About Us

Our Mission

As a group of passionate and dedicated people, we work with human service providers to create better outcomes to those within the I/DD community.

Arlington Heritage Group services allow individuals with disabilities and their caregivers the means to plan for future financial needs while maintaining eligibility for government benefits; this comes at minimal cost to the individual and no cost to the provider.

Arlington Heritage Group helps you improve the quality of life for those in your care.

Our History

Arlington Heritage Group was founded in 1986 as a response to providers experiencing difficulties with end-of-life planning. We have been offering solutions to non-profits and people caring for individuals within the I/DD community for over 30 years.

Since beginning with one individual and one agency operating in one state, Arlington Heritage Group has grown into a company of national scope, serving over 100 providers and 3,000+ individuals.

Our Logo

Arlington Heritage Group’s namesake derives from the eternal flame at the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Our logo clearly evokes that imagery and denotes our commitment to vigilance and fidelity in managing money for the most vulnerable populations.

Our Pledge

Our staff is committed to safeguarding benefits and building resources while providing the best quality service in the most professional manner to meet the needs of providers and individuals who have placed their decisions and trust in our hands.

Our Clients

Arlington Heritage Group offers financial planning solutions with The Provider Trust and Irrevocable Burial Trust.
See what some of our clients have to say about us.

Our Founder & Chairman Emeritus

Thomas R. Tirney, Ph.D., Founder of Arlington Heritage Group

After serving in the US Navy, Dr. Tirney began his undergraduate and graduate work, receiving degrees from Temple University (BS-1961, MBA-1965) and University of Pennsylvania, The Warton School (Ph.D.-1971). He went on to teach at several universities and started numerous companies before founding Arlington Heritage Group.

The business was established in 1986 as the result of helping one agency in one state for one person with special needs. From this beginning Arlington Heritage Group has grown to serve over 100 providers and 3,000+ individuals. 

The success of Arlington Heritage Group is the result of dedicated associates whose primary responsibility is to safeguard benefits for individuals with disabilities.

As with Tom’s first client, Arlington Heritage Group’s focus is on the individual and what can be done to improve lives and outcomes.

Connie Callaway

Chief Regulatory & Compliance Officer

215-672-1184, ext. 7
ccallaway@ahgtrusts.com

Connie joined Arlington Heritage Group in April of 2022 to help grow the company’s national efforts. She is also responsible for helping trustees navigate the varying states regulatory process to ensure compliance with both state and federal laws.

Her vast and varied experience includes wealth management, focused on trust administration (within a high-net-worth setting). She is also a licensed adjuster, ABA therapist and a legal and financial consultant for small businesses.

Connie graduated Cum Laude from University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a dual bachelor’s in political science and criminal justice. Received her juris doctorate in addition to a certificate in mediation, as well as a certificate in Conflict Resolution Theory and Practice from Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

Spending time with family is a priority for Connie and traveling the world is a great pastime. She also volunteers her time within the community to educate groups on healthy financial habits.

Ernest L. Petersen, III

Senior Consultant
epetersen@ahgtrusts.com

Ernie has served as a senior consultant since October 2020 and was appointed to the Arlington Heritage Group board of directors in May 2021.

Ernie retired from AmeriServ Trust and Financial Services Company in 2020. As the Chief Administrative Officer, he had been involved in the management of $2.3 billion in assets under administration. His education includes a B. A. Degree from Washington and Jefferson College. He is a graduate of trust and fiduciary training with the Fiduciary Education Foundation, Cannon Financial Institute and the American Bankers Association. He has completed advanced lending and risk management classes with the Risk Management Association and real estate appraisal classes from the Appraisal Institute.

Ernie feels a deep obligation to serve his community. He is the Chairman of the Fundraising Committee for the Sandyvale Memorial Association, a revitalized, abandoned cemetery. He serves as Vice President of the Board of the Pennsylvania Cemetery Cremation and Funeral Association. He is the former President of the Fiduciary Education Foundation, the Christian Home of Johnstown, Elder of the Westmont Presbyterian Church, and Deacon of the same. He lives in Johnstown, PA with his wife, Barbara.

