Henry J. Persia, or "Hank", the President and Owner of Starboard Wealth Advisors, Inc., brings more than 30 years of experience to his role with Raymond James as a financial advisor. His passion and expertise is in the areas of comprehensive financial planning, investments and risk management, and his highly detail-oriented nature helps him keep his clients organized and on track. He is passionate about his work – he has seen so many families struggle because of poor financial planning or advice and wants to do whatever he can to ensure people have access to the expertise they need to live their life as richly as possible.
He honed his trade through extensive training at two of the largest Wall Street investment firms and through his experience as a corporate executive. His professional experience includes seven years as vice president-wealth management for UBS Financial Services and seven years as an assistant vice president and senior financial advisor at Merrill Lynch. After helping his clients navigate through two of the worst financial crises of our generation in 1999 and 2007, Hank joined Raymond James in 2013 and launched Starboard Wealth Advisors because he felt there was a better way to deliver his services to clients, providing highly personalized and unbiased advice based on his standards of personal integrity.
Hank incorporates long-term financial planning to help families achieve their goals by integrating all their financial puzzle-pieces into a cohesive framework. This helps clients stay focused and truly builds wealth since it helps separate the day-to-day market news and political noise from sound investing decisions. Emotions help people survive in a lot of diverse ways but unfortunately, they can be the downfall when it comes to investing. Exuberance and fear can oftentimes cause people to make poor financial decisions. Hank likes to quote the adage, “it’s not timing the market that’s important to building wealth, rather it’s time in the market.”
Hank earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Dallas, a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York and an Associate of Applied Science from the State University of New York at Alfred. During his time in Dallas, Hank worked for Texas Instruments for five years as a mechanical engineer. Hank then worked for Tyco Electronics/AMP for 15 years as the global director of marketing in Winston-Salem for a $100 million business unit. He left the corporate world in 1999 to use his business and technical skills and pursue his passion for helping individuals and families achieve their personal financial goals. He says there’s no better feeling now than helping a family retire comfortably, put their kids through college, or come through a major life transition (such as layoffs, death, divorce, sale of a business) knowing they will be “ok.”
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Hank adheres to the highest ethics and commitments to professionalism and continuing education. He holds FINRA Series 7, 9/10, 31 and 66 licenses, as well as North Carolina life, accident & health, and Medicare supplement/long-term care insurance licenses. These licenses allow him to provide comprehensive, unbiased and independent solutions to clients.
Hank is co-author of the Starboard Wealth Advisors Captain’s Log bi-monthly newsletter that helps educate his clients on the financial markets. He is also involved on several committees at the Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kernersville: namely liturgical lector, Special Works & Talents, and Bethany Café serving meals to the less fortunate. Hank also serves on The Grove at Cottesmore Homeowners Association Architectural Control Committee. Hank formerly served as Vice Chair of the American Cancer Society Leadership Council of the Triad, fund raising chair for the American Cancer Society Gala in Guilford County, High Point Habitat for Humanity Family Selection Committee, and as a committee member for the Action Greensboro Technology Task Force.
Hank enjoys group classes and working out at the gym, water sports of all types. He is also an active supporter of the University of North Carolina (UNC) Men’s Basketball team as a Ram’s Club Member and season ticket holder and enjoys attending games with family and clients. Go Heels!
Hank is originally from Rochester, New York, and has lived in Greensboro since 1994. Hank’s family includes his wife, Mary and son Brandon who are both involved in the business, and Brandon’s young son. His family also includes their son Adam who is married with two young girls; and a daughter, Heather, who is also married with a young son and daughter. Both Hank and Mary love spending time with their young grandchildren.
Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of The Grove at Cottesmore Homeowners Association.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™, and in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.