Financial Advisor, Waddell and Reed

AGE: 28

JOB DESCRIPTION: As a certified financial planner, my focus is working with companies and individuals in the professional bass fishing industry. My partner, Carroll Wilkerson, and I have a team financial planning practice that emphasizes a client-centered approach with a proactive, personal touch of high-level service. Locally, we work with businesses and individuals who value and appreciate professional advice. On the company level, we design, implement and administer qualified 401(k) plans. On the personal side, I work with some of the biggest names in bass fishing, helping them negotiate contracts, structure a financial plan and further their success by putting them in touch with other individuals and companies that I work with in the industry. When visiting a future or current client, you can rest assured that we will be on the water fishing at some point during our meeting.

YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: 10

ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Warsaw, Mo. I grew up on Truman Lake at Osage Bluff Marina, fishing almost every day that weather permitted.

EDUCATION: I graduated from Warsaw High School in 1997. I continued my education at the University of Missouri-Columbia and received a bachelor’s degree in personal finance with an emphasis in financial planning. Since graduating, I have gone on to achieve the certified financial planner and chartered mutual fund counselor designations.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: I am a member and serve on the board of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors of Mid-Missouri. I am a member of the Financial Planning Association. I also am a donor and actively involved with the local Ducks Unlimited chapter. Because I am an alumnus of the university, I am a big Tiger fan, and you can always find me tailgating at home football games on our “short” tailgating bus. Go Tigers!

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: I have been with Waddell and Reed since my internship in June 2001, although my business experience actually began at birth. My family built the first marina on Truman Lake, Osage Bluff Marina, a little over 25 years ago. I learned at a very young age what it was like to be an employer. Spending my childhood inside a business, which we still own today, is what gives me the unique experience to work with business owners and truly understand their situations.

A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE AND WHY: Larry Moore, president and CEO of The Harold E. Johnson Cos. Inc. It would be hard to find a Columbia businessperson who is more involved with the economic development and overall business community than Larry. He currently belongs to the Hallsville Board of Aldermen, Hallsville Planning and Zoning Commission and Hallsville Board of Adjustments. He was a previous member of the Hallsville Board of Education. Moore also serves on the University of Missouri Economic Development Council, Columbia-Boone County Stormwater Taskforce, I-70 Stakeholders’ committee and Homebuilders Association of Columbia. Moore is a member of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs and Transportation committees. He sits on the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is chair-elect of the organization. I also admire Larry because he is still the type of person that would sit down with you and explain why the commercial development you are looking at is not a good investment, and he will tell it to you straight. Thanks again, Larry.

WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: I absolutely love helping people. There is no feeling like that of presenting a plan to a client and seeing the difference it makes in their lives. I am extremely passionate about doing what is right for the client, no matter what. I made a decision that I would always be ethical in my advice, knowing that it would not make me a lot of money in the short term but that it would allow me to build a practice that I can be proud of.

IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD: Be a commercial developer. I love taking an idea and making it a reality. To me there is a lot of pride in building developments that help the community as well as its citizens.

BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: Being young. In my business it can be difficult to ask for someone’s trust with their money, especially when they have been accumulating it longer than I have been alive. I overcame this obstacle by getting my CFP designation at such a young age. This gave me the confidence and credibility to handle any client situation and know that I am doing the best thing for them.

A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: My wife and I recently purchased the preschool she worked at in college, End of the Rainbow. Since the purchase, we have remodeled and expanded the facility to more than double the original size. We installed numerous safety features including a filtered fresh air return system, security cameras, and proximity locks on the doors. We are currently renovating the playground.

WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: Anyone can call themselves a “financial planner” but only those who have met the education, examination, experience and ethics requirements can call themselves certified financial planning professionals. If I could give one piece of advice it would be to work with someone who is a CFP practitioner.

WHAT I DO FOR FUN: Obviously, I fish. I also love the outdoors and hunting. Travel is another passion of mine and goes well with the previous activities. Most days you can find me enjoying a workout at Wilson’s Fitness as well.

FAMILY: Together my wife, Nikki, and I have a son, Brody, who was born July 16, 2007. My mother and brother, Emily and Jason, live in Warsaw and continue to run the resort on Truman Lake. My father and his wife, Walt and MaryAnn, live in Clewiston, Fla., on Lake Okeechobee. My father has been in the professional bass fishing industry for more than 25 years. During this time, he fished the national tournament trail, guided on numerous lakes, and today is the production manager for the “Fishing with Roland Martin” television show.

FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: The University of Missouri, where I met my beautiful wife, and Murry’s, where I took her on our first date. I also have to give an honorable mention to Sophia’s and the Brandy Cream Filet.

ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: Personally, the birth of a healthy baby boy; professionally, being successful doing something I love so that I never have to work a day in my life.

MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I: was almost killed in a boat wreck while on my honeymoon in Belize. Think twice before taking a water taxi at night.