Bryan Hasling Alumni Profile

2014 Personal Financial Planning (PFP) alumnus and former Outstanding Senior, Bryan Hasling, is celebrating new feats in his career and personal life, including achieving his Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation and, perhaps most notably, his recent engagement to fellow PFP graduate, Abby Phillips. Congratulations to our alumni couple.

Bryan is currently a Senior Financial Planner at JW Harrison in Walnut Creek, California. He began his career as an entry-level associate and worked his way up the ladder to where he is today.

"These days I manage dozens of client relationships, along with their investments, and help my clients make smart life decisions around anything to do with money," Bryan said. "Additionally, my role manages our internship program and new associates."

Helping clients feel better about their money is what financial planning is all about. Bryan's role allows him to make real differences in people's lives. One of the best compliments he's received was when a client told him he was "the best therapist" they'd ever had —something he heard after guiding a married couple through their financial concerns surrounding their future.

"Money can really stress people out, and I get to help ease that stress. Money is the tool that helps us obtain those goals and I help build roadmaps towards them." Bryan says that he is often a sounding board for his clients to talk about their hopes, dreams, and fears in life, like a counselor or therapist.

Bryan did not grow up dreaming of becoming a financial advisor. After a few major changes and a recommendation from his cousin, Bryan decided to give PFP a try.

"It turns out I was already comfortable listening to my friends and family talk about their money and life goals, so it was a perfect fit," Bryan said.

As a financial planner in the San Francisco Bay Area, Bryan often meets colleagues who are impressed by the reputation of Texas Tech's Personal Financial Planning program.

"The PFP program is well-known across the country and is recognized as arguably the best financial planning training ground in the country. The difference-maker for me was the great faculty and the camaraderie of our PFP students. I was fortunate that the PFP faculty took great care of me and helped mold me into the professional I am today."

Bryan credits Texas Tech's PFP program for giving him a head start in achieving his CFP® designation.

"When you're fresh into the industry, all you need are opportunities to learn. A PFP degree allows you to have more of them, faster."

For Bryan, what stands out most about the program was the bond that PFP students often build.

"In addition to involved faculty, PFP students spend many hours together and end up becoming great friends who help each other through many challenges. I believe those bonds carry students all the way past graduation and into early success in the professional world."

We congratulate Personal Financial Planning alumni Bryan and Abby on their engagement and look forward to seeing their future impact on the industry.