FOUNDATION NEWS
Q. Why did you leave the College and change your career plans from higher education administration to financial planning?
I did not consciously plan the change, but, in 1978, I got an unexpected opportunity for a professional growth position in Tarpon Springs at A. G. Edwards, a prominent financial services firm and brokerage. The opportunity was too good to pass up, so I accepted and began redirecting my energies, developing a client base and earning the Certified Financial Planner( CFP) credential. I enjoyed the challenge of financial advising and the satisfaction of helping clients build wealth. Years passed. A. G. Edwards was acquired by Wachovia and then merged into Wells Fargo. For 43 years, I built a career at A. G. Edwards and its successor firms until 2021, when I created May Wealth Advisors in Trinity as an independent family practice affiliated with Raymond James.
Q. How did you first get involved with the PHSC Foundation? Why have you chosen to devote so much time and energy to it for more than two decades?
In 2003, Marc Bowman, another PHSC Honorary Foundation Board Member and a longtime friend, recruited me for the board. In a short time, I became enthusiastic about the Foundation’ s work in creating student scholarships. I began to see that my work at the Foundation, especially chairing the Finance Committee, would be a way to help students graduate with minimal debt— or no debt at all— by providing individual scholarships. The number of student scholarship recipients now exceeds, on average, 1,100 per year. Some have graduated debt-free.
Besides student scholarships, the Foundation funds faculty and staff development, technology and equipment, new construction and special events. So the work is inherently rewarding because of my passion for wealth-building as a means to a socially constructive end. It also satisfies a creative need, for example, the Bobcat Emergency Relief Fund, which we created to help students, faculty and staff affected by hurricanes, other natural disasters and personal crises.
Q. What steps or strategies have you used to build wealth for the PHSC Foundation?
When I came on board in 2003, the Foundation still had most of its money in local banks. To get a higher rate of return, we brought in Burgess Chambers & Associates of Orlando, which specializes in advising institutional clients. That led to contracting with independent, professional money managers for various types of funds within the Foundation’ s portfolio. This strategy has worked well as the Foundation’ s assets have more than quadrupled, from $ 20 million to $ 80 + million.
Q. In what other ways have you contributed to PHSC and the local community?
My wife Vicki and I have both taught at PHSC. I have taught Business Skills for Continuing Education credit. Vicki, who has a degree in Real Estate Finance, has taught Principles and Practice of Real Estate.
Giving back to the community has always been a priority. Since 1980, I have participated and held offices in Holiday and New Port Richey Rotary clubs. I have served as Finance Chairman of the First United Methodist Church of Tarpon Springs. Forever a proud Gator, I am a member of Florida Blue Key and the Centurion Council University of Florida as well as a board of directors member, UF Bull Gator Boosters Association.
Q. Do you have any advice for PHSC students, faculty, staff and other patrons?
Yes, having enough money to meet your expenses is essential for human dignity. Money is also a necessary means to attain personal and professional goals. But it is not the only, or even the primary, value in life. Improving the quality of life for my family, friends and community is pretty near the top of my list. That’ s what the money is for. May Wealth Advisors is a family business. My daughters and son-in-law are building careers there. The PHSC Foundation has given me a platform for helping countless other young people build careers and live purposeful lives. For that, I am very grateful. Professionally, I advise people on ways to build their wealth. Personally, I encourage them to examine their values and make life choices based on them. That usually builds happiness.
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