While in college, I considered various options for a career in finance. The most influential conversation I had was with my parents' financial planner. He said something that really resonated with me, "providing families with financial planning services is an incredibly rewarding career because of the significant impact and value we have on people's lives." Upon graduating in May of 1992, I immediately began my career in financial planning. However, there weren't many people willing to entrust their financial future to a recent college grad; I didn't have much professional experience or even life experience! Therefore, I had to work twice as hard to acquire clients. When a client agreed to work with me, I committed to providing them with the best possible experience and advice so I would exceed their expectations. This mindset still drives me today.
I fully understood the impact that financial planning can have when it played out with my own family. Shortly after college, my parents divorced. Mom was disabled and her only source of income was my father's alimony. To protect that income, I made her buy a life insurance policy on Dad's life. My father passed away just 6 years later and Mom lost her only source of income. Fortunately, the life insurance proceeds replaced the alimony payments and, under my management, have provided for her lifestyle ever since. Because of this, I know first-hand how important my work is, and I get that same satisfaction with every client I help.
So when I ask new clients what their number one concern is, they say they don't know if they're going to be able to retire with the lifestyle they want. Most don't have a pension anymore and don't know how their contributions to 401(k)'s and savings, etc. will translate into the lifestyle they want. Through a comprehensive plan, I can determine if they are on target and if so, suggest ways to possibly enhance and protect it. If not, I can design a specific action plan to help them get there. This process helps them avoid major mistakes that could destroy their chances of a comfortable future, and provides them with a confidence and peace of mind that's priceless! That's incredibly powerful and rewarding - for them and for me.
Alex holds the FINRA Series 7 – General Securities Representative Exam, Series 63 – Uniform Securities Agent State Law Exam, and Series 65 – Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam licenses. Alex is also registered in New Jersey to sell Life and Health insurance.
Alex is an avid scuba diver and instructor and enjoys snow and water skiing, racquetball, theater, motorcycling and traveling. You can see more information about Alex's background and education on his LinkedIn page.