Our Process
Retirement asset management begins with a plan. We ensure that our relationship begins with a comprehensive review of your goals, risk tolerance and lifestyle. Here is a graphic overview of the components of our process.
Please click the image to view the full size presentation.
We look forward to putting our expertise, outstanding resources, and personal service to work for you. Simply click on Contact Us on the right side of this Web page to let us know you would like to make an appointment to meet with us.
What We Believe
At McDonald & Barry Retiree Asset Management we don’t believe in making promises we can’t keep. What we do pledge is honesty, integrity and a personalized long-term plan designed to help you preserve and grow your retirement nest egg.
While the one-on-one attention you receive from Jeff and Ned forms the core of your relationship with us, you obviously come to us for more than outstanding service. You depend on us for quality financial solutions within a framework that emphasizes your unique needs, not one-size-fits-all answers.
To that end, we are affiliated with Raymond James & Associates, Inc., a national, independent firm that shares our commitment to you. As a pioneer in financial planning and a leader in the industry with an international presence, Raymond James is dedicated to ensuring we have access to the investment alternatives and services you require. This gives us the power to work with you to select the most appropriate choices for your personal portfolio.
We believe that financial management is most effective when we, as professional advisors, coordinate services by working closely with your banker, attorney, CPA and insurance professional.
News of Jeff, Ned, Gloria, Marie, and Jo
The MBRAM Team
December 2011 – The week before Christmas Ned & Sue chaperoned 76 international students from 32 countries during 4 days of fun at Disney World. These young folks are here to live with Florida host families, attend high school, and learn about America as part of the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. "Our" student is Jessica Kamsteeg from The Netherlands. She is hosted by the Rotary Club of Inverness where Ned is a Board member and Chair of the International Service Committee. What an inspiration and infusion of energy to be around these wonderful young people from around the world. It brings out the spirit of sharing, caring, and peace that we bring to the front during the holiday season.
Jeff & Terri enjoyed holiday time together with daughter Jill and son John. John is a lawyer with a prestigious New York City law firm so his homecoming is a special treat.
November 2011 – Ned & Sue’s son Jonathan pulling Taylor and Brooke on their first venture into the pumpkin patch.
October 2011 – Ned & Sue flew to Istanbul, Turkey and then traveled by cruise ship to various Turkish and Greek ports. In Ephesus we saw the theatre and very stone upon which Saint Paul stood to stir up the crowd. They arrested Saint Paul and gave him the choice of leaving town or rotting in jail. Returning to Istanbul Ned & Sue spent an evening with Huri Gokce Polat and her new hubby. We first met Huri when she visited us 2 years ago as part of a Rotary Group Study Exchange program. Huri teaches in a private elementary school and is a loving person as you can probably tell from this picture.
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September 2011 – Our local United Way has identified feeding the hungry as the number one priority in our county. It has identified building and outfitting the Feed Citrus County Food Distribution Center as the best way to address this community pressing need. The food distribution center will receive excess and out-of-date food items from local and regional grocery stores as well as Federal surplus food items and donated non-perishables. It will then distribute this food to the 51 food pantries operating in Citrus County. A project Ned feels strongly must succeed.
August 2011 – Lots of tennis and a little golf. Yes, it is hot here in Florida in August but we embrace the heat and play on!
July 2011 – Enjoying both grandchildren and lucky enough to be close enough to visit them in Jacksonville whenever the mood strikes.
June 2011 – Sue’s birthday present was a short trip to the beach at Longboat Key in Sarasota Florida. We have lots of hills, water, and natural beauty in Florida’s “Nature Coast” – but we don’t have white sand beaches, shopping, or a multitude of attractions and restaurants. So off we went to enjoy “civilization”.
May 2011 – Ned is elected as Vice President of the Estate Planning Council of Marion County, Florida. Ned also volunteered to lead the committee that will bring together speakers from various disciplines – attorneys, CPAs, bank trust officers, insurance agents, and investment managers – to answer the question “Now That You Live In Florida, What Do You Need To Know”.
