At age 35, Adam L. Birenbaum is pretty young to be CEO at BAM Advisor Services. But the St. Louis native and head of Buckingham Asset Management comes by the job honestly: He started as an intern and worked his way up to the top.
T&S | What are your origins?
ALB | I’m a St. Louis native, born and raised. I attended John Burroughs and grew up in Chesterfield, then moved into Ladue later in high school. I went off to Vanderbilt
for undergrad, and met my wife a week into my freshman year. She was the other Midwesterner there, from Chicago.
T&S | How did you end up at Buckingham Asset Management?
ALB | I worked in Houston doing investment banking valuation work. When I had the epiphany that investment banking and valuation were not something I could feel fulfilled doing and I needed to figure out what it was I was passionate about, I did what most folks do: I went back to school. But I zigged where others zagged. When my friends went to business school, I went to law school, knowing a legal background would be fabulously advantageous in a business environment. I got a scholarship to go to Saint Louis University School of Law and had a fabulous experience. It’s a great legal institution. I found Buckingham during law school. What started out as a summer internship turned into a full-time job during law school. I went to classes early in the morning, working all day and going back to class at night. I started out as an intern because I wanted to get my foot in the door. I took an $8 an hour job here 10 1/2 years ago. I always knew I’d find myself in St. Louis, it’s my favorite city.
T&S | Why investing?
ALB | From a very early age, I’ve been interested in investing. My grandfather got me into it. I started in seventh or eighth grade. When I read The Only Guide to a Winning Investment Strategy You’ll Ever Need, I recognized this was a path I wanted to follow. Very strategically, I tracked down author Larry E. Swedroe’s firm and, thankfully, my father knew one of the founders and made an introduction.
T&S | What’s your management style?
ALB | My favorite phrase to be able to tell others is, “I trust you.” I want to spend my time on the things that move the needle for our business: culture, people and big growth opportunity. We hire really great people and set them on a path to achieve great things.
T&S | What skills does it take to be the boss?
ALB | A lot of patience. At the end of the day, I work in a people business, whether that’s clients or team members. You have to have vision and be the culture-bearer. You have to be the model of passion, work ethic, energy and optimism. You have to truly believe you are working at a place that can achieve great things, and every day wear that on your sleeve.
T&S | What do you loo k for in an employee or team member?
ALB | I actually think resumes can sometimes be a detriment to evaluating talent. I think ultimately you want to see somebody across from you who has that passion and energy, who doesn’t just want a job, but who wants to make your business a career. Ours is a business built on trust, so they’ve got to combine that energy with an integrity, honesty and intellectual curiosity that fits who we are as a team.
T&S | How wo uld you characterize the St. Louis business community?
ALB | I’m truly excited to have this leadership role in a city I love in so many ways, that is so important to me and my family. I’m very optimistic that the business community in St. Louis is in a very good place, and the opportunity in front of us in unlimited. I’m excited to see what’s going to happen over the next 20 or 30 years. I recently joined Young Presidents Organization, and I’ve found it to be incredibly helpful to my development. They’re all willing to embrace and help a young leader.
T&S | Do you have advic e for other young leaders?
ALB | Young leaders certainly have to recognize that they have a tremendous amount to learn and to seek out mentors and never stop that process of personal development. Also, have confidence in what you can achieve. While there are many things experience can provide, ultimately your energy, passion and drive can be key elements to take businesses to the next level. I think part of what can make business leaders successful is truly having fun in what they do. If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, no amount of money, no title, no recognition can make up for that.
By Rebecca Koenig
Photo by Bill Barrett
Pictured: Adam L. Birenbaum
