EMPOWERING EXECUTIVES & PROFESSIONALS

Biltmore Who's Who News and Events

Owen H. Watstein

Biltmore Who’s Who Selects Owen H. Watstein as this week’s Honored Member of the Executive and Professional Registry for 2009.

Owen H. Watstein, senior vice-president of wealth management for Citi Personal Wealth Management, has been selected as an Honored Member of the Biltmore Who’s Who Executive and Professional Registry. The selection recognizes Owen H. Watstein’s commitment to excellence in the Financial Services industry.

Watstein, who holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology from Hofstra University, has been working in the financial service industry for over eighteen years, since 1992.

Starting out as a financial consultant with Shearson Lehman Brothers in Garden City, he advanced by taking a position with Paine Webber as an investment consultant. From there, Watstein landed a job with his current company, working as a senior vice-president and senior financial advisor. He has been working out of the Madison Avenue and 91st Street location in NYC for the past twelve years.

Watstein’s main priority is to clearly communicate the ever changing financial markets with his clients, by following a four-phase process that allows him to reach his goals. The first step, he explains, is through discovery, by asking questions that will capture the most important aspect of a client’s wealth. The second step involves analysis and recommendation, which is based on feedback. Thirdly, implementation plays an important role by working through a detailed plan. Finally, monitoring communication between himself and his clients is also crucial to ensure that they are on the same page. “I like to be kept abreast of my clients changing financial needs,” he explained. “My knowledge has helped me both internally and externally to facilitate productive and profitable relationships for my clients.” In addition, Watstein acts as senior team leader for The Watstein Group, consisting of