April 2011 – Yes, Florida has hurricanes and no part of Florida has escaped a hurricanes if you go back 100 years. In preparation we review our personal and family hurricane plan – where we would evacuate to, the safest place within our home to “ride one out”, what to store in case we can’t get out for a day or two. Ned’s U.S. Coast Guard Flotilla takes it a step further. After the hurricane passes (or if we are not in its path) our Flotilla members would be tasked by the U.S. Coast Guard to identify, mark, and report hazards on land and at sea. The goal would be to minimize further injury or damage and to assist in prioritizing the clean up and repair efforts. Well at least we Floridians seldom have earthquakes, mud slides, volcanoes, or tornadoes to worry about.
March 2011 – Sue fulfilled a lifelong dream of travelling to Tanzania to enjoy an African safari adventure. It was a small group of 12 and they lived in tents. At night lions roamed freely around and among the tents. The guides assured Sue that the lions only saw the outline on the tent and not the tourist inside. Sue inquired whether the lions could smell the tourists. In Tanzania no one –including the guides – is permitted to carry a gun (if you have a gun you are a poacher) so the wildlife encounters have an extra sense of urgency. Here are a couple of Sue’s spectacular pictures.
February 2011 - Ned, as Chair of his Rotary Club’s International Service Committee, was excited to learn that we will be hosting high school senior Jessica Kamsteeg from The Netherlands for the 2011-2012 school year. Jessica will live for 3 months with each of 3 lucky families while she attends high school and learns about life in America. Jessica’s father is a marine salvage expert and her mother is a speech therapist. Jessica is the youngest of 3 sisters.
January 2011 – Ned’s Rotary Club moved its TV auction fundraiser from December to January. This made the Christmas Holiday season much less hectic and we raised a record high amount for our Rotary Club’s community outreach. One possible reason was we added auction bidding via internet. The items were displayed on our TV auction website and people could bid on them for weeks in advance as well as on the day of the auction. In fact we had bids totaling 80% of the final amount before auction day! An additional joy was that Ned enjoyed watching a team of newer, younger Rotarians take the over leadership from Ned. Great feeling seeing the next generation of community leaders “taking charge”!
December 2010 – December is always busy with family and fellowship. Ned and Sue spent Christmas with the grandkids, Taylor and Brooke, and son Jonathan and daughter-in-law Nicola in Jacksonville. Brooke enjoyed her first Christmas watching older sister rip open presents – her own and everyone else’s! This was Taylor’s second Christmas and she quickly came to understand that anything that was colorfully wrapped was a “PRESENT!!!” – which should be gleefully opened and enjoyed. Grandchildren are great!
November 2010 – Sue and Ned join literally hundreds of community members who for 7 years have worked through a coalition of church and community organizations to provide a Thanksgiving “feast” to 1300 neighbors who otherwise could not enjoy a meaningful Thanksgiving season.
October 2010 – Ned is elected Vice Flotilla Commander of his U.S. Coast Guard Flotilla which patrols
he water and air supporting the active duty Coast Guard in its mission of promoting boating safety.
September 2010 – Ned, as Chair of the International Service Committee, and Club President Charlie Richer introduce Radhika our incoming Rotary exchange student from India and her American host mother to fellow Rotarians.
August 2010 – Ned, as Chairperson of the Strategic Planning Committee of our local United Way, leads the presentation of the committee report that challenges our Board and Staff to embrace Community Impact initiatives that identify and address systemic human needs in our community. This is in addition to United Way’s traditional roll of supporting 20+ human service agencies and programs. Our report is enthusiastically adopted and leads to the creation of 4 separate Board led committees to wrestle with the details of implementing this new Untied Way roll as community coalition builder.
July 2010 – Taylor, grandchild number 1 enjoys summer in Florida with her pal Harpie. Life is good.
June 2010 – Brooke, grandchild number 2 arrives. Grandmother Sue looks very happy!
May 2010 – Ned & Sue are cruising the southern Caribbean early in May to be back in time for grandchild number 2 due in early June.
