What inspired you to join Bernstein?
I joined Bernstein because my mission is to help my clients manage their money in a way that is both effective and meaningful for them. My professional decisions tend to be in alignment with that mission. I have been dedicated to this for the past decade, over which time I’ve been fortunate to help many successful individuals, families and institutions. In a confusing industry, Bernstein keeps it very simple. All we do as a firm is manage money and conduct innovative investment research. We are not engaged in any other business lines, such as banking or selling life insurance, which allows us to focus on our clients and emphasize what is important to them. As one of the largest independent investment research firms on Wall Street, we are able to leverage our subject matter expertise to the benefit of our clients and their wealth plans. This combination is the foundation of Bernstein’s structural advantage and ensures that I get to spend my time on my clients and what matters most to them.
Tell me about the types of clients you work with.
I spend a lot of my time working with business owners of privately held companies, entrepreneurs and corporate executives. The financial complexities these individuals and their families face can be overwhelming, and often, my clients simply want to be sure they’re not missing out on any opportunities—for example, during the process of pre-planning for the sale of a business to maximize after-tax value or understanding exactly when to exercise their stock awards. Our capability as a research firm allows us to better quantify the financial implications of these big decisions for our clients. I also spend my time evaluating the appropriateness of peoples current investment plans—whether for an individual or an institution like a nonprofit or family foundation. As a fiduciary advisor, I have always sat on the same side of the table as my clients. Sometimes, that even means bringing someone else to the table to take my seat.
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
My parents. My parents taught me the value of hard work in pursuit of your goals, being honest and having fun. I feel these are all very important things in life. My father started his career in the early ’80s and the job market was tough. He worked his way up from being a prison guard at a maximum-security prison to the director of internal discipline. His job was not only difficult but required a great deal of integrity. My mother grew up on a farm in rural Minnesota and later had a successful career in sales. Their backgrounds and personalities instilled in me that you can have whatever you want in life if you are willing to work for it. As a family, we spent a lot of time together taking road trips, camping and being outdoors and on the lakes of Minnesota. As a father and husband now, these are some of the things my family enjoys doing together!