My Philosophy & Process

Focus on Values
Our philosophy for wealth management focuses on placing family values and objectives at the center of investment related decisions. During the initial meeting, for which there is no charge, I engage clients in a format that is open and candid with the specific objective of helping clients self-discover the values, attitudes, and beliefs around money that are most important to them. This represents the most critical step in the process, with the ultimate goal of creating harmony between client values and investment related decisions.
 

Investment Objectives as Framework for Investment Decisions
Once I have a clear understanding of our client's values and objectives, the formulation of the client's investment strategy represents the next step in our process. The client’s investment strategy is the blueprint for making investment related decisions and represents my understanding of the family's goals, objectives, risk tolerance, and time frame. The investment strategy establishes a framework for investment related decisions, and also represents my commitment and accountability to the families I work with.
 

Process-Driven Product Implementation
I provide clients with the depth and breadth of products and services to meet their objectives. An open architecture offers clients the ability to utilize various types of investments to implement their investment strategy, including, but not limited to, exchange-traded funds, mutual funds, separately managed accounts, individual stocks, bonds, options, hedge funds, and other types of investments. Careful consideration is taken in determining what types of investments can help clients meet their objectives most effectively and efficiently. My belief is that products are simply tools used to execute a strategy based on client-defined goals; however, a robust platform allows us to use the right tool in each situation. The benefit to clients is a strategy that can be customized to their specific needs and objectives. 

My philosophy is that anything the client saves in costs and expenses goes directly to improving results. We place heavy emphasis on limiting or reducing costs to clients wherever we can; therefore, client portfolios are designed to take advantage of benefits of both passive and active management. I focus strictly on providing the best possible solution at the lowest possible cost.

Advisory Role & Fees
I operate in an advisory capacity when working with families in connection with my investment advisory business.  Among other things, this means:

• I place the interests of our clients first.
   
• I provide objective advice.
   
• I provide full and fair disclosure of all material facts. I disclose and fairly manage material conflicts of interest.Investment advisory services are operated on a fee-basis, with underlying mutual funds purchased on either a no-load or load-waived basis.

How I Measure Results
Because results will vary from client to client depending upon objectives, risk tolerance, time frame, tax situation, and other client-specific needs such as cash flow, I define success based on my ability to help clients meet their financial objectives while enjoying the freedom to focus their time and energy on other interests. Progress is not defined as investment performance against a specific benchmark, but by progress toward client-defined objectives. Consequently, because performance is such a relative and subjective measure, quarterly reviews provide the format for clients to give feedback on anything from changes in their situation, to performance, to service matters.