Profile

Following a successful ten-year National Football League career in which he encouraged teammates to save and invest for a life after football, Kurt joined Merrill Lynch in 2003.

Today, as a highly-credentialed Merrill wealth management advisor and sports & entertainment advisor, he serves a loyal and growing circle of active and retired athletes who can benefit from his highly attentive service. Kurt’s “common-sense, blocking and tackling” financial approach has also attracted other successful men and women – entertainers, physicians, attorneys, executives, business owners, and generations of families.

“With short careers and long retirements, I help athletes make smart financial decisions and manage their unique compensation arrangements for optimal long-term outcomes. Having worked closely with athletes’ representatives and their families, I’m well equipped to build a successful infrastructure around each athlete,” Kurt says.

Kurt’s advice ranges from the big picture to small details. Frequently, he tells clients to “pile up their money” and let that pile send them a check when they’re done playing or working. He also reminds clients to use a credit card and earn points, for example, to use their assets and relationships to get preferred rates, to avoid debt whenever possible, and above all, to develop consistent saving and investment habits.

A lifetime learner, Kurt’s rigorous industry training and extensive knowledge help him work more strategically on behalf of clients – from the exploration and goal-setting step of their relationship, through the formulation, implementation and periodic review of their customized investment strategy. Specifically, Kurt is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant and holds the Certified Investment Manager Analyst® (CIMA®) designation.

Kurt’s efforts hinge upon what he learns from clients – about what they’d like their money to do, in the short- and long term. Do they want to retire comfortably, launch a new venture, or something entirely different? With a clear idea of each client’s vision, he can craft an integrated strategy that spans investment and retirement planning, income generation, tax-minimization and estate planning strategies. In addition to clients’ goals, Kurt looks for holes in their financial pictures – areas that may have been ignored previously. Most often, they include protective components such as insurance, and trust documents that simply need to be updated.

When it comes to investments, Kurt utilizes the firm’s strategic direction and model portfolios to help clients achieve desired results with the minimal risk required. Diversifying assets across investment classes, sectors and borders, Kurt uses ETFs, individual stocks and bonds, as well as alternative investments* (including real estate and private equity).

During his playing days, Kurt grabbed 30 interceptions and appeared in two Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills. He finished his NFL career with the Detroit Lions where he was elected first alternate to the 2000 Pro Bowl. Kurt was a three-time GTE Academic All-American at Eastern Washington University, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

Kurt and his cleats are still active in the Buffalo area, where he plays competitive soccer with his two adult sons. He also enjoys daily yoga and workouts, as well as fly-fishing when he finds the time.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in the U.S.

Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute) is the owner of the certification marks CIMA® and Certified Investment Management Analyst®.  Use of CIMA®, and/or Certified Investment Management Analyst® signifies that the user has successfully completed the Institute’s initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for investment management professionals.

*Some or all alternative investment programs may not be in the best interest of certain investors. No assurance can be given that any alternative investment’s investment objectives will be achieved.

I follow the deep-seated Merrill tradition of participating in the communities we serve. This drives my interest in spending time volunteering with organizations in our community.