GBGR sends best wishes to Tom Bounty as he retires from the firm.
Author: GFGR
Michael H. Ripp, Jr. Delivers Presentation on Pre-Immigration Planning
Today Partner Michael H. Ripp, Jr. gave a presentation entitled “Life Insurance and Annuities: Effective Tools for Pre-Immigration Tax Mitigation” at the 25th Annual International Tax Conference in Miami, Florida. His presentation brought to bear his inbound-tax expertise on the various applications of life insurance and annuity products for mitigating the U.S. tax consequences of either temporary or permanent immigration to the U.S., and emphasized the use of private-placement contracts and other cost-efficient products of particular interest to the high-net-worth immigrant.
Helping Displaced Families During the Holidays
The reports coming daily out of Syria are heartbreaking. More than 470,000 people have been killed during the country’s 4+ years of civil war and some 11 million people—half of the country’s pre-war population—have been forced to flee their homes. Roughly two-thirds of those displaced have been women and children. The war in Syria, raging since late 2011, has produced the worst humanitarian crisis of our time.
While giving back to the Austin community has always been—and will always be—important to GSRP, this crisis has compelled us to reach beyond our borders, to extend a helping hand to those families that have been enveloped by war and irreparably impacted by decisions that were not their own.
As such, we have become a proud supporter of NuDay Syria, a non-profit founded in the wake of the 2011 Syrian government crackdowns. With the tagline “One Person at a Time, One Humanity,” NuDay Syria is dedicated to providing humanitarian aid—food, clothing, personal hygiene and medical supplies—to displaced families, with a focus on women and girls who have lost the male breadwinner in their families and often don’t have the skills or experience to earn a living. The organization also focuses on supporting infants and new mothers, establishing schools and soup kitchens, and sponsoring orphans. They are working to make a tangible difference and bring hope and light to those who need it.
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As you gather with loved ones this holiday season, we urge you to think of those who have lost all the comforts of home and family. Please considering donating to NuDay Syria today.
Inc. Magazine Interviews COO Bob Chesner
COO Bob Chesner has been featured in the press once again for his insights into the complexities of 401(k) plans. This time, he sat down with Inc. magazine to discuss the ins and outs of fee structures and how he helped GSRP decide on our current provider. You can see the article here.
Congratulations once again, Bob!
GSRP transitions Kauzlarick, Bobella into new roles
As the beautiful autumn weather finally arrives in Austin, we are delighted to announce some exciting developments among our staff. Nina Kauzlarick, previously an administrative assistant, has become our new receptionist, and will now be the first point of contact for our clients. Hailey Bobella, who previously served in that role, has become the firm’s business development specialist, and will be primarily focused on expanding GSRP’s brand and cementing the firm’s reputation as a leader in its field.
We wish both of them the best of luck in their new positions and are excited to see what the future brings!
Bob Chesner Featured in Wall Street Journal
Bob Chesner, in his capacity as the firm’s COO, was featured in a Wall Street Journal article for his part in helping develop GSRP’s 401(k) plan. To see the article and read a bit about retirement plans and the art of stock picking, take a look here if you have a subscription to the Journal. Congratulations, Bob!
A (Virtual) Sit-Down with Bob Chesner
By day, Bob Chesner is GSRP’s Chief Operating Officer and Finance and Insurance Director, but by night, he indulges one of his first loves: music. After working with him for 10 years—and knowing him for nearly two decades—we wanted to find out how deep that passion runs. In early October, his band Bonfire Choir played a rare set at the Midway Food Park. Afterwards, we sat down to discover how long this professional insurance man has been cutting loose.
(interview has been edited for length and clarity)
How long have you been playing guitar? Is it the only instrument you play?
I starting playing guitar when I was about 12 or 13, but I also play piano, organ, bass guitar, drums and harmonica—plus, I sing and do music producing and CD engineering work. Over the last several years I have also really enjoyed designing and making my own guitars. I have been in bands my whole life, with the exception of about 10 years right after my daughters were born.
What drew you to playing music?
The same thing that draws any boy to learn guitar and be a musician: girls! If anybody ever says differently, they’re lying. However, music quickly became a passion for me; after I taught myself a few chords, a few buddies and I formed a band, and the rest is history. Except, we didn’t make a lot of money. As the saying goes, playing in a band is a great career if you want to make hundreds and hundreds of dollars a year.
Who are your musical influences and/or favorite musicians?
