Honoring Advisors Who Serve(d): Veterans Day, 2021

In honor of Veterans Day and National Veterans and Military Families Month, we present the latest installment of our 10th annual Advisors Who Serve(d) series.

So what is Advisors Who Serve(d)? Well, it’s just what it says: Financial advisors who have served or are serving in the military. This year’s compilation of advisors’ stories, told in their own words, debuted over Memorial Day weekend and continued on Fourth of July weekend.

This group of 16 stories and photos is arranged in alphabetical order so you can keep track of advisors as you scroll through. Maybe you’ll even recognize a few faces along the way.

Name: Jim Breen

Title/company: Private wealth FA, managing director, Wells Fargo Advisors

Branch: U.S. Army

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Cadet, captain

Service dates: 1982-1993

Work you did: Airborne, Ranger, infantry officer, platoon leader in Fairbanks, Alaska; after injuring my shoulder, I was transferred to the Finance Corps and was a detachment commander.

Brief story that stands out from your service time: Operation Brim Frost, a two-week joint Arctic exercise with the Canadian military. Temperatures reached 88 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. Sadly, seven Canadian airmen were killed in a plane crash during the exercise, and two others died later of their injuries.

Name: Jeff Farrar

Title/company: Financial planner, founder and partner, Procyon Partners

Branch: U.S. Coast Guard

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Cadet at Coast Guard Academy, commander

Service dates: 1985-2009 — nine years active, 11 years reserve

Work you did: I proudly served for 20 years as a commissioned officer in the Coast Guard — first on active duty for about nine years and the remainder in the Coast Guard Reserve. While on active duty, I served on a cutter operating out of Florida and the Caribbean on law enforcement patrols. Next, I was privileged to serve as commanding officer of two coastal patrol boats out of California: the Point Evans and Point Hobart.

After graduate school, I ran the finances, purchasing and accounting for the Coast Guard’s 11th District: Arizona, California and Nevada (the patrol boat was way more fun). My time in the service laid the groundwork for leadership, integrity and hard work that would serve me well in my second career in personal finance.

Brief story that stands out from your service time: While captain of an 82-foot coastal patrol boat based in Los Angeles, we intercepted a 300-foot freighter about 100 miles off the California coast that was attempting to smuggle Chinese immigrants into the U.S. in horrid conditions. We worked with the U.S. Embassy to get permission from China to board the vessel, the Mexican government to have a landing spot for the migrants, and the U.S. Navy to help refuel our ship as we followed the smugglers across the Pacific as they made a run for it.

Name: John Gray

Title/company: Chief financial officer, Beacon Pointe Advisors

Branch: U.S. Marine Corps

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Private, corporal

Service dates: 1989-1993

Work you did: Military police officer

Brief story that stands out from your service time: I participated in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Our MP unit provided security for a strategic base approximately 50 miles from Kuwait. The base provided water and fuel to all Marine ground units and aircraft positioned along the front lines. After the start of the air campaign, the Iraqi military began to launch Scud missiles at our base over the course of three nights.

On the third night, our military identified where the missiles were being launched from and destroyed the launch sites. Two missiles hit our base; fortunately, there were no casualties. We felt like sitting ducks, but we knew it was only a matter of time before we would locate and take out the enemy.

Name: Alex Holguin

Title/company: Wealth management service associate, Frye Financial Center

Branch: U.S. Navy

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Petty officer

Service dates: 1996-2000

Brief story that stands out from your service time: Served on board an aircraft carrier stationed in Japan. While out in the Pacific and Indian oceans as a member of the ship’s navigation team, I’d watch the sun rise and set every day, making sure the ship was on track to reach its destination using navigational maps and instruments. Once we reached our destination, I would take the helm and steer the ship into port. Makes parallel parking a breeze!

