What skills help make you a successful financial planner? My formal education includes a J.D. from Barry University School of Law, a M.S in business management and a B.A. in psychology, which all provide me with the ability to manage a wide range of wealth management variables, behavioral finance and emotions, as well as some helpful knowledge about issues with legal and estate planning. I really enjoy the leadership aspects of guiding a team for the common goal and the benefit of our clients.
I have earned the Private Wealth Advisor designation from Raymond James. This designation reflects my experience in managing the financial concerns of families, individuals and organizations of significant wealth, and my mastery of methods and resources necessary to support their expansive financial interests.
Private Wealth Advisor is a designation awarded by Raymond James to financial advisors who have demonstrated mastery in anticipating and managing the expansive financial needs of high-net-worth individuals, families and organizations.
What attracted you to financial planning and wealth management? My entrepreneurial spirit combined with my strong desire to help others attracted me to wealth management.
What causes are meaningful to you? I feel a strong connection to our local community and get behind various causes related to education, homelessness and hunger, as well as our rivers, lagoons and ocean. I am passionate about causes related to kids, particularly related to chronic illnesses and special needs and because of my son, I have a special interest in genetic syndromes. I also feel strongly about any causes related to aging and the elderly. I participate in the Shema Ministry Board and Scholarship Committee and serve on the Epilepsy Association of Central Florida’s Board and Preeclampsia Foundation Finance Committee.
Finish this sentence. On Sunday afternoons, you can usually find me... involved in family activities, going to church, enjoying the beach, playing golf and yes, watching NFL.
Outside of work, what’s been your biggest achievement? My 4 amazing children – Courtney, Lauren, Carrie and Dale
Who’s your biggest inspiration? My 11-year-old son, Walter Dale Crossley III is such an inspiration to me. Born with a rare neurodegenerative genetic syndrome, Walter was not expected to survive or ever communicate or relate to others. Fortunately, he has proven the medical profession wrong with his unique personality, love, determination, patience, and fight. He is always the happiest and most genuine person in every room.
What traits in others matter to you most? I value honesty, loyalty, compassion, unselfishness, and being respectful.
What skills help make you a successful financial planner? In addition to holding a B.S. from the University of Florida, I earned my CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification, which is a rigorous certification process that includes demanding education, examination, experience and ethical requirements. I am analytical and attentive. During my past 25 plus years of practice, my goal has always been to provide clients with a high level of confidence in knowing that their financial goals are achievable. I always want my clients to feel like nothing in their financial life goes unattended.
What attracted you to financial planning and wealth management? I am passionate about combining my analytical side with the enjoyment I find helping people. I emotionally tie myself to the well-being of all my clients and deeply care about their financial success. I work hard to understand both their fears and dreams and make them my own. I am willing to think outside the box to find creative ways to help my clients reach their goals.
What causes are meaningful to you? I am actively involved with several national and local charitable organizations, but causes involving kids, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy and diabetes are personal to me. I serve on the Board of the Epilepsy Association of Central Florida’s Scholarship Foundation, a group dedicated to providing financial assistance to students affected with epilepsy and seizure disorders, as well as organizations dedicated to its research and care.
Education is also extremely important to me and I’m a firm believer in the benefits of lifetime learning. In addition to consistently seeking opportunities for my own professional development, I was honored to be a member of the Stetson Leading Disruptive Innovation Advisory Board, a continuing education certificate program that provides professionals of all levels, the skills to expertly navigate an unstable environment and emerge with a competitive advantage.
Finish this sentence. On Sunday afternoons, you can usually find me... spending time with my family at sporting events including lacrosse, baseball or golf.
Outside of work, what’s been your biggest achievement? My three kids. They definitely make me proud!
Who’s your biggest inspiration? My father, who passed away at age 60, was very bright with a kind and gentle soul. He was always there to listen and help everyone he could.
What traits in others matter to you most? Honesty, integrity, humor, philanthropy and humility are all very important to me.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
What causes are meaningful to you? I have recently set up a charitable foundation in the name of my parents.
- Supporting children’s hospitals (St Jude’s and Shriners), and veterans’ organization’s
- (Tunnel to Towers and Wounded Warriors)
Finish this sentence. On Sunday afternoons, you can usually find me ... Playing (or watching golf) or watching Premier League Soccer.
Outside of work, what’s been your biggest achievement? Being a single dad and seeing my daughter, Kate, blossom and thrive. She is currently working in central London in Cybersecurity.
Who’s your biggest inspiration? My parents, Harry and Jean, who sacrificed so much to enable me to be the first in the family to enroll in university, which has allowed me to follow my career in finance.
