How would you describe yourself and your work?
I began my career with Northwestern Mutual in 2008, joining the organization after a 15-year career as a mortgage lender. After five years as a Northwestern Mutual client, I knew I liked how the company did business. As a Wealth Management Advisor, I primarily serve professional women and couples, usually in a life stage transition (i.e. retirement, divorce, or widowed). In financial planning, you may be talking to multiple people: the person who handles your investments, the person who handles your insurance, a mortgage lender – the list goes on. I’m the person who helps my clients wrap their arms around the big picture to see how all of the pieces work together.
I have always naturally gravitated toward big-picture thinking. As a mortgage lender, my clients would often come to me with other financial planning questions. Once I realized I had a knack for this all-inclusive mindset, I decided to become a financial planner. This also allowed me to stay in North Carolina. I’m a Raleigh native and an N.C. State alumnus. I tried to leave the state by joining the U.S. Army when I was younger, but I was stationed in Fayetteville for my entire service. All was not lost, though: I did get to jump out of airplanes as part of the 82nd Airborne Division.
What’s your favorite ice cream flavor and why?
Key lime pie. It makes me think of the beach.
What’s your favorite restaurant in the Triangle?
Glenwood Grill. Everything they touch is excellent. Get the salmon!
What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy Saturday with your family?
I like to play Carcassonne, a strategy game, with my wife, Teresa, and our two kids still at home, Benjamin and Melanie. You get points for building cities, connecting roads, or farming territories. We like it because it forces us to think.