before their freshman year begins. Keep in mind, these abroad programs are many times less expensive that attending local courses. [xv]
In conclusion, the evolving landscape of higher education requires careful consideration of costs, career prospects, and personal interests. It’s more important than ever for students to make informed decisions about their educational paths, taking into account both short-term expenses and long-term benefits.
Value Proposition Statistics:
Statistics related to the value proposition of paying for a college degree and its return on investment (ROI):
______________
Commissioner George Mentz JD MBA CILS CWM® is the first in the USA to rank as a Top 50 Influencer & Thought Leader in: Management, PM, HR, FinTech, Wealth Management, and B2B according to Onalytica.com and Thinkers360.com.
Tags: EdTech, Education