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Our Team

Cornerstone Financial Group offers strategic financial planning services with an experienced and professional team that has over 45 years of combined experience. Our panoramic planning approach allows us to guide you through all the stages of your retirement journey. We want to help you plan for the future, and work with strategic partners
that bring knowledge and depth to areas outside of our scope.

The Cornerstone Financial Group Team

Craig Watkins

Managing Partner; Financial Advisor

530-672-1703

craig@cfgstrategies.com

Craig Watkins has been in the insurance and financial industry since 1980, striving to provide the finest service and retirement advice to his clients. His goal is to change people’s lives. He combines professional dedication and personal commitment to offer creative financial planning in the context of a personal, caring relationship. He believes that successful client relationships are built upon trust and personalized services. Craig provides income distribution strategies and comprehensive investment advice.

After being mentored by the Cornerstone Financial Group (CFG) previous owner, Craig Watkins acquired CFG in the 1990s when the owner decided to retire. In 2002, Craig independently developed income distribution strategies for clients and worked at a field marketing organization in San Diego where he learned how to work toward protecting people’s money from volatility in the stock market. In addition, Craig became co-founder of an assisted care community. He sits on the board and participates in managing approximately 100 residents and 70 employees.

Craig Watkins' knowledge and experience has been featured as a contributing author in the book, You’re in Control: Planning the Most Important Retirement in the World – Yours. Thorough and innovative, Craig demonstrates a seasoned understanding in pursuing the needs of high net worth individuals, successful professionals, corporations, and business owners. He focuses on tax-advantaged income distribution strategies, Social Security maximization and preservation strategies for legacy planning. His emphasis also includes investment asset allocation and designation, insurance protection, beneficiary planning, and qualified retirement plans.

Craig Watkins has created a platform within CFG to encourage professional and personal growth, creating a team- like atmosphere with his advisors and staff. He enjoys sharing his knowledge with others by presenting seminars on Social Security, income distribution strategies and asset allocation. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, on an athletic scholarship while studying business and accounting and is always continuing his career- related education studies. He is the Managing Partner of Cornerstone Financial Group in Shingle Springs, California.

In his leisure, Craig enjoys playing golf, riding his Harley Davidson, game hunting, fishing, and sports. He is happily married to Margaret Watkins, has raised three daughters, and he currently resides in Carson City, Nevada.


Danielle McKenna

Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™; Insurance Agent

530-672-1703

danielle@cfgstrategies.com

Danielle McKenna is an essential part of the client service team at Cornerstone Financial Group, serving as a Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™ (FPQP™) and Licensed Insurance Agent. Since joining the team in 2016, Danielle has dedicated herself to helping clients as they work with Craig to pursue their financial goals.

As a Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional™, Danielle assists Craig in creating comprehensive financial plans based on each client’s personal situation and goals. Clients often comment on her excellent follow‐through with meeting summaries, distribution requests and account updates.

In addition to her planning support, Danielle is a licensed California Life Agent (Lic. #0D97816) and Nevada Life Agent (Lic. #3803765). Her specialized knowledge focuses on Life Insurance, Long-Term Care insurance, and comprehensive assistance with Medicare plans, including Advantage, Supplemental, and Part D options.

Danielle's rich professional history provides a strong foundation for her current role. Earlier in her career, she honed her organizational skills as an administrative assistant and DMV specialist for Chrysler Financial. In 2001, she transitioned into the personal and home loan industry, serving as a Loan Specialist and Assistant Branch Manager at American General Financial Services. In these roles, she guided clients through the entire process, from application to underwriting, helping borrowers consolidate debt and secure personal or home loans.

Outside the office, Danielle resides in El Dorado County with her husband and their dog, Dakota. She is a proud mother of three, a Grammy to two granddaughters, and a “Faithful” San Francisco 49ers fan, valuing the importance of family and community.