Jeff & Terri are just as eager to congratulate son John on his graduation from law school. John chose to join a prestigious New York law firm so Jeff & Terri will now have an excuse to visit the “Big Apple”. Congratulations John!
April 2010 – Ned is befriended by Publixaurus the mascot for Publix supermarkets. Publix and it’s employees are major supporters of United Way throughout Florida. Publixaurus was cheering on the 16 basketball teams participating in April Madness a fund raiser and community awareness event put on by our United Way (Ned was in charge of set up, administration, and takedown as a Board Member and Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee). The basketball was not “Final Four” caliber but teams from County Government, School Board, Lecanto High School coaches, Sheriff’s Office, Corrections Corporation of America, Fire Rescue, Nature Coast emergency ambulance, Progress Energy, Publix supermarkets, Weber Glass, SunTrust Bank, FDS Disposal, Chronicle newspaper, Walgreens drugs, Citrus Cardiology Consultants, and the Chamber of Commerce made it feel like “April Madness”.
March 2010 – Ned was honored to be elected as an Officer and member of the Executive Committee of the Estate Planning Council of Marion County, Florida. The group consists of attorneys, CPAs, bank trust officers, insurance professionals, and development officers from non-profit organizations that come together to share ideas and expertise in the area of financial planning, estate planning, and legacy planning. Ned’s association with this organization dates back to the 1970s and Iowa where he served as a Board Member and Officer of the Estate Planning Council of the Quad Cities and to Pennsylvania where he served as a Board Member and Officer of the Estate Planning Council of the Lehigh Valley.
February 2010 – We sent pictures of our spoonful of Florida “snow” to many of you to demonstrate that we are suffering too. Remember the only state that didn’t have snow was Hawaii. Many of you offered to let Sue & Ned to take a turn shoveling “real” snow but we hunkered down to wait for Spring.
January 2010 - While the rest of the country is bitter cold and blanketed in snow Sue & Ned complain that it's a tad bit cold for tennis and golf. Florida weather can spoil you. Come on down and enjoy it with us! The new year also marks the start of a 6 month long look at the future of our United Way. Ned is Chair of the Strategic Plan Committee that will do a lot of listening and bring community recommendations back to our local United Way Board for its use in charting the next 3 years of service to the community.
December 2009 - Early in December Ned led the Rotary TV Auction fundraiser. Rotarians collected new donated items from merchants and individuals to be auctioned off via a community-wide TV auction. Local dignitaries acted a guest MCs, the bidding was hot-and-heavy, and the proceed went for a good cause. Over the Christmas holiday Ned & Sue enjoyed visting son Jonathan, daughter-in-law Nicola, and #1 (and currently only) grandchild Taylor. Exhausting but wonderful. Jeff & Terri enjoyed having both of their children home for the holiday as well.
November 2009 – Many local churches, service organizations including Ned’s Rotary club ( Ned is Board Member & Chair of the Annual TV Auction), businesses, and individuals came together to gather and distribute food for our community’s second annual “Feed The Hungry Fall Harvest”. Thousands of neighbors pre-registered with our local Salvation Army and other local churches. This allowed us to confirm need, individualize each box of food to meet family needs, and allow pickup at the convenience of the recipient. The goal was to have each family receive enough food to enjoy a bountiful November and Thanksgiving they would not otherwise enjoy. WalMart and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were key members of this community-wide team that led this successful effort.
October 2009 – Our United Way (Ned is a Board Member & Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee) led the effort to gather baskets (really 5 gallon buckets) of necessary personal items for the homeless and nearly homeless identified by local food pantries and shelters. A meaningful outreach that also served to identify neighbors who could benefit from United Way supported local agency services but do not routinely contact 211 for referrals. Ned & Sue then took time to take a vacation cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida through the Panama Canal to San Diego, California returning to Florida by plane. It was fun getting away together after spending the last few months sharing our free moments with son Jon, daughter-in-law Nicola and granddaughter Taylor. We were pleasantly surprised with our stops in Cartagena, Columbia and Huatulco, Mexico, a relatively new cruise stop on the Pacific coast. In San Diego we explored the Midway aircraft carrier museum (Sue knew Ned would love it) and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Park (we both loved it).
