Charles E Michael

You can't be all things to all people, and I don't try to be. Though I've been a financial advisor for more than 20 years, I purposefully keep the number of households I serve low – below 150 (currently I serve just over 100) – in order to provide the highest quality, most personal service possible. The work I do involves numbers and complex financial scenarios, of course, but it also insists on a personal relationship with each client. It's the only way to completely understand their life's priorities and changes and even to be able to anticipate their needs before they know they have them. I pride myself on doing a complete job and staying on top of clients' portfolios to make sure they remain aligned with their needs.

I've been interested in money and finance my entire life. Before joining Edward Jones 22 years ago, I was an accountant. In school, I studied accounting and finance. My background allows me to understand not only the financial markets but also how to build a strong financial strategy tailored to a client's unique set of needs, goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, family influences and more. In the end, it's about how much money you need and whether it will last. That's why a strategy has to be personalized.

For many investors, it's tempting to chase the hot fads or last year's returns. I'm more interested in building portfolios that will stand the test of time, allowing clients to participate in the upside of a good market but limit the downside risk. With a smaller practice of clients who are very deeply served, I can deliver that.

My branch team includes Stephanie Wang, our senior branch office administrator, and Sophie Dizes, an on-call branch office administrator, both of whom believe in providing exceptional service.

Outside of work, my wife and I travel extensively – Amsterdam, our Alaskan cruise and Arizona come to mind. We enjoy time with friends and family, and I am an avid reader whether it's a work of fiction or a work-related topic.