A Conversation With ... Andy Stewart

Job title: Managing Principal

Education: Degree in personal financial planning, University of Missouri-Columbia

On the horizon: Stewart and wife, Dulsey, await birth of first child, Daniel Philip, “any day” now; Stewart also is taking the test in late March for his certified financial planner designation

Has the role of a financial planner changed since Waddell & Reed was founded 71 years ago?

Waddell & Reed started in 1937 with two mutual funds … that we still have today. From the very beginning we asked … ‘How could we really help people get to their goals?’ And the answer we found 70 years ago was this thing called financial planning. In the early ‘60s, we were one of the first two companies to do a computerized financial plan. Luckily, over the last 47 years, computers have gotten a little bit smaller, and … better, but when we come back to that same question of (helping) people (reach) their goals, we find the same answer: financial planning. What we do is a lot like planning a trip. ‘Where is it that you want to go, and what do you plan to do when you get there?’ Once we know where you’re headed, we step back and look at where you are today … and (find) the different routes we can take to get you there. Then, we say, ‘Here’s your financial road map.’ No map’s good unless you get in the car and drive … so then, we help put it in place.

As managing principal, which regions do you oversee?

I have an office in Columbia, an adviser in Warrensburg, an adviser in Fort Scott, Kan., Mount Vernon, the office in Springfield and the state of Arkansas, with an office right outside Little Rock. (There are) about 40 advisers plus seven in training. We manage roughly $500 million in assets.

You’ve been with Waddell & Reed for five years, coming to Springfield in June. Why did you decide to relocate?

I had the same role in Columbia as I do now. Eric Kurth, who had my role here in Springfield, … decided he was ready to focus on his practice and work with his clients, and that was going to be his primary focus. I got an opportunity to combine the Columbia office that I was already managing with the Springfield office. I grew up in Kansas City and spent 10 years in Columbia … and we weren’t necessarily looking to move, but as we (looked) at Springfield and the area, it was pretty attractive to come down here. From a business stance, it gave me a chance to work with a few more advisers and expand my office, but on a personal side, we really like the Springfield area. It’s got a very business-friendly environment. The schools down here are very good … (so) we were excited about the opportunity to relocate.

In your current role, do you work directly with clients much?

Probably 90 (percent) to 95 percent of my role is working with the advisers. I still work with a few clients to keep my skills sharp, but my primary focus, day-to-day, is helping my advisers build their business and developing new advisers.

Why did you choose this career?

There’s a program at the University of Missouri (called) Personal Financial Planning, and I was lucky enough to figure out in college that I like working with people, and somehow, I like financial planning, even though I never thought I’d go into something with so much math. ... It’s led to a great career.

What are your professional goals?

I’m constantly evaluating my business plan … and where we want to grow. I want to continue to grow things here in Springfield but also branch out into a couple other communities and build things between here and Columbia. I’m still focusing on Springfield for now. I’ve got a great group of advisers here, but I think we could still add a few more people that are a right fit to the team.

Tell us about your family.

My wife, Dulsey, and I are expecting our first child any day, so I’m not planning any trips. It’s going to be a boy, Daniel Philip, after our two dads.

What do you enjoy in your free time?

I used to do triathlons, but I haven’t done those much since I’ve been down here. I’d like to get more involved in that. I even did an Iron Man (competition) a couple years ago. I’m studying for my certified financial planner designation … and will take that test in late March. I really enjoy fishing (and) sports. I’ve been a huge Chiefs fan for a number of years, but this year’s a little rough. We’re going to Vienna (Austria) in July, so currently, the debate is whether to take Danny. It’s one of our company trips this year.

Interview by Features Editor Maria Hoover. You can e-mail her with suggestions for future installments of this feature at mhoover@sbj.net.