Sophie and I grew up in Milford, PA, in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.  Hickory reminds us of Milford, so it has been an easy transition.  We met in 8th grade when we were both in Mr. Thorson's class. We started as friends but dated in high school. A wrestling scholarship brought me to NC to Campbell University, and Sophie planned on going to Drexel until she decided to come with me. I graduated 2nd in my class at business school. Sophie also graduated from Campbell with a major in Education. I got my master's at Campbell, and Sophie got her MBA at App State.

Sophie is one of five siblings, and interestingly enough, they have all moved to this area. My parents have also moved here, and so has Sophie's dad! We were the first, though!

When I was fresh out of graduate school, Wachovia Bank moved me to Hickory, and this is when Sophie got her MBA at App State. Wells Fargo bought Wachovia. I was a Trust Officer ( managing Trust Funds for wealthy individuals) and a Wealth Advisor (same as a trust officer but with lending banking and business consulting). Sophie is a 7th-grade English and Language Arts teacher at Arndt Middle School.

I am a Co-Founder of MG Partners Private Wealth, a wealth management firm focusing on high-net-worth individuals. My business partner and I have worked together for over 20 years and recently launched our independent practice. As one of the largest Private Wealth Firms in the area, we deliberately limit our client base to ensure personalized service. 

We have two kids. Our son, Micah, is 17, and our daughter, Clara, is 15. Micah wrestles, and Clara plays volleyball. Both of them love to snow ski, and we have taken trips to a lot of places to enjoy that. We are going to New Mexico in January. Micah and I like to play golf, and we are members at Lake Hickory Country Club. We also have two dogs, Otto and Luna, and a cat, Nia.

 

We are also members at the Elks. We all love the lake and hanging out in downtown Hickory. We love Blowing Rock and the Outer Banks of NC. Happy Valley Filling Station is an awesome spot that needs to be on people's radar, which we like to visit on our way to or from the mountains (Blowing Rock). We also love sushi and going to Lost Province in the High Country.

We fell in love with lake living and the neighborhood and eventually saved enough to purchase our dream home. We are very appreciative of our neighbors and the community we live in.