What traits in others matter to you most? Honesty, loyalty, integrity and humility.
What causes are meaningful to you? Junior Achievement is one of my favorite causes as education changes children’s lives forever. Education impacts their future as well as our world. Education is the best gift we can give anyone, especially our kids!
Finish this sentence. On Sunday afternoons, you can usually find me... spending time with my family! We love to start our Sundays with brunch and to be outdoors spending quality time with our kids!
Outside of work, what’s been your biggest achievement? My Family! My family is my most important long-term goal. It’s my passion and what drives me every day to be a better person. My family is my biggest commitment and it’s my dream come true!
Who’s your biggest inspiration? I learn so much from my kids every day. They inspire me to reach higher, to get better, to look for more, to be more adventurous, to get out of my comfort zone and they inspire me to be a better person. They also inspire me to never stop believing in myself and working hard for what I want!
What traits in others matter to you most? There are so many traits that are important, but I would say that integrity, respect, loyalty, and trust are big for me!
What causes are meaningful to you? Having grown up in a financially unstable household, I’ve always had a soft spot for causes that support underprivileged children, homelessness, and access to education. I’m also passionate about local environmental issues, especially preserving the Indian River Lagoon and surrounding wetlands. On a personal note, my stepfather passed away in August 2018 after battling pancreatic cancer. That motivates me to stay healthy for my daughter and stay involved with organizations like the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.
Finish this sentence. On Sunday afternoons, you can usually find me…
…spending time with my wife and enjoying the outdoors, whether that’s on the boat, at the beach or just getting some fresh air. With our daughter recently heading off to college, we’re getting used to the empty-nester phase and making the most of this new chapter.
Outside of work, what’s been your biggest achievement? Without a doubt, my biggest achievement is our daughter, Annabella. I’m incredibly proud of the person she’s become…
kind, driven, and compassionate. She recently started her first semester at the University of Miami, studying business.
Who’s your biggest inspiration? My wife, Stella, is my biggest inspiration. She is one of the most loving, supportive, and positive people I know. She has overcome many challenges throughout her life and continues to be my greatest source of encouragement. She’s always been my rock and continues to inspire me every day.
What traits in others matter most to you? I value perseverance, honesty, and integrity…
qualities that are developed through life experiences. I believe they define a person’s character and how they show up for others.
What causes are meaningful to you? I am particularly drawn to causes that promote education, personal growth, and financial literacy. I believe giving someone knowledge is one of the most meaningful ways to empower them as it gives them the autonomy and ability to make informed decisions about their lives. When I reflect on my life, the most valuable gifts I’ve received were from those willing to invest their time and knowledge in me. The mentors who took the time to teach, challenge, and share their wisdom have had an indelible impact on my life.
Finish this sentence. On Sunday afternoons, you can usually find me ... Meal prepping for the week ahead. I’ve always had a passion for weightlifting, sports and staying active. Over time, that interest has grown into a genuine appreciation for health and nutrition as a whole. I enjoy using Sunday to get organized, prepare my meals, and set myself up for the week.
Outside of work, what’s been your biggest achievement? Outside of work, my greatest achievement has been my education. I’ve always had a genuine passion for learning and exploring new ideas. That said, traditional schooling never kept me engaged. Despite that, I stayed committed to my education earning both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, passing the CFP exam, and obtaining several other industry designations. More than the credentials themselves, I’m proud of the discipline and perseverance it took to see each one through.
Who’s your biggest inspiration? The array of people I have crossed paths with throughout my career has been one of my greatest sources of inspiration. From working as a retail clerk to corporate finance at a Fortune 500 company and later joining a startup in the intelligence space, I’ve had the privilege of crossing paths with people from remarkably different walks of life. I’m constantly struck by how much we can learn from one another. I find that almost everyone I meet inspires me in some way, whether it’s through their ability to achieve the extraordinary or their ability to find contentment in the ordinary.
What traits in others matter to you most? Accountability, agency, and integrity. I admire people who take ownership of their lives, act instead of waiting for things to happen, and follow through on what they say they are going to do. I also value people who are genuine and willing to continually learn and improve. To me, character shows up in little things even when nobody is watching and when there is no personal gain to be had.
What attracted you to financial planning and wealth management and what skills make you a successful financial planner? With over 40 years of financial planning experience, my education and experience has provided me with the ability to understand the key and pertinent issues that are essential to sound plans. I’ve held several high-level positions including Managing Director at Thornburg Investment Management and Senior VP, Financial Services, at Raymond James and Associates, as well as several degrees including a L.L.M in taxation, a JD and a B.S. in business administration. I became very interested in financial planning when I was practicing law. I was assigned the task of completing an estate tax return and engaging in a modest estate planning endeavor. I fell in love with tax law, which led to my earning a L.L.M in taxation, and then working in the estate planning department of a major insurance company. The rest is history. I have been involved in financial planning ever since.
