February 27, 2012
Michael
Maye ’87CBA firmly believes in Thomas Jefferson’s historic
admonition to “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do
today.”
As a Certified Financial Planner, he is committed to working
closely with his clients to ensure that the decisions they make now
will guide them along the best path to financial stability in the
years to come.
Maye is the Founder and President of his own firm, MJM Financial
Advisors, LLC, that specializes in advising individuals on matters
relating to tax planning, investment management and estate
planning. For this dedicated professional, however, that’s where
the similarity between his and other firms comes to an end.
“I’m considered a fiduciary to my clients,” he said, “and so my
firm and I are held to a higher standard. I do what’s known as
fee-only planning, meaning that I don’t work on commission like
many other financial planners, who are usually transaction-based.
My product is myself and my advice, so I can choose the solution
that’s right for my client rather than one that will provide me
with a substantial commission. That’s a better business model for
me, because it’s conflict-free. My business philosophy is as much
about making a difference as it is about making a living.”
Maye began what would become a successful and personally
fulfilling career after graduating in 1987 with a B.S. in
Accounting from St. John’s University College of Business
Administration. Although he later earned his M.B.A. in Finance:
Investment and Portfolio Management at Pace University, he credits
St. John’s with providing him with his entrance into the world of
financial planning.
“Graduating from St. John’s enabled me to go to work for Peat
Marwick, one of the Big Eight accounting firms at that time,” he
recalled. “My St. John’s degree allowed me to get that position,
which became the foundation for everything that came after. I
definitely believe that my education at the University was the key
factor in everything that I’ve been able to achieve up to this
point.”
More than simply providing him with a superior education, his
time at St. John’s gave Maye a sense of the importance of reaching
out to others, a commitment that remains as much a part of his life
as anything he learned in class. As a member of the National
Association of Personal Financial Advisors and numerous other
professional organizations, he regularly spends time doing pro bono
work. One such initiative is his yearly visit to a group of
divorcees, widows and others in transition, spending a few hours to
help them examine their current situations so that they can wisely
plan for their futures.
“I’m glad that I’m in a profession where I’m actually helping
others, and that dovetails
really well with St. John’s commitment to service,” he noted. “By
helping my clients achieve their goals, I’m helping them to have a
better life, and that makes me feel really good.”
That sense of giving back also extends to Maye’s continued
affiliation with St. John’s. He is the type of alumnus who is
always eager to do what he can for the students, programs and
mission of the University. For him, it all comes down to
acknowledging what was done for him during his own days as an
undergraduate.
“I like to stay engaged and involved with the University so that
others will have the same opportunities to succeed as I did,” he
said. “St. John’s was such a key factor in my success that it’s
important to me to stay connected in any way that I can. I’ve
spoken to student groups such as the Finance Club and I’ve also
participated as a panelist at “Meet the Experts” events to help
alumni with the most current information about financial planning.
I don’t just want to stay connected by writing a check. That’s
important, of course, but it’s not enough for me. I want to do
more. I truly believe that everyone needs to give back. That’s my
personal philosophy as well as that of my firm, and I’m sure it
always will be.”