Honoring Advisors Who Serve(d): Veterans Day, 2021
Here are stories from advisors, in their own words, of their time serving in the military.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.