Memorable Marriage of Art & Music

Imagine creating visual art while soaking up a classical music concert performed just for you. That was the concept behind the Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings (DCWS) 2014 Rendering Beethoven Concert which explored art, music, and abstract expressionism.

The Center proudly sponsored the first-of-its-kind performance, held at the College for Creative Studies. DCWS musicians performed Beethoven’s Serenade Op. 25 for Flute and Strings. The music served as inspiration for visual arts students and faculty who created abstract works of art before a captivated audience. The exploration of the connection between the visual arts and music was a memorable and thought-provoking experience for all in attendance.

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed web sited or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any web site or the collection or use of information regarding any web site's users and/or members. C14-038752

Slightly Off-Center: Who’s your favorite superstar?

 There’s a lot you know about our team at The Center … but we’ve dug up answers to some questions you might have never thought to ask.

Who's your favorite superstar?

Warren Buffett(!)…smart, irreverent, independent-thinking. –Dan Boyce

Oprah of course! –Gerri Harmer

Mariah Carey, of course –Kali Hassinger

Superman and Clark Kent –Matt Chope

Pavel Datsyuk – in my opinion, the best hockey player in the world right now – the things he can do with the puck is amazing –Nick Defenthaler

Awards & Inspiration at the RJ Women’s Symposium

From helping families prosper to the art of negotiation, the 20th annual Raymond James Women’s Symposium was packed with great insight and inspiring speakers. Marilyn Gunther, Melissa Joy and Laurie Renchik recently traveled to St. Petersburg, FL for the opportunity to take part in thought-provoking education sessions and mingle with other women advisors in the Raymond James family.

The trip this year was especially exciting because The Center’s own founding partner Marilyn Gunther received the Raymond James Network for Women Advisors 2014 Women of Distinction award.  She was presented with the award by the President of Raymond James Financial Services at an opening night awards dinner.  This award is given to women advisors with Raymond James who are exceptional in both their professional and personal contributions.

These are our Top 5 ideas we brought back to Michigan:

1. Susan Bradley from the Sudden Money Institute talked about recognizing the role of money in all of the transitions of life.  We have come a long way from thinking about money as the accumulation and distribution phase.

2. The number of RJ upper management team attending was an acknowledgement of the increasing and effective role of women advisors and women leaders.  We have a long way to go, but it is a start.

3. Author and former sports agent Molly Fletcher shared her insights about the art of negotiating with an emphasis on belief in what you do and not being afraid to ask the tough questions.

4. In the workshop, “The Estate is Set, But Are Families Prepared?” we learned more about helping families thrive and prosper from one generation to the next with family meetings designed to help prepare the next generation for financial and non-financial aspects of wealth transfer.

5. On the topic of Women and the World of Finance, Sallie Krawcheck drew on her Wall Street experiences as well as current research to illustrate how companies that embrace gender diversity on their boards and in management often see improved performance and profitability as a result.   

Links are being provided for information purposes only. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse, authorize or sponsor any of the listed web sites or their respective sponsors. Raymond James is not responsible for the content of any web site or the collection or use of information regarding any web site’s users and/or members. C14-038768

Slightly Off-Center: Best Way to Spend a Saturday?

There’s a lot you know about our team at The Center … but we’ve dug up answers to some questions you might have never thought to ask.

Best Way to Spend a Saturday?

On the Golf Course!-Angela Palacios

S-H-O-P-P-I-N-G; I repeat S-H-O-P-P-I-N-G–Amanda Toia

Playing tennis in the morning, making good music with friends in the afternoon, going out to a nice place for dinner, concert or show in the evening. –Dan Boyce

Hanging out with family or watching a football game –Gerri Harmer

Outside enjoying sunny weather –Jaclyn Jackson

Laying poolside reading every trash magazine I can lay my hand on! –Jennifer Hackmann

Relaxing with a good book and then dinner out in the evening –Laurie Renchik

Playing sand volleyball with great friends –Matt Chope

Waking up early, cup of coffee in bed while catching up on some reading on my IPad, nice long walk with my wife, Robin and our black lab, Jax, an afternoon playoff hockey game on TV and wrap up with a barbeque with friends and family in the evening –Nick Defenthaler

