Brando comes to Viking with over 20 years experience in investment management. Most recently he served as the Chief Investment Officer for a Charlotte based advisor managing close to $2 billion. Despite national recognition from the Wall Street Journal for his expertise in business and economics, his primary focus remains on guiding individuals through the process of building wealth, enabling them to improve their lives and the lives of those they care about.
Brando’s love of business started on the shores of Lake Erie as a youth while listening to his elders talk about the family marina. Shortly after starting his first venture in middle school, he won numerous awards nationally in high school focusing on business fundamentals and value creation. While playing soccer at Xavier University, he attempted to start an advertising company and found some of life’s most valuable lessons can only be learned through failure.
Since that time, he has built a successful career managing capital and learning about creating real value in business. He has been a portfolio manager on numerous funds that have received national awards for their performance in addition to advising various institutions on capital allocation.
Despite his accomplishments, he remains true to his humble roots and the effort it takes to succeed which can be summarized by a poster that hangs in his son’s room with the phrase;
“Success isn’t owned. It’s leased. And rent is due everyday“. – J.J. Watt
Brando and his wife of 23 years have three children and reside in Charlotte, NC. Between their kids’ activities, volunteering, work, and numerous hobbies, they find a ton of excitement in getting up each day and finding out what new surprises await them.
