My Father on a break in Italy circa 1945
I was born into a family that had a sense of adventure and a spirit of planning toward the future. At the age of 19, my father was flying P-38s from Italy over Germany during the last two years of World War II, and early Air Force F86 Sabre jets by the time I was born in a U.S. Army hospital in Germany. Our family transferred to Arizona, then Florida, and, later, Vandenberg Air Force Base, where my dad did engineering work for the space program while still maintaining his pilot roles.
When I was in second grade, after my father’s military retirement, my family settled down in Santa Monica, where my mother was born and raised. While flying may have been in my DNA, my need for speed always focused around cars. In high school, I saved up $800 from boxing groceries to purchase a used 1965 Mustang convertible, which I still own to this day. At that time, I also attained the rank of Eagle Scout in a very active troop, where I later helped as an assistant scoutmaster. This period helped foster my love of camping and travel, as well as my leadership skills.
After initially attending UCLA studying pre-medicine, I shifted majors and decided to get into business. I transferred to UCSB and graduated with a Business Economics degree at age 21. Later that year, I began training as a financial advisor, and, by my mid-20s, had attained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification and managed a successful growing business advising primarily retirees and those close to retirement. I enjoy helping my clients succeed financially and seeing them achieve their goals.
The Skeels and Fox Wealth Management Team
I previously served on the board and as the President of the Ventura County Chapter of the Financial Planning Association as well as the Tri-Counties Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, the Ventura CPA/Law Forum, and the Estate Planning Council of Ventura County. I enjoy helping our profession to grow, as well as educating the public to make better financial decisions. I have appeared on CNBC as well as contributed to articles regarding finance in the Ventura County Star, the New York Times, Smart Money Magazine, Financial Advisor Magazine and Kiplinger's Retirement Report, among others.
Family Wedding 2014
Cinquain tamale making - Sept 2009
As my business grew, so did my family. I married my wife, Sandy, and we raised my stepson, Andy, and our daughter, Jessy. I have always coached my clients not to spend everything today, and also not to save everything for tomorrow, but to lead a balanced financial life with my help and enjoy the journey.
Autoclub Speedway - Vintage Mustangs - Fontana, CA
The Corkscrew-Laguna Seca Raceway
I have endeavored to do that too, with hobbies ranging from camping and traveling with my family, to a long-standing winter skiing group with my buddies from around the country, to playing music (bass guitar and drums) and participating in vintage auto racing with my 1965 Mustang fast back.
I also believe in giving back to our community. In additional to serving on professional society boards and donating to numerous charitable organizations, I have volunteered in various non-profit organizations over the past years. I have served as Chairman of the Board for Food Share (Ventura County's Foodbank), as a referee and coach for AYSO (Youth Soccer League), on the board for the Ventura Music Festival, the Planned Giving Committee for the Ventura Botanical Gardens, the Vintage Drivers' Association Board and as a docent at the Woodland Automobile Collection.
Road Trip... New Mexico Mountains
German Christmas Market - 2009
I invite you on a financial journey with me and take advantage of a complimentary consultation at Skeels & Fox Wealth Management to determine if you too can benefit from my leadership and experience in planning toward your future financial success!
All the best. — Craig
CA Insurance Lic #0606791