1. What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job and why?
By far the most rewarding aspect of my work is to have the opportunity to sit down with new and existing clients, listen to their dreams and desires, and help them create a financial roadmap to efficiently reach their goals. If I were to provide a challenge of the profession it would be controlling my time. There are many activities that need to be juggled on a day-to-day basis and you need to be very diligent at prioritizing your time.
2. Who do you look up to or admire in business and why?
I’m fortunate to have many individuals I have met over my 16 years in this profession who have provided great information and inspiration. However, the individual who has inspired me the most is not in the financial industry; it would be my father. I grew up watching him lead and inspire others in the teaching and later governmental sectors. To this day he continues to work not because he needs to, but because of his passion to serve others. I can’t tell you how many times people have stopped me around the Madison area and told me what a great individual my father is, and I agree. I also have a tremendous amount of respect for Kim Sponem, the CEO of Summit Credit Union. I have been provided the distinct honor to serve on the board of directors of Summit and I continue to be amazed at Kim’s commitment to excellence and planning, and how she has grown Summit Credit Union into a wonderful place for all its members.
3. What has been the high point of your career so far?
While I always consider it a thrill to set a goal out in the future and achieve it, I look at the high point of my career as the ability to grow with the individuals I am fortunate enough to call clients and have the opportunity to celebrate their successes and be a shoulder to cry on during the tough times of their life. I am so fortunate to be able to develop such great friendships with the individuals I work with and I forever will be grateful for that aspect of this business.
4. Thinking back on your career, what advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
I love this question as I started doing exactly what I am doing today a week after graduating college as that young 20-something-year-old. I would give the same advice as I was given before I started in this profession. First, you have to have personal integrity. The qualities of being honest and having strong moral principles are what every prospect and client deserves, and it’s the only way to have true success in anything. Second, never forget that this business is not easy and it requires a strong work ethic. That can be true of many industries, but without a quality work ethic there are not many planners who will create a lifelong career. Third, you have to have a commitment to learning. One constant in this industry is change. Whether it is the stock market, tax law, estate planning requirements, or the many other areas of planning, to be the best planner you can be you have to have a passion to learn.
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5. What would you say are the best things about living and working in Dane County?
I grew up in a small town just outside of Dane County so I spent much of my childhood visiting Madison and the surrounding areas. For as long as I can remember, I have always enjoyed the many activities that Madison has to offer. When it came to graduation I had narrowed it down to the Windy City of Chicago or coming back home to Madison. It wasn’t a very hard decision for me as Madison provided that small town feel I’ve grown fond of with many of the big city activities available. The community of Dane County is made up of hard workers who respect the people around them and it’s a pleasure to set my roots here. As a husband and now father I look forward to watching my kids develop in a wonderful school system and to call Madison their home.
6. Do you have any secret talents or abilities that people would be surprised to discover?
I consider myself an open book so I can’t say there would be many secrets those close to me would not already know about. I could point to the fact that I studied Spanish for eight years and have a good working knowledge of the language but compared to my wife who speaks numerous dialects, my Spanish knowledge is certainly overshadowed.
7. What are your guilty pleasures?
While I wouldn’t necessarily call it a guilty pleasure, I would call myself a huge Badger and Packer fan and whenever there is a football or basketball game on I do all I can to watch the entire game. The guilt would come from the fact that I have two young kids and in the back of my mind I always feel there’s probably something I should be doing to help my wife but that’s why the pause button on my remote control gets a lot of use!
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