Victoria Drehobl

Director of Client Relations

530-672-1703

925-476-1499

victoria@cfgstrategies.com

Victoria Drehobl is the Director of Client Relations at Cornerstone Financial Group, joining the team in January 2025. As a crucial member of the team, Victoria assists in managing all aspects of scheduling and logistics. She handles appointments, marketing projects, and event management. Additionally, Victoria plays a vital role in overseeing the administrative facets of the firm, streamlining operations, and enhancing overall efficiency. Victoria is also a licensed notary public and can provide notary services to clients.

Victoria's professional journey spans diverse fields. While she has gained valuable insight into the financial industry, her background includes extensive experience in education, and a notable span in family and estate law. Throughout her career, Victoria has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to helping others and improving their lives—a dedication she continues to bring to her work at Cornerstone Financial Group.

Currently pursuing a degree in accounting, Victoria is expanding her expertise while advancing her professional career. Her drive for continuous learning ensures that she stays at the forefront of industry knowledge and best practices.

Victoria resides in El Dorado County with her dog and cat. In her free time, Victoria enjoys playing games, hiking, spending quality time with her pets, and connecting with friends and family.

Margaret Watkins

Event Concierge

Margaret is the firm’s event concierge and takes care of planning and organizing the educational seminars and client appreciation events. Cornerstone aims to have you feel comfortable the moment you arrive, and Margaret will ensure you feel the same when you attend the company events. In preparation for these events, her talents include impeccable setup and decorating, being a dedicated host, greeting you at registration, providing meeting materials, and arranging food.

She received her AA degree in early childhood education at West Valley College in Saratoga, Calif., and after graduating moved abroad to Brasil. She lived in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro for seven years. While there, she taught English as a second language. She’s speaks fluent Portuguese, which also helps her speak some Spanish and understand some Italian.

In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, and in 2016, she went back to Brasil for a visit after 28 years. She also loves motorcycle rides with her husband Craig, spending time with their grown children, grandchildren, extended family and friends, and their fur baby Mia.

Strategic Partners

As you move within the stages of your retirement, critical life events may occur in areas we care deeply about as your financial planners, but are unable to share advice on. That’s why we have relationships or technologies that we can introduce you to so you’re able to get what you need. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for an introduction to any of the professionals or services listed below.

The following list of professionals is provided as a courtesy and is not to be construed as an endorsement of their services or business, nor should it be interpreted as a guarantee of results. These individuals and businesses operate independently and are not affiliated with Cornerstone Financial Group or USA Financial Securities. It is encouraged to conduct one’s own due diligence before engaging with any third-party professional.

Estate Planning A1 Doc Prep

Estate Planning A1 Doc Prep

A1 Document Preparation provides affordable, non-attorney document preparation services with over 20 years of experience. They assist with family law matters, estate planning documents such as wills and trusts, guardianships, and other civil documents, and also offer Notary Signing Services. Properly prepared legal documents can support your overall financial plan by ensuring your assets, family arrangements, and estate intentions are clearly documented and organized.

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Tax Planning Services

Tax Planning Services

Accurate Tax Service provides professional tax preparation and planning services for individuals and businesses. Their work helps ensure that tax filings are accurate and aligned with current tax laws while identifying opportunities for tax efficiency. As part of your overall financial plan, proactive tax planning can help preserve more of your retirement income and support long-term wealth management strategies.

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Mortgage Services

Mortgage Services

Reserve Mortgage Specialist assists clients with home financing solutions, including home purchases, refinancing, and reverse mortgages. Mortgage decisions can play an important role in retirement by impacting cash flow, liquidity, and overall financial flexibility. Coordinating your mortgage strategy with your broader financial plan helps ensure your housing decisions support your retirement income and lifestyle goals.

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Mortgage Services

Craig partnered with USA Financial in 2010 after an extensive search for a firm whose philosophy matched his commitment to thoughtful, client‑first planning. USA Financial is client-centric, service oriented, and prioritizes a Plan First, Invest Second™ approach to financial planning. This matches Craig’s own values, making them a natural strategic partner to align with for the practice management and product offering perspectives. 

USA Financial has a family of specialized financial companies, providing technology, coaching, and support tools that help Cornerstone Financial Group deliver an exceptional client and financial planning experience. This partnership allows us to focus on what matters most: Our clients.

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