Trendsetting money managersPaul Fitzgerald, 63Position: managing director at Northwestern Financial ServicesClaim to Fame: At 63, said he has a unique ability to work with people in their 20s, helping those who are starting out to plan their goals.He said: “I think my forte has been to teach hard work and discipline. One of my successes has been the ability to attract, identify and select those people who have that integrity and that ability to do hard work.”Sal Geraci, 63Position: Principal at HHM Wealth AdvisorsClaim to Fame: He is a leader and founding member of a wealth management company that he said takes a holistic, client-focused approach to financial planning.He said: “We are totally client focused. What drives our recommendations and internal process is helping the client achieve financial success however the client defines it.”Ashlee Patten, 42Position: portfolio manager at Patten and Patten, Inc.Claim to Fame: Formerly a Women’s National Team and Olympic rowing coach, lead teams to four gold, two silver and two bronze, medals in Olympic and World Championship competitions.She said: “I think my background in coaching helps with client relationships a lot. I got in this field somewhat accidentally. I wasn’t looking to be a portfolio manager. What I found was a good match with a skill set I’d used before. There was an overlapping of skills. There’s a human side of this business.”
Finance may be perceived as a field for older men, but Jennifer Hairston believes we will see a growing trend of more young, female financial planners in the coming years.
“You always see your typical stockbroker, you think of a man,” she said, “but I think women are seeing the flexibility of the job.”
“I really feel like some people feel better talking to a woman. Maybe some people feel more comfortable talking to a woman about their budget or retirement.”
Ms. Hairston joined Campbell Asset Management in 2009 and calls herself a “wearer of many hats” at the company. She is currently preparing for her Certified Financial Planner exam.
Ms. Hairston, 25, attended the University of Alabama, receiving a bachelors degree in finance in 2006, followed by a masters in economics in 2007 and a masters in financial planning in 2009.
“I’ve always been interested in math and numbers. I enjoy helping people and this kind of just tied the two together,” she said.
When she first set out in her career, she said, Ms. Hairston wasn’t sure what path she wanted to follow, but came across financial planning and found it to be a better fit than the prospect of something like brokering.
“(Being a broker) is kind of more behind the scenes,” she said. “You don’t get to really deal with the public as much. I really enjoy the whole aspect of getting to get out and meet people and talk with them and try to help them personally.”
Ms. Hairston is excited about the prospect of her field skewing younger. The technological inclinations of her generation, she said, can help preserve energy in the financial planning field.
“Some people may consider it difficult — you’re 25 or 30 and trying to help somebody (older). It’s neat to see the younger generation come in and try to help out, with technology or new ideas. The industry is changing shape,” she said. “Young females are being hired in this industry. It’s kind of neat. There’s a whole window of opportunity.”