September 2009 – Ned & Jeff were both busy at work realigning MBRAM clients’ portfolios to take advantage of the economic and markets upturn. What made it a particularly busy time was the influx of new clients who came to us to rebuild their retirement nest eggs. We were delighted to be talking about positive, optimistic indications that we were seeing the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel” suggesting economic recovery.
August 2009 – Ned & Sue both started a new competitive tennis season. This means traveling to compete against tennis teams in a 50 mile radius on almost every Saturday and Sunday. We both love it! We were both raised to a higher tennis skill level but are doing very well against this higher level competition. Ned & Sue are both learning to play golf but we are not nearly as successful at golf. Ned & Jeff are combining business with pleasure by supporting our country club’s free lessons for beginning golfers. It turns out that there are many folks in our community that are now retired (and have the time to play golf) but are first time golfers. Over 1,500 beginning golfers have participated and Ned & Jeff provide water and have fun raffling off a golf related prize. Now if Ned & Sue’s golf games would reflect the high quality of the lessons. Patience!
July 2009 – Life is interesting! Now that Ned & Sue have become valuable commodities as babysitters we are also welcomed with open arms by son Jon and daughter-in-law Nicola. Ned remembers many, many years ago when our parents assumed that same valuable roll! We actually looked forward to our parents’ visits so we could enjoy a getaway! It’s fun now that we are the visiting parents because we know how much we appreciated it!
June 2009 - Ned & Sue are enjoying their new roll as babysitters. Younger son Jon and daughter-in-law Nicola both have jobs that require them to work on holidays so Ned & Sue jump at the opportunity to babysit granddaughter Taylor while her mom and dad make sure their customers are well taken care of on holiday weekends. Tough job and we are loving it!
May 2009 - Ned was second-in-charge of bringing Blood, Sweat & Tears and Chuck Negron (formerly of Three Dog Night) to Citrus County for an outdoor concert sponsored by the Rotary Club of Inverness and The Inverness Olde Town Association. All profits were targeted to raise money for The Early Learning Coalition, Three Sisters Springs, and community scholarships and programs. Planning & carrying out an outdoor concert turned out to be a lot of work. You have to have a stage, sound and light system, thousands of chairs, pedestrian barricades and fencing not to mention catering to the needs of the performers, food vendors, and concert goers. The hard work really pulled Ned's fellow Rotarians together in a spirit of accomplishment!
March 2009 - Despite the economic downturn our local United Way raised a record amount during its annual campaign - one of only 4 United Ways in Florida to surpass their previous year's efforts. Ned was thrilled as he is currently a Board Member, as well as a member of the Finance Committee and the Allocation Committee. It has been satisfying to help in any small way he can to watch our United Way grow in community stature and service to those most in need.
February 2009 - Even more special was Sue and Ned's trip to Jacksonville to be present at the birth of their first grandchild Taylor Jacquline Barry. Mother Nicola and newborn Taylor were both fine! Grandmother Sue looks pleased as well.
January 2009 - Ned & Sue travelled to Seattle to celebrate the wedding of son Chad and his marvelous bride Samantha. The wedding and reception where held in The Harbor Club on the 25th floor overlooking Lake Washington. As many of you know Chad is the technical "wiz" that makes internet based multi-player games work. Thus instead of a band we played computer games at the reception. Sue and I thought it was a crazy idea but everyone had great fun. After the wedding Chad and Samantha were off to Hawaii to honeymoon. Sue and Ned "enjoyed" seeing snow for the first time in several years.
December 2008 - Ned headed up the successful Rotary TV auction which raises money to support scholarships for deserving local students and funds to support the wonderful work of local non-profit organizations.
November 2008 - Marie was sore but satisfied after completing her 60 mile Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure. When she arrived in Tampa she joined an eager throng of walkers and supporters. Marie slept in her pink tent and walked and walked and walked.