Name: Tyler Johnson

Title/company: Associate financial advisor, Majestic Oak Advisory Group/Ameriprise Financial

Branch: U.S. Marine Corps

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Private, sergeant

Service dates: 2008-2015

Work you did: Support Equipment Asset Manager for numerous Aircraft Type-Model-Series (different types of aircraft); Suicide Awareness Program Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC); Metrology and Calibrations NCOIC, Tool Control Program NCOIC

Brief story that stands out from your service time: I will never forget the look on the children’s faces when I was at the Bazaar in Kandahar, Afghanistan as they swarmed us in attempt to sell little bracelets. They were truly determined and resilient in their efforts to earn money. Likely, to take back to support their families.

I have always appreciated the way so many different people, different races, sexes, religions, cultures, and belief systems can come together behind one uniform. Having immense love for your brothers and sisters no matter the obstacles or challenges. At the end of the day, we learned that no matter what, we all wear green and bleed red.

Name: Andy Leung

Title/company: Private Wealth Advisor/Vice President/Procyon Partners

Branch: U.S. Marine Corps

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Captain

Service dates: 1990-1997

Work you did: Combat engineer and Marine Corps Security Force

Brief story that stands out from your service time: I graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. I then entered the Marine Corps, and the majority of my service was spent overseas. My first assignment was with the 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion on Okinawa, Japan. I was then assigned as the executive officer of Marine Corps Security Force, Naples, Italy, with detachments in Sicily, Greece and Bahrain. During that time, I served in Sarajevo with NATO after the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords.

Name: Courtney N. McElvain

Title/company: Financial advisor and vice president/investments, Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. Inc.

Branch: U.S. Army

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Specialist 4, specialist 5

Service dates: 2002–2004

Work you did: Korean linguist

Brief story that stands out from your service time: The camaraderie developed by serving in the armed forces is unmatched. There is a moment when we all looked into the eyes of one another in our company and realized that this is all for the bigger picture. It’s an awareness of feeling tied to everyone throughout history who has ever served before you.

Name: Scott Plamondon

Title/company: Vice president, Beacon Pointe Insurance Services

Branch: U.S. Air Force

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Airman, senior airman

Service dates: 1984-1987

Work you did: Crew chief on a KC-135 air refueler

Brief story that stands out from your service time: I joined the Air Force to help pay for college and got to travel the world on the plane. I was able to finish three years of college at night. I loved my time in the Air Force, and it was an honor to serve my country.

Name: Ryan Quigley

Title/company: Wealth advisor, Beacon Pointe Advisors

Branch: U.S. Marine Corps

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Private, lance corporal

Service dates: 2005-2009

Work you did: Heavy equipment operator — convoy security during Iraq deployment

Brief story that stands out from your service time: On a deployment to Iraq, our platoon was returning to base from a night patrol for roadside bombs and ensuring the main supply routes were secure. Our team was exhausted from a long day that turned to night, traveling hundreds of miles in our four-Humvee (HMMWV) patrol.

As we waited at the gate to reenter the base, our platoon leader shot a small pin flare into the night sky. He then got on the radio and told everyone happy Fourth of July and to remember how good we have things back home.

As I watched the flare go up like a “firework,” it really put things into perspective for me how great it is to call the United States home and the many things I take for granted. The greatest part of serving was having people of all different backgrounds and walks of life coming together for a common mission/goal.

Name: Marcus Ranger

Title/company: Financial executive and senior franchise field vice president, Ameriprise Financial

Branch: U.S. Air Force

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Second lieutenant, captain

Service dates: 1997-2002

Work you did: Contract Negotiator for the Satellite and Missiles Systems Center at LA Air Force Base

Brief story that stands out from your service time: Versatility is everything in the military. I remember after 9/11 going from negotiating multi-million dollar satellite contracts with major defense contractors, to standing on rooftops guarding the main entries to the base. Being adaptable given what situations were at hand helped me develop a lot of mental toughness.

