PLANADVISER: How did you end up in the retirement advisory industry?
Parsons: I started my career right out of college as a procurement professional for a Fortune 500 company. Given that the area I lived in at the time wasn’t particularly diverse in career paths, I was incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity I did, especially so quickly after school. However, I always saw myself pursuing a career in finance, but I just was not sure where to dive in. What never wavered within was my desire to help people. Eventually I saw an opportunity to join a talented retirement plan investment analysis team in our industry, and I decided to bet on myself and my future. After a few fruitful years of investment analysis and consulting, I had the opportunity to pivot into an advisory capacity and have yet to look back.
PLANADVISER: What steps do you think will help improve the retirement industry and participant outcomes in the future (particularly ways in which your firm can help with that progress)?
Parsons: I believe leaning into digital delivery of financial wellness and education will greatly help improve participant outcomes and the industry overall. If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that everyone is busy and prefers to consume content at their own leisure. My firm has partnered with a few vendors that help our advisers connect with participants anywhere, at any time, via several different mediums, and serve as a total financial wellness hub with a vast array of topics in short, consumable content. Now, I am a huge proponent of the connections and relationships earned with in-person interactions, but the reality is that time is precious. The flexibility technology allows can be powerful if harnessed appropriately.
PLANADVISER: What are you most passionate about outside of the office?
Parsons: I could give you the obligatory “food, music, sports, golf, etc.” answer, and while it wouldn’t be inaccurate, my real passion is focusing on friends, family and experiences. My wife and I do our best to spend most of our free time hosting out-of-town friends or family, participating in local activities and events, or traveling to visit people and places we seldom get to see. Human connection is one of the foundations of the retirement advisory industry, and I believe focusing on personal connections helps exercise the professional “muscles” necessary for success. Some of my most treasured memories are experiences I’ve shared with others, both personally and professionally. Also, it just so happens that focusing on these experiences with friends and family often intersects with food, music, sports, golf, etc.