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THE COURIER
CEDAR VALLEY BUSINESS MONTHLY
Dave Becker
cvbusinessmonthly.com
NOVEMBER 2011
Cedar Valley financial adviser knows time spent with children is a worthy investment
By JOHN MOLSEED john.molseed@wcfcourier.com
CEDAR FALLS — As a financial adviser, Dave Becker knows a small investment over a long period of time can grow into a sizable sum. A small investment of time in a young person’s life can have a major effect under that same principle, said Becker, senior vice president at Financial Resource Advisors. Becker volunteers his time with Big Brothers and Big Sisters and spends mentors a Waverly fifth-grader. The two spent time over the summer swimming, playing basketball and mountain bike riding. “It was rough, but I managed,” he joked. “I’ve always had a heart for kids, and I hate to see kids in a situation that’s less than ideal.” The time he spent with the young man may not seem like much of an investment now, but like any other investment, over time it can pay significant dividends. “If you can change the trajectory of their life just a little bit when they’re young, when they’re 30, 40, that change can be exponential,” he said. “That hour or two during the week can make a real difference.” Becker, a father of three, tries to spend as much time as possible with his family. He uses his experience and knowledge in finance to help organizations in which his family is involved. He has worked as the treasurer for his son’s Cub Scout troop and has used his skills to help out his church, Prairie Lakes Church in Cedar Falls. “I look at it and say, ‘Why wouldn’t I do it?’” Becker said. “If there’s something that needs to be done, I don’t like to be the person who steps back in line.” “As a firm, that’s paramount to being part of the team,” said Jay Bullerman, president and
RICK CHASE / Courier Staff Photographer
Dave Becker along the Cedar River in Waterloo. CEO of Financial Resource Advisors. “He’s always willing to help out.” Becker also coaches with the Cedar Valley Youth Soccer Association. By volunteering his time and having lunch at school with his kids once a month, Becker said, he wants to invest as much time as possible into his own kids’ lives as well. “Many folks die with the regret of not spending more time with their loved ones,”
Bullerman wrote in his nomination of Becker. “Dave has vowed never to be in that position.” Becker and his wife, Staci, also volunteer their time for Prairie Lakes Church, teaching Sunday school and helping in the church nursery. Becker grew up in Illinois and graduated from Illinois State University. He moved to Iowa to be closer to his wife’s parents.
■ NAME: Dave Becker ■ AGE: 35 ■ OCCUPATION: Senior vice president, Financial Resource Advisors ■ VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES: Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Cedar Valley Youth Soccer Association coach, volunteer roles at Prairie Lakes Church, Cedar Falls. ■ EDUCATION: Graduated from Illinois State University, 1998 certified financial planner, 2004, chartered financial consultant,
2005 ■ FAMILY: Wife Staci Becker; sons Christian, 7, Carson, 4, daughter, Anna, 5. ■ A MOMENT IN YOUR PAST THAT HELPED SHAPE YOU: “When I was selling cheese for my Boy Scout troop, my mom told me the early bird gets the worm. That really stuck with me, that never-give-up attitude.” ■ A MENTOR AND WHY: “My life has been a cumulative effect from a lot of people investing in me.”