Karen, Administrative Assistant: My mother was the one who taught me faith. She made sure we went to church and learned about trusting God and giving faithfully. From my father, I learned frugality and the importance of saving. He rarely bought anything new. He preferred used cars and boats and would fix them himself, which taught me to be resourceful and to take care of what you have. Those lessons shaped how I think about spending and saving, and I am grateful for the values both of my parents lived out in our home.
Kevin, Financial Advisor and Chief Investment Officer: My father emphasized a strong work ethic and a sense of sportsmanship. He was competitive, especially in football, but he cared just as much about how you carried yourself as whether you won. He kept a poem called “Victory” and treated it like a guide for life. Keep going, do not quit, and play the right way. That message shaped how I approach challenges and responsibilities to this day.
Faith was also very important to him. Even though his parents did not attend church regularly, they made sure he did. I still picture my dad on his knees saying his prayers, and that example stayed with me. He also was not materialistic, even when he could have been. He valued friendships more than possessions, and he taught me to keep money in its proper place, as a tool rather than a measure of success.