Rick Ropelewski

My education at the U.S. Air Force Academy, and experience in the Air Force ingrained in me a sense of mission.  That background, as well as working for some excellent leaders and managers, had a deep impact on how I arrived at financial planning as a calling.

Following six years in the military, I went to graduate school for my MBA; after which I worked at several consulting firms and later at IBM.  I worked with some wonderful people, but I could not find the professional nirvana for which I hoped.

My wife, the brains in our relationship, commented, “will you figure out what you want to do when you grow up”.  Taking some time to reflect on the work I had done in the Air Force, I realized the drive and passion of working on something “bigger” was missing.  I kept coming back to the idea of teaching.  We did not have kids at that point so the thought of being in a classroom with 20 six-year olds who can smell fear was a little intimidating.  Another option I considered was teaching college, but looking into it further, it was going to be more about research and writing; wonderful work but it did not check off the boxes I wanted.

I kept coming back to the idea of a career in financial planning.  It still included elements of teaching along with the quantitative aspects I enjoy as a die-hard analytical type.  It was also consistent with the collaboration and involvement in something meaningful I had enjoyed from my Air Force days.

While I will never cure the common cold or help eliminate world hunger, I believe the work we are doing for our clients has a substantial impact on their financial and personal lives.  We get to know them, understand their priorities, and help them achieve their personal and professional goals.  While it took me a few years to find that something “bigger”, I consider myself very fortunate to do something that I truly love every day.

When not working with clients I love traveling and trying to figure out how this “empty nest” concept works.