During his senior year at UCLA, Mark Passalacqua interned at Dean Witter with the intention of becoming a “stock broker” after graduation. However, at that time, the stock market was around 770, and the outlook was bleak for a new graduate in a struggling market – so he went into marketing and sales. During the subsequent 20+ years, Mark worked with several early stage companies, where he was on their initial management teams, and he even founded his own start-up, SportsID, during the dot-com era.
Coming full circle, Mark was recruited by Morgan Stanley in 2008 for their Rainmaker program, and – you guessed it – he got to witness how history can repeat itself. During his first week in production, the market began its extended downward spiral. So, his first few years in this business were definitely interesting. He believes the timing was “perfect” relative to getting fully immersed in the market when times were tough as a battle-tested way to learn the ropes.
The common thread in all Mark’s experiences has been business and relationship development, where communication is key. He has found that trust builds relationships, and vice versa. When times are challenging, communication becomes even more important because that is when his clients really need to know that his team is working for them and looking out for their best interest.
Mark has enjoyed working with David and the Quin Oaks Investment Group since 2008. He and the team share similar values, especially when it comes to family, relationships, and living by the “golden rule.” This ethos has served them well in building their business and long-term relationships with clients. His focus and specialization are on business and relationship development, investment planning, and retirement/401(k) plans for the group.
Mark lives in Lafayette with his wife, Lisa, and their three daughters. Away from the office, he is immersed in family life and loves doing anything as a family. Mark coaches volleyball, enjoys DIY construction (he recently completed his own extensive remodel/addition), water sports, music, and fitness – he also says he is methodically learning to improve his golf game.
FAVORITE QUOTE: “If you can dream it, you can do it.”
CHILDHOOD IDOL: My dad (and Speed Racer)
FAVORITE PART OF MY JOB: Interacting with clients on a daily basis – helping them to meet their goals, while at the same time, getting to know more about them
MY BEST FRIEND: My wife, Lisa (and now my children as they get older)
FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY: Laughing hysterically at the dinner table
