Peter Verbica is a Principal, Managing Director, and Certified Financial Planner® at Silicon Private Wealth – and member at Satellite Felton! Up ahead is a Q&A that tells us about what he does at Silicon Private Wealth and what inspired him. 

Can you tell us about your company?

At our firm, the owners are collegial, highly ethical, and treat clients like family. We’re fiduciaries, so we place our clients’ interests ahead of our own. Our unifying mission is to help our clients achieve their dreams through prudent and personalized investment planning.

As commercial banks began to purchase investment firms, their culture changed. Cross-selling was touted, and clients were being solicited for car loans and credit cards. Profits were placed ahead of people and clients were condemned to phone trees. Our company’s founder, Patricia Williams, believed she could do things better, so after thirty years as a manager in Silicon Valley, she started her own firm. She chose best of breed solutions and has built it brick by brick. I’ve always held her in the highest regard and joining the team is truly one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

How did you get started in your industry?

I got my start in the financial services industry after graduating from Santa Clara University and working at Rancho San Felipe, our family’s cattle ranch, during the summers. Our family has been a part of California’s agricultural heritage since 1848. Our family donated the heart of Henry Coe State Park, and we helped fund the visitor’s center.  

The cowboy life is romanticized, but like many things the reality is somewhat different. It was very tough making a profit in the cattle business, especially as costs rose over the years in our state, but my grandfather wisely invested in blue chip stocks. This practice served him very well. And, it intrigued me.

In addition, my godfather worked for an investment bank. He had a stellar reputation and was well-connected. Thanks to his introduction, one of the largest investment banks at the time hired and trained me. I worked long hours at the TransAmerica Pyramid in San Francisco. The City was quite a contrast to ranch life. Ranching and financial services are similar, however, in that both professions require a solid work ethic in order to succeed. 

Who is your biggest influence?

I think we’re at our best when we have a servant’s heart and an owner’s mind. So, over the years, I suppose successful entrepreneurs have been my role models. One individual who comes to mind isn’t known by many today. His name is Arthur Lee Loomis. He was a mathematician, lawyer, investment banker, scientist, and philanthropist. Tuxedo Park: A Wall Street Tycoon and the Secret Palace of Science That Changed the Course of World War II is an excellent book about his life and I’ve probably given out at least 30 copies of it over the years.

What is your favorite thing about Satellite Felton?

If I were to choose my favorite thing about Satellite Workplaces, it would have to be the people. The owners and the employees they hire are cordial, helpful, responsive, and professional. It doesn’t get any better than that.