Jason Kemper, Paraplanner at WD Wealth
“WD Wealth has just been phenomenal. The culture of support, growth, hard work, and integrity aligns with my own values.” Jason Kemper is one of our Paraplanners here at WD Wealth. Until taking the position in Denver, Jason grew up and lived in Dublin, Ohio, a small town outside Columbus. He pursued a Bachelor's degree with a major in Finance and an emphasis in Financial Planning. What he does at WD Wealth pairs well with his interests and education. Jason notes of the paraplanner role: “I would say that paraplanners are quarterbacking the finance side of the business. We orchestrate plan implementation, do the grunt work, then pass the ball to the Wealth Strategist who then engages with the client.”
So Jason, just some basic information about you. Let us know where you grew up.
“Yeah. So I grew up in central Ohio, a tiny suburb outside of Columbus called Dublin. And I have lived there basically my entire life until I went away for college to the University of Cincinnati. My brother, sister-in-law, and my parents still live there. We have a great relationship and it is so convenient that I can visit them often.”
And, as you went to college, how was it you came to pursue your current path?
“What I wanted to be growing up was a lawyer and then my interest changed, mostly due to a personal finance class I took in high school. That class cemented my drive to actually become a Certified Financial Planner. It also revealed to me how much I really enjoy the teaching, education role I could play going forward with a career in finance. Pursuing a major in finance with a sub-track in financial planning was the ticket I chased to give me the best step forward to becoming a CFP.”
So how do you feel about living in Denver for the past year?
“It's been great so far. A great deal of my satisfaction with my life in Colorado is derived from my involvement with an amazing church here. WD Wealth, as well, has just been phenomenal. The culture of support, growth, hard work, and integrity aligns with my own values.”
And just recently you traveled to Europe, right?
“Yes! This past June, some of my high school friends and I went to London and Amsterdam. It was great to have that adventure and spend quality time with my old buddies. Seeing a new place was energizing. I certainly preferred Amsterdam over London.”
So, please amplify the details about what you do at WD Wealth Strategies.
“A good part of my day involves delving into research for upcoming Wealth Strategists’ client meetings. This can involve activities such as analyzing alternative investments, preparing illustrations, conferring with sponsors about the minutiae of prospective investment offerings. Flipping the coin, I also engage directly with clients, fielding their questions, receiving prompts for possible investments, gathering data to fulfill investments in progress. To summarize, I would say that paraplanners are quarterbacking the finance side of the business. We orchestrate plan implementation, do the grunt work, then pass the ball to the Wealth Strategist who then engages with the client.”
Jason, when looking at your duties here it appears that some of them are tied to analytics and research, while others involve engaging with clients, sponsors, and teammates. Do you prefer one aspect of that over the other?
“I think they both go hand in hand. I honestly think my personality type is completely balanced at 50% extrovert, 50% introvert. So I love being able to go sit and work on a spreadsheet for two hours. And justice being on that really analytical side. But then I also, I mean I love our team members. So I love interacting with them. Oftentimes there's teaching moments, which I love. To teach. So it's super fun for me to do that. It also gives me experience just talking to people about what we offer.”
If you had to name your favorite movie what would that be?
“I know this sounds cliche, but I really enjoy Star Wars: A New Hope.”
Do you have an interesting or favorite quote you’d like to share?
“Here is one that resonates with me: ‘There’s only one way to succeed in anything, and that is to give it everything’ -Vince Lombardi”
What about recommended reading? Is there a favorite book you are reading now?
“Right now I'm reading Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad. Poor Dad. It’s his first book on this topic. I'm about halfway through it right now. I think it gives a lot of good advice, such as not necessarily being afraid of debt all the time. Also, just kind of reinforcing good behaviors so that you become as successful as you can be.”