Ned defended his tennis championship in the county-wide charity tennis tournament benefiting Key Training Center. Ned and his partner Joe Carannante were content to compete in the "C" division (the over-the-hill gang) rather than the "A" division (the college kids and teaching pros) or the "B" division (best-of-the-rest).
October 2008 - The Mediterranean beckoned and Ned and Sue answered the call. Flying to Rome, Italy, Ned and Sue boarded the Carnival Freedom and hoped from Rome to Naples to Croatia to Venice to Barcelona to Genoa (diverted from Monaco due to bad weather) and back to Rome. It was a real pleasure to be able to sight see all day then return to the ship to clean up, rest, eat, enjoy a show, and sleep while the captain took us to our next adventure.
August 2008 - Ned and Sue travelled to Jacksonville for youngest son Jonathan's wedding to a wonderful girl, Nicola Fulford. As parent's of the groom Ned and Sue hosted a boisterous rehearsal dinner attended by guests from as far away as Jamaica, Canada, and Seattle, Washington. The wedding went off without a hitch and we are now enjoying a new role "in-laws". We hope Nicola feels the deep love we have for her.
July 2008 – Ned joined the Board of Directors of Inverness Rotary Club and will be taking the lead as head of the club’s Radio/TV auction to raise money for projects that serve the Citrus County community. Rotary has been a meaningful part of Ned’s life and the source of many, many lifetime friendships for so long that he has been designated Senior Active. Ned remembers when he first joined Rotary the “senior actives” were so, so “old” that Ned never though he would be one – oh well, Ned will just have to grin and enjoy it.
July 2008 – Marie is walking more and more in preparation to build endurance for 60 miles in 3 days at the Tampa Bay Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure October 31-November 2, 2008. You can follow Marie’s progress in raising her $2,200 and the benefit that it will provide in the journey to cure cancer by visiting Marie’s website HERE.
July 2008 – Jeff & Terri drove to Miami for a well deserved short vacation. Son John is spending the summer in Miami clerking for a Federal Magistrate after completing his first year at law school. When Ned called Jeff & Terri were fulfilling their parental duties by sunning on Miami Beach – go mom and dad. John is enjoying his clerk experience and looking forward to going back to law school in the fall where he has been invited to write for Law Review.
June 2008 – Ned & Sue hosted their Australian Rotary foreign exchange student Jenny, her husband Kuma, and their 3 children for a week. Jenny lived with Ned & Sue as a high school senior in 1984 and has stayed in touch ever since. Over the years Jenny has visited Ned & Sue 3 times, her parents and Kuma have each visited Ned & Sue once but it was great fun to share a week with the 3 boys – energy, energy, energy!
June 2008 – Ned & Sue were in “7th heaven” this week as their oldest son Chad, and his wonderful girlfriend Samantha visited from Seattle, Washington. Ned said, “It’s a real treat when we get to bridge the thousands of miles to be together. Even better, the 4 of us drove to Jacksonville to spend a day with Jonathan, our youngest son, and his wonderful girlfriend Nicola.” I’m sure you know how good it feels when all of your children are together and doing well! Ned & Sue will come down off “cloud 9” sometime but are enjoying the euphoria as long as it lasts.
May 2008 – Jeff & Terri are proud parents as well. Jeff, Terri, their son John, Jeff's parents, and Terri's parents all enjoyed a weekend together celebrating their daughter Jill's college graduation. Jill earned her degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Florida State University. She has accepted a job with a health care company in Ocala. Jill is happy to take a break from school and Jeff and Terri are happy she has meaningful employment.
April 2008 – Marie has accepted the challenge to walk 60 miles in 3 days at the Tampa Bay Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Cure October 31-November 2, 2008. In order to enter she must raise $2,200 as a donation to support cancer research. We are all excited for her and proud to be supporting her with our best wishes and dollars. You can follow Marie's progress in raising her $2,200 and the benefit that it will provide in the journey to cure cancer by visiting Marie's website at HERE.