I became interested in this industry earlier than most people. While attending Gettysburg College, where I studied accounting and finance, I began investing in the stock market and quickly became fascinated by how the markets worked and what impacted the performance of an investment. During college, I also had the opportunity to intern in the financial services industry, which gave me firsthand exposure to the industry and how it impacted individuals. These experiences helped solidify my interest in pursuing a career focused on financial guidance and long-term planning.
My path into this industry started earlier than most people might expect. I took an investment class in college and got genuinely hooked on how the markets worked. Around the same time, I was watching my father spend his career in the insurance industry, and seeing the difference that kind of work made for real families left an impression on me. By the time I graduated from Gettysburg College, where I studied accounting and finance, I had a pretty clear sense of where I was headed.
I started my career in 1993 with Karr Barth Associates, working with clients on insurance and investment planning. From there, I moved into a regional management role with Penn Mutual Life Insurance, where I worked with both clients and other financial advisors across the region. In 2009, I co-founded what was then Hendrixson Pinola Financial Services, and after my partner retired in 2016, I continued building the practice on my own. In late 2024, I rebranded as Pinola Wealth Advisory, a name that better reflects the work I'm actually doing today.
Over 33 years, the part of this job that has never gotten old is getting to know the people I work with. I've watched clients' careers take turns they never saw coming, heard stories about opportunities they took that I never would have had the nerve to, and been there through the moments that really matter. I genuinely like these people, and I think that comes through.
One thing I hear consistently is that clients appreciate always dealing directly with me. There's no getting handed off to someone else, no wondering who's going to call you back. When you have a question, I'm the one who answers it. I also put a lot of stock in making sure people actually understand what we're talking about. Technical jargon doesn't help anyone, and I'd rather spend the extra time explaining something clearly than leave a client nodding along when they're actually confused. I try to keep things relaxed and even bring some humor into the conversation, because good financial conversations don't have to feel like a trip to the dentist.
I've lived most of my life in Chester County and currently live in Malvern, right down the road from where I grew up. I'm married with two adult children, and I'm grateful that this career has given me the flexibility to actually be present for my family over the years. Outside of work, you'll find me on the ski slopes, the golf course, or the paddle tennis court. I'm a CrossFit regular, a passionate Eagles and 76ers season ticket holder, and I'll talk about cars with anyone willing. When I can, I love to travel with my family.