The end of a career approaches for me in this odd Covid time. I am retiring from Schneider Downs Wealth Management Advisors on March 31, 2021. What a ride it has been! In October of 2003, Nancy Skeans and I came to SDWMA when the owner of our former firm sold his business. We were a small boutique Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm moving to the big city.
After working closely with five other colleagues for several years, we found ourselves in the middle of 200 plus individuals in two locations, most of whom had no idea who we were, or what we were doing. Our official welcome was at the annual company meeting, where Columbus personnel bussed to Pittsburgh for the day.
When we joined the SDWMA practice, we doubled their client base. SDWMA was pretty small back in 2003! There was only one other full-time advisor in the individual practice. All reporting, billing, and trading were outsourced to a third party. We used different custodians. We had a different dress code.
Shortly after joining, SDWMA officially became a Registered Investment Adviser. Slowly, we began to merge the individual wealth management practices into one. We brought services in-house, introducing procedures and technology. We made new relationships and shared our philosophy with the rest of the firm. We added team members. We challenged ourselves to learn, to grow, and to always put the clients first. With Nancy’s encouragement, I became a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner in January of 2007. I’ve also been a prolific contributor to “Our Thoughts On” and other publications.
Now, I will be leaving my career, team members, clients, and friends without having set foot in the office since March of last year. Technology has kept us close. We are still able to celebrate good news and empathize with news that was not good.
Through it all, I believe in the business we have created. We have a great team with terrific clients. I’ve learned so much along the way. I may have assisted you with planning, investing, or even with technology or tax coordination. However you have come to know me, thank you for allowing me to share a small part of your life. It’s been a privilege.
