I grew up in a small town in “slower, lower Delaware”—not the beaches or corporate headquarters most people associate with the state, but flat farmland and slow-moving rivers. It was a wonderful place to be a kid. I rode my bike for miles between morning swim practice, my first jobs, and friends’ houses. We spent countless hours on boats, with one rule: be home by sunset.
My mom taught middle school science, and my dad was a partner in a small CPA practice. Around age 14, I started tracking his stocks in Lotus and researching mutual funds in big Value Line binders, long before everything was available online.
Between my dad and my boating friend’s father, a country lawyer with his own practice, I grew up around small-business owners. I knew I wanted to become one, too. My dad’s grueling tax seasons gave me pause, but he encouraged me to study accounting because you could “do whatever you want in business” with that foundation.
I followed his advice and earned my Bachelor of Science in accounting from Salisbury State University, a small school near home that my family had also attended. College is where I met my first wife, who was from Baltimore. Ready to experience life beyond my small town, I moved to the Baltimore area and began my career in public accounting.
I had offers from firms of different sizes, but my dad felt a small firm would give me the broadest experience and most direct contact with clients. Twenty-nine years ago, I joined MacDonald and Weber, P.A. Through the years and partner succession, my first job out of college became the firm I’m proud to own today: WeberMessick Wealth Management.
At the firm, I was fortunate to have Michael Weber as a mentor. Recognizing my interest in entrepreneurship and financial management, he led the addition of investment management to our accounting practice roughly 25 years ago. It was a natural extension of the planning we already did and the close relationships we had with clients. I jumped at the opportunity.
My entrepreneurial streak also led me down another path: at 25, while still working at the firm, I built, opened, and later sold a Subway franchise as a side endeavor. That hands-on experience gave me a perspective on business ownership that I’ve carried throughout my career.
Outside of work, I’ve always been drawn to life on the water. My first Jimmy Buffett concert at 14 sparked a dream of living in Florida—and a promise to myself to learn guitar and sail. Years later, I found myself playing guitar on the deck of a sailboat we chartered in the British Virgin Islands. That was a pretty special full-circle moment.
Although my first marriage ended, it gave me two wonderful daughters. They lived with me full time, giving me the gift of being present for the everyday moments in their lives—something I’ll always treasure. About ten years ago, I met the love of my life, my wife, Katie. She was raising her son full time, and my family of three became our family of five.
Katie is also a securities-licensed professional with an extensive background at highly respected firms. Today, we’re fortunate to work together, sharing a personal commitment to taking great care of our clients.
After COVID, the timing finally felt right to make our Florida dream a reality. Nearly five years ago, we made our home in the St. Petersburg area and now live in Treasure Island along with our two golden retrievers and our cat. We’ve loved the journey—and the chance to build a life around family, meaningful work, and the water.