Advisor of the Quarter
Patrick Costello
Advisor of the Quarter
Former rock drummer and current Certified Financial Planner ™ (CFP®) and Chartered Life Underwriter professional, PATRICK COSTELLO has been in the financial services industry since 1994. He joined Protected Investors of America (PIA) in 2013 and hasn’t looked back. Patrick enjoys being part of PIA because it “feels like people truly care about each other and make a strong effort to support each other when times are good or challenging” – a quality not always easy to find in a workplace.
Patrick was first drawn to PIA because the former CEO was willing to have a compliance review and (once approved) publish his book “Low-Carbon Investing: Defending the Climate/Emphasizing Performance.” As the title implies, this guide “shows busy investors how to implement a socially responsible and sustainable investment (SRI) strategy…[w]ithout spending an inordinate amount of time or becoming an investing expert.” Interested in learning more? You can find a copy of your very own on the World Wide Web. Just google the title above or click here.
While on the path towards or through retirement, Patrick helps clients strike a balance of risk and reward with their investments so that they can feel confident about where they are headed. He deeply appreciates the partnerships he is able to form with them throughout this important, and sometimes challenging, journey. To make the process more enjoyable and meaningful for all, Patrick always looks for ways to integrate his outside skills and interests into these relationships. He finds this helps broaden and deepen their connection.
In addition to his customer-service-centric attitude, Patrick is full of career insights, words of wisdom, and simply a fun guy to know. Take a look at what our very own Advisor of the Quarter has to say:
“People truly care about each other.”
Before working at PIA, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
People might not guess that I was a rock drummer in LA for 18 years.
Tell us about how you got started in the industry.
[I got] started in the industry by another musician friend who I noticed had upgraded to a fancy car that a musician’s income could never support!
What do you do in your spare time?
[I love] working on musical projects…and riding my mountain bike up and down the foothills of Mt. Tamalpais.
What is a career lesson you’ve learned thus far?
Don’t try to be all things to all people – figure out which type of financial work suits your personality and skill set the best and focus on those strengths.
What would you recommend to someone starting out in their career as an advisor?
1. If you are to succeed long term, you need to find a work/family/health/recreation balance so that you can maintain your energy and enthusiasm through thick and thin.
2. Don’t be in too big of a hurry – it takes time to build community connections and develop skills and discover your own “sweet spot” in financial services.
Where do you call home?
I work in Fairfax, CA, but live in Forest Knolls, CA with my beautiful wife, Erica.
Patrick Costello is currently registered in California, Illinois and Washington. If you are interested in connecting with Patrick, please email him at pcostello@protectedinvestors.com or call 415.453.6000.