What causes are meaningful to you? Continuing education (college and beyond), especially for students who want to travel internationally, or for international students who want to study in the US, is a particularly important cause to me. I fund an endowed scholarship for this at Stetson University.
Finish this sentence. On Sunday afternoons, you can usually find me… either on the lake participating in or spectating at some sort of motorsport event.
Outside of work, what’s been your biggest achievement? Originally from Germany, I have recently reestablished contact with long-lost family from Germany and the experience has been great!
Who’s your biggest inspiration? I am passionate about helping those who want and are willing to work for “financial independence.”
What traits in others matter to you most? The most important traits to me are a positive attitude, willingness to overlook flaws or weaknesses, confidence and motivation.
What causes are meaningful to you? I have always had a big heart for animals. Our rescue dog, Max, was an amazing addition to our family and one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made. He was loyal to a fault, protective, well behaved, a best buddy for my son and the perfect exercise buddy for me!
Finish this sentence. On Sunday afternoons, you can usually find me... working on home improvement projects, particularly those found on Pinterest or DIY. When I want to get away from the house, you will find me in my kayak on the local waterways.
Outside of work, what’s been your biggest achievement? Raising my son as a single mom is my crowning achievement. It is no small task being a parent, married or not. There is no amount of schooling, “how to” books or advice from well-meaning people to help figure out what your child needs. It was the most rewarding learning experience I’ve had in life and I could not be more proud of the man he has become and the role I’ve had in shaping him.
Who’s your biggest inspiration? My first real boss in business was an inspiration and a mentor. I started on the ground floor as a file clerk, and he saw potential in me that I hadn’t recognized in myself. Throughout the years, I moved up into various roles. He was willing to support any and every goal I set for myself, encouraging me to find my passion and helped coach me through the ups and downs as well as the missteps along the way. I am grateful to this mentor and several others in the company. I have them to thank for the person I am today and the career path I’ve chosen.
What traits in others matter to you most? Loyalty is an admirable quality and to be able to trust and count on someone through every trial and tribulation, no matter what, is also a special quality. Lastly, you have to first respect yourself, then you can and will respect others in the same manner.
What causes are meaningful to you? A meaningful cause to me is Life Recaptured. They work with fellow advocates, law enforcement and the community training awareness of human trafficking. Florida is ranked #3 for cases reported of human trafficking. Life Recaptured also works to restore victims.
Finish this sentence. On Sunday afternoons, you can usually find me ... at the beach on a hot day, watching football or spending time with the family.
Outside of work, what’s been your biggest achievement? My biggest achievement outside of work is encouraging people around the world with my motivational speaking in third-world countries.
Who’s your biggest inspiration? My biggest inspiration is my husband.
What traits in others matter to you most? The traits that matter to me the most in others are kindness and sincerity.
What causes are meaningful to you? I like to support causes that help families in need such as Tunnel2Towers. T2T helps provide housing for veterans and first responders and their families. Through my church I participate with Gifts of Love food boxes here locally and Samaritan's Purse that does good works all over the world.
Finish this sentence. On Sunday afternoons, you can usually find me ... Relaxing on my porch with a good book or just being outside enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.
Outside of work, what’s been your biggest achievement? My family is my biggest accomplishment. My children are grown now, and it gives me joy to see them grow their families and watch them achieve their goals.
Who’s your biggest inspiration? Even though they are no longer with me, my parents are my inspiration. As I reflect on the sacrifices they had to make and the hurdles they had to overcome to provide a loving home for myself and my siblings, it shows what love means.
What traits in others matter to you most? Honesty and integrity are the most important traits. I also think respect and kindness matter as well.
What causes are meaningful to you? Blood Cancer United, formerly known as The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, is a cause that is meaningful to me; not only have I had many family members that suffer from these cancers; leukemia also claimed the life of my husband.
Finish this sentence. On Sunday afternoons, you can usually find me ... with my younger children doing some sort of activity and getting together with my older son for monthly family dinners.
Outside of work, what’s been your biggest achievement? Homeschooling two of my three children is my biggest achievement.
Who’s your biggest inspiration? My three sons are my biggest inspiration.
What traits in others matter to you most? Truthfulness, consideration of others and self-reflection are traits in others that matter most to me.
