Robert MacRae

In His Own Words

My professional life has followed a somewhat unconventional path. As in life, it has taken several significant turns along the way. Beginning when I was 12 years old, I worked after school at a family friend’s cabinet shop sweeping up. It was a way to keep me busy between the end of school and going home. At 15, I was bagging groceries at Safeway and during the summers I would wash windows for extra money. I planned to attend college after high school, but I needed to find a way to fund it on my own. I had no desire to take on debt so I decided to work full-time and attend college part-time.

I continued with Safeway and moved my way up into the Management Training Program. I learned every aspect of how to run a grocery store and became an Assistant Manager. After several years of working late hours and watching decision-making shift to the Division office, I decided I wanted out of the retail side of the business. I was promoted to Pricing Analyst in the Marketing department. Eventually, I managed a team that set the pricing strategy for perishable items in the greater Northwest. I was accountable to make the profit margins needed for the current price environment. When the corporate offices in Bellevue moved to Safeway’s Pleasanton, CA headquarters, I was offered a position in Pleasanton in the new corporate pricing program. I chose to stay in Washington. It was one of the most challenging decisions I have made, but I felt strongly that the quality of life for my family and me would be better by staying in the Seattle area. All of this took place right after the September attacks on the World Trade Center. The economy was in rough shape and I had two children under the age of three.

I chose to stay in Washington. It was one of the most challenging decisions I have made, but I felt strongly that the quality of life for my family and me would be better by staying in the Seattle area.

I continued to take college courses off and on during this time with a major in Information Technology. I had always had a level of comfort with technology. As I learned more about IT, I became increasingly frustrated by how disconnected the technology team was with the business. I saw a need for someone to bridge that gap so I set about rebuilding a new career in the Information Technology field. I worked at Bartell Drugs for several years as a Systems Analyst where I used my retail knowledge to help in their IT department. From there I went to Moss Adam as a Business Analyst then Project Manager. Startup tech firms held a keen interest for me and I jumped on an opportunity to experience that at a Business Analytics company. There I started as a Technical Account Manager and worked my way up to Director of the Professional Services Customer Support. With my experience in consulting, I was recruited to VMware where I most recently worked as the Manager of a team of technical consultants responsible for VMware’s largest global customers, such as Boeing, Walmart, Ford, and a dozen more companies in the Fortune top 50.

In my career, I have overcome numerous obstacles and always have found a way to succeed in my endeavors. I was able to set aside money for college for my two daughters and have a solid foundation for my retirement. With my success in technology, I reached a point where I was looking for more meaning. I took stock of my abilities and skillset, my experience and what I genuinely enjoy. I believe that one of the keys to my success has been my desire to help others. I concluded that applying my skills to help people achieve their financial goals was a perfect fit.

I was drawn to Robinswood by the commitment to integrity and clarity in a complex field. They put the client first, offer superior advice, lower costs and have long-term relationships as the foundation of the approach. Robinswood has the same ethical approach to investment advice that I have applied to my career. They have given me the peace of mind to make the switch and feel proud of my work.

What I have learned in my winding professional career path is that money and wealth are not the only goals. While money provides for a Return on Investment to meet your goals, it is what money can give you as a Return on Life that counts. It is with this perspective I want to use my skills and experience, along with the collective Robinswood integrity and depth of knowledge, to help others in a meaningful way. At Robinswood I have been given the opportunity to apply that. I have always worked hard and at Robinswood, your success is my success. I will apply the same work ethic for you as I have my entire life.

 I have always worked hard and at Robinswood, your success is my success.

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