Jim Rhodes, executive director/portfolio manager of American Money Management LLC, poses at his office on South Imperial Avenue in El Centro. (JOSELITO VILLERO PHOTO / September 22, 2011) |
Jim Rhodes, Director, American Money Management
300 S. Imperial Ave., Suite 5, El Centro
760-604-6310
www.amminvest.com
Tell us how you ended up in this line of work.
I became interested in investing in high school. I’ve enjoyed working for a number of key investment organizations in New York, Chicago and San Francisco. In the 1990s my wife and I decided to return to El Centro in order to raise our three children; so, it was natural to start my own investment business here.
Describe what your business does.
We bring professional investment management to retirees, business/corporate, retirement plans, trusts and individual investment accounts.
What are memories from your career that stick out with you the most?
I worked for Bechtel Corp., one of the largest privately owned corporations, from 1978 to 1996. During this period some key national political leaders worked for Bechtel. During one investment committee meeting I found myself proposing a currency hedging strategy opposed by George Shultz, a previous U.S. Treasury Secretary under President Nixon. I don’t know why but the committee didn’t decide in favor of my proposal.
What do you most like and least like about your work?
I enjoy working with my clients in the Imperial Valley, helping them achieve their investment goals. The least favorite part of my job is getting up at 4 a.m. in order to stay in touch with investment markets around the world.
What makes your business unique?
Our investment services are provided on a fee-only basis. We don’t charge commissions for services. This way the interests of our clients and our interests are aligned. That isn’t the case with local mutual fund representatives or stock brokers who are compensated on a commission basis. I believe our approach is unique to the Imperial Valley.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to open a business?
If you are asking about the investment business, I recommend getting a formal education in finance and then putting in the work to get the appropriate certification for your specialty.
How do you give back to the local community?
I am a person of faith and very interested in mission work. My wife and I have traveled to Africa several times and have helped evangelical organizations raise funds for medical clinics, deep, clean water wells, and medicines for a poor hospital in Tororo, Uganda. Locally, I serve on the Salvation Army Advisory Board and have served on the Imperial County Retirement Board for over six years.
More about Rhodes
AGE: 64
YEARS IN BUSINESS: Fee-only investment management in El Centro since 1996
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 30-plus years Education MBA, University of California, Berkeley, and a Chartered Financial Analyst
HOMETOWN: El Centro
FAMILY: Wife, Nancie; daughters, Alicia and Portia; son, Josh
HOBBIES: Relaxing in Julian area and supporting missions in Africa
Introduce yourself
Would you or someone you know like to be profiled? If so, send an email to rbrown@ivpressonline.com or call 760-337-3453.
300 S. Imperial Ave., Suite 5, El Centro
760-604-6310
www.amminvest.com
Tell us how you ended up in this line of work.
I became interested in investing in high school. I’ve enjoyed working for a number of key investment organizations in New York, Chicago and San Francisco. In the 1990s my wife and I decided to return to El Centro in order to raise our three children; so, it was natural to start my own investment business here.
Describe what your business does.
We bring professional investment management to retirees, business/corporate, retirement plans, trusts and individual investment accounts.
What are memories from your career that stick out with you the most?
I worked for Bechtel Corp., one of the largest privately owned corporations, from 1978 to 1996. During this period some key national political leaders worked for Bechtel. During one investment committee meeting I found myself proposing a currency hedging strategy opposed by George Shultz, a previous U.S. Treasury Secretary under President Nixon. I don’t know why but the committee didn’t decide in favor of my proposal.
What do you most like and least like about your work?
I enjoy working with my clients in the Imperial Valley, helping them achieve their investment goals. The least favorite part of my job is getting up at 4 a.m. in order to stay in touch with investment markets around the world.
What makes your business unique?
Our investment services are provided on a fee-only basis. We don’t charge commissions for services. This way the interests of our clients and our interests are aligned. That isn’t the case with local mutual fund representatives or stock brokers who are compensated on a commission basis. I believe our approach is unique to the Imperial Valley.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to open a business?
If you are asking about the investment business, I recommend getting a formal education in finance and then putting in the work to get the appropriate certification for your specialty.
How do you give back to the local community?
I am a person of faith and very interested in mission work. My wife and I have traveled to Africa several times and have helped evangelical organizations raise funds for medical clinics, deep, clean water wells, and medicines for a poor hospital in Tororo, Uganda. Locally, I serve on the Salvation Army Advisory Board and have served on the Imperial County Retirement Board for over six years.
More about Rhodes
AGE: 64
YEARS IN BUSINESS: Fee-only investment management in El Centro since 1996
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 30-plus years Education MBA, University of California, Berkeley, and a Chartered Financial Analyst
HOMETOWN: El Centro
FAMILY: Wife, Nancie; daughters, Alicia and Portia; son, Josh
HOBBIES: Relaxing in Julian area and supporting missions in Africa
Introduce yourself
Would you or someone you know like to be profiled? If so, send an email to rbrown@ivpressonline.com or call 760-337-3453.
