I am a third-generation investment advisor, following in the footsteps of my late father and grandfather, who built their careers on principles of integrity, discipline, and long-term vision.
My father began his career as a stockbroker after graduating from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1981 with a degree in Business Administration. He worked with Smith Barney in Boston and later in Portland, Maine, before deciding in 1997 to strike out on his own, turning our guest bedroom in Kennebunk into his office. At the young age of seven, watching him build his business from home gave me my first glimpse of professional and financial independence, though I didn’t fully grasp its significance at the time.
He wasn’t just an investment advisor—he was a gifted educator who excelled at simplifying complexity. My father authored the column “The Populist Economist” and contributed to numerous other publications, clearly communicating his technical expertise on economic and political issues to a broad audience. He served on advisory boards and economic committees, always driven by an enthusiasm to share his knowledge and enrich the community.
Equally strong as his passion for finance was his love for birds. A self-described “bird nerd,” my dad never left home without his binoculars, always prepared for the next sighting. He could identify even the subtlest distinctions between bird species and often brought my sister and me along on winter bird counts with the Audubon Society. I wasn't much help, but I always wanted to be there—he was a loving father who turned everything into an adventure, and I eagerly followed wherever he went.
One of my most vivid memories comes from our long car rides. My father had a habit of playing cassette tapes of bird calls, and once he'd memorized them, he'd enthusiastically practice mimicking the sounds himself. To us kids in the backseat, it felt like an endless concert we hadn't signed up for, but to him, it was another opportunity to learn. His mimicry was impressive—so much so that it wasn't confined to just the car. Out in the field among fellow birding and nature enthusiasts, he'd often break out his bird calls, attracting attention and, much to his delight, injecting fresh enthusiasm into the hobby. It was hard not to notice him. If there was a group of birders nearby, my dad’s impromptu performances of warblers, owls, or gulls quickly became the center of attention.
While I may have rolled my eyes at times, those experiences taught me valuable lessons about dedication and the importance of fully immersing yourself in what you love, regardless of who might be watching. My dad never worried whether others found his passion for birding eccentric—he approached it with the same intensity and commitment he brought to his career in finance.
Looking back, I now realize those moments were my introduction to self-directed learning. My father taught me that success—whether in the markets or out in nature—requires patience, discipline, and the courage to wholeheartedly embrace your passions, even if others don’t fully understand them.
Just like with birding, my father approached investing with careful attention to detail—always prepared, observant, and eager to learn. Whether he was identifying a rare species or analyzing quarterly financial reports, he showed me that real success comes from staying focused on what actually matters and fully immersing yourself in the process, even if others find it unorthodox.
My grandfather, Larry—whom we affectionately called "Papa D"—was a man of grace, wisdom, and quiet strength. He spent more than fifty years in the investment business, beginning his career at Paine Webber, and later managing offices for firms such as Hornblower & Weeks and H.M. Payson in Maine. He worked alongside my father at Dwight Investment Counsel until my father’s passing, eventually concluding his career at Seacrest Wealth Management.
Papa D was a community leader who actively served on advisory boards and dedicated himself to service. His calm demeanor, careful deliberation, and unwavering integrity guided his approach to both business and life. He was frugal and reserved, holding his wisdom and opinions close, much like a careful diplomat. Yet, whenever you sought his insight, critique, or guidance, he would thoughtfully share the unvarnished truth.
Papa D’s love for singing began early in his life, as a young man performing with the Bowdoin College Meddiebempsters—an all-male collegiate a cappella group—and continued throughout his life as he led hymns at church and guided family and friends in annual Christmas caroling from our living room each Epiphany.
My family’s history of managing wealth stretches back more than a century, beginning with my great-great-great-grandfather, a descendant of New England settlers who first arrived in America in 1630. He built a substantial fortune, first as a cotton broker and later through developing and managing railroad lines. His business acumen extended through the Reconstruction Era and the Gilded Age, and since his passing in 1907, successive generations have carefully stewarded that legacy.
Growing up in this environment, I learned the importance of prudent financial management and disciplined long-term thinking. My father and grandfather instilled in me the value of serving clients with the same care, integrity, and diligence they devoted to their own investments. Unlike some families who inherited wealth created by industry magnates of the Gilded Age—only to see it eroded by economic depressions, wars, and lavish lifestyles—my family carefully preserved and expanded ours through disciplined stewardship, thoughtful planning, and deliberate frugality. Witnessing these contrasting outcomes reinforced my deeply held beliefs about responsible wealth management, principles that continue to guide my practice today.
As their successor, I am dedicated to upholding this legacy of thoughtful, disciplined investing and to providing my clients with the same care, attention, and diligence in managing their financial futures.
