Home: Clive, IA. Age: 47. Birthplace: Des Moines, IA. Profession: Financial Advisor. Organization: RBC Wealth Management. Title: Vice President - Investments/Portfolio Manager. Alma mater: Marquette University.
Latest accomplishment: Designated Portfolio Manager at RBC Wealth Management. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Moving to RBC after eleven years at Wells Fargo Advisors. Hobbies: Reading, hiking, fishing, camping, river rafting, clay pigeon shooting, being outdoors. Recent travel or adventure: Visited a friend and his family in Brazil. Spent a long weekend in El Salvador with a good friend. Went fly fishing with clients in the Bahamas. Recently viewed and recommended: The Looming Tower (Hulu). What music are you currently listening to? I recently came across a 1970s band from Nigeria called Ofege. It’s Not Easy is the name of the song and it’s now one of my favorites. Recent unique acquisition: A locally made bamboo fly rod.
Moral compass: Be good to people. If you need to make a stand, make a stand for others. How do you define a perfect friendship? One that you call brother. Knows all my life’s fears and desires. What is your greatest joy? My children’s smiles. When my kids are happy, there’s no better time in life. What is your greatest fear? Sharks. I’ll swim in the ocean, but keep me away from the deep end. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Traveling. I enjoy getting lost in towns and cultures that are foreign to me. What is at the top of your bucket list? New Zealand, where someday soon, I will hike, camp and fish. How do you relieve stress? I go outdoors. Nature lets me unwind and it eases stress. The further away from the city, the more spiritual it is for me. What is your go-to workout? I love my yoga at the PowerLife studios in town. I walk out of those classes feeling like a million bucks.
What was your favorite college course? Medieval Italy. The instructor was very influential to me in the way he approached history. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? The board game Axis and Allies, which my friends and I would play for hours. What book have you repeatedly read? Modern Times, by Paul Johnson. There’s so much 20th century history in the book that’s not taught in universities. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Lonesome Dove, an epic western miniseries from the 1980s. I first watched it with my father at a young age and it remains my favorite to this day. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? A painting from my sister that shows a man walking on the ice in front of an icebreaker ship. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? Jim and Patty Cownie, who took me and my siblings in when we were young. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Surround yourself with the best people and you will be better for it.
What change would you like to see in the world?
I’d start here in the United States. We need to do a better job providing education to children in the inner cities.
What mega-trend most excites you? Artificial intelligence, which opens up so many opportunities for growth. What mega-trend most concerns you? Artificial intelligence, as well. There are always trade-offs with new ideas and technologies.
What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Robert Duvall. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My father, who was also my first best friend. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A professional fisherman (like Gary Roach) or an Air Force pilot (like Chuck Yeager). How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my three children in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska. What advice would you give your younger self? Go to bed early and rise before the dawn. Your life will be better for it.
Personal motto: What stands in the way becomes the way. Favorite quote: “In wilderness, I sense the miracle of life, and behind it our scientific accomplishments fade to trivia” (Charles Lindbergh).
