When Gordon Rhoads moved from Vermont to open an Edward Jones office in Mountain Top earlier this year, he felt he had finally found the right fit for him in the financial investment business – working with a firm that throughout its 100-year history always strived to make a difference in its clients’ lives by helping them achieve what matters most to them.
“At Edward Jones as a financial adviser, I find joy in helping my clients plan for and achieve financial prosperity,” Rhoads said in an interview at his 140 S. Mountain Blvd. office. “I care about what matters most for the people who come into my office,” he added.
Rhoads pointed out that getting to know his clients and what is important to them is his primary goal.
“By getting to know people in our initial meeting, I can’t help but care in helping them reach their goals,” he explained. “The level of depth I go into and the care I show for clients, that’s genuine,” he offered. “My goal is to build a genuine relationship with the people I work with.”
Rhoads emphasized that he embraces Edward Jones core values: the clients’ interests come first; a belief in a quality-oriented, long-term investment philosophy; the value of a working partnership; and that individuals and their contributions are valued and respected.
“My philosophy always has been that your money needs to work for you. My job is to make you money, save you money and help you reach your financial goals,” he noted.
To accomplish that, Rhoads relies on his three core principles:
• What’s most important to him is learning about what’s most important to the client.
• Using an established process to help build strategies tailored to achieve your goals.
· Partnering with the client for life to help keep them on track.
He pointed out that he works closely with educators, medical professionals, high net-worth individuals, long-term investors, professionals and clients planning for retirement income.
A Pennsylvania native, the 36-year-old Rhoads developed an interest in investments at an early age.
“My parents were hard-working, middle-class, caring individuals from suburban Philadelphia who wanted their kids to have bright futures,” he related. “When my parents helped me open my first investment account with $100, I remember flipping through the newspaper business section to research stocks before I even knew how to drive.”
Rhoads emphasized that Edward Jones believes in fostering a partnership in the community it serves.
“We want to add value to the community,” he explained. “Edward Jones encourages us to become involved in the community by providing financial resources and flexibility.”
Rhoads has been involved with Rotary International since he was 16 years old when he earned a full scholarship for a study abroad program in Germany through the organization. He hopes to continue that involvement in Mountain Top.
“I’m still getting to know the community,” he noted.
His undergraduate studies were completed at Arcadia University in 2007, where he focused on political science and economics.
In addition to the Rotary International scholarship in Germany, Rhoads was fortunate enough to experience two more study abroad programs; one in Beijing, China, and the other in London, England. After completing his undergraduate work, he returned to the United Kingdom and in 2009, earned a postgraduate diploma from the Masters of Global Security program at the School of Social, Political and Global Studies at Keele University in Staffordshire, England.
In addition to financial investment services, Rhoads conducts educational workshops and seminars, frequently speaking to various organizations about wealth strategies and retirement readiness.
“Don’t hesitate to contact my office to discuss your financial future or to learn more about how I can help you,” he offered.
