What has inspired you to stay at Bernstein for as long as you have?
Integrity and innovation. I joined Bernstein many years ago because of these pillars, and I’ve stayed at the firm because we remain true to who we are while continually evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of the clients we serve. Because Bernstein has had a singular focus for more than half a century, our culture is rooted in transparency and intentionality. I am fortunate to work alongside many of the most caring and intellectually curious individuals in our industry, and our clients directly benefit from this unwavering, focused dedication to seeking better outcomes.
What is the most fulfilling aspect of being an advisor to your clients?
Establishing a relationship that transcends managing wealth. I often say, facetiously, that my career would be rather boring if all I talked about with our clients was stocks, bonds and alternative investments. Determining an appropriate asset allocation is crucial to what I do as a fiduciary, but let’s accept reality—it has never been easier to access information, and there is no shortage of options when it comes to wealth management. I find that clients hire our team because of the work we do in addition to establishing an asset allocation that makes a lasting impact on their families.
It is my responsibility to educate and help families navigate the complexity that wealth brings by understanding what motivates them as individuals. Striking a balance between financial and emotional well-being can be extremely difficult, so it’s essential to have a team in place that can offer expertise regardless of where a family is on their journey.
What passions do you pursue outside of work?
I have always had an affinity for food. Many of my most vivid memories as a child are times spent around a table sharing a meal with loved ones. We would talk about our days, crack jokes, share stories; many of those stories repeated a time or two, but it never bothered any of us because we were together. It didn’t matter how much life tried to get in the way, we always dedicated time to breaking bread. As a result, my love for cooking has substantially grown, and I find it is a great way to reset after a long day. Cooking provides an opportunity to be reminded of the things that matter the most with the people I hold near to my heart, and I cherish each of those moments.
I also dedicate time to physical fitness each day and believe that the mental health benefits of an active lifestyle are often underappreciated. As a former college football player, I am still highly motivated to continue pushing myself to be a better version of myself tomorrow than I am today. I have discovered that I thoroughly enjoy riding bikes and long-distance running, and Tampa Bay provides no shortage of environments to do either.