Five Questions: Anita Oplotnik

Q: What are your job responsibilities in your new position?

A: I am responsible for overseeing $1 billion in assets under management and 21 financial advisers. … Our financial advisers, including myself, have the financial planning specialist designation and continue to provide personalized investment management advice to high-net-worth clients for all their wealth planning needs.

Q: How did you get started in this industry?

A: After graduating from Missouri Southern State University, I worked as a marketing assistant for a small bank in Oklahoma. My husband and I moved to Springfield in 1989 when he took a job with O’Reilly Automotive. I joined Boatmen’s Bank in 1989 and worked there for 16 years, through the mergers with NationsBank and Bank of America.

I also have a master’s degree in finance from Missouri State University.

Q: What are some of the bigger issues facing the financial services industry?

A: The challenges facing investors today are more complex than ever before. Global markets mean global opportunities with new risks to consider. U.S. investing opportunities must be viewed in deeper relation to the world economy. Other challenges include baby-boomer issues of retirement planning, transfer of wealth and many business issues related to entrepreneurs.

Q: What are the most common misconceptions people have about their investments?

A: I think most people have a fear of the whole concept of investment because it can be very complicated. I believe if we take the time to understand a client’s goals and needs, we can work together to develop an investment strategy. In my experience, the best tool is ongoing communication with a client. Continuous dialogue helps us implement strategies to help clients reach their investment goals. A client’s understanding of their investments helps take away some of the fear.

Q: Tell me about your family and your hobbies.

A: I’ve been married to Brad for 18 years. He is a director of system management at O’Reilly Automotive. We have four children: two girls, ages 11 and 8, and twin boys, age 4. In my spare time, which isn’t much, I enjoy coaching my daughter’s basketball team, and as a family, we love spending time at Table Rock Lake in the summer.