Honoring Advisors Who Serve(d): Memorial Day, 2017

Service Dates: 1966 – 1971

Work you did: Supply Officer USS Tinosa SSN-606

Brief story that stands out from your service time: Over a beer with our chief engineer one afternoon I commented that he could be making twice as much money on the outside running a nuclear power plant, to which he replied without hesitation, I know that Sean, but what we are doing here is much more important! That says it all! It was a pleasure serving with such a dedicated bunch of guys who knew their job and why they were there!

Name:  Mike Jarvis

Title/Company: Legacy Financial Advisors

Branch: US Marine Corps

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Air Defense Platoon Commander

Service Dates:  1985 – 1988

Work you did: Air Defense

Brief story that stands out from your service time: N/A

Name: Don Akridge

Title/Company: CPA/PFS, CFP – CITADEL CPA & Wealth Care Services

Branch: US Marine Corps.

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: E-1, E-4

Service Dates:  1965 – 1971

Work you did: All Marines Infantry First; Motor Transport Bn.

Brief story that stands out from your service time: The number one thing that I always remember was my arrival as a kid to Parris Island, South Carolina, at age 19, during a war era. Remember the 1980s movie: Full Metal Jacket? See that movie! It’s a brutally true depiction!! Our chartered bus full of young men arrived at the Recruit Depot around 11:00 p.m. The doors to hell greeted us. I was quite sure that I had gotten on the wrong bus and ended up at a place that I did not want to be! The screaming DIs would have none of that nonsense as we were unloaded into the bowels of that monster. I was certain that every day was going to be my last on this earth. Yet, each day we got stronger and stronger.

Two months later and still alive, I graduated and left The Island forever. Leaving Parris Island via the bus to Camp Lejeune, I remember proudly thinking: I actually made it through that monster. The experience was one of the best things that I could have done as a young man. The USMC Code of Honor remains a part of me and has served me well throughout my life. The quote: “Once a Marine, always a Marine” is very, very true. Semper Fi and Hurrah!!

Name: Doug Foreman

Title/Company: Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio Manager, and member of the Executive Management Committee – Kayne Anderson Rudnick

Branch: US Navy

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Midshipman (Naval Academy) to Lieutenant

Service Dates:  1975 – 1984

Work you did: Surface Warfare Officer, ROTC Instructor

Brief story that stands out from your service time: The first week I reported to the Naval Academy during plebe summer, my squad was being yelled at by our first class squad leader. He shouted, “The only two guarantees we would get for sure during our four years at Annapolis was knee surgery and our wisdom teeth removed.” I thought there was no chance that would happen to me, but before I graduated I had knee surgery and my wisdom teeth pulled.

Name: Steven Sanson

Title/Company: Branch Manager-Registered Principal – Financial Voyages LLC

Branch: US Army

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: PFC E-3/COL O-6

Service Dates:  1987 to Present

Work you did: Medical Service Corps Officer

Brief story that stands out from your service time: Any soldier that has ever attended Basic Training knows the fear that a Drill Sergeant can instill in a new Private. I just showed up at my AIT (Advanced Individual Training) School at Ft. Lee, Virginia. I hadn’t yet been assigned a place to stay and knew nobody that showed up for the first formation right before evening chow (dinner). I was the only new solider in formation that day, at that time. The Platoon Guide and all four squad leaders where there for a secondary MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) and were Specialists (E-4s). The Drill Sergeant called the Platoon Guide and Squad leaders for a quick meeting and Commanded “Get some responsible PFC (Private First Class) to march the Platoon to chow.”

In Basic Training, I never was assigned a leadership position; never gave cadence or marched soldiers anywhere. Much to my surprise (dismay); the Platoon Guide somehow found me in the back row and called me up to assume command and march the platoon, in formation, to chow. Note: I had yet to visit the mess hall and had no idea where it was located. I took my position, looked back at the Platoon, and nothing was coming out of my mouth. I just stood there with an oh boy kind of look. The Drill Sergeant noticed and started to jump in my face asking me “Well, are you going to say something?” I was forced to admit to the Drill Sergeant that I was unable to comply with the order as I didn’t know the location of the Mess Hall. I was promptly relieved of Command after some required pushups. The shortest in charge moment of my military life. Thank goodness as an Army Colonel I have had a bit more success since then.

Name: Nick Serenyi

Title/Company: Senior Vice President – Investments – Morgan Stanley

Branch: US Navy

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Ensign – Commander

Service Dates:  1991 – 2012

Work you did: Surface Warfare Officer

Brief story that stands out from your service time: My first Commanding Officer was a gentleman named CDR Bob Conway. We arrived on the ship in Bahrain on the same Desert Duck Helicopter flight. He was an extremely important mentor to me, both as a Naval Officer and a person. On our deployment, the officers kept a book of his sayings such as “PROWAR” – Perceptions, right or wrong, are realty. One of the officers still has the book to this day. CDR Conway retired as an Admiral and we are still in contact today.

Name: Darel Gallagher

Title/Company: First VP Investment Officer – Wells Fargo Advisors

Branch: US Army

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Private 1st Class – Major

Service Dates:  1978- 2005

Work you did: Helicopter Pilot and Russian Attache

Brief story that stands out from your service time: Serving in Bosnia 2001-2002, in addition to my aviation duties, I was able to work with schools, refugee camps, and orphanages in the Tusla area. With the support of members of my unit and their families, we built and furnished with books, a small library in the school building. The dedication coincided with my birthday. The students sang for me, made cards, and the principal even wrote a poem for me. During our tour, I was very proud that our unit was not only able to demonstrate our strength but also our compassion.

— Check out our special Advisors Who Serve(d) page to read more stories by advisor-veterans.