What I’ve done

Over the years, I’ve advised people sending their kids to college, planned business successions, and helped people retire successfully.  I’ve created insurance programs that kept the promises made to families long after the promise makers were gone.

My values

I am honest about who I am, as well as what I can and will do for my clients.  I strive for integrity in all my communications.

I think clarity is one of the most important things I can offer.  I make an effort to explain things without jargon or complicated phrasing. I don’t have anything to hide; I tell my clients how I charge fees, what things cost.  If something seems expensive, I explain why it is a good deal in the circumstances.

I spend a lot of time developing trade-experience every year.  Things change and solutions that made sense in the 1990s probably don’t work anymore.  Like any skill, my trade takes practice and commitment.  I’ve put in the time and effort to become competent and stay competent.

People say wisdom comes with age.  I’d say it isn’t wisdom as much as good judgment.  Good judgement comes from experience.  I’ve had the opportunity to gain lots of experience.  If you’ve been around a while, you know where experience comes from.

As a young man, I wanted to be an artist.  Most of my early education was in Art.  That experience shapes my approach to planning.  Most advisors have backgrounds in business, finance, or accounting, and there’s nothing wrong with that.  But I think it results in a “if this/then that” response to client needs.  The challenge in Art is in finding solutions within limitations.  In planning, there are factors that frame your financial future, such as age and resources, tax law, available products, and your desired outcomes can limit what is possible.  My experience and creativity can find the best possible solution within those limitations.

Presenting the plan and making recommendations is just the start of my job.  I follow my client’s progress.  It is my commitment to stand with you, but also to stand behind my work.  I want to see the solution realized.  If necessary, I want to help change course, if the course of your life changes.

The Bottom Line

Everyone has heard the slogan, “Your success is my success.”  I’m strive to make it true.  I build my practice on long-term relationships.  I still work for my first client, cold-called from a rotary dialed phone, almost 40 years ago.