"Our business was started in 1956 by my grandfather and my dad. They had a used pickup truck and a brand new wheelbarrow. Today, we're still a closely held family
business, but we own a few more companies: a construction business, machine shop, shipyard, crane rental business, a shipping company, plastic film company, an
energy company and the largest community bank in town.
With my estate work, for years I did my own research and made my own decisions. I sought out various insurance professionals and bought a lot of big policies.
None of them ever asked me who I was or what I was trying to accomplish. After the transaction, they walked out of my life.
I grew up on the poor side of the tracks. I'm self-made from the boots up just by doing hard work and having good values. I believe customers are hard to find and when
you find one, you've got to love them. I was craving the same kind of win/win relationship with some A-game advisors.
When I met Randy, I immediately knew he was unusually good at listening. I knew I could trust him. He wanted to know everything about my story, and with nine business cards,
you can imagine it's a long story. He wanted to know about the people and passions in my life that are important to me – my employees, my wife and my children.
I had met smart advisors before but they weren't overly willing to share. I knew from the first time I met Randy that he was an All-Star – a master of his world with a passion
for it. But I also saw his desire to share that knowledge with me so I could make decisions with him and feel good about it. He took a huge load off me finally, helping me
formulate a cohesive strategy.
Randy has an unusually strong process for establishing a team and then serving as the point person to make sure everything gets done. I've heard other advisors talk
about this but I've never seen anyone really do it – not the way Randy does.
Unlike others I had worked with previously, he stays in touch and checks in all the time. He keeps an eye on the things we put in place to make sure it's all working the
way we designed. That's what led me to bring my wife in to meet him and then my son. He proves time and time again that he will be here when they need him.
When I talk to fellow entrepreneurs; everyone seems to say they've already done this stuff. My sense is that it's been delegated for a long time and is too far out of
arm's reach. This creates a gap in the actual functioning of things. When you get really involved with the right advisory team, it's actually interesting and fun to work on.
That's what Randy does for me and the people I care about."