HOLBROOK, N.Y. (Oct. 2, 2018) — American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (AP), a privately-held, independent broker/dealer that provides services and support to financial advisors throughout the United States, continues its long-standing support of World T.E.A.M. (WT) by raising funds and participating in Face of America (FOA) Liberty, a one-day bicycle and hand-cycle ride to honor military veterans who have been injured or disabled during their service.
“An integral part of AP’s mission is to be a good corporate citizen—locally, nationally and globally,” states AP CEO Lon T. Dolber of the firm’s ongoing commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Dolber, who serves as the vice chairman of WT, imparts, “This ride, as does its sister ride, FOA Gettysburg, affords us another opportunity to make a difference on many levels—for our community, for our country’s veterans, for ourselves—proving that through team comradery we can overcome limitations and achieve goals previously thought impossible. On Oct. 8, I was humbled to ride alongside the very best our nation has to offer—the proud men and woman of the Armed Services. It’s a truly transformative experience to be able to offer assistance and friendship to those who sacrificed so much for our freedom.”
On Saturday, Sept. 29, Team American Portfolios was among 57 athletes from 10 eastern states who gathered for FOA Liberty, which began its 56-mile route in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., and crossed the Hudson River via the Bear Mountain Bridge to the United States Military Academy at West Point. At press time, Team American Portfolios ranked as the second-highest fundraiser for the event.
FOA Liberty was created and is managed by AP affiliated financial advisor James McCauley Jr., who served in Vietnam. McCauley—a top fundraiser for and a regular participant in the annual WTS FOA two-day bike ride from Washington, D.C., to Gettysburg, Pa., which serves as the inspiration for FOA Liberty—developed the Liberty ride along with Paul Tyler, a WT board member, with the aim to improve the lives of more adaptive athletes by providing the option of a one-day ride. Many of the military veterans who participate in the rides live with debilitating, service-related injuries and post-traumatic stress; the ride serves as a means to improve their physical fitness and provide a therapeutic outlet through teamwork and comradery.
Among the seven adaptive athletes who participated in the event was retired U.S. Army Col. Gregory D. Gadson; FOA Liberty marked his third WT event for 2018. Gadson, a motivational speaker and long-time supporter of WT’s mission to “change lives through sports,” will be one of AP’s keynote speakers at Connections 2018, the firm’s annual national conference set to take place Oct. 24-26 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. The Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient will address the firm’s investment professionals and business partners with an inspiring message of courage, perseverance, determination and teamwork. Also an accomplished photographer, Gadson’s work which showcases WT events will be on display at Connections.
FOA Liberty marked AP’s fourth WT event for 2018. In April, 61 of the firm’s staff members, affiliated financial advisors, business partners and/or friends of the firm participated in the 2018 WT FOA bike ride; raising a total of $100,000 in charitable donations. Throughout the year, AP has also participated in the WT Adventure Team Challenge (ATC) New York, an annual event that engages medically-fragile, developmentally-challenged teens and young adults from The Center for Discovery during a weekend of competitive team sporting events; and the Coastal Team Challenge (CTC), an annual two-day, 16-nautical-mile, non-competitive kayak journey along the coast of Long Island, N.Y., with participating athletes from the Independent Group Home Living Program.
The firm looks forward to its continued support of and participation in WT events throughout 2019, as well as being a leading partner for various events.
About American Portfolios
Headquartered in Holbrook, N.Y., American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (APFS) is a full-service, independent broker/dealer and member firm of FINRA and SIPC, offering a complete range of financial services, including personal financial and retirement planning, securities trading, mutual funds, access to investment research, long-term care planning, insurance products and tax-free investing. Fee-based asset management is offered through its sister subsidiary, American Portfolios Advisors, Inc., (APA), an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Both entities, along with technology entity American Portfolios Advisory Solutions, LLC, collectively reside under the legal entity American Portfolios Holdings, Inc. (APH). Full-service securities brokerage is available through a clearing firm relationship with Pershing, LLC, a BNY Mellon firm, the securities of which are held on a fully disclosed basis. The company currently serves 822 independent investment professionals located in 379 branch locations throughout the nation. It was named Broker-Dealer of the Year* (Division III) by Investment Advisor magazine in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, as well as one of the top 10 Best Companies to Work for in the state of New York for 2016, 2017 and 2018 by the New York State Society for Human Resources Management (NYS-SHRM) and the Best Companies Group (BCG).
*Based on a poll of registered representatives conducted by Investment Advisor magazine. Broker/dealers rated highest by their representatives are awarded “Broker/Dealer (B/D) of the Year.”
About World T.E.A.M.
World T.E.A.M. brings adaptive and able-bodied athletes together by empowering, enabling and engaging individuals through inclusive athletic events. For 25 years, the organization has used athletics to challenge men, women and children with disabilities to accomplish goals they never thought possible. In all of their events – whether mountain climbing, biking, white water rafting or many other sports – they include both adaptive and able-bodied participants.
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