A: After earning my MBA at OCU, I interned with Heritage Trust Co., where I worked a little over four years while earning my CFA (chartered financial analyst certification). Then, I worked five years for Trust Company of Oklahoma. I got into the industry in 2007, right before the economic downtown. I call it trial by fire. I was young enough and dumb enough to not know any better. But the market has more than tripled since then, and those who refrained from selling at the bottom are reaping the benefits. At Full Sail Capital, we try to be very realistic with our clients, and help them with long-range planning to achieve their financial goals.
Q: As a young analyst, is it difficult to gain the respect of clients?
A: No. People respect my prior experience and certification as a chartered financial analyst. Plus, many want investors who aren’t going to retire before they do, and have time left in their own careers to help them reach their financial goals. Plus, our team brings much experience, including CEO David Stanley who’s in his 50s and financial analyst George Cohlmia who’s in his 60s. All are registered investment advisers, which means they have fiduciary responsibilities to put clients’ interests above their own.
Q: Why’d you name your firm Full Sail Capital?
A: My wife Melanie and I enjoyed sailing together early in our marriage. Then earlier this year, when my partners and I were considering names, we agreed sailing is a good analogy for investing. At full-speed in sailing — or the fastest you can go — you’re under the most control. I’d love to have my own sailboat some day, when my kids are older. But for now, I’ll take my own financial advice and not buy a boat that will sit in the dock 360 days a year.
PERSONALLY SPEAKING
• Position: Full Sail Capital, chief investment officer
• Website: fullsailcapital.com
• Age: 34
• Grew up in: Edmond
• Education: Oklahoma City University (OCU), Master of Business Administration, and Oklahoma State University (OSU), bachelor’s in journalism. He played on the OSU golf team and helped coach the OCU golf team.
• Certification: Chartered financial analyst (CFA), which involves three years of extensive study and testing
• Family: Melanie, nurse practitioner turned full-time mom and wife of nine years; son Sawyer, 6; and daughter Sloane, 4. They’re expecting another boy this month.
• Neighborhood: Canyon Lakes at Memorial and Council Roads
• Influencers: Author and former Wall Street bond salesman Michael Lewis (“The Big Short” and “Liar’s Poker”), Bloomberg columnist Matt Levine, American investor James Patrick O’Shaughnessy, and Jack Bogle, who founded The Vanguard Group
• Pastimes: Indoor cycling and golf. His favorite course is the OSU Cowboys’ home course, Karsten Creek Golf Club in Stillwater.
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