While participating in a national summer internship at Charles Schwab, CJ heard Dana speak and immediately knew he wanted to be a part of the Sensible Money team. What started as a short exchange with Dana on LinkedIn quickly turned into a series of interviews, and he became Sensible Money’s first intern in 2016.
“The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.”— Muhammad Ali
The internship led to a full-time position in 2017. As his career started, CJ simultaneously began preparing for the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Retirement Management Advisor® exams. While completing his studies, he learned the business from the ground up, directly supporting Dana and other team members with needed analysis, research, model building, portfolio recommendations, and client-related tasks. Through many years of mentorship, he has progressed from Intern to Financial Technician, Financial Analyst, and Executive Financial Planner, where he now manages new and existing client relationships. In 2022, CJ became a Partner in the firm and joined the firm’s Leadership committee. CJ views financial planning as a lifelong pursuit, and continued his professional education by obtaining the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® designation in 2023.
Originally from Chicago, CJ moved to finish his degree at the University of Arizona in 2015. He and his wife now reside in Phoenix and are thrilled to call Arizona home. In 2024, they welcomed a baby girl, their first child. Outside of the office, he is active in the community, currently serving on the board of New Pathways for Youth, a local nonprofit providing one-on-one mentorship programs to at-risk youth. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Financial Planning Association of Greater Phoenix, and in several leadership positions as a member of the Active 20-30 Club of Phoenix.
For recreation, CJ trains at a local boxing gym. While he enjoyed a 10-year amateur career in Chicago, he’s no longer competing but still practices the “sweet science” to challenge himself and stay in shape. He also enjoys spending time with Teddy, his Labrador Retriever, and hiking trails across Arizona.
