Mark S. Cruise, MBA, ChFC®, CLU®, CPFA

Empathy, Collaboration, Knowledge. Empathizing with my clients allows me to step into their shoes and to fully understand where they are coming from and what is most important to them. This is the basis of working to earn my clients' trust. Only from there can I use the knowledge and insight from my experiences to best suit their values, financial needs, wants and goals.” - Mark S. Cruise

Mark Cruise is the Founder of The Virtus Group and has more than 35 years of experience as a financial representative. He is a Chartered Financial Consultant, Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor and Chartered Life Underwriter. He earned his bachelor's degree and MBA from the University of Rhode Island.

Since partnering with the independent broker/dealer LPL Financial, Mark has been recognized for his exceptional expertise and dedication. He has been honored as a top advisor, earning a coveted spot in the 2024 LPL Financials' Summit Club. Mark has also been awarded the Five Star Wealth Manager award annually since 2012**. He is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. Mark formerly served six years on the Town of Narragansett Pension Board and two years on the University of Rhode Island Foundation Investment Committee.

Mark was a board Member on the New England Patriots Alumni Club and advised their “Football for You” clinic committee. He was elected to the University of Rhode Island Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002 and in 2013 was named one of URI's top 50 football players of all time. In 2018, the University of Rhode Island Athletic Department awarded Mark its Distinguished Achievement award in recognition of his professional accomplishments and support of URI and its student athletes. In May of 2023 Mark was honored at an awards ceremony hosted by Speaker L. Joseph Shekarchi and the Rhode Island House of Representatives. He was recognized as Rhode Island's Alumnus honoree. Mark signed free agent professional football contracts with both the Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots.  He also served on the board for Edgewood Rhode Island Hockey Association. The Virtus Group has been a member of the Rotary Club of Providence since 2014, supporting literacy education in Providence's public schools.

Mark and his wife, Sue, reside in Rhode Island and have four wonderful children. Mark enjoys spending time with his family, watching New England sports, and volunteering in his community. He is particularly passionate about dedicating his time and resources to Unified Sports and Rhode Island Special Olympics.

His insurance licenses and investment registrations include: Life, Accident and Health Insurance;

Series 7 (General Securities Representative Examination), Series 22 (Direct Participation

Programs Representative), Series 24 (General Securities Principal Examination), Series 63 (Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination) and Series 65 (Uniform Investment Advisor Law Examination), SIE (Securities Industry Essentials Examination), Securities registrations are held with LPL Financial.

**Five Star Wealth Manager Award based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of 2012 ,2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023,2024 Five Star Wealth Managers