Early in life I learned the importance of being dependable and that hard work produced results. Growing up on a family beef cattle and crop farm allowed for countless opportunities to learn from mistakes and how to best manage risks. Teamwork was essential to success. I enjoyed the rigors of farm work and appreciate the experiences few are exposed to.
Sharing my grandfather’s interest in banking and finance, I furthered my education at Cornell University and in 1987 obtained the Certified Financial Planner® designation. A Masters in Financial Services was earned in 1997 from the College for Financial Planning. CFP®
Following a short two-year teaching career at my high school alma mater I sought to put into practice the things learned while farming and at Cornell. Coombe Financial Services was founded in 1986 as a financial planning and mutual fund/annuity broker-dealer. Coombe Bender & Co was formed in 1989 to provide advanced financial planning, investment advisory and portfolio management services to clients for fee-only. Like the family farm, both of our firms rely on teamwork, trust and the hard work of family members including my sister, Cathy and son, Alan. While wearing many hats as a business owner, my primary role is the design and management of investment portfolios toward meeting long-term client financial objectives; creating and preserving estates.
Your reputation and community are two of the most important aspects of one’s life, attributes fostered by my parents and extended family. When you said you were going to do something, be sure you did it, and follow through. Give back to the community. My involvement, as a Trustee of The Ellenville Regional Hospital, and as a Director of Jeffersonville Bancorp, is both mentally and emotionally rewarding. I serve as a Fiduciary and am the Treasurer of the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery Association, on the board of The Ellenville Regional Hospital Foundation, and I am a member of local civic organizations The Tri-Valley Lions Club and The Ellenville Noonday Club.
Other interests include wind and solar energy systems development and hardware maintenance. I play ice hockey and like to spend time outdoors, mostly fishing, property maintenance, and agriculture. I continue to reside on the family farm in Grahamsville, New York with my wife Patricia.