Andrew Avella

Andrew Avella is founder and principal of the Retirement Portfolio Specialists, which assists individuals and business owners in understanding their retirement plan alternatives. He is a University of Arizona graduate and has worked in the financial services industry for more than ten years with companies such as OppenheimerFunds and the Vanguard Group.

Andrew’s story is very interesting in that he paved his own path and was able to find success by taking the road less traveled. When he graduated college, he bought a one way ticket to Hawaii, spending 3 1/2 years on the island. After reading an investment book on Waikiki Beach, he realized that the financial services industry was someplace that he could see himself working in. He bought a plane ticket to Chicago, where he began searching for a job. He wanted to gain experience and a more in-depth understanding of the business.

Now in his tenth year in the industry, he has opened his own firm. With his one year anniversary appraoching this month, Andrew has built up his clientele and is actively involved within the community.

The advice that he offered college students was that there is no shortcut to success and that what you get out of an activity is the result of what you put in. He put an emphasis on education, saying that if he could change one thing about his college experience that he would pursue a master’s degree. He also said that students should take advantage of the opportunities that are available to them. He advised to get involved with internships in order to gain experience. He also said to join groups in order to meet people that can be mentors as you make the transition between school and work. Lastly, he warns students to be aware of your appearance because if you are unshaven or your shirt is wrinkled, then people will remember that!

Andrew can be reached by telephone at (520) 296-PLAN, or by email at aavella@portfoliospecialists.com. Please visit his website at portfoliospecialists.com!