Born 1956 Lapeer, Michigan.
Mr. Branson is a founding Principal of Branson, Fowlkes & Company, Inc., in 1987, and Branson, Fowlkes/Russell,Inc. in 1991. Prior to that He was a Financial Planner at Cigna Independent Financial Services Company (currently Lincoln Financial) from 1984 – 1987.
Jay is a Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Consultant and Registered Securities Principal through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Completed the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School’s Artificial Intelligence Implications for Business Strategy 2018. Completed the College for Financial Planning Advanced Studies in Securities Due Diligence 1989. He is a former Instructor, University of Houston Continuing Education Department, Investments & Financial Planning. He was admitted to the Registry of Financial Planning Practitioners 1989.
With over 35 years of experience (the Dow Jones Industrial Average was 2980 in 1984) there is a level of patience and wisdom which informs all the decisions and advice provided to clients. Many client relationships go back that far and at a point the relationship becomes almost familial. After receiving the CFP® designation in 1987, the decision to be an independent firm was driven by a desire to be completely objective in the products and services we offered to our clients. We wanted to treat our clients as if they were one of our own family and with that comes a long-term relationship which would be compromised if the products and services did not perform as planned. We were also one of the first generation of firms (in 1990) to transition to a fee-based compensation model for our investment management services. “One of the biggest lessons I have learned over all these years in this industry is that it is an industry of emotions not numbers. Knowing and understanding how people feel about wealth is critical to being able to advise someone appropriately”. Our responsibility as an advisor is to be well informed on a wide range of financial strategies, how they work, when they are appropriate, etc. and then be able to interpret from clients both the quantitative and emotional factors in their circumstances. Only then can good advice be given.
Jay and his wife Hui "Sunny" have an 9-year-old daughter named Joy. They enjoy travel and have been to China and frequently travel across the U.S. to visit family and friends. They own property in Destin, Florida and Park City, Utah where they spend time in the winter and summer. Jay taught Elementary Sunday School at Unity Church of Christianity in Houston for 15 years which was helpful experience being a Dad to a 4th grader. He has a wide range of additional interests including previously being a triathlon coach for 7 years supporting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program. He enjoys swimming and is an American Swimming Coaches Association Level III coach. The entire family has a passion for the visual arts, and they have amassed a large collection of paintings, prints and sculptures which is on display at the offices of Branson, Fowlkes & Company and at their residences.