Talk to us Meet Cliff
What do you enjoy most about wealth management?
I get a deep level of satisfaction helping individuals and families make wise financial choices that align with their core values and gets them one step closer to their goals and aspirations.
What do you love most about being part of Aspiriant?
Aspiriant has an incredible depth of resources for the benefit of our clients, from a top-notch investment strategy group that monitors markets, to a collaborative team approach for insightful financial planning.
What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
Of course, at the top of the list is earning the CFP® designation. Beyond that, spending more than 20 years with Silicon Valley tech firms was great fun and influenced how I work. My time at Sun Microsystems taught me to approach problems with rigor. At Financial Engines, a pioneer in automated investing, I came away with a conviction that financial advice is best delivered with both great technology and a caring human touch. At Aspiriant, I can serve our clients true to that conviction.
What quality of yours makes you best suited to do what you do?
I’m drawn to questions and problems that are challenging to solve, and which, if addressed with thoughtfulness, rigor and empathy, can make a really positive impact in peoples’ lives. I also love continuing to learn new things, especially related to personal finance. Every day I come to work, I am thankful to have the opportunity to make an impact and to learn and improve as a wealth manager.
How should people think about their wealth?
Wealth provides an incredible opportunity to think aspirationally, and make a positive difference for your family, friends, neighbors and even the world.
What do you love to do outside of work?
I love spending time with my family, watching great movies and TV like Lord of the Rings and WandaVision, and serving the community through my church.
What would you be doing if you weren't working for Aspiriant?
Blogging about the New York Yankees.
Bio
Cliff, a wealth manager who serves clients in our Silicon Valley office, has a passion to build long-term relationships with clients and be a trusted partner to help them achieve their financial goals. With a strong desire to provide thoughtful and understandable financial planning, he serves on our committee for Aspiriant Planner, our advanced financial planning technology.
Cliff joined Aspiriant in 2017 as part of the merger with Stanford Investment Group. Prior to joining SIG in 2015, Cliff spent the previous nine years at Financial Engines, a fintech pioneer, rising in the product team to be a Principal Product Manager.
Cliff received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University and earned his Certified Financial Planner™ credential while at Aspiriant.
Outside of work, he is active in the Financial Planning Association of Silicon Valley and volunteers for the Commonwealth Club. He values these opportunities as a way to keep him exposed to current thought leaders, both in wealth management and the wider community.
Cliff is married with two children. In his free time, you may find him watching “Beat Bobby Flay,” perfecting his fantasy football roster, visiting national parks or watching the New York Yankees.
