As an alumnus of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Bobby began his career in the maritime services licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as an engineering officer in the merchant marine, providing support services for the Vietnam War sea-lift. He also served as a Lieutenant reserve officer in the U.S. Navy. He came ashore to find new adventures on land since he and his wife, Marion, wanted to start family planning.

Since 1970, Bobby has served individual and business clients with fee-based financial planning. As well as providing investment services as a Registered Representative to assist clients in reaching their specific investment goals and objectives based on their values (1973-2015). He continued his advanced education at the American College in Bryn Mawr, PA earning his Masters in Financial Services in 1985. He has passed the Series 1, Series 4, Series 40, Series 51, and Series 63 securities exam and was previously licensed with FINRA as a General Securities Principal, a Municipal Fund Principal, and a Registered Options Principal. He has held positions as OSJ and CCO and served in different capacities as President, Chairman of the Board, and Director of several financial firms. He currently holds a Virginia insurance agent license qualified for Variable Contracts, Health, and Life & Annuities.

With his career spanning over 40 years, Bobby assisted his clients as a representative with several national firms including Investors Diversified Services (later becoming Ameriprise Financial) – Minneapolis, MN; Investment Management & Resources (an affiliate of Raymond James) – St. Petersburg, FL; IFG Network Securities – Atlanta, GA; Multi-Financial Securities Corporation – Denver, CO; and The Strategic Financial Alliance – Atlanta, GA. Bobby was very active in the early formation of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), working as a member of its predecessor group, the Institute of Certified Financial Planners, and participating as the Program Chair for the Mid-Atlantic Retreat, here in the National Capitol Area. He was an early participant member of the Board of Certified Financial Planners and continues in that role today.

In 1996 Bobby formed his own independent planning and advisory companies: Acorn Financial Services, Inc., and Acorn Financial Advisory Services, Inc. located in Fairfax, VA. He added other partners, utilizing a team approach to improve clients’ lives and foster long-term partnerships. Bobby has always been a proponent of using specialists to deliver better results than a single financial advisor can offer. He and his partners continued this approach until he sold the planning and advisory companies in 2012 to pursue new adventures.

After selling the Acorn companies, Bobby developed wealth enhancement strategies for mentoring other financial advisors, and helped to expand their offerings through his experience and knowledge in building and organizing around one guiding principle: “Do what’s right for the client.” By putting the client first, his financial planning goals and values help ensure that any advice is always in their best interest and that their financial future is based on their goals and values. By acting as a Personal CFO, he believes the advisor plays a crucial role in assisting clients in making good decisions with their financial futures.

He has been listed in Who’s Who in the Washingtonian Magazine, quoted in Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, appeared on the Channel 8 News, quoted on the radio, and was identified as one of the top Planners of the Year for IRAs in 2012. He has been a financial advisor for over 54 years. Bobby and Marion have three grown daughters, Stephanie, Janice, and Amy — all successful in their own adventures, and five grandchildren.

He is active in the community, providing pro-bono financial counseling services for individuals through the FPA and other groups on a voluntary basis. He supports missions with Vale United Methodist Church and participates on condo Boards, steering committees, and other neighborhood activities. His entire family enjoys spending their free time at their lake house in Lake Gaston, VA and traveling with friends.