James SerranoCFP®, MSEEM

When you’re not working you’re…?

Out at the soccer field. I’m a HUGE soccer (fútbol) fan and have played the game my entire life. I play in two leagues in Atlanta and am an avid supporter of Barcelona FC. I also enjoy rock climbing (bouldering) with my wife, spending time with my dog (Albus) and cat (Lionel), watching sports, and going on outdoor adventures in nature.

What’s the best career advice you ever got?

Network, network, network. There are a lot of things in life that may be out of your control. However, one area you can control is your network; who you meet and who you surround yourself with. I was a junior in college when someone gave me this advice and many doors have opened for me through proactive networking. The opportunity to join Modera came from networking; I attended an FPA conference and someone from my network introduced me to a Modera associate. After a 5-minute conversation, he encouraged me to apply for a position with Modera and the rest is history!

Where did you grow up? Where do you live now?

I grew up in Tampa, FL but I have lived many places throughout my life. I was born in New York and moved to Florida at a very young age. Since leaving for college, I have lived in Indiana, Barcelona, California, and now currently reside in Atlanta, GA. My parents also sent me to Guatemala for a couple summers to learn Spanish. I’ve been very fortunate to have experienced so many different locations throughout my life.

What’s a destination in the world that you aspire to visit?

There are so many but the top two on my list are Japan and Peru. My wife grew up on a military base in Japan for 9 years and the experience has significantly influenced our lifestyles from the food that we eat to how we organize the space in our house. I would love to see where she grew up and experience the Japanese culture firsthand. Peru is where my father grew up and I went once as a child. I’ve been lucky to explore my roots on my mother’s side in Guatemala but not in Peru. I’m proud of my heritage and it would be amazing to visit and learn more about the culture and my history.