I’ve always had an interest in personal finance. As an accounting major in college, I learned how businesses rely on their accountants to help them develop healthy financial statements. But applying these principles to a family’s finances is a different story. Families sometimes get caught up in media frenzies and make decisions based on emotions rather than careful analysis. I wanted to do more. I wanted to help those families.

I first arrived in Houston in 1985 while working for a major energy company. In my role as Supervisor of Retirement Benefits I worked with hundreds of energy company employees who were saving for retirement or already retired. The company’s 401(k) plan, a significant part of their retirement benefits, offered suitable investment options yet the employees were ill-prepared to make investment decisions. I learned first-hand how lack of basic financial advice could make a difference in someone’s long-term financial success.

In 1993, I had the opportunity to join David Hill at Dean Witter Reynolds as a Financial Advisor. Together we served hundreds of individuals and families seeking financial advice for their investments. In 1997, after Dean Witter merged with Morgan Stanley, I earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ and Chartered Financial Consultant® designations and was awarded the title of Senior Vice President and Wealth Advisor.

In 2005, David and I transitioned our team to Deutsche Bank Alex Brown for an opportunity to advise ultra-high net worth individuals and families. In addition to investment advice, we coached our clients in legacy planning and philanthropic strategies.

In 2010, David Hill and I co-founded Aventura Partners, now called Aventura Family Office. Our goal is to provide independent, unbiased, financial advice using a personalized comprehensive menu of services to address the ever-changing needs of families working toward their own definition of financial freedom.