LEON MARTEZ GROVE STANDARD PROFILE BY CHINEDU NSOFOR
Leon Martez Grove, DBA, ChFC®, RICP® (born May 17, 1964), is an American financial consultant, author, educator, and former U.S. Marine Corps officer. He is best known as the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Grove Financial Group, Inc., a financial services firm based in Mobile, Alabama. Grove’s work spans financial advisory services, retirement planning, and business consulting, along with a notable presence in academic, publishing, and veteran advocacy circles. His extensive background in both the military and financial industries reflects a lifelong commitment to discipline, service, and economic empowerment.
Early Life and Educational Journey
Leon Grove was born in Mobile, Alabama. He began his higher education by earning an Associate of Science degree from the University of South Carolina in Beaufort in 1994. He later completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Development at the University of South Alabama in 1996. Grove furthered his education with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Accounting in 2005 and a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Business Administration in 2010, both from the University of Phoenix. In addition to his academic achievements, Grove pursued executive education at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and earned several financial certifications, including the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) in 2017 and Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) in 2019 from The American College of Financial Services. He also undertook coursework for the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation.
Military and Financial Career
Grove served in the United States Marine Corps from 1982 to 1996, rising to the position of Adjutant. During his tenure, he was responsible for managing personnel systems encompassing over 10,000 service files and overseeing budgetary operations totaling more than $25 million. After his military service, Grove transitioned into the financial services sector, starting as a Registered Representative at New York Life Insurance Company from 1997 to 2004. In 2004, he established Grove Financial Group, Inc., a comprehensive financial advisory firm offering life insurance, annuities, retirement plans, Medicare and dental coverage, and specialized business planning services such as non-qualified deferred compensation and key person insurance.
Academic Contributions and Community Engagement
Parallel to his work in financial services, Leon Grove has held various academic roles. He served as a business faculty member at Kaplan University from 2011 to 2017, where he taught finance and accounting and developed curriculum for courses in insurance and business. Notably, between 2007 and 2008, Grove served as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Kaplan University’s School of Professional and Continuing Education, developing three specialized courses: Accounting Essentials for Managers, Understanding Financial Statements for Managers, and Corporate Finance for Managers. From 2011 to 2015, he was an adjunct faculty member and subject matter expert in the Global MBA program at Argosy University, teaching economics, accounting, and financial management. At Faulkner University (2007–2009), Grove instructed courses in managerial accounting and business strategy. In addition, Grove was the Project Director for the Minority Business Enterprise Center (2006–2008), where he advised on the development of minority-owned businesses and facilitated access to business opportunities throughout the Gulf Coast region.
Published Works and Thought Leadership
Grove is the author of multiple books addressing finance, entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and personal development. His publications include titles such as Personal Branding Mastery, Wealth Bound, Beginner’s Guide, The Power of You, Digital Marketing, Mastering Academic Writing, Wealth Bound 2, and Financial Growth. These books reflect Grove’s commitment to educating individuals on building financial literacy, launching successful businesses, and developing effective personal brands. His work in print reinforces his professional mission of empowering clients and readers to achieve economic stability and long-term financial growth.
Certifications, Professional Affiliations, and Contact
Grove holds several industry-recognized certifications. He earned the Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) designation in 2019 and the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) in 2017 from The American College. He has also completed CFP® coursework and executive education at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. In addition to his business and academic pursuits, Grove has dedicated himself to serving veterans. As a disabled American veteran, he served as State Commander of the Department of Alabama for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) from 2023 to 2024, and previously as Chapter Commander of Leo DeBose Chapter 35 from 2020 through 2024. He has lobbied on Capitol Hill, advocating for legislation benefiting veterans, including healthcare, housing, and disability rights. Grove’s headquarters are located at 1529 W. Carlisle Drive, Mobile, AL 36618.
