By Linda Wisch-Davidsohn

Jay Liberman receives RBC Wealth Management’s 2014 Dick McFarland Award

Good wishes to Jay Liberman, financial advisor with RBC Wealth Management, who recently received the company’s 2014 Dick McFarland Volunteer of the Year award. This honor is bestowed upon one employee each year in recognition of their significant contributions to the local community. Liberman was honored at a reception Thursday, Feb. 20 at the company’s headquarters in Minneapolis.
Liberman was nominated by Plano Branch Director Greg Hornok, who stated that “Jay has dedicated a great deal of time, energy and resources to improving our community over the years and especially in 2013. He also regularly participates in RBC-sponsored community involvement efforts and serves as a wonderful ambassador for RBC Wealth Management.”
In 2013, Jay co-chaired the largest annual fundraiser for the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas attended by more than 700 people. He serves on the board of the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center as vice president and treasurer and participates in a variety of task forces and committees. Most recently, he helped to raise scholarship funds for JCC summer camps through sponsorship of the Erwin Waldman Memorial Golf Tournament. For his efforts, Jay was recognized by the board of the JCC as its 2013 Leader of the Year.
For Liberman, community service is a family affair. He and his family led a community baby shower through Jewish Family Service that collected more than 30,000 diapers and a variety of other supplies for local families in need. Jay and his family also support a wide variety of community organizations important to them.
“As someone who grew up in the Dallas community and benefited from the work of others, I feel it is my duty to give back,” said Liberman. “The greatest personal impact of my work is in the services we provide to families. It is my belief that investing in families and children provide the best return, both financially and, over time, for the community as a whole.”
Liberman has also established himself as a leader in the community. In 2013, he was named to the Dallas Business Journal’s “40 under 40” list for his proven track record in both business and community involvement. The same year, he was nominated by a community agency and accepted into the exclusive Wexner Heritage Program, a Jewish learning and leadership development curriculum for volunteer leaders in North America. He was one of only 20 people selected to participate in the Dallas area.
Liberman has worked at RBC Wealth Management for more than five years. In his role as a financial advisor, he works closely with clients providing advice in financial matters including wealth protection, retirement planning and estate planning.
The RBC Foundation — USA Dick McFarland Volunteer of the Year Award is named for the former CEO and chairman of the firm. Through his personal involvement with various nonprofit organizations McFarland impacted local communities and set an example of volunteerism within the firm. As a part of his award, RBC Wealth Management will make a $1,000 donation to Jay’s charity of choice.

Take part in a health and wellness event March 21 at Legacy Willow Bend

Have an opportunity to meet Alice Carpenter, The Legacy’s wellness coordinator, who will speak about living an active, healthy lifestyle and Executive Chef Jeff Rosenhoover, who will be serving healthy and delicious treats. The event will take place from 2-4 p.m. Friday, March 21.
In addition, guests will have an opportunity to learn how health and wellness are a vital part of the daily lifestyle at the Legacy Willow Bend, and tour the 7,000 square foot Aqua Spa and Fitness Center. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Call 972-468-6208 to RSVP.
The Legacy Willow Bend is a Life Care Community offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care and Skilled Nursing, and located at 6101 Ohio Drive in Plano, Texas. For additional information, visit www.thelegacywb.org.

Michael Weinstein inducted into Intuitional Investor’s All-America Hall of Fame

Good wishes to Michael Weinstein, who was recently inducted into Institutional Investor’s All-America Research Team Hall of Fame. Weinstein, a 1988 graduate of The St. Mark’s School of Dallas and a 1992 graduate of Georgetown University was chosen by Institutional Investor, the industry publication which annually ranks Wall Street’s top analysts, announced that Mike is being inducted into its Hall of Fame. Weinstein has been ranked #1 in the medical technology sector for the past seven years. He made his debut on the All-America Research Team in 1988 and has appeared yearly since.
Weinstein joins a very elite group of Wall Street analysts in Institutional Investor’s Hall of Fame — There are only 54 members out of 15,000 contenders (which honors analysts who have finished in first place at least 10 times in their respective sector or sectors).
Weinstein’s journey to equity research did not happen immediately. As mentioned previously, he earned a degree in International Economics at Washington’s Georgetown University in 1992, but at that point wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to do with his life. He accepted a position as an associate metals analyst at J.P. Morgan, thinking that would be a good way to spend a few years in New York while figuring out his next move. By the time he was ready to leave, in 1995, he had impressed his colleagues and the firm’s top brass. Clayton Rose, who was global head of equities at the time, offered to promote Weinstein to a senior research or sales position if he would stay.
“After a fair amount of diligence, I came back and said I’d like to cover the medical supplies and devices sector,” Weinstein recalls. He was attracted to the industry’s long-term growth potential, the chance to learn about new technologies and the opportunity to interact with leading clinicians. J.P. Morgan didn’t have dedicated coverage of those names at that time, so Weinstein was staking out new territory. “Turns out, I was pretty good at it,” he says.
That’s appeared to be an understatement. Weinstein debuted on the All-America Research Team in 1998 and has appeared every year since. He is currently enjoying his seventh straight, and 10th total, visit to the winner’s circle in medical supplies and devices.
The industry has changed a lot since he began covering it. “Companies that were growth companies in the past, today are struggling to grow and have had to find new ways to create shareholder value,” the 43-year-old explains. “End markets have slowed, owing to weaker demand in the U.S. and Europe, which has been a secular shift as more of the financial burden for health care spending has moved from employers to consumers.”
The slowdown in developed markets is prompting many device manufacturers to search for growth in China, India and other emerging economies, he adds. His colleagues comment that “Mike is very knowledgeable and a good stock picker.”
Michael is the husband of Alison, father of Carter and Ashley and son of Dr. Sheldon and Joanie Weinstein.

Is river cruising for you?

Mark Grishman of Cruise One will co-host an event at Martin Lawrence Gallery in  the Galleria.
Grishman, a travel specialist, will treat guests to an exciting night of information about river cruises, wine and intriguing Paris from 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, March 20. A local AmaWaterways representative will also present an informative and entertaining presentation about river cruising, their cruise line and a featured wine-themed cruise through Paris and Normandy, France. . For those not familiar with AmaWaterways, they are a premier luxury river cruise company in the same class as the Viking line and Uniworld River Cruises.
For additional information, or to register for this event, call Grishman at 214-793-8615 or email mgrishman@cruiseone.com.