Marc currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Signature Financial Planning. He provides comprehensive financial planning and wealth management solutions to successful individuals, and investment advice and guidance to businesses, charitable foundations, and government institutions.
Marc studied at the University of Maryland and Duquesne University majoring in Psychology with a focus in Existential Phenomenology. He is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU). Charter holders are qualified to provide comprehensive advanced financial planning, insurance and estate planning for individuals, professionals, and business owners. Marc has attained the Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) credentialing, a graduate level specialization in estate planning. Marc has been awarded the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) designation that signifies specialized knowledge of fiduciary responsibility and the ability to implement policies and procedures that meet a defined standard of care.
Marc is the President of the Board for the Pittsburgh chapter of Entrepreneurs’ Organization. EO’s mission is provide entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to achieve their potential through life-enhancing connections, shared experiences, and collaborative learning. Marc also serves on the Board of Directors, the finance committee, and investment committee for Community Day School in Pittsburgh.
Previously, Marc has served on the boards of the American Heart Association, Film Pittsburgh, Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, National Young Leadership Cabinet for the Jewish Federations of North America, the Growth & Transaction Committee for Blue Tree Allied Angels, and the Learning Chair for EO Pittsburgh. Marc has taught adult education classes through OSHER at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh.
Marc is also a member of the Estate Planning Council of Pittsburgh. He enjoys investing with several real estate development and private equity groups and mentoring young entrepreneurs and early-stage companies. Along with the partners and employees of the firm, Marc volunteers with several organizations that reach out to individuals who find themselves in more challenging circumstances and are working hard to build better lives for their families.
Marc and his wife Lisa are originally from the suburb of Mt. Lebanon and currently reside in the city neighborhood of Squirrel Hill with their two children, Justin and Adam. They enjoy spending the summers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Marc’s outside interests include road and gravel cycling, high-performance driving, hiking out West, and traveling the world.
A chat with Marc
What made you want a career as a financial advisor?
I did not seek a career as an advisor. After spending some time in the industry as a marketing consultant early on—20 years ago at this point, I realized how rewarding an advisor’s job could be. Everyone has seen the commercials on television that depict the financial advisor as a surrogate family member of his or her clientele; while this is obvious marketing, it is also very true. I get to have a real impact on real people every day.
What do you like best about being part of the Signature Financial Planning family?
We have worked so hard to grow this family from a single-advisor office two decades ago to where we are today. But just adding team members was not the only objective. Our goal was, and will continue to be, to create a culture where everyone can look forward to coming to the office, feel great about the work we do for our clients, and know that the people with whom they spend the most time care deeply about them. Of course we remain professional, but we also encourage the growth of this family atmosphere.
How do you want your clients to view their wealth?
Freedom of choice.
What are your biggest accomplishments?
I am proud of our entire team’s commitment to continued education, certainly. The credentials that I maintain and that my team has earned are very important in both differentiating our firm from others and instilling the confidence with our clientele that we actually know what we’re doing! I would also acknowledge that whatever my role has been in building Signature’s reputation in the community is very meaningful to me. However, if I had to choose just one, as cliché as it may be, my biggest accomplishment will always, always be the continue validation from my clients who experience personal challenges and rely on me to carry them through.
What do you love to do outside of work?
There’s an outside of work? I’m joking, of course, but one of the great things about owning a practice is that pretty much everything is somehow connected to Signature. Most business owners will relate to this.
My family and I spend quite a bit of time out west. We love to take advantage of all the outdoor activities that Rocky Mountains afford.
In 2016, I began high performance racing as a member of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and Audi Club of North America. The sport challenges me physically and mentally in a way that is distinctly unique from Signature or my other business endeavors. I also have begun off-roading as a member of the Pittsburgh Jeep Club. Both driving experience have proven addictive!
What are you passionate about in your personal life?
Besides my family, of course, my passion is Signature. Again, I think that business owners can relate to me caring for this firm as if it were another child, really. But since I know that this question is supposed be more “personal”, I believe very strongly in creating deep and lasting friendships. To me, one of the most important meanings of life is to have a positive impact on people. I strive every single day to do so.
What is your most memorable travel experience?
There are two answers to this: multiple cross-country US trips with my family AND multiple cross-continent European trips with Aaron.
I am so proud to have been able to provide the opportunity several times for my family and I to drive across this country and experience the unbelievable landscape, immerse ourselves in the diverse cultures that exist just next door and thousands of miles away, and take the time to really be with one another, and together. All the destination vacations pale in comparison to the experience of slowly making your way from one side of the United States to the other. I really mean this.
I have also been fortunate to be able to drive across Europe with one of my best friends and my business partner, Aaron. In fact, we’ve done this a few times. I love to drive and I love to see new places—so this seemed to be a perfect vacation. Europe is amazing in its own right, of course…but unlike my cross-country trips in the US, there are fascinating challenges to the abrupt changes in language and culture with which to contend.
