 |
| Betty Buzzell |
By Theron Larkins
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — A local financial investment adviser has been honored with the “TNT” Client Development Award from the Fortune 500 investment firm Edward Jones. Betty Buzzell, of Caribou, was presented the award back in June, during the company’s annual meeting held in Bar Harbor. Out of 12,000 financial advisers nationally, only 662 were recognized for receiving the award.
The “TNT” Client Development Award dates back to the early days of the investment company, when in the 1950s and early ‘60s the firm was headquartered in St. Louis and those considered “TNT” financial advisers, like Buzzell, traveled through the many rural areas of Missouri and Illinois from Tuesday to Thursday each week. Buzzell explained that back in the early days of the company financial advisers traveled to many different rural areas to recommend investment solutions to individuals on a personal, face-to-face level.
“In places like Caribou and other rural areas, it really isn’t like what you see in the movies,” said Buzzell. “For our company, it’s not a bunch of stock brokers and investment advisers sitting in one room calling people on the phone all day. We believe wholeheartedly in the value of establishing a personal relationship with our clients — one that can only be achieved by conducting business face-to-face.”
Buzzell stressed the importance of developing a personal relationship with investment clients who choose to invest with Edward Jones.
“It really is our competitive focus to work face-to-face with investors,” she said. “We don’t believe we can help our investors unless we can get to know them. Our main focus is to establish outstanding client development.”
Edward Jones is not a publicly traded company, meaning it is privately owned and all those investment advisers working for the company are considered partners, according to Buzzell.
“There aren’t a lot of firms out there with our kind of setup,” she said. “I like to consider Edward Jones sort of a hybrid investment firm.”
Buzzell was formerly employed with the Edward Jones branch located in Presque Isle, but made the move to Caribou’s office. She has been a valuable employee for six years.
Despite the fact Edward Jones is considered a Fortune 500 company, Buzzell and other firm officials made it a point to explain just how far off Edward Jones is from your typical Fortune 500 company.
Edward Jones was named to the Fortune 500 list of largest U.S. companies for the second consecutive year. This year, the firm moved to number 444, which is up 47 spots from the company’s number 491 ranking in 2013. However, Edward Jones managing partner Jim Weddle explained how Edward Jones is unlike any other major financial investment firm.
“Our success comes from making a significant difference to our clients,” said Weddle. “We offer personal service and a solutions-based approach that is tailored to their individual needs, but backed by all the resources of a Fortune 500 firm.”
“We have one broker and one branch office assistant working in each office, which allows us to really get to know our clients,” said Buzzell. “Winning the ‘TNT’ award was extremely special, but the real joy comes from getting to work with and get to know people, while helping them plan for their futures. It’s really exciting to watch their dreams come to fruition.”
