What do you enjoy most about working in the wealth management industry?
Helping people I care about and know genuinely create a more rewarding, satisfying life for themselves. The happier they are, the happier I am.
What do you enjoy most about being part of Harvest Wealth Management?
We work for our clients, not a corporate agenda or shareholder interests. It’s refreshing operating in an independent, objective environment, free of sales incentives or quotas. As a founding partner, I can say it’s been terrific building a brand around what our clients ask for and need.
What qualities of yours make you best suited to what you do?
My clients say I am passionate about teaching, specifically making the complex seem simple to the untrained eye. They appreciate how patient and empathetic I am when life seems like it can’t be any more stressful or scary. Listening to their stories, remembering each detail, and being incredibly organized allows me to create a personal, highly customized experience for each person I help.
How should people think of their wealth?
However they would like, everyone is their own person. My goal is to help people identify what’s truly important to them in life and then make it happen! For me, wealth is not about how much you have but what you do with it.
What personal accomplishments are you most proud of?
I’ve built a business, a family, and a home from scratch, all while preserving a healthy balance between taking care of others and taking care of myself. I am also proud to give back. We have a family challenge to raise $100,000 through terrific annual fundraising events such as Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger, Dana Farber’s Pan-Mass Challenge, and Jog Your Memory’s Run for Alzheimer’s by the time the kids go to college.
What would you be doing if you weren’t working for Harvest?
I’d be a professor at a local college or university, helping young people learn about financial literacy.
What do you love to do outside of work?
I enjoy being active outdoors with my wife, Carrie, and our two adventurous kids (Jackson, born March 2014; and Samantha, born March 2016). Some of our favorite things to do together are downhill skiing (Big Sky, MT is our favorite), ride roller coasters and watch Jeopardy! Music is a big part of our lives too; we collect vinyl records and love teaching our kids about amazing musicians such as the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, and David Bowie.
Where does your story begin?
I would describe my story as one of learning. I am an alumnus of the Kingswood Oxford School in West Hartford, Connecticut, as well as Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, where I earned a BA in economics with a focus on sociology. The technical education I received serves as a foundation for my career. I learned how to be an independent, objective, and ethical professional while working as an auditor for Deloitte and Touche in Boston. I learned about customer service and hard work as a valet parking attendant while I was studying to become a registered financial advisor. Through my CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) exam study, I learned how to provide thoughtful, comprehensive advice. When I earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation, I understood the importance of recommending only what is in my clients' best interests. My love of learning inspires me to continue my education from all sources, particularly my wonderful clients.