I have been working with clients in the financial services arena since 1988 and joined Bloom Advisors as a Financial Advisor in 2000. Prior to joining Bloom, I was associated with the investment firm of Charles Schwab for 10 years, rising through Schwab's ranks to become Vice President and Branch Manager. My first management position with Schwab was in 1993 in Jacksonville, Florida. I returned to Michigan to open their Clinton Township branch in 1995, and in 1998 became manager of their Southfield, Michigan office where I was responsible for $1.5 billion in client assets and a staff of 10.In 1999, I received my designation as an Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) through the College for Financial Planning in Denver, Colorado. The AAMS program covers the areas of investments & portfolio management, insurance, taxes, retirement planning, and estate planning. In the past, I held various licenses through FINRA while working on the broker-dealer side of the industry including Series 7, 8 & 63. In May 2010, I passed the FINRA Series 65 (Investment Advisor) exam.I have been a speaker on financial topics at numerous community seminars as well as client seminars sponsored by Bloom Advisors. Recently, I have been speaking on the topic of Social Security at local libraries in Troy, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights and Livonia. I have been a frequent guest and guest host on Rick Bloom's radio show, and am a member of the Bloom Advisors Investment Committee. In addition, I have authored numerous articles on a variety of financial topics that have been published on Bloom’s website, in client newsletters/e-mails as well as at external websites such as Marketwatch.com and TheStreet.com.