What year did you graduate from Severn? 1997

 

What is your profession? Founder and Financial Advisor of a planning firm called Parent Financial, Author of Blue Goat.

 

Where do you live now and how did you end up there? Charlotte, NC. After Severn, I went to college at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. After graduating I initially wanted to work on the bond desk for Morgan Stanley, but ended up working for a startup magazine with a number of artists and models in Soho, NYC. When 9-11 happened, I received an offer to work for a company that managed the software for the relief effort. Afterwards I stayed on as a consultant for them working to implement software for cities and states across the east coast for potential future emergencies. After a year I realized that I didn’t love what I was doing and thought I might want to follow my father’s footsteps and be a headmaster. So, I left all my friends and job in NYC to move to St. Louis to teach high school. After teaching 9^th and 10^th grade world history and coaching soccer and lacrosse for a few years I realized that I wanted to get back into the corporate world. I moved to Charleston, SC and worked in sales before getting back into financial analyst work for the US Embassies. After a college friend passed away and another friend was diagnosed with cancer I realized the need for young people to have a financial plan, so I moved to Charlotte to start working as a financial advisor and then founded my firm Parent Financial in 2011.

What do you enjoy most about the work that you do? I get to sit and talk with people about real life all day. They tell me the truth of what is happening and what they are trying to accomplish. I then get to play a small part in helping them create the life they say they want.

What influence did Severn have on your career path? Wow…this could be a 10 page answer. In literally every way. I was challenged by my classmates and teammates to push myself in the classroom and on the field. I saw what was possible and the opportunities in the world from other alums and friend’s parents, so I never wanted to settle for average in my career. I learned not just how to speak, but to speak with passion and in a persuasive manner, not just how to write, but how to share my voice, and not just how to live, but how to create a life. 

What are your favorite things to do in your free time? Anything active and outside. I’m in love with paddle boarding and take mine wherever we go. I have a group of guys that we try to do a few Spartan Races each year. I love to write and just had my first book Blue Goat published. I meditate every day for 30-45 minutes and absolutely love meeting new people, or just chatting with friends about life.

If you could give advice to the Class of 2018, what would it be? Tune out all the noise going on in the world around you. Shut out what society, the media, and everyone else is telling you need to do or be. Look in the mirror rather than at the screen and fall in love with that person. Decide what you want to create with your life and be unapologetic and unfiltered in going after it. There is no dress rehearsal, so everything you do is a part of the amazing journey that is your one life.

 

Tell me about 2 things that bring you joy in your life. Making a stranger or someone else laugh or smile because we interacted with one another. Exploring new places and living in the moment with my wife Natalie.

What teacher(s) had the most influence on you at Severn? Dr. Baugh had a huge impact on me. She challenged me to take part in mock trial team and speech competitions. Those skills have played an unbelievable role in my professional career. The ability to convey my thoughts and emotions in a dynamic way both personally and professionally is a skill I will always be thankful for. 

What is one of your favorite Severn memories? Any and every time we beat St. Mary’s.  

What is the most valuable asset you believe you inherited from your Severn education? The education is second to none, but I think that knowing I am part of an amazing legacy is something no one can ever take away from me. I meet younger alums today and simply because they went to Severn I want to get to know them and help them in any way. I’ve had other alums do that for me as well, so being a part of the Severn family is one of the greatest assets I inherited.

 

Did Severn have a lasting impact on who you are today? If so, in what ways? Most definitely yes. I was pushed past my comfort zone in both sports and academics. I found parts of me and strength I never knew I had. Severn changes your sense of what is possible and that helps you find success both on the field and in your career. Severn helped me grow, challenge, and develop every aspect of the man I’ve become.

 

What are 3 words you'd use to describe Severn School? Family. Legacy. Home.