John A. Rule, Esquire

Legal Counsel

Jack is a partner in the law firm of Miller, Turetsky, Rule & McLennan. Jack has worked with Arlington Heritage Group since 2002. He is a recognized leader in legal matters that pertain to individuals with special needs and elder law. His knowledge and experience were instrumental in creating The Provider Trust. For 25 years he has practiced law and lectured on topics such as corporate and business planning, real estate and charitable organizations.

Jack received his B.A. from Temple University and his J.D. from Dickinson School of Law. He is a member of the Pennsylvania and Montgomery Bar Associations as well as a member of Academy of Special Needs Planners.

Professional activities include serving on the Board of Directors of the Montgomery Bar Association; serving as a Co-Chairman of the Montgomery Bar Association’s American Citizenship Committee; Member of the Montgomery Bar Association Membership Committee; admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the federal District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the United States Supreme Court.

Kim Goodwin

Director of Marketing
215-672-1184, ext. 6
kgoodwin@ahgtrusts.com

Kim joined the group in 2018. She uses the disciplines of brand management, traditional marketing, digital marketing & event planning to consistently express how Arlington Heritage Group offers trust administration for the I/DD community, non-profits and residential agencies. Specifically, how The Provider Trust is a complete and transparent way of preserving assets and addressing an individual’s specific financial needs, all while maintaining eligibility for government benefits.

Kim has spent the last 20+ years marketing consumer packaged goods for Italian glassware and food products for such brands as Luigi Bormioli, Penn Maid Dairy and Maggio Cheese.

Over the last few years, Kim has developed an interest in photography and can often be found out and about with camera in hand.

Meghan Miller, ChSNC

Trust Supervisor
215-672-1184, ext. 5
mmiller@ahgtrusts.com

Meghan joined the team in 2018 and her responsibilities include direct support and guidance to our provider clients. Much of her duties involve confirming and facilitating distributions on behalf of trust beneficiaries at the behest of families, guardians or the provider. She also supervises the custodial relationship between the trustees and the trust bank.

Earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education from Elizabethtown College, Meghan taught students with disabilities and supported adults in the workforce. She also holds a designation for Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC).

Meghan spends much of her spare time volunteering in Philadelphia with organizations such as the Rotary Club, MANNA and the Fairmount Park Conservancy.

Lauren Meckling

Director of Irrevocable Trusts
215-672-1184. ext. 2
lmeckling@ahgtrusts.com

Lauren joined Arlington Heritage Group in 2018 as Director of Irrevocable Trusts. She oversees irrevocable burial trust operations on a day-to-day basis; including supervision of new trust accounts, quality control and ensuring proper execution of burial contracts.

Lauren acts as fiscal liaison to beneficiaries’ individual supports teams, families, guardians and representative payees. She also verifies compliance with Medical Assistance and the Social Security Administration on behalf of the beneficiary and the provider.

Lauren loves the outdoors. You can find her hiking with her dog, kayaking on a lake and finding beautiful and interesting places to photograph.

Lindsay Galbraith, ChSNC

Director of Special Needs Pooled Trusts
215-672-1184, ext. 4
admin@ahgtrusts.com

Lindsay joined Arlington Heritage Group in September of 2014 as Trust Supervisor. Today, she manages all the back office support to our trustee providers. This includes assisting in compliance and accountability to state and federal authorities; supervision of day-to-day trust operations and working closely with trustees, providers teams, family members and beneficiaries.

Lindsay graduated from Bloomsburg University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications in 2005 and holds a designation for Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC).

The theater is a special interest for Lindsay. She spent several years helping non-profit theater companies in the Philadelphia area, serving as a stage manager where she would coordinate casts, crews, designers, directors and administrative staff to produce many beautiful productions.

Thomas G. Tirney, CFA, CMT, ChSNC

President
215-672-1184, ext. 1
tgtirney@ahgtrusts.com

Tom brings 20 years of investment and financial management experience to Arlington Heritage Group’s executive team and its trust services. Prior to joining in 2007, Tom worked at several financial firms in varying capacities of research and money management. In the 1990s Tom wrote for Standard & Poor’s Equity Research department specializing in healthcare stocks. Subsequently, he was a research associate at ING Barings, focusing on biotechnology firms.

At American Century Investments, Tom rose to Senior Research Analyst supporting the Healthcare Fund, the Vista Fund and other diversified equity funds.

Tom has a B.S. in Business Administration from Boston University and holds designations for Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Market Technician (CMT) and Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC).