Certification and Licenses
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER BOARD OF STANDARDS, INC. The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP(r), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(TM), and federally registerred CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements. The exam is an intensive ten hours over a two day period. In addition to the exam, certificants must also have three years of work-related experience and a bachelor's degree.
FINRA licenses: I hold six licenses: Series 7, 63, 65, 66, 9/10, and am a registered representative and a registered investment advisor representative of Momentum Independent Network Inc., a registered broker-dealer and registered investment advisor.
Insurance licenses: Licensed in MA and NY to sell general lines of Life, Health, and Variable insurance.
Career Development
Lehman Brothers, 1993-95. I began my career in the financial services industry at Lehman Brother's broker-training program in New York City. A major Wall Street firm, the workings of underwriting, brokerage, trading, and research provided the foundation for my understanding of what to expect on Wall Street.
Charles Schwab, Investment Specialist II, 1995-2006. From an office on the Upper West Side, I learned the nuts and bolts of working with a wide range of clients on a daily basis to implement varied investment strategies.
A.G. Edwards, 2006-2008, Financial Consultant. My move back to the Boston area gave me the opportunity to make a work-related change to a smaller, full-service firm that used a holistic approach to working with clients. (A.G. Edwards was subsequently bought by a bank, Wachovia, which was then later taken over by another bank, Wells Fargo.)
Momentum Independent Network Inc. (MIN), 2008-present. As an independent financial advisor, I chose to work with Momentum Independent Network Inc. for brokerage transactions and client statements. MIN, after a merger, is now part of Hilltop Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HTH). As an independent advisor, I work through the Momentum Independent Network Inc. (MIN) division. In an effort to be aware of costs for my clients, I've found that working through a regional and smaller firm provided services at a lower cost than many of the national (or global) companies.
Education
Boston University, Center for Professional Education, Certificate in Financial Planning. Intensive eighteen month program that includes courses on General Financial Planning, Insurance, Taxes, Estate Planning, Employee Benefits, and Investments. Only students maintaining a minimum score on the exams, while also completing the entire program, recieve the Certificate in Financial Planning.
The College for Financial Planning. Accredited Asset Managemet Specialist, AAMS designation.
Fordham University, Bronx, NY. BA, Economics and History, double major.
Personal Interests
Some of my personal interests require drive and dedication, and finding the right balance is important. I began my study of martial arts in 1989 at Fordham University, where Tae-Kwon-Do was offerred as a club sport. I have achieved the rank of 5th degree black belt as a member of the World Martial Arts Association, and continue to practice. I have had the good fortune to run in the NYC Marathon several times. I enjoy a good game of chess, and currently teach chess to children at my daughter's school in Natick. As with the financial markets, patience, persistance, and focus are keys to achieving long term goals. There are no shortcuts in life or investing.