I was fortunate to learn what investing in stocks meant as a young child as my mother was the transfer agent for a publicly traded utility company. Each time I would receive money as a gift, she would ask me if I wanted it put in my savings account at the bank or my stock account she had opened for me at the utility company. I would always choose the stock account. I was intrigued by the idea that my stock account could grow over time without me having to do anything. So, this is what it means to have your money work for you? Fabulous!
During my sophomore year of high school, all students in the state of Michigan had to take the “MEAP” test. MEAP stands for Michigan Educational Assessment Program. The results indicated that my ideal field of study was financial institution management. Then, in December of my senior year of high school, the movie Wall Street came out and that sealed the deal, I was hooked!
After graduating from Michigan State University in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in financial administration, I started working as a stockbroker trainee for a national wire house and began studying for the Series 7. As a broker, I spent several years trading everything from OTC stocks, to options, and ultimately commodity futures on behalf of clients. I moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1997 and started working for what was then Smith Barney, followed by CIBC Oppenheimer. During this time, I focused on leveraged US Treasury bond trading, financed via overnight repurchase agreements for a major, private client
Finally, in the year 2000, I left the wire house and trading worlds behind to focus on a more holistic approach to wealth management. I met, Neal Slafsky, and joined his new start up RIA and Broker/Dealer. I have remained with Neal and continue to learn from him each day as his partner in charge of the day-to-day operations of our thriving practice.
Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time boating, jet-skiing, swimming and all the other summer- time activities that we get to take advantage of all year round!