What is the most fulfilling aspect of being an advisor to your clients?
Wealth is a funny thing. It can solve a whole host of problems while simultaneously creating more. Growing up, I was exposed to a lot of situations that made me realize you have to control your wealth and have a firm grip on it, or it will control you. The most fulfilling part of being an advisor is completing a client meeting and seeing them feel more confident and in control of their finances. Wealth is a tool. My mission is to assist my clients as they learn the best way to wield and control it. Empowering my clients makes me feel proud.
Which personal accomplishment makes you proudest?
There was a 30-month period in my life where I went through the following simultaneously: examinations for the CFP and the Chartered Financial Analyst designations, becoming a father to my first child and weathering the storm of a financial crisis. I can still remember studying for my exams in the lobby of the hospital while my wife was showing off our new baby to visiting family. Not an ideal situation. During this time, my colleagues were also leaving our company, which added more work to my plate. While it was an incredibly challenging and stressful period in my life, putting myself under such immense pressure and coming out successful on the other end changed me forever. It made me believe that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. Still, I am thankful I did it before child number two because I’m not sure things would have gone as well!
What has inspired you to stay at Bernstein for as long as you have?
Bernstein cares about two things above all else: clients and employees. It is comforting knowing that I will never have to worry about putting clients first because this philosophy is quite literally the strands that make up our firm’s DNA. It’s impossible to count how many times Bernstein has put its clients first because it is a constant at our firm. Similarly, I’ve never witnessed a company rally around individuals as Bernstein does. I am truly a part of a community that cares for me and is there for me during the good and challenging times.