Kevin Slater, CEO & President, SoundView Advisors
Our team is fantastic, working hard to serve you, and each other. Here is just a small glimpse into what went on this past year:
Julie Gibson joined us in May. Her warm smile and can-do attitude have been a boon to our entire team. She has jumped into dozens of projects, moving them forward in major ways. Her bus-based commute gives her time to daydream about her next international adventure after her recent trip to the Philippines.
Cole Spence joined us in August from a firm in Virginia. He hit the ground running; taking over Hayley’s vast amount of responsibilities (see note below). His enthusiasm, humor, and thoughtfulness have made him a great addition to our team. We have introduced him to lots of new PNW foods and a certain local nerve-wracking football team (Go Hawks!).
Lisa Graber has been with us part-time for more than two years now, though her warmth, insight, ability to connect, and desire to see the team succeed makes us feel as though she has been here for a decade. She took on more hours and responsibility this year, but won’t let it interfere with her knitting projects.
Vicki Simpson celebrated her third year at SVA by taking on greater research and client responsibilities — and going full-time! She is also the point-person on a major software conversion project we’re undertaking. (We are replacing a 30-year-old database reporting on millions of transactions with a modern program.) She overcomes chaos with diligence, determination, humor, and peacefulness. She enjoyed the heat of France and Italy this past summer.
Nate Porter is also in his third year at SoundView. A systems guru, he reformatted dozens of processes and enabled our team to more easily collaborate. His energy, enthusiasm, systematic thinking, and desire to serve make him a great source of encouragement and support to everyone. He splits time between offices—but keeps his turntable and record collection in Seattle.
Sophea Vasquez-Solis is the third member of the 2016 draft class. She earned her Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP®) designation reflecting her passion for learning and understanding. She is quick to share what she learns with anyone, anytime on nearly any topic including great ideas for lunch. Ask her about her annual escape to Orcas Island.
Ben Jennings celebrated his ninth year at SVA with a long trip to the UK. He works from Arizona a few months each winter between due-diligence trips made for our investment committee and acquiring continuing education credits for his various designations. He is insightful, helpful, and a natural teacher making him a great resource to our team on a wide range of topics including books and movies (er.. “films!”).
And special acknowledgements to two people I worked with even before SoundView Advisors existed:
Deb Wyman celebrated her 20th year in the business with a well deserved extended vacation to Ireland. She is a reliable, wonderful help to our entire team on a range of topics and a warm, familiar face to many of you. She is organized, a hard worker, quick to laugh — and a seriously competitive bowler.
Kevin Rigg and I have worked together for 14 years. His research, insight, and training are making us better able to serve clients while his humility and humor make him a fun business partner and teammate. He led a restructuring of our tax analysis and improved our collaboration with tax preparers. Given the myriad of sporting events his kids seem to dominate—he may soon become our resident expert on collegiate athletic scholarships. Start training your grandchildren now.
I also want to acknowledge those team members who took steps in different directions—all on good terms.
Hayley Clements said her goodbyes (temporarily?) this past summer to be a stay at home mother with her newborn son, Hudson. She hopes to find a way to do both someday.
Katie Lanting and Beth Spurgetis are off trying new roles in their pursuit of an ideal career. Having walked a windy career road myself before stumbling on the career of my dreams, I can certainly relate and wish both the best.
As for me (Kevin Slater), I just celebrated SoundView Advisors’ 13th birthday and 17 years working in the industry. I am focusing more time on the ‘business’ side of things, including developing and supporting our team to provide better, enduring service. I am also trying to revive dormant soccer skills as a volunteer assistant coach to a team of third-grade girls—so far, I am keeping up with them. Every day I discover there is so much more to learn. It is both humbling and incredibly fun to be here.
Thank you all!