Brian S. McDowell, AIF®, ASBC®, CKA®

• Years in the industry: 27
• Years independent: 9

Brian S. McDowell, Managing Director, leads the investment strategy, managed portfolio solutions, and market insights functions for Oz Investing Services. In this role he is responsible for providing the annual investment outlook, managing client investment portfolios, and providing regular market and economic commentary to clients.

Why did Brian get into investing and finance? In his own words ...

• "I would not change anything, but, growing up watching my parents struggle financially was difficult. My father ran a humble landscaping business, worked tirelessly, was funny, and treated everyone with respect regardless of their background or status. If he had access to people and resources providing better financial guidance I am convinced he would have made much better choices and achieved very different results."

• "Applying key financial and investing principles and learning to make increasingly wise decisions enables people and businesses to thrive. When people and businesses thrive they can give generously, impact the world around them for good, and help others achieve the same. One of my callings is to help people thrive."

• "Many people are seeking to draw closer to Jesus. Improve their discipleship. Demonstrate better stewardship. Often overlooked is aligning faith, finance, and worldview. The "Church" has generally done a terrible job of relaying what Scripture says on these matters. Most non-believers are unaware that the Bible speaks in-depth about money matters beyond giving. I seek to make people aware of the vast wisdom freely available through what God has said about financial matters in the Bible."  

Before going independent Brian held senior positions with J.P. Morgan, Wells Fargo The Private Bank, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and a small firm he founded, EagleHeart Capital Consulting.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration Finance from Portland State University and a Master's degree in Financial Services Banking from the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at The Wharton School. In addition to numerous company-sponsored industry-specific courses, Brian holds three designations: Accredited Investment Fiduciary or AIF®, Accredited Small Business Consultant or ASBC®, and Certified Kingdom Advisor or CKA®. 

Brian is a veteran of the armed forces. Initially serving as a Marine and deploying to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and later with the USAF Reserve Pararescue in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He developed specialties in A/S IWA, C-IED tactics, and Targeting/C-Threat Network techniques.

In his free time, Brian likes to travel, read, be in the outdoors, serve the community, and study scripture. He is also working towards becoming a Certified Biblical Counselor through the program offered by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors or ACBC.