BANKING & FINANCE
{ WEALTH MANAGEMENT } STEVE TADDIE
Managing partner Stellar Capital Management stellarmgt.com Taddie is a respected economist contributing to the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) Outlook, the NABE Financial Industry Roundtable and the Western Blue Chip Economic Forecast. He is past president of the Arizona Economic Roundtable, vice president of the Central Arizona Estate Planning Conference and member of the CFA Institute. Business advice: “Understand your emotional risk tolerance. It often takes a nasty market like 2008 to drive that point home, and if you wait ‘til then, the markets will have managed you instead of you managing the markets. Because emotions are so powerful in times of crisis, understanding financial and emotional risk tolerance is important.”
DILLAN MICUS Divisional executive vice president AXA Advisors Southwest axaadvisorssouthwest.com
Micus leads more than 150 professionals across the Southwest and innovated the firm’s successful “Firm of Firm” platform and its Retirement Income Distribution Strategy process, which helps identify, address and organize the various factors of retirement planning. Under Micus, the branch has grown from $4 million to $18 million a year in overall sales revenue. Toughest challenge: “The industry is facing a seismic shift. There are record numbers of people entering retirement years and/or moving toward the transfer of their wealth. Education – both educating associates to effectively assist with the distribution and transfer of wealth, and educating the aging population itself – is critical and hopefully a trend that positively impacts our industry in (2016) and beyond.”
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DALE WALTERS CEO KeatsConnelly keatsconnelly.com
Walters has led the firm to numerous awards, including Arizona’s Most Admired Companies, Phoenix Chamber’s Impact award for Company Culture, the Alfred P. Sloan award for Workplace Flexibility and the BBB award for Ethics. He is the author of “Buying Real Estate in the U.S. – The Concise Guide for Canadians,” and is a co-author of “Taxation of Canadians in America: Are You at Risk?” Business advice: “Reinvest in yourself and your company. I see way too many people taking the maximum cash out of their businesses rather than investing in quality employees, technology and training.” Surprising fact: “I have not told a lie in over 40 years. Most people would think that is not possible or wise, but those who know me, know it is true.”
APRIL WARD
Regional director Stoker Ostler, a part of BMO Financial Group stokerostler.com Ward is charged with growing the firm responsibly. She works with high-net-worth individuals to strategize solutions to reach each client’s financial goals, incorporating the needs and circumstances of clients while considering tax consequences, estate planning circumstances and investment objectives. Ward began her career in the financial arena in 1988 and joined Stoker Ostler in 2004. She has a Series 65 License and is Cannon certified in Investment Management and Personal Trust and Investment Management Sales. Business advice: “Prior to retiring, pay off your mortgage and build up after-tax accounts. These two steps, along with having the discipline to reduce discretionary spending during bad market years, will increase your opportunity for success throughout your retirement.”
TREVOR WILDE
Vice president and managing director Wilde Wealth Management wildewealth.com Wilde followed in his father’s footsteps when he entered the financial services industry in 1999. Prior to joining the financial industry, Wilde played football for the University of Arizona, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business communications. A 30-year native of the Valley of the Sun, Wilde joined his father’s practice shortly after graduation. His father began their family practice in the Phoenix area more than 30 years ago. The Arizona Republic has recognized Wilde as one of Arizona’s Top 35 entrepreneurs under 35 (several years ago) and last year the Phoenix Business Journal recognized Wilde Wealth Management as one of the Valley’s top wealth advisors. Wilde resides is Scottsdale with his wife and four daughters.