Hi, I am Doug Kartsen, the founder of DAK Financial Services.
As a fiduciary, I assist individuals and families with their investing and financial planning needs. Having served institutional and individual investors for nearly 20 years, I specialize in pre- and post-retirement investing, estate and college planning, and risk management.
The CFA Institute’s rigorous course of study guides my philosophy towards portfolio management and for maintaining the highest ethical standards for myself and the firm. I completed the CFA program in 2001 and remain a CFA Charterholder and member of the CFA Society Hartford.
Analytical and conservative by nature, I began my career as an engineer at United Technologies (Pratt & Whitney). There I received a U.S. patent in manufacturing and worked with emerging technologies and in strategic planning. This was a great opportunity to understand the internal operations of “big business” and to witness the global effects of technological evolution from initial development to market disruption. That has served me well as an investor and advisor in a rapidly changing world.
Later, I held Vice President positions with banking giants Sovereign Bank and HSBC. During this period I served as a corporate lender, investment banker, private equity portfolio manager and as Head of Investments and Wealth Management for sub-Saharan Africa.
In my spare time, I enjoy whitewater kayaking, skiing, travel and spending time with family. A dedicated participant in community affairs, I have held leadership positions in the Rotary Club, Farmington Chamber of Commerce, and the Urban League of Greater Hartford.