What has inspired you to stay at Bernstein for as long as you have?
Bernstein’s culture sets a high bar. Respect, ethics, transparency, accountability, empathy, loyalty to both clients and the organization and a maniacal drive for excellence are most highly valued by the firm. Our clients deserve and expect informed, bespoke advice. As a sales leader, I feel entirely supported by the firm to hire and develop the right people who can then give our clients a differentiated experience. I am proud to lead a team of talented advisors who are dedicated to their craft and strive to help their clients achieve their goals. Another commitment of mine is fostering a respectful, inclusive, relevant and rewarding work environment where team members can grow as professionals. All in all, I remain fully energized by Bernstein’s leadership, our local and national team, and the momentum we have going forward.
What kind of experience do you offer to your clients?
I work hard to create a deeply personal client-advisor relationship. Oftentimes the relationship spans multiple generations, which is when I truly thrive, and clients benefit the most. I love to mentor, empower and educate the next generation on topics such as budgeting, career development, goal-setting, philanthropy, socially responsible investing and how to discuss challenging situations in a calm manner. Money takes on a greater meaning as a consequence of our multifaceted relationship. They make sound financial decisions, and I seek to ensure the next generation is well equipped to do the same. I particularly enjoy facilitating multigeneration family engagements, where the discussions run deeper. My goal in these meetings is to uncover clients’ values and their wealth and family mission. All these factors drive the direction of the financial plan and inevitably, provide the most desirable outcomes.
What passions do you pursue outside of work?
I gain tremendous satisfaction from my philanthropic work, especially when investing in and empowering the next generation. In 2015, with a wonderful team of professionals in Palm Beach County, Florida, I created Philanthropy Tank, a program that fuels and inspires the next generation of change leaders. I’ve served as the Board President since its inception, and in nine years, we’ve empowered 73 student teams and funded over $700,000 in awards. I also cherish my board and committee roles serving the Kravis Center and the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach, two wonderful organizations in our community. I love spending time with my wife, Joan, and our wonderful children and grandchildren.