PROFILE / ADAM KENDALL
An Office with a View From his ninth-floor office, financial analyst Adam Kendall ’02 advises and mentors BY ROGE R DROUIN AS A SOPHOMORE AT NEW COLLEGE , Adam Kendall ‘02 began an office overlooking the downtown Sarasota Bayfront. internship at Morgan Stanley’s Sarasota branch—an experience During an interview in December, the sun gleamed on the that grew into a part-time, longer-term opportunity at the water. Inside orchids lined the windowsill. The orchids, a multinational firm. On most days, he’d go to class after or before passion that “rubbed off on him” from his mom, help bring the work. outdoors into his office. While the setting is pleasant for an Thus, for much of his last two years at New College, Kendall office, clients come to Kendall for his guidance on investing, and wore a suit on campus. “I was the only guy wearing a suit,” newly-hired financial advisors come to the Kentucky native— Kendall recalls. “Actually, I was the only one wearing shoes.” who became a Financial Advisor Associate Coach in 2012—for Although he was dressed a little formally for campus, Kendall, mentoring. 35, found a supportive environment among his peers, and Kendall has earned several certifications and is currently guidance from his professors. He recalls dynamic class enrolled in a distance-learning program at The School of conversations about global post-Sept. 11 economics. He worked Theology at Sewanee: The University of the South. He tells closely with his thesis advisor Cathy Elliott (now retired) on his younger advisors to not be afraid to ask questions. “Always ask senior thesis examining the nuanced behavior of stock market questions. You’re not expected to know everything. Inquire as investors during financial calamity. And economics Prof. much as you can.” Richard Coe helped Kendall turn the process of achieving his And he tells them to be sure to listen carefully to their clients. securities certification as a financial advisor into a College That’s something he learned while working on his thesis project independent-study project. “It has been great stepping-stone for at New College. The project, titled “The Parody of Hysterics: my entire career,” Kendall says about his studies at New College. How Simple Rules of Thumb Manipulate Stock Market Before he graduated in 2002, Kendall went from making cold Mentality” had Kendall studying economic trends, behavioral calls and folding envelopes to being able to finance, and how investors react. advise clients on what was happening with He learned people react differently “Always ask questions. AT&T stock. Today, Kendall, a vice to situations based on the financial You’re not expected to president and certified financial planner, is risks they’re willing to take over a know everything. still at the Sarasota branch of Morgan certain period of time. Stanley—except now with a ninth-floor “I thought I would be able to Inquire as much as you can.” study psychology and behavioral finance and then be able to sit down with Mr. and Mrs. Client, and tell them this is what you should do,” Kendall said. “But each family has different needs, goals, and desires. I determined that the Nobel Prize-winning concept, “Modern Portfolio Theory,” was a good approach to constructing investment portfolios to increase return and lower the risk. That’s something I took from my thesis.” Kendall lives in Venice with his wife, Judith. Currently, he is also working on an enterprise to develop a website and app that would help employees find training opportunities and match companies to skilled workers. He’s working closely with New College Prof. David Gillman and two recent grads on research and site development to bring the project, called Certrek, to fruition.