Best way to spend a Saturday is to travel to Kansas to watch Matt play football or to Albion to watch Jack play baseball or to one of Kacy’s swim meets. –Tim Wyman

It’s finally fall, my favorite season! So the best way to spend a Saturday is with my hubby at the orchard or cider mill, carving pumpkins, or taking the dogs for a long walk and enjoying the fall scents, scenery and weather. –Melissa Parkins

Gratitude in a Word

015.jpg

013.jpg

004.jpg

003.jpg

008.jpg

005.jpg

012.jpg

006.jpg

001.jpg

007.jpg

009.jpg

010.jpg

017.jpg

011.jpg

016.jpg

014.jpg

002.jpg

Slightly Off-Center: Your best kept secret?

 There’s a lot you know about our team at The Center … but we’ve dug up answers to some questions you might have never thought to ask.

Your best kept secret? 

I love to dress up for Halloween, this year my daughter was Princess Aurora and I’m dressed up as Maleficent! – Angela Palacios

If I told you, it wouldn’t be a secret anymore  -Amanda Toia

I can wiggle my eyeballs –Gerri Harmer

How dirty the inside of my car really is –Jennifer Hackmann

I’m extremely embarrassed to admit that I’m a sucker for bad reality TV that my wife enjoys –Nick Defenthaler

Congratulations, Melissa & Kevin Parkins!

The Center Wins Our Coolest Award Yet

We made Crain’s List’s coolest places to work list!  Crain'sCool Places to Work recognition program honors employers that go the extra mile to make employees feel appreciated — as judged by the employees themselves.

The program was open to Michigan businesses, nonprofits and government entities. An organization must have at least 15 employees at a Michigan location to be considered.

Harrisburg, Pa.-based research businessBest Companies Groupgathered data and conducted surveys on each organization to create the final rankings. The rankings are divided into three groups according to organization size, as measured by employee count.

Best Companies ranked 75 companies to receive the badge of Cool Place to Work. We took honors in the category for 15 – 49 employees. 

A14-038883

Slightly Off-Center: What book are you reading right now?

 There’s a lot you know about our team at The Center … but we’ve dug up answers to some questions you might have never thought to ask.

What book are you currently reading?

Outlander –Angela Palacios

I usually have two or three going at a time.  Right now, I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes and Environmental Debt by Amy Larkin –Laurie Renchik

Joan Rivers’ bio –Jennifer Hackmann

I’ve always got two or three going at once. Right now, it’s Annie’s Ghosts, which is excellent, and The Heir Apparent about the life of King Edward VII –Melissa Joy

1492 –Dan Boyce

I’m actually in between reads right now…I’m not much of a fiction guy so I typically read books on investing, financial planning and motivational books...I also enjoy Men’s Health magazine and keeping up with the local sports page –Nick Defenthaler

Start with Why – How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action –Sandy Adams

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness –Kali Hassinger

I am currently reading The Speed of Trust as my “fun” read and I usually have 2-3 business related books on going at one time. I read a lot….as my daughter Kacy says…mostly boring work stuff. –Tim Wyman

Slightly Off-Center: What's playing in your car right now?

There’s a lot you know about our team at The Center … but we’ve dug up answers to some questions you might have never thought to ask.

What's playing in your car right now?

Talk Radio –Jennifer Hackmann

Taylor Swift “Shake it off” –Jennie Bauder

NPR –Matt Chope

Van Morrison’s “These are the days” –Nancy Sechrist

A little bit of everything!  Anything from rap to pop to country to rock – depends on my mood! –Nick Defenthaler

Sports talk radio if I am alone or pop music if the kids are in the car (I love to sing along and embarrass them). –Sandy Adams

Fortunately my commute is rather short – I usually try to maintain my “man card” by getting up to speed on the sports scene. –Tim Wyman

The new Maroon 5 album (V), or Taylor Swift’s “Shake it off” … it’s so catchy! –Melissa Parkins

Nothing, my car flooded in the parking lot at work; I am looking for a new one. –Amanda Toia