Omar Parker, Jr.

What sparked your interest in financial planning? What fuels you every day in your work?

Growing up I always knew I wanted to work with money, and I wanted to help people, but I just didn’t know how I wanted to do it. So, I went to college my freshman year as an accounting major, and a part of the curriculum I had to take a personal finance class. In this class I was introduced to the financial planning industry and the opportunity to help people with their financial needs. This class sparked a newfound love for the financial planning industry. After freshman year I changed my major to financial planning and wealth management, joined the financial planning club, and started working for the Financial Literacy Institute at my university. During my time working with individuals, whether it was local high school students or retirees, I loved the moments when I could help answer their financial questions and become part of the solution to any of their financial problems.

What do you feel is a strength that you have?

A strength that I have is my ability to communicate and connect with people on a deep level. In the financial planning industry, we talk with clients about important and sometimes sensitive topics in their lives. I believe it is our duty to be able to communicate and connect with the client so that everyone feels safe and comfortable in that environment.

What do you enjoy most about working at Modera?

I started my career at Modera as a summer intern before I became a full-time employee and it’s safe to say I enjoy working here. The culture at Modera is wonderful. Coming from a background of team sports playing football in college, I love how team oriented Modera is. There has not been a time where I or anyone I work with has felt like they were alone. I also enjoy meeting our clients and seeing the wonderful working relationships they have with my colleagues. I think our clients can also see how positive the morale is within the office.

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

I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland and lived there until I went to college in Dover, Delaware. I now live in Allentown, Pennsylvania.