By Rick Hellberg, ChFC®, CLU and Michael Diaz
Would you hand over your house keys to a stranger? That’s often what it feels like to work with a financial advisor. Not only do you need to find someone you can trust with your finances, arguably one of the most important parts of your life, but it also means taking the first steps in a relationship that will hopefully span decades. That’s not something you want to jump into blindly.
We understand how big a decision this is, and since you can only learn so much about someone from reading a website bio, we wanted to share a bit of our stories with you, to introduce ourselves and give you a glimpse into our passion for caring for our clients above and beyond the norm.
Meet Rick
While I didn’t know precisely what I wanted to do with my life when it came time to start a career, business and entrepreneurship were in my blood; my family built the largest carnation growing operation east of the Mississippi River! After graduating from Penn State, I spent a year in real estate before switching to insurance. Even though I spent over 15 years rising through the ranks at a national insurance company, eventually becoming executive vice president of the corporate financial services operation, I still wasn’t fulfilled. I wanted to go the extra mile for my clients instead of just selling products. I saw the many financial challenges my clients faced and I wanted to help them design solutions to meet their needs. With this vision in mind, I decided to launch my own company, PeterAlexander (named after my sons) to do just that.
Now, with more than four decades of experience and the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) designations, I spend my days building relationships with my business owner and executive clients so I can provide the most personalized, comprehensive financial strategies possible.
Through it all, the most fulfilling part of my job is when I can help my hardworking clients keep more money in their pockets so they can invest in what they love and create a long-lasting legacy. There’s just nothing better than seeing the relief on a client’s face when they realize their ideal future is possible!
Meet Michael
Sometimes a career journey is full of twists and turns, and sometimes you just know the right path to take. Like many, I fall into the former category! With a penchant for math and science, I initially pursued engineering after earning a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Engineering from Drexel University. After three years of working as a project engineer, I realized that I enjoyed the financial and relational aspects of the job more than construction. Since my grandfather had spent decades as an insurance agent, I decided to give that a try.
Thankfully, round 2 was a success! I spent 13 years thriving in this exciting job, but like Rick’s experience, I felt like I was missing something. While I was helping clients with one piece of their financial puzzle, I began to see all the other concerns and questions they had. I started to feel like my hands were tied and I couldn’t provide what my clients really needed.
As luck would have it, I crossed paths with Rick and joined PeterAlexander so I could make more of an impact on my clients’ financial lives. Now, with comprehensive services and a customized process, I get to be a financial advocate, making sure there is no stone unturned as I strive to help my clients secure their financial future. One of the best parts of my job is that I get to walk through life with those I serve, celebrating when they reach milestones and supporting them when they experience obstacles.
Your Turn!
Now that you have a better idea of why we do what we do, we’d love to get to know you and see how we can make a real difference in your life. If you are ready to stop worrying about money and start enjoying your life, reach out to us at 610.940.1441 or info@peteralexanderinc.com.
About Rick
Rick Hellberg is president and CEO of PeterAlexander, a financial planning firm founded in 1991. Rick is passionate about providing quality, objective financial solutions so his clients can pursue their financial goals and create the legacy they desire. He strives to equip his clients with comprehensive financial services and advice so they can be empowered to make sound financial decisions. The plans Rick and his team develop help their clients to reduce their taxes, educate their children, fund their retirements, pass their businesses on at fair value, and create programs to attract and retain valuable employees, all so that they can focus on what matters most to them. Rick has a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Penn State, along with the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designations. He has spent over 40 years working with successful individuals and designs tailored solutions to meet his clients’ unique needs.
Rick resides in Philadelphia with his lovely wife, Lisa, and their two Shiloh Shepherds, Bentley and Winston. He is also the very proud father of two wonderful young men, Peter and Alex. In 2010, Rick ran for Congress in the 2nd District of Pennsylvania and has stayed active in local politics. To learn more about Rick, connect with him on LinkedIn.
About Michael
Michael Diaz is a financial advisor at PeterAlexander with over 15 years of industry experience. Michael is passionate about helping people overcome financial challenges and avoid potential pitfalls so they can focus their time and energy on the most important things in their life. He spends his days working with successful business owners and families, implementing investment and tax reduction strategies to maximize their wealth. Michael’s goal is to help protect his clients’ financial security, putting them first and helping them navigate every stage in their financial journey. Michael earned his Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Engineering from Drexel University. When he’s not working, you can find Michael traveling, cheering on local sports teams, and exercising outdoors. To learn more about Michael, connect with him on LinkedIn.