Like many of his clients in the energy sector, Jim shares blue-collar roots and a profound work ethic. Since trading in his denim and boots for suits and shoes, he has spent more than 25 years as a “go-to” advisor – helping energy executives, field managers, engineers and retirees put their hard-earned money to work and goals within reach. Jim’s reputation has also led to him assisting physicians, attorneys, business owners and generations of families across Texas and in more than 15 other states. 

“My clients didn’t wave a wand and become successful. They wiped their brow – taking risks without shortcuts. Their grit and determination paved their way,” Jim says. “I know this because clients share their life stories and I share mine. Rising from humble beginnings, we’ve stayed humble, become good friends in many cases, and gained mutual respect for each other.”

For Jim, the opportunity to help his referred clientele grow and preserve their wealth is all business (in how he treats their assets) and very personal (in how he cares for them as people). He feels privileged to assist clients in navigating the complexities of equity compensation, tax consequences, NUA distribution and other types of executive transactions that can impact income in their retirement years.  

Given Jim’s tenure and focus on energy sector clients, he can deliver extensive knowledge and know-how that extends beyond the capabilities of most financial advisors. Well-equipped to provide proactive guidance ahead of important decisions, he is well versed in clients’ employee benefits programs – allowing him to build customized retirement income strategies that are meticulously executed.  

Before discussing dollars and cents with clients, Jim takes a broad view of their financial pictures and visions of the future. Beginning with their mindsets and motivations, Jim accounts for family circumstances, future income sources including Social Security, future expenses (which may include long-term care), and multiple issues related to longevity planning. From there, he analyzes how much money should be designated for income-producing assets, as well as accounting for longer-term inflation. Jim’s ultimate goal is to provide a multi-pronged strategy for each client that brings confidence in seeing a sensible path to a desired outcome. 

Jim also crafts tax-minimization and estate-planning strategies for clients – often in concert with their CPAs and attorneys. In addition, he offers ready access to residential and securities-based lending (through Bank of America, N.A.)

Jim feels that his rigorous industry training allows him to bring clients an extra measure of knowledge and best practices. He holds the Chartered Financial Consultant, ChFC^® designation from The American College of Financial Services. He is also a Portfolio Manager who can help clients pursue their objectives by managing on a discretionary basis his own personalized or defined strategies, which may incorporate individual stocks and bonds, Merrill model portfolios, and third-party investment strategies. 

Spending free time with clients who’ve become friends – and friends who’ve become clients – Jim enjoys trips to sporting events, golf outings and other social opportunities. Jim also is active in the Woodlands United Methodist Church and is the current chairman of the board of the Woodlands Family YMCA. He and his wife, Susan, are proud parents of two sons (one a recent college graduate, the other a college student).

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I follow the deep-seated Merrill tradition of participating in the communities we serve. This drives my interest in spending time volunteering with organizations in our community.