:: Lucien, Stirling & Gray ::

At age 16, Mark took the savings he had accumulated in his first job and invested in a mutual fund, and that was only the beginning… When his parents no longer had the ability to continue managing the family's money in the 1980's Mark shouldered the responsibility. As this experience progressed he quickly developed a passion for all things financial and a fascination with understanding what made people's investment plans successful or unsuccessful. Mark says, "These feelings and fascinations compelled me to explore financial counsel as a career." He follows, "I count this decision, along with marrying my wife and having a child, as one of the smartest and most gratifying of my life."

Since Mark joined Lucien, Stirling & Gray Advisory Group in August of 1999, he has developed a practice based on delivering the highest level of customer service, and on a genuine interest in his client's financial future.

In addition to helping many of his client families with multi-generational financial planning, Mark specializes in addressing the unique requirements of Austin's high-tech companies and employees. These include employee stock option wealth planning, asset management, insurance needs analysis, and estate planning. Mark says, "Because so many of my clients work at Austin tech firms I have developed a high-level of expertise in helping these companies build competitive 401(k) and health benefit plans." Furthermore, he helps many of these same client's with the management of incentive and non-statutory stock options. Additionally, Mark is adept at helping his small business owners make their businesses work as efficiently as possible.

Mark prides himself on providing the same high-level of service to all his clients. He works diligently to tailor financial plans that mesh with each client's investment philosophy and financial goals. Mark follows, "Like my compatriots here at LSG my professional philosophy flows from my core values: Life lived in the context of teamwork, integrity, balance, excellence, and enjoyment." Of his clients, Mark says, "The majority of my clients are very capable of managing their own investment plans. What I offer them is the peace of mind of having a dedicated professional take that time and burden off their shoulders so they may have that time to spend with their families, or time to devote it to the things in life they find most satisfying."

Mark has an unyielding belief in keeping his knowledge up to date through continuous education. In order to best serve his clients, Mark obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in Feb. 2006 from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Further, Mark holds the NASD Series 7, 63, and 65 Representative licenses, the NASD Series 24 and 53 Principal licenses, the Texas General Lines and Variable Insurance Licenses, and he is a Senior Associate with a Registered Investment Advisor. He attended the University of Texas as a National Merit Scholarship Award recipient and received his undergraduate degree in History.

Mark is a native Texan who has lived in Austin since 1971. He is a proud member of American Mensa, and The Austin Film Society. He enjoys snow skiing, SCUBA diving, and travelling with his family and friends. His beautiful wife Shannon is a master-rated Ice Skating Instructor and is also a graduate of U.T. Together, they are doting parents of their one school age daughter, Mallory.