Age: 34
Financial Advisor with Mathis Wealth Management of Raymond James
Whether it’s a business or community involvement, what inspires you?
My biggest inspiration is my family, wife Jennifer and 3 children Carter, Caroline, & Carson. Most of what I do is for them. Jennifer is my #1 fan, as she is always so proud of my accomplishments. I get deep satisfaction from working with my clients who depend on me for guidance to help them define and achieve their financial goals. I enjoy helping my clients maintain a livelihood they’re accustomed to while creating generational wealth. The fact that I get to truly help individuals and families achieve financial security is what inspires me to wake up every day. I look forward to going to work as I truly love doing what I do.
The ability to grow my practice and concentrate on certain niche markets also inspires me. I have developed a passion and niche for working with NFL Football Players. I am motivated to educate my NFL Clients to help them build financial security and maintain fiscal responsibility.
What aspirations do you have for yourself?
I want to continue to grow my practice at the rate I have since joining Raymond James in 2014. I have been in the business for over 11 years and my practice has grown exponentially in the last 5 years. I attribute that success the opportunities and resources Raymond James and my Senior Partner/Mentor George Mathis have provided me. Over the last 3 years, I earned the Achiever’s Club Award at Raymond James. This award recognizes Financial Advisors for growing their practice at above-average levels. My goal over the next several years is to continue making recognition club and as time progresses, higher levels.
What is your favorite way to give back to the community?
I am currently the President of Ocala 4 Football, a not for profit 501c3 charitable organization. I started the organization to help fund local high school football players camps, college visits, & 7v7 Football Showcases. One of our biggest fundraising platforms for Ocala 4 Football is the local Marion County NFL Flag Football League that Steve Rhem & I founded in 2016 for ages 5-14. We have grown from 115 players to 300 players in 4 years. Starting the league was a 2 fold idea…First to raise money for Ocala 4 Football…Second to prevent young athletes from playing tackle football year around.
We started seeing young athletes jump right from tackle football in the Fall Season to 8-on-8 Tackle Football in the Winter/Spring Season, which may not be in their best interest. I am fine with tackle football, however, in my opinion, young athletes shouldn’t play more than one season per year in the Fall in order to give their bodies time to recover from the physicality of the game. I encourage kids to play different sports, however, we started the NFL Flag Football League as a safer alternative for those who want to have a heavier concentration on football or just want an introduction to the game.
Additionally, I provide financial support directly to local high school football programs. Being a former football player myself, who played at Mount Union College where we won 2 Division III National Championships, local football has certainly become my passion.
What is your favorite thing about the Ocala area?
I can’t say I have 1 favorite thing about Ocala, but instead 2.
- Having family nearby
- Ocala is relatively big, but still, somewhat a small town feel. My family moved here 1992 from New York when I was 7 years old so I was pretty much raised here. Several of my friends and their families who I have known for many years are relationships I still keep in touch with to this day. Having kids now and a very busy career, I don’t think I stay as in touch with friends as much as I would like to. However, I feel like everywhere I go, whether its restaurants, downtown area, or the grocery store, I am always going to run into someone I know.
