Walker Holloway Sees Value In Being An Early Riser, Staying Physically Fit
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By JOSELYN KING
WHEELING -- Financial advisor Walker Holloway sees the value in rising early, good physical health and healthy finances.
Holloway, 34, serves as senior vice president at the Hazlett, Burt and Watson financial firm, and he has been with the company for 10 years. He was inspired to go into the business by his father, Walker Holloway Sr., who retired last year after more than 40 years with the company.
"I am a financial advisor who provides guidance and creates efficiencies to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofits alike," the younger Holloway explained.
He tries to go to the gym as often as two or three times a week before going to the office -- usually as early as 5 a.m.
"Although, it's not particularly fun getting up that early, I feel better throughout the day after working out," he said. "Typically, I get to the office around 7:45 a.m. and spend an hour or so reading emails, and going through various news sites/financial commentary that I follow. I have a routine of probably 15 sites I read through each morning to keep up to date on the latest issues and how they apply to my clients.
"After that, usually around 9 a.m. … I am either meeting with clients and prospects or calling them to check in or set up reviews. Each day is very different, some clients like to meet in person in my office, over the phone, or even at their house or office. I like that its not the same repetitive schedule each day."
His favorite quote is, "Never, never, never quit." by Winston Churchill.
"I was introduced to it when I was at Linsly. Each year the school has a quote that they use as the theme for the year, and I believe the Churchill quote was used when I was in middle school," Holloway said. "Although it is a short quote, it's an easy way to remember that difficult times can be overcome with hard work and perseverance."
After growing in Wheeling and graduating from Linsly in 2007, Holloway attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.
"After getting my bachelors, I got my start in the financial industry by working with AXA Advisors (now known as The Equitable) in Orlando, Florida," he said. " My father (who retired last summer) was a financial advisor in Wheeling for over 40 years, began to float the idea of me coming back to work with him in 2013 -- which I did.
"Wheeling, although a much smaller city, offers much of what you can find in a large city, and its probably even easier to access. As for working here, the financial industry is very technologically based. I have clients all over the country and world, and can work with them from our office in Wheeling just the same as anywhere else in the world.
Wheeling provides a safe, low cost of living area, and many opportunities to get involved with the community, he added. Holloway also loves to travel, and he noted that getting out of town is very easy with the Pittsburgh airport being a close drive.
"There is a ton of momentum in Wheeling right now," Holloway continued. "From the Knights Inn purchase by the CVB, the Doris on Main being built across the street, Oglebay revamping the White Palace, and all of the plans Grow OV has for North and East Wheeling -- plus new retail spots being built beneath the parking garage that is going in on Market Street and WVU Medicine will be building a cancer center on the OVMC property, there are a ton of bright spots that are developing in Wheeling. Take your pick.
"The deterioration of the roads in downtown often get talked about the most, but there are many more bright spots to discuss.
His advice to young people is to have "genuine and good intentions."
"Doing what is right will get you the most fulfillment in life," Holloway said. "I think finding a mentor is very important. Although I worked with my dad for nine years, I had a mentor I would go to for help and advice at AXA. He was a much more senior advisor there and gave me valuable help, which I found to be advantageous to my colleagues. Having experience in your corner will expedite your growth.
"Also, I think if you are still in college, getting involved in extracurriculars brings a lot of transitional skills to the workforce that you won't get in a classroom. Personally, I was very involved in my fraternity at the executive board level and it gave me organizational and problem-solving skills that I have found just as valuable, if not more valuable than the regular curriculum."
Holloway presently serves as chairman of Wheeling Heritage, and is on the boards of Oglebay Institute, the United Way, and the St. John's Home for Children as well as being a member of the Wheeling Rotary Club.
"Getting involved in other organizations has allowed me to help these other organizations with my expertise and I have been able to learn from other members about their expertise. It's great networking and for a good cause," he said.
Holloway said what he most learned from his father was how to communicate and explain complex topics to make them understandable to others.
"He instilled a work ethic of systematically calling and/or meeting with clients at least quarterly, so they know they are doing the right thing for their specific goals," Holloway said. "The financial industry has a lot of jargon attached to it, and translating that into the simplest forms is what most clients need and want."
He believes there always will be a need for financial planners and advisors.
"Technology is advancing rapidly and, in every industry -- even mine," Holloway said. "But there will always be a need for a human touch. And as for it in this area, I would assume it would continue to grow.
"The pandemic has changed some human preferences and there has been a noticeable population shift out of large cities and into smaller ones. Not that they are all related to finance, but Wheeling offers a very different lifestyle than the larger cities. This may bring more business to the area," he added.