Today we’d like to introduce you to Spencer Markoe.
Hi Spencer, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and I’m now raising my family in Voorhees. I’ve never really left South Jersey—it’s home, and it’s where my roots and relationships are.
Early on, I was a career changer. After college, I spent a year in Las Vegas, but when I moved back home, I realized the path I was on wasn’t aligned with what mattered most to me. On a solo trip to the Jersey Shore, I took time to reflect and narrowed things down to two priorities: family and helping others. I asked myself how I could make a meaningful impact in people’s lives while growing alongside them.
That question led me to a conversation with my uncle, who was a financial advisor. After speaking with him—and then several other advisors—I realized this profession combined everything I was looking for: long-term relationships, problem-solving, and helping people navigate important life decisions.
I took time to prepare for and pass my Series 7 and Series 66 before starting my career at Merrill Lynch, where I spent four years building a strong foundation. During that time, I had two key mentors—my uncle and my neighbor at the shore, Nick Fish—who exposed me to the importance of comprehensive financial planning.
In 2021, I joined Nick’s practice at Ameriprise Financial, earned my Certified Financial Planner™ and Behavioral Financial Advisor™ designations, and began building a client base rooted in trust and long-term planning. In June 2025, our practice merged with GenFocus Wealth Advisors, joining George Pittaoulis and Brian Altmann to build a private wealth management practice at Ameriprise—expanding our capabilities while remaining deeply connected to our clients.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been smooth—and I don’t think growth ever really is. As a career changer, earning my licenses required full commitment. I spent long days studying and then started out in Merrill Lynch’s call center, where I gained hands-on experience by answering dozens of client calls each day while working long hours and commuting nearly two hours round-trip.
During COVID, I transitioned into a role that required building and maintaining relationships entirely through virtual communication, which challenged me in new ways. Later, I made the another career change to join a planning-focused practice that aligned better with my long-term vision. While making several career changes was challenging, each one felt essential to my personal growth and future path.
While building my business and pursuing professional designations, there were periods when personal life took a back seat. Those experiences reinforced the importance of discipline, patience, and surrounding yourself with the right mentors.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
GenFocus Wealth Advisors is a private wealth management practice affiliated with Ameriprise Financial. We work with individuals and families across different life stages, helping them plan for today while being mindful of future generations.
I specialize in comprehensive financial planning—guidance that starts well before retirement and evolves over time. Our planning approach is built around understanding each client’s goals and creating an action plan that adapts as life changes.
We take a coordinated approach that integrates investment planning with retirement, tax, and estate considerations, working alongside clients’ CPAs and attorneys when appropriate. One thing that distinguishes our team is that we reflect a wide range of life stages, allowing clients to work with advisors who can relate to their experiences and priorities.
What I’m most proud of is the long-term relationships we build. Our focus is on clarity, communication, and being a consistent resource as clients navigate important decisions.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me is waking up without the Sunday night anxiety and genuinely looking forward to the workweek. It’s helping clients feel comfortable making financial decisions—whether that’s buying a first home, planning a retirement transition, or simply feeling more confident during periods of market uncertainty.
If clients feel informed, supported, and less stressed about their financial picture, I consider that a success.
Pricing:
- – Investment Advice: Designed for clients seeking ongoing investment planning and portfolio management. Fees vary based on the level of advice and investment selection, with details provided upfront.
- – Financial Planning: For clients who want collaborative, in-depth guidance around major life goals. Planning fees typically range depending on complexity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/spencer.markoe/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-markoe/
- Other: https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/team/genfocus-wealth-advisors/
