As a 4th grader, I was fortunate enough to participate in an investing class at school. Two other students and I ran the bank. Our classmates would put some of their fake money into accounts with us and we would have to invest the bank’s money. My experience in that class was impactful. By the end of elementary school, I knew that if I didn’t grow up to be the shortstop for the Detroit Tigers, I wanted to be a stockbroker.
Of course, times have changed. “Stockbroker” has long since been retired as a job title. However, my fascination with the financial world has only grown stronger.
I graduated from Western Michigan University in 2001 with a degree in Finance. After a short tenure as a Commercial Insurance Underwriter, I joined Centennial Securities as a financial advisor in January of 2004 and I’ve been here ever since. I was honored to be invited to become a shareholder in 2013 and have worked hard to make sure Centennial has a sterling reputation in our community. I have an active role at Centennial, sitting on the Strategic Planning Committee, chairing the firm's Investment Committee, and serving as Corporate Vice President.
In 2017, I decided to further my knowledge by studying for, and ultimately passing, the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® examination. If you are interested in learning more about the CPWA® program, please click here.
In 2022, I again expanded my knowledge by completing the coursework and passing the test to become a Certified College Financial Consultant. I was the first - and at last check only - CCFC in the state of Michigan. If you are interested in learning more about the CCFC program, please click here.
I am a native of Grand Rapids and passionate about the West Michigan community. In addition to coaching several youth sports teams, in the past I have volunteered my time as Finance Committee Chair at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church (2009-2011), as a member of the Kent District Library Fund Development Board (2017-2018), assisted with Envision Ada (raising money for a new library and riverfront park), and on the board of the Forest Hills Public Schools Foundation (2017-2023), including a term as Board Chair during the '22-'23 school year.
My wife Liz and I live in Ada with our three boys. We were blessed with twins Gibby and Henry in 2007 and Nolan in 2010. We share our home with our dog, Mayzie. When not spending time at various family activities, I enjoy golfing, baseball and reading.
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