Meet Our Team

How your passion for financial planning begin?

After beginning my career with a major firm in financial services, it was apparent to me the industry was more interested in itself and sales rather than the client's well being. Over time I developed a solutions-based approach that was both better for the client with much better outcomes. In addition I began coursework at the College for Financial Planning to better my knowledge and skills. It gives me great joy to help clients create a framework to enable them to achieve their goals in life.

What is your involvement and experience in the financial services industry?

As an early CFP recipient, financial planning has been my compass in my long career as a practitioner and leader in financial services. In addition I have served on various regulatory bodies, such as what is now FINRA.

What makes you different and unique as a financial planner compared to others?

I was inspired by Sheryl Garrett, one of the pioneers in providing hourly or project-based services in financial planning. I joined the Garrett Planning Network coincidently with founding Financial Freedom Planners, and have never looked back. We are a mission-based firm dedicated to providing much-needed financial and investment planning services. Our unique business model was recently recognized by Forbes magazine, and we are one of 115 in the country of like-minded hourly professionals looking to make a positive difference in our client’s lives.

Tell us about your family, hobbies, and personal passions.

Married over 40 years, my wife and I are blessed with 3 children, 2 grandchildren, 2 sons in law, and 1 daughter-in law. I love being behind the helm of a sailboat, and enjoy tennis, mountain biking, and attempting golf. Family is my greatest passion.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Cruise the Mediterranean and Arabian Seas

What’s the most likely place people could find you on a Saturday night?

At home watching a movie or sports event.

What is your favorite to do in each of the four seasons?

1. Spring: Be outdoors as much as possible…go for a bike ride.
2. Summer: Be by on or in the water in one form or another….sailing, swimming, etc.
3. Fall: Watch football.
4. Winter: Going somewhere warm

Imagine being approached by a genie who offers you three wishes. What might those wishes be?

1. More time with our first son who passed away with spinal meningitis 
2. Take our extended family on a 1 week + vacation somewhere nice and interesting
3. World peace

If you had the ability to travel back in time, what’s something you would tell your 18-year-old self?

Be present! Generally people’s default is living in the past, present or future. Mine happens to be the future, and at times had difficulty focusing on the present (the most important and only one you can influence).

Also….be nicer to your parents!

How your passion for financial planning begin?

I was always fascinated by Wall Street and the idea of having a career in the business. As a young person, it always seemed like the embodiment of the American Dream and I wanted to be a part of it. Becoming a financial planner was a career change for me. Fresh out of college I had a 3 day stint as a stockbroker but quickly learned that cold calling strangers was not for me. However, I never lost my passion for finance and knew that was what I wanted to do. One day after reading an article about Fiduciary planners and hourly based financial planning, I was motivated to pursue my interest once again.

 

What is your involvement and experience in the financial services industry?

I earned my certificate in Financial Planning from Penn State University and then studied for and passed the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®). exam all while maintaining my full-time position as an analyst.  During this time I researched and learned of Financial Freedom Planners and that they followed the same hourly based model. I liked the model’s approach because there were no assets under management fees or commissions.  This appealed to me because this approach helped an under-served majority of people who may not have hundreds of thousands of dollars in investable assets but still need quality financial planning advice.

What makes you different and unique as a financial planner compared to others?

Financial Freedom Planners is in a rather unique space in the Richmond market (by design), and was recognized in a Forbes Magazine article as one of only 115 Financial Advisor firms in the country (and the only one in Richmond) that act as true Fiduciaries. While getting my Certificate in Financial Planning, I researched and learned of Financial Freedom Planners and that they followed the same hourly based model that had reignited my motivation to become a Financial Planner.



Tell us about your family, hobbies, and personal passions.

I am married with four wonderful children. Outside of work I can usually be found at one of our children’s many sporting events or on my bicycle. I am a dedicated cyclist, riding at least 5,000 miles per year every year since 2008. The highlight of my cycling year is the charity ride to fight Multiple Sclerosis. This two day ride covers 150 – 200 miles and generates close to a million dollars in donations on an annual basis.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Ireland and Hungary to see the homelands of my Grand and Great-Grand Parents and discover more about my heritage.

What’s the most likely place people could find you on a Saturday night?

At home watching a movie or sports event.

What is your favorite thing to do in each of the four seasons?

1. Winter – Christmas, Survive until Spring, Ride my bike, 
2. Spring – Baseball, Go to kid’s sporting events, Ride my bike
3. Summer – Family Vacation, Baseball, Ride my bike
4. Autumn – Football, Go to kids’ sporting events, Ride my bike

Imagine being approached by a genie who offers you three wishes. What might those wishes be?

1. Long and happy lives for my wife, children, family and friends
2. The ability and resources to help all others in need
3. The Kansas City Chiefs win every Super Bowl in the future

If you had the ability to travel back in time, what’s something you would tell your 18-year-old self?

1. Worry less and don’t sweat the small stuff
2. Be courageous, stand up for what’s right, the weak and yourself
3. Give back
4. The measure of success is not your career or accomplishments, but how kind you are to others and the feeling that you leave people with.
5. Have fun, be yourself because you only get one life