I Can’t Believe I’m Retiring

May 17, 2022 By Kimberly A. Cox, CFP®
Kimberly A. Cox, CFP® West Financial Services

I came to work at West Financial Services just over 24 years ago. Joining a small, financial planning and investment management firm with less than 10 employees and approximately $250 million of assets under management was a definite mid-life, career change event for me. Prior to this I had finance positions, mostly at large corporations while running a few small businesses on the side as well.

Then I met Glen Buco while getting my CFP® certification. He was teaching the investment management part of the curriculum. Glen offered me a job on the spot, and after a long-planned trekking adventure in Nepal, I started working at WFS in April 1998. Who would have ever thought I’d work at the same company for the next 24 years?

I was already fairly knowledgeable about investments, but Glen and Kristan Anderson took me on as a project and taught me how to be a true financial planner. They were outstanding teachers and I absolutely fell in love with the planning, the strategies and even more with the clients. To this day, I enjoy everything about the financial planning process. I had always had a technical and analytical career, so from that aspect, planning was a natural fit. When Glen made me go to a networking event, it came as a total surprise to me that I was actually good at talking to people about the things we do for our clients at WFS. This started yet another new path for me. 

I found that I really enjoyed meeting new people and talking to them about the varied aspects of financial planning and investment management. I thought (and still think) that West does a really, really good job for our clients. Working for a firm that I respect, alongside people with a wonderful work ethic, and shared philosophy, made it easy to share this with anyone who would listen! 

Along the years, I have helped clients decide whether or not to buy a mining operation in the Midwest; sell their businesses; and most importantly, guided so many clients in how to best take care of their families through estate and financial planning. The relationships and friendships I have formed with clients during the years are what I treasure most. It is truly heartwarming to get to know, and work with, parents and grandparents, children and siblings. We love to be involved with an entire family - even the family dogs! What a rewarding job to have!

As I wind down my career here at WFS, the thing I will miss the very most are the fantastic, caring, fun people with whom I work. Amazingly there are 10 people here who I have worked with for well over a decade. And the younger staff have an energy and creativity that keeps everything fresh and exciting. I just plain love the people I work with, both clients and staff.

I intend to keep in touch with all my friends at WFS and hopefully, many of my clients as well. You are all a huge part of my life. I will think of you as I hopefully revisit Nepal, and Patagonia, and Africa and SO many other places I have yet to explore!!

I wish everyone a happy, successful and adventure-filled future.

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IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

  • West Financial Services, Inc. (“WFS”) offers investment advisory services and is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC nor does it indicate that the firm has attained a particular level of skill or ability. You should carefully read and review all information provided by WFS, including Form ADV Part 1A, Part 2A brochure and all supplements, and Form CRS.
  • Certain information contained herein was derived from third party sources, as indicated, and has not been independently verified. While the information presented herein is believed to be reliable, no representation or warranty is made concerning the accuracy of any information presented. Where such sources include opinions and projections, such opinions and projections should be ascribed only to the applicable third party source and not to WFS.
  • This information is intended to be educational in nature, and not as a recommendation of any particular strategy, approach, product or concept. These materials are not intended as any form of substitute for individualized investment advice.
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