Moneta Group CEO since 2009, Gene enjoyed a successful career in the financial services industry before joining the firm. A graduate of the University of Kansas, and armed with his CPA, he joined Peat Marwick Mitchell in Kansas City. "I was the world's worst accountant," he laughs. "I needed to be with people." In 1984 he joined A.G Edwards in Salina, KS, where he remained for 15 years, later moving to the Overland Park location.
In 2005 Gene was asked to be the Branch Division Director of A.G. Edwards. The AGE retail brokerage division was the largest division of the company, but when the company was sold in 2007, he began looking for a new opportunity. "I was definitely drawn to Moneta Group's core value of creating 'Raving Fan' service. It's the centerpiece of a people-oriented culture. I knew this would be the right fit for me."
Gene is committed to growing Moneta and preserving its culture. One of his goals is to take advantage of the flexibility and ability to maneuver that Moneta enjoys in a dramatically changing industry landscape.
Although Moneta Group manages in excess of $11 billion and employs nearly 200 people, its culture is that of a boutique-style firm. Without the bureaucratic hierarchy that can sometimes make it difficult to respond to clients, owners and employees, the firm remains nimble, allowing it to make, within days, adjustments designed to meet the needs of clients. This flexibility, Gene believes, is the heart of a service-oriented model. "Clients will ultimately be attracted to where service is delivered. And Moneta is obviously a leader in client service."
"I love what I do; love the business. What we do is very important. In my entire career I've never seen anyone with their entire financial life in order. We're here to help, and our contributions to people's lives are very important. It's incredibly satisfying to be part of someone's dreams and goals."
Currently Gene serves on the Magic House and represents Moneta Group as a member of the Regional Business Council and the de Tocqueville Society of the United Way. During his career in Salina, Gene served on, and was board chair of, St John's Hospital, part of Via Christi Health, the largest provider of health care services in Kansas.
Gene and his wife, Kim, have four children aged 28 to 18 and one grandson. Gene enjoys golf, biking, travel, hunting and reading.