How I arrived at RWM
“I started in the industry in 1983 at Merrill Lynch in Downtown Long Beach. I was right out of college with a bachelor’s degree in Financial Management and wanted to get into the investment industry. After a few years at Merrill Lynch and Kidder Peabody, I decided that I wanted to get away from the commission side of the business and I put myself on the same side of the table as my clients. The next 30 years took me to several independent investment advisory firms and a regional trust company before I finally ended up at Ritholtz Wealth Management. While I had followed Barry Ritholtz and Josh Brown for years, it was actually Josh’s very candid interview with Michael Kitces in the spring of 2017 that told me that Josh really gets this business and my view of the Wealth Management field began to evolve.”
Favorite part of the job
“I enjoy sharing what I have learned over my 40 years in the business, especially when clients need guidance on the complex area of trusts and estate planning, where it is important to be aware of any potential issues. Also, having seen a number of investment cycles allows me to help clients understand the importance of sticking with an investment program for the long term. I truly enjoy the wide range of interesting people that I get to work with as advisory clients. Often these people become good friends and we end up knowing a whole lot more about each other than you might in a typical business relationship. Whether it is helping them celebrate the birth of a new grandchild, or hearing about a new wine that they just discovered or their plans for an upcoming European vacation – these are all things which make each relationship unique.”
When I’m Not Working
“My wife, Elena, and I have raised our four children in the same family home in Costa Mesa. While we aren’t quite empty nesters yet, we enjoy taking hiking adventures, wine tasting trips and just spending time with family.”
