Personal
My wife, Susan, and our daughters, Nelle (the last "e" is silent) and Isabella, live in Leawood, in the Waterford subdivision. Isabella will be starting kindergarten next year, while Nelle will be entering the 5th grade at the Nativity Parish School. Isabella does Scottish Highland dancing and just started gymnastics. They both play soccer and Nelle also plays AAU and CYO basketball. Susan stays home with the girls.
I am an avid sports fan, love being outdoors and fishing. My father and I go on an annual "Father-Son" fishing trip. This year, we are going to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to catch marlin, sailfish, wahoo and dorado (hopefully!).
Susan and I both love to travel. We went on a family vacation to Portugal last year and also went to Scottsdale, Arizona for NMFN's Forum Symposium.
We proudly support our B.C. Eagles, who are not as strong in football or basketball as they have been in the past. However, we did win the hockey national championship last year (our 3rd title in the last 10 seasons!).
Community Involvement
We attend the Church of the Nativity in Leawood. Susan is very involved in PTO and is that organization's President. She is also the Brownie Troop Leader.
I love coaching youth sports--I am the Head Coach of Nelle's soccer team, Nativity United and Isabella's soccer team. I am also the Head Coach of Nelle's CYO basketball team at Nativity.
Steve Forbes and John Schlifske on
"The New Normal and Post-Recession Trends”
Northwestern Mutual hosted a speaker series with Steve Forbes and Northwestern Mutual chairman and CEO John Schlifske. The three day tour included panel discussions in Louisville, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Houston and Dallas, and saw nearly 4,000 attendees in total. In Kansas City, where there were over 600 in attendance, Steve and John discussed the economy, the markets and how individuals and business owners can rebuild their financial foundation. Key insights presented at the events were:
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In the ‘new normal’ consumers should manage risk first. In the ‘new normal’ consumers need to have a plan to manage risks that were once considered remote, such as extreme market volatility. According to Schlifske, successful financial planning means embracing time-tested methods for long-term gains, focusing on steady, consistent growth.
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The recovery is real, but we have a long way to go. With the recession and market volatility of 2009 behind us, Schlifske and Forbes agree that the country has entered a recovery phase but note that we will continue to be challenged by flat markets, minimal interest rate returns and threats of inflation or deflation. Forbes stressed that the recovery is a long, steady road that is certain to have ups and downs, but the goal is to employ a strategy that anticipates and overcomes those variances to be positioned for future success.
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Post-recession trends include goal-based investing, longer-term plan horizons and a greater appreciation of the risks of over-leveraging. Research conducted by Northwestern Mutual found that consumers are extending their planning timeframes and placing an increased importance on saving.
For more thoughts on these and other business topics, visit the Northwestern Mutual Resource Center of the Forbes.com Fact & Comment page.
 
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