I have been influenced in some way by just about every musician I have ever heard or played with—being a musician is a perpetual and exponential learning experience. That being said, Keith Richards certainly. He may not be considered one of the premier lead guitarists of all time, but ultimately he will be recognized for his amazing creativity, chord voicings, melodies, and he is arguably one of the very best rhythm guitarist of all time. Other influences range from Buddy Holly, The Beatles, The Eagles, Derek Trucks, Eric Clapton and Scotty Moore (Elvis Presley’s guitar player). All of them play with just tremendous harmony and are so melodic.
From a songwriting perspective, I have been heavily influenced by Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Radney Foster, a Texas singer/songwriter I first heard right after college in the late 1980s and early 1990s. I am a tremendous fan of harmony and lyrics that tell a story, and all of them are masters of the craft.
What three musicians (living or deceased) would you invite to a backyard BBQ?
Keith Richards—because he’s Keefer! I have this beautiful photograph of Keith Richards in my office taken by Angelique van Woerkom and the story behind it is fantastic. His book, Life, is something that should be required reading for any guitarist or fan of rock and roll. It is literally a beautiful history of the influence of the blues developed in the United States (primarily in Chicago and in the Mississippi Delta), finding its way to England and then being morphed into rock and roll in the United States.
Paul McCartney simply for his talent. He is 74 years old and seems so young and vibrant—his creativity simply never ever stops. Some of his new stuff is just as exciting and excellent as the work he did with John Lennon and The Beatles and Wings. Truly, truly one of the most gifted musicians and songwriters ever.
Scotty Moore because he is a great and underrated guitarist. He and DJ Fontana (Elvis’ drummer) were simply tremendous behind Elvis. Elvis was great, don’t get me wrong, but Elvis was greater because of Scotty Moore. But more importantly he was there at the birth of rock and roll. I just want to hear his stories.
I feel obligated to add a fourth with Glenn Frey, who is one of my absolute song writing heroes. Perfect melodies, perfect harmonies and he and Don Henley are perfect perfectionists. It broke The Eagles up, it got them back together again. The Eagles are arguably the soundtrack of my life.
Look for Bob’s band Bonfire Choir on iTunes and Spotify; you can also find them playing at Austin-area farmers’ markets, private shows and the occasional charity event.
Leslie Giordani Honored by Austin Business Journal Luncheon
On September 29, nearly a dozen members of the GSRP team attended the Austin Business Journal’s Profiles in Power awards luncheon to celebrate Leslie Giordani, who was recognized by more than 600 attendees for her enduring good works within the Austin community. The prestigious annual award honors local “working women of distinction” in fields such as government, education, media and marketing, law, technology, healthcare, and nonprofits. Leslie was one of just 30 finalists selected by the ABJ, out of 108 nominees from across Central Texas.
A founding partner of GSRP, Leslie has been a leader and innovator both in her personal practice and in the life of our firm for more than 25 years. She is an internationally recognized expert in certain niche applications of the law, particularly complex and high-end estate planning, sophisticated worldwide asset protection, and the design and implementation of private placement life insurance, with clients who span the globe. Although her expertise no doubt influenced ABJ’s decision to name her a finalist, it is her uncompromising vision for the firm, for her clients, and for her colleagues that sets her apart.
Leslie is a compassionate and consummately professional attorney and friend, dedicated to creating a space at GSRP that values the needs of women and men, both in their work and in their personal lives. Her commitment to clients, whom she considers an extension of her family, and her focus on the career development and continued success of all members of the firm, mark her as a woman of distinction and power, and an invaluable member of the Austin community.
A profile on Leslie is featured on the ABJ website and in the print version of this week’s paper – pick up a copy and familiarize yourself with 30 of the most influential women in Austin!
Super Lawyers Includes Several Firm Partners on Latest List
We are happy to announce that Leslie Giordani, Derry Swanger and Michael Ripp have once again been selected to appear in the Texas Super Lawyers magazine, which recognizes the top 5% of lawyers in the state. An imprint of Thomson Reuters, Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Welcome Baby Camille to the GSRP Family!
We’re excited to welcome sweet baby Camille Maya Quinones to the GSRP family! She was born August 5, weighing in at 6 lbs. 8 oz. We couldn’t be happier for her mom, our insurance matters coordinator Amy Quiñones—who says her little clan is adjusting well to being a family of four.
Whether she becomes a lawyer, a paralegal or follows her mom’s footsteps into insurance, we know Camille is destined for wonderful things. Welcome to the family!
