Growing up, aspects of the investment world were frequently table talk at family meals, and I have always had a knack for investment and financial matters. However, in high school, I had plans of joining the military like my father and grandfather had done. After graduation, I spent the summer working in my mother’s investment office and had a change of heart. I joined her business in 1991, and we still work together today.

I learned early in my career that you can make a difference in people’s lives by guiding them to take the right steps. Through education and using sound and repeatable investment strategies, I am able to help clients of all ages navigate through market cycles and find a balance between their financial needs of today and their financial goals for tomorrow.

As the years go by, I enjoy seeing the benefits of my clients’ hard work and commitment to their financial success. One of my greatest rewards is being able to tell clients that they are financially able to retire whenever they are ready, and for them to be able to live the life they’ve dreamed of.

I hold the Accredited Asset Management Specialist AAMS® designation which strengthens my abilities related to a range of areas from investment portfolios to regulatory and ethical issues. This knowledge comes into play as I assist individuals and small business owners.

Being committed to helping my community prosper, I am currently active with our local Rotary Club. I’ve served various organizations including the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and Bellevue Community Schools Board of Education.

As one whose parent served in the Navy, I’ve lived in American cities from San Diego to Key West, finally settling in Battle Creek, MI when I was a teen. Having met and lived with people from a diverse range of cultures, I feel fortunate to have learned early on how to listen to the stories of all people and empathize with their life situations. That experience has served me well as a Financial Advisor because listening is essential to earning the trust of clients and helping them customize a plan for the future.

When I started in this business in the early 1980s, we were selling bonds and trading stocks. I have seen the markets rise and fall, tied to strong economies, events like 9-11 and the crash of 2008. Over the years, the emphasis shifted to planning, and, today, my role is to work as a coach to my clients to help them achieve their investment goals. I particularly enjoy hearing about their passions and successes.

I like working with people at all stages of life and creating plans for retirement, wealth management or post-retirement. Because I’ve been in business for many years, I’m now working with the third generation of families who are long term clients. Some of my clients have been in retirement longer than the number of years that they worked. That is an important fact for everyone to know -- that you could live for many more years after retirement, and it’s necessary that you plan for that possibility.

Away from the office

In my down time, I like to read, watch movies, go to sporting events and spend time with my three grandchildren. The privilege is mine to be an American and share in this great country.

When it comes to getting things done, I’ve always been a planner. My natural instinct to plan ahead is perfectly suited to my Financial Advisor role as I work with clients to devise their own plans and help them follow a path to reach their goals for the future, making course corrections along the way.

I started out in the investment industry in 2005 as an assistant to Financial Advisors Tim Reed and his mother Robin Reed at Hilliard Lyons. Together, we moved to Wells Fargo Advisors in 2015, and two years later I became a Financial Advisor. I am fortunate that my relationship with Tim & Robin has led to a career that I continue to love today.

Our team puts a strong emphasis on educating our clients about the importance of investing. We want them to understand the benefits, risks and strategies that can be used to help them achieve their goals. My planning skills come into play after I meet with new clients and we have decided that we are a good fit and want to move forward. After listening to their thoughts about the future and assessing their complete financial picture, including income, debt, real estate, savings and more, I am able to develop a plan for them and take the time to explain our strategy and process. I have an outgoing nature and sincere interest in others, and I use those strengths to help build relationships with my clients and maintain open lines of communication.

Away from the office

I enjoy cooking, gardening, traveling, and spending time with my husband (Brent).