Q: Describe your role within the firm.
A: I am responsible for two teams that administer trust accounts. I also work very hard to do the right thing for clients and not put the firm at risk. I am always promoting Edward Jones as a place to work and invest. Q: Describe how your division contributes to the firm's success.
A: We help clients when they are no longer able to manage their own money. So after the Financial Advisor has helped his client but he can no longer keep the account because someone needs to manage this money, (invest, pay bills) the account may come to the Trust Company*. That way it does not have to be moved to another firm. The client stays with us and we are able to complete the cycle. Q: What year did you start at Edward Jones? What year did you start in your current position?
A: I started with the firm in 1994. I joined the Trust Company in 2005. Q: What did you do prior to joining Edward Jones?
A: I was an Operations Officer at a Bank and also worked as an office manager at a small screen printing company. Q: Are there any memorable experiences, perhaps helping a Financial Advisor or BOA, you'd like to share that encapsulate or typify what it’s like to work for Edward Jones?
A: I have too many examples! First I will tell you that I have been told by numerous Financial Advisors and BOA's when you come to my city, please let me know and you are more than welcome to stay with me. My husband and I have plans to visit a Financial Advisor in Colorado over the summer and we will be staying at his house. When my husband and I travel we always make a point of stopping in at the local Edward Jones office, and we are always treated warmly. A few years ago on July 3, when the firm was closing early for the holiday, I took a call from a Financial Advisor with a very involved problem. The Financial Advisor kept saying I am sorry to keep you late. I just kept telling him it was OK and the important thing was that we took care of the client's problem. We did work out the situation. A few days later, I received a gift certificate to Dierdorf and Harts from the Financial Advisor. The gift certificate was enough for a very, very nice dinner for my husband and me. I never would have expected anything like that. He was very appreciative for what I did even though that was my job. Q: Describe the culture at Edward Jones and how it’s different from your previous job. What is unique?
A: At my previous jobs, in order for a person to succeed, other employees had to do poorly. At Edward Jones we are successful when we all do a great job together. Q: One area Edward Jones prides itself is enabling associates to maintain a strong work-life balance. How does this approach impact you?
A: I have appreciated this and I preach this to my associates. When you have a family need you have to take care of that. We understand that there are emergencies or that our family needs us. When my son broke his leg, my leader allowed me to be very flexible (I was able to leave for an hour each day and pick him up from school along with many other things.) Q: What does the firm being a partnership mean to you?
A: We are in charge of our own company – we make the decisions not the stockholders. We make the right decisions based on our client's needs. I also feel like I was asked to be an owner of this firm and that is a very important responsibility. Q: Before you came to Edward Jones, what did the name mean to you? And after you came on board?
A: I knew the name since I grew up in St. Louis and since my dad worked at a local competitor. Now that I am here, it's the people that are important to me, not the building. Q: Articulate the spirit of volunteerism that exists at Jones. How have you been involved and what was that experience like?
A: Volunteerism is part of what we do everyday. I have been involved in volunteering to work weekends, holidays, late hours, Saturday promos, along with little things like volunteering to drive a coworker to work each day when she could not drive herself. It's a great experience. Q: What qualities do you think a person needs to have to succeed in the home office environment?
A: In order to succeed, you need to want to work hard, have common sense, be open to feedback and want to talk to people from all over the country. Q: How do you see your future at Edward Jones unfolding?
A: I see myself taking on more responsibility and learning new things every day. I plan to be here for a long time. Q: As you go through your daily activities, how do you know you've achieved success at Edward Jones?
A: When a Financial Advisor, BOA or client says thank you I know I have had a good day and have succeeded in what I planned to do that day. Q: There are very few offices at Edward Jones, with nearly all the firm's leaders located in cubicles. What does this structure mean to you?
A: The open door policy is great. As a leader, I want my associates to feel that they can come to me anytime. I also want to feel the same way toward my leader. Q: What has the firm's growth meant for leadership opportunities?
A: I have had so many opportunities to not only become a leader but to increase my level of responsibility every year. I see that continuing as the firm grows and more leadership is needed. *Trust and/or investment advisory services are provided by Edward Jones Trust Company, an affiliate of Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. ("Edward Jones"), a registered broker-dealer. Edward Jones Trust Company and Edward Jones are subsidiaries of the Jones Financial Companies, L.L.L.P. Edward Jones Trust Company is a registered investment adviser and may utilize Edward Jones or other affiliates to act as a broker-dealer for transactions or for other services. Payments of such services generally will be charged as an expense to the trust and will not reduce the amount of fees payable to Edward Jones Trust Company.
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