Financial Planner, Spectrum Financial Group
Black, a certified financial planner, is certain that a successful leader will go above and beyond what is expected when helping others. This value is evident in his work helping numerous clients reach their financial goals. Since his May 2006 graduation from the Jindal School, Black has exceeded several industry standards even though he has not yet reached his 10-year mark in the professional world.
Tell us the highlights of your professional career. What are your proudest achievements?
As a certified financial planner (CFP), I provide an analysis of a client’s financial situation, help identify financial goals and concerns, illustrate what is being done to reach those goals, address any concerns and offer solutions to enhance the likelihood of reaching set goals.I started my career at age 22, just two weeks after graduating from UT Dallas. I have grown exclusively through referrals from friends, clients and business partners, and at this time, I have more than 450 clients. I hired my first assistant at age 23 and now currently have two assistants.I am the youngest adviser at Spectrum Financial Group (SFG) to pass the certified financial planner (CFP) exam — at age 26. I led SFG the last six years in most new clients and have twice received the Five Star Wealth Manager award, a research-based honor recognizing professionals who provide quality services to their clients.
What brought you to UT Dallas?
In 2002, representatives from UT Dallas attended my high school “college day” in Greenville, Texas. I noticed that UT Dallas was one of few universities to provide an interactive CD with information about the university. I reviewed the information and later discovered that my best friend was considering UT Dallas because of the strong engineering program. I dug a little deeper into the accounting program and was impressed. Next, my high school baseball coach called the head baseball coach at UT Dallas, Coach Shane Shewmake, and I was given the opportunity to try out for the team. I made the baseball team and decided to attend UT Dallas and pursue a degree in business administration with a minor in economics and finance.
What is your favorite UT Dallas memory?
Some of my favorite memories include working on campus as a peer adviser, playing baseball for four years for UT Dallas and having a lot of fun in the Jindal School; so it is hard to pick just one favorite memory. A few more favorite memories that come to mind are meeting my wife in Dr. Sheila Amin Gutiérrez de Piñeres’ economics class [Editor’s Note: Dr. Piñeres, UT Dallas dean of undergraduate education since 2010 recently departed for a new position as vice president for Academic Affairs at Austin College], pitching in the conference championship game during my freshman and senior years, and developing several meaningful relationships with fellow peer advisers — many are still close friends today.
Who was your favorite professor and/or what was your favorite class and why?
My favorite professor was Dr. Mark LaPlante, an assistant professor of finance who is no longer at UT Dallas. He taught with passion, conviction, and had high expectations of his students. Many of the concepts I learned in his class helped me in my exams to become licensed in the investment world.My favorite class was Money and Capital Markets with Dr. Mary Chaffin, a professor of finance who also served many years as the school’s associate dean for undergraduate programs before she retired in 2010. In this class I really started to understand how the “money world” works and realized that I had a passion for it.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I have always loved to run and just completed my first half marathon. I also attend the Village Church in Flower Mound and really enjoy participating in church activities.
What advice do you have for current students hoping to succeed in the business world?
Developing meaningful relationships now is a critical aspect of your long-term success. As a graduate of UT Dallas, you will be able to network and market yourself across numerous companies and industries just because of your alma mater. The more relationships you develop now, the easier this will be in your career. Don’t walk around and attend class with your head down; talk to people, make friends, engage others and try to improve their experience at UT Dallas.
What makes an effective leader?
My faith teaches me that the best leaders are servant leaders. If no one wants to follow you, are you really a leader? Effective leaders build lasting relationships with those they lead. They treat others with respect and dignity, just like they would like to be treated. Leaders share in the work and go above and beyond when needed. Those they lead know the leader cares for them and is committed to helping them reach their own personal goals.
