Brad Smith, CFA

Observer
DISC Type : ci

Business Owner | Financial Representative at The McKernan Financial Group at Northwestern Mutual

West Palm Beach, Florida, United States

Overview

Brendan McKernan is a Wealth Advisor and Chartered Financial Analyst with over 20 years of experience in wealth management and the hedge fund industry. A graduate of Bucknell University, he now owns The McKernan Financial Group with Northwestern Mutual, where he advises business owners and high-net-worth individuals on wealth management, estate planning, and generational wealth strategies.

Brendan lives in Darien, Connecticut, with his wife and three children. He is an active member of his community and coaches for the Darien Youth Lacrosse Association.

His background as a Senior Equity Research Analyst and Portfolio Manager gives him a distinct, in-depth analytical perspective on global markets and disruptive growth businesses.

Personality Overview

Curious

Value Driven

Example Seeker

They are likely to ask many questions and look heavily for supporting information.  They are generally strong communicators and are not easy to convince. They can sound friendly and charming but can quickly change gears to become inquisitive and probing.

Topics They Care About

Generational Wealth
Advises high-net-worth individuals on sophisticated estate planning techniques to build and preserve wealth for future generations.
Disruptive Growth
His experience includes researching and investing in disruptive growth businesses with high returns on capital, indicating an interest in innovative companies.
Wealth Management
His practice is centered on providing wealth management strategies to protect the income, assets, and families of successful individuals and business owners.

Media Appearances

Northwestern Mutual's Park Avenue Capital snags wealth management vet Brad Smith. Featured in Crain Currency

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Work History

12-2024
Business Owner | Financial Representative at The McKernan Financial Group at Northwestern Mutual
8-2022 - 1-2024
Senior Equity Research Analyst at Sierra Global Management
10-2017 - 7-2022
Vice President | Investment Advisor | Wealth Advisory Services at Wilmington Trust
12-2011 - 10-2017
Portfolio Manager | Analyst | Securities & Investments at PRIVATE INVESTOR
11-2000 - 12-2011
Vice President - Research | Equities & Portfolio Management at CHILTON INVESTMENT COMPANY

Education

1993 - 1997
BA from Bucknell University
Education details unavailable from Darien High School

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 24 Location : West Palm Beach, Florida, United States Job Level : Junior Designation : Business Owner | Financial Representative at The McKernan Financial Group at Northwestern Mutual
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Insights For Selling To Brad

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Persuade objectively how your product will help them achieve their goals
  • Help them understand the risk aspect fully while inspiring confidence
  • Invite them for a social do but don’t rely solely on the relationship

DONT's

  • Don’t rely excessively on your relationship with them to win the deal
  • Avoid making offhand commitments
  • Don’t brush off any concerns, take all questions seriously

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Brad is

  • Proven value, strong testimonials are important to them, relationships will have some weightage.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Brad

  • They are practical yet friendly, don’t expect a clear no very often.

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Brad move?

  • They like to analyze well and then make their decisions.
  • Can Brad take some risk or not?

  • They evaluate their decisions systematically and are less likely to take risks.

You And Brad

Personality Compatibility


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