Name: Steve Shatynski (right, shown swearing in his son Stephan as an officer in May at the US Naval Academy)

Title/company: Financial advisor and senior vice president-investment officer, Wells Fargo Advisors

Branch: U.S. Navy

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Midshipman at the Naval Academy, commander

Service dates: 1979-2011

Work you did: Upon commissioning after attending the Naval Academy, served on U,S. warships in various capacities as a surface warfare officer during the Cold War. Later, recruited future officers for the Navy’s nuclear power program. In the Navy Reserve, served as a public affairs officer and media specialist.

Brief story that stands out from your service time: While I don’t necessarily offer a particular story, I was honored to serve in the finest military, defending the greatest country in the world. I am very proud of my service leading up to and in retirement. I have continued service in a number of capacities.

Name: W. Creighton Stuckart

Title/company: Financial advisor, CFP and managing partner, Atlantic Investment Advisory Group (Cetera Advisor Networks)

Branch: U.S. Marine Corps

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Second lieutenant, captain

Service dates: 2009-2016

Work you did: Artillery forward observer for four years and on the drill field for three years.

Brief story that stands out from your service time: I will always remember the Marines and sailors that I served with, both in Afghanistan and on the drill field. I was truly fortunate to stand on the shoulders of giants.

Name: Michael Thomas

Title/company: Financial advisor, Edward Jones

Branch: U.S. Army Reserve

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: E4 (corporal), major

Service dates: 2003-present

Work you did: Senior instructor, instructor, intelligence officer, operations officer, executive officer, company commander, platoon leader

Brief story that stands out from your service time: I joined the military to start my career, but after completing basic training, I realized it was an opportunity to do so much more and give back to my community. A few years ago, I was invited to be part of a Memorial Day ceremony, and they asked veterans to step forward.

It meant so much to be recognized and thanked by so many in attendance. It was a reminder that the work we do in the military makes a difference in our communities. We also have an opportunity to make a meaningful difference as financial advisors. Whether we’re serving clients, mentoring our colleagues or giving back to our communities, our work has impact.

Name: George Urist

Title/company: Urist Financial and Retirement Planning

Branch: U.S. Navy

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: AC2 (petty officer second class)

Service dates: 1971-1974 active, 1974-1976 reserve

Brief story that stands out from your service time: Joined right out of high school with three friends. Served in Illinois, Georgia and Maine.

Name: Ronald Vinyard

Title/company: LPL financial advisor, Legacy Financial Consulting Services

Branch: U.S. Army, infantry

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Lieutenant colonel

Service dates: 2005-2019 active, 2019–present reserve

Brief story that stands out from your service time: I originally joined the Army in August 2001 as a young college student, just a few weeks before 9/11. I was in my Army ROTC class when the news came on of the attack on our country, and I immediately knew I was in the right place.

After graduating from college, I was commissioned as an infantry officer, and I committed much of my early adulthood to serving. I had the opportunity to deploy to Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa in support of the global war on terrorism. My time in service shaped my life in an extremely positive way.

Name: Bruce Weber

Title/company: Senior vice president and financial advisor, Morgan Stanley

Branch: U.S. Navy

Rank held at beginning of service and at end: Ensign via Cornell NROTC, captain

Service dates: 1975-2000

Work you did: I was an A-6 Intruder carrier-based jet pilot. I commanded Attack Squadron 85 from 1992 to 1993 aboard the USS America, then obtained a master’s degree at the Naval War College and progressed to end my 25-year military career as chief, joint training and exercises — Joint Warfighting Center, Suffolk, Virginia.

Brief story that stands out from your service time: I earned my wings as a naval aviator on Dec. 10, 1976, then initiated my military service as an E-2C Hawkeye turboprop pilot. In the early years of my career, the transition of any naval aviator to fly jet combat aircraft was nearly impossible, but I was selected ahead of numerous peers to pilot the A-6 Intruder carrier-based attack aircraft, beginning in 1983. I went on to achieve over 1,000 flight hours in each of three Grumman aircraft.