Jerry has always been interested in finance, but when he discovered financial advising, he’d found his calling. That’s because advising is about more than the numbers — it’s about people.

“In some financial jobs, you don’t have the opportunity to see the results of the work you do,” he said. “With our approach to providing financial advice, it’s not about short-term transactions. We have the opportunity to work with individuals over time, build relationships, and watch them work to achieve their goals. To me, that is what defines a successful career.”

Jerry has been providing financial guidance since the early 1990s. Following a number of years at Wells Fargo Advisors and UBS Financial Services, he joined Arbor Wealth Management in 2020.

Client Approach

People often ask Jerry, “How are you investing your own money?” His answer speaks volumes about the personal approach he takes with his clients.

“I tell people I am one of my own clients and use the same building blocks for my own investments as I do for all my clients.  We develop investment strategies designed to meet our clients’ distinct needs based on their goals, timeframe, and comfort level with risk — individualized solutions rather than a cookie cutter approach.”  

Outside of the Office

Hobbies: “I love the outdoors. That could be back home working on the farm, being outside with my dogs, fly fishing, or SCUBA diving. When I am not outside, I’m in the kitchen. I love cooking all different cuisines for my friends.”

Favorite vacation: “Going to Egypt and SCUBA diving in the Red Sea. My favorite family vacation was taking the kids to Yellowstone.”

Pets: “I have three Cocker Spaniels at home. Over the course of my life, I’ve had eight Cocker Spaniels; the last four have been rescues.”

Plan B:  If I were to pursue a profession other than financial advisor, I’d be a chef. I'm very passionate about cooking. It gives me a great creative outlet.

Before Jerry founded Arbor Wealth Management with his partners in 2009, he spent over a decade as a financial advisor for a large investment management company. With this fresh start, he knew he wanted to do things differently.

“When I got into this business, I swore that I was going to help anyone and everyone, regardless of how much money they had or didn't have,” he said. “As an independent advisor, I don't have to worry about how large or small an account is. Whether you have one dollar or a million dollars, that one dollar may mean more to you than someone that has a million dollars, and so we treat both of those scenarios with the same level of dedication and respect.”

For Jerry, success isn’t about managing high-dollar accounts. It’s about building relationships with his clients and being a partner in helping to fulfill their vision for the future.

“I love helping people work to attain their financial goals, dreams, and desires,” he said. “Seeing a client smile, receiving a hug at the end of a meeting, or just a simple thank you is success to me. I have clients who have invited me to weddings, birthdays, and anniversary parties. The fact that they see me as part of their family — that’s what tells me, ‘Job well done.’”

Jerry is always ready to lend an ear for whatever questions his clients have — even if it’s not directly related to a client’s portfolio. He’s not just a financial advisor; he believes he is someone people entrust to discuss the life decisions that matter most to them. 

“A lot of my clients were friends first that became clients. But all my clients have ultimately become my friends,” Jerry said.

Client Approach

Jerry takes the time to listen to what is going on in his clients’ lives and think through how that might affect their financial goals. 

“There's more than one way to build a portfolio. Whether it's a short-term goal or long-term one, it's 100% needs based. I may present Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C to a client and discuss how each helps them achieve their goal,” Jerry said. “I want the client to feel comfortable because ultimately, it's their decision.”

Transparency is important to Jerry so when a client asks, “What’s in it for you?” his response comes easily.

“I'm all about full disclosure,” he said. “There's nothing that we hide, and it’s really just as simple as ‘when you’re successful, I’m successful.’”

Outside of the Office

Hobbies: “I love to play golf, fish, and hunt. When you're out there with God and country, you can just let your thoughts wander.”

Favorite Vacation: “My favorite vacation was a trip to Hawaii with my wife, son, and daughter. The kids were young, and with the whole family together, we got some very fond memories from that vacation that we still reminisce about today.”

Pets: “Over the years, our family has enjoyed the companionship of several rescued dogs and cats.”

What does a satisfying dinner look like to you? “Eating a great steak, sipping on an Old Fashioned, and enjoying a great conversation with friends and family.”

Gale has been with Arbor Wealth Management from the very beginning. She knows the business so well that some say she could manage it with her eyes closed.

On any given day Gale can be found handling accounting, compliance and payroll, fielding client calls, and performing a long list of other duties that keep operations humming. Although Gale has always been a numbers person, she says the best part of her role is client services.

“Talking to clients is my favorite part of the job,” she said. “I get to know them and get attached to them.”

Client Approach

Any client who has worked with Gale will tell you she is all about service. If you have a question, she either has the answer or will find it. Whatever a client needs, she will handle it, whether it’s making a trade, transferring cash, sending over account statements, or any other request in between.

“We're here to serve our clients,” she said. “So I always tell people they should never be afraid to ask for whatever they need. If it’s something I can’t do, I will still find a way to get it done.”

Gale is all about follow up, too. You’ll know when your request has been fulfilled, and so will your financial advisor.

But the most exceptional aspect of the way Gale works with clients is that it goes beyond talking business. “We service our clients, but we also become friends with them,” she said. “It's not just a business relationship. We also have a personal relationship.”

Outside of the Office

Hobbies:  "I like putting puzzles together, sewing quilts, listening to audiobooks, and reading a good mystery.”

Favorite vacation: “We take the grandkids that are old enough on an annual vacation they call ‘G&G’ because my husband's name is Gene. It also conveniently stands for Grandma and Grandpa. We’ve gone to Disney World, Disney Land, and most recently, to Branson, Missouri.”

Favorite food: “Before he retired, my husband was a teacher at Southeast Community College. When he had time off between quarters, our routine was to eat at PF Chang’s and go to the boats.”

Unique skill: “I am a self-taught quilter, but I haven't done it for a long time because there aren’t enough hours in the day!”

Retirement plans: “I don't plan on retiring until the guys kick me out the door.”