Working as the assistant branch manager for David Lerner Associates in Westport wasnt where Brandon Byington imagined he would be after finishing college. But that said, hes glad life took him in that unexpected direction.
I went to Eastern Connecticut State University thinking I was going to be a teacher, Byington said. He graduated with a degree in psychology and English.
After college, he found himself working for Kaplan, a chain of academic testing and tutoring centers. He started out hands-on with students but found himself becoming more and more involved with the business and sales aspects.
A friend of mine who was working with David Lerner Associates noticed I had a lot of sales and business savvy and suggested I give it a try, said Byington. I decided to make the move, and Im very happy I did.
Like most of David Lerners employees, Byington started as an Investment Counselor, meeting with clients and helping them build their portfolios. He likes that the company handles a large amount of its business around the client's kitchen table in their home.
Since starting in 2003, Byington has moved up to the Assistant Branch Manager position, where he has a chance to revisit his teaching roots. Several new hires fall under his review for training, and he oversees a team of 12 people.
The job at David Lerner Associates is attractive because he can go beyond teaching people about finance. As a father of two young children, he appreciates how family-driven the company feels.
We are all a pretty tight-knit group here at the company, and I think that speaks volumes about the atmosphere here, said Byington.