Hoover Financial Advisors’ Philip Gagliardi Earns Prestigious Destination

Philip A. Gagliardi

Malvern, PA – Philip A. Gagliardi, a planner with Hoover Financial Advisors HFA), recently became one of only 350 individuals in the U.S. to earn the Certified Portfolio Manager® designation. This prestigious program is presented by the Academy of Certified Portfolio Managers and was completed at Columbia University in New York.

The designation, which was created five years ago, is the first of its kind for portfolio managers. To qualify, Gagliardi successfully fulfilled course studies in advanced concepts of Fundamental Analysis, Option Valuation, Foreign Currency Exchange, Credit Default Swap Strategy and Valuation Analytics. He and other designees explored cutting-edge issues in finance and investing with internationally recognized Columbia professors. The program was developed to meet a missing need among money managers enabling them to achieve the highest level of expertise in all facets in an ever-changing global economy.

Gagliardi joined HFA in 2011. Prior to that, he was a trust officer with Charles Schwab Bank in Wilmington, Delaware. Before that he held a similar position with Wachovia Bank in Wilmington. He holds a master’s degree in taxation and financial planning from Widener University, Chester. His Bachelor of Science degree from Cabrini College is in accounting.

“I am now better able to enhance portfolio models for our clients,” says Gagliardi. “The CPM program expanded my practical and pragmatic skills through in-depth theory and insight.” “We are very proud of Phil,” adds Peter K. Hoover, CFP, founder of HFA. “Achieving such a high-level designation is an excellent asset to the firm. Phil’s dedication to serving our clients is evident and testament to his commitment to the industry, as well.”

HFA, which is headquartered on Moores Road in Malvern, was launched in 2005 by Hoover, who has been an independent financial advisor for more than 30 years.  Since its inception, HFA has more than tripled in size. Employees include client relationship managers, financial planners, insurance and tax specialists, investment analyst and an information services manager.  HFA selected as 2012 Small Business of the Year by Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry. For more information, visit its website at http://www.petehoover.com or call 610.651.2777.

Under The Gun: Norristown Raises Awareness — And Hope — Through Art

Location of Norristown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NORRISTOWN –  The mission statement of the ACPPA Community Art Center has not changed since 2004, when the doors first opened, but over the years, Executive Director Amy Grebe has changed the way she interprets it.

In an interview at her office, located in the basement of Grace Lutheran Church on Haws Avenue, Grebe rattled off the words by heart, as though she were reciting the Pledge of Allegiance: “We provide opportunities that use art as a vehicle for creative self-discovery and community revitalization.”

After taking a breath, she explained with a smile that while her goal remains the same, exposing children to the arts.  She prefers now to focus on the creative process, rather than the final product.

“I am less inclined to make good artists than I am to create good citizens,” Grebe said.  “We use the creative process to help them envision a possible future for themselves.”

She also provides after school snacks, donated by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Read more:  http://www.timesherald.com/article/20130622/NEWS01/130629862/under-the-gun-norristown-raises-awareness–and-hope–through-art#full_story