Meet Chris, who is with Argent Retirement Plan Advisors in Shreveport and has been with us for 5 1/2 years.
Q. What led you to Argent and what makes it unique?
A. When I was decided to leave Capital One, I wanted to find a place that would be fertile for my and Glenda’s growth, allow for us to move back to a client-centric focus and also provide the tools, resources and scale that our clients might need. Culturally, there were very few options other than Argent that offered this trifecta. I believe it’s one of the reasons Argent has been so successful in bringing in some of the groups that were “lifted out” of other organizations or with our mergers. With a focus on officers delivering exceptional service and attuned to the clients and their needs, there’s got to be success.
Q. Why do you enjoy working at Argent?
A. The environment yields an entrepreneurial spirit to consider your business, in fact, “your business”. You are responsible. Where you need assistance, help is available. If additional resources are needed, they can be obtained. Of course, you’re also accountable for your business and how it performs. Beyond this, we have the benefit of a much larger organization and partnering with others to deliver services beyond the reach that I might be able to provide myself.
Q. What has been your proudest moment at Argent?
A. Last year I was introduced to a prospect by a co-worker and as it turns out the prospect was already engaged in an RFP type process with their current advisor to evaluate several other platforms, along with their current one, for the future service of their plan. They were willing to consider our process and after learning that it was grounded in a fiduciary process that considered their needs and those of their participants to find the right fit, they terminated their advisor and hired us. In later meetings the CFO shared that through the process the prior advisor seemed like they were selling something while our approach was consultative and helped them focus on making the right decisions.
Q. What’s the biggest trend you see in retirement right now?
A. The retirement business is transitioning from a focus on fees and funds to one of participant engagement and financial literacy. Employers are struggling with employees who are pressured with financial struggles and difficult decisions without the tools to help them arrive at a good long-term solution. The retirement plan and its consultants are being called on to help with these challenges.
Q. What is a random fact about you?
A. Avid scuba diver and with technical certification I’ve likely been deeper than anyone you’ll meet – 320 ft. (that’s like a 30+ story building)
A. Began playing keyboards in a high school band in the ’80s and still play in the contemporary service at Church most Sundays.
Q. If you could do anything for a day, what would your goal be?
A. I’ve always been interested in naval aviation and although I realize the low probability of it, I’d like to make a carrier landing and catapult takeoff in an F/A-18. My own little “Top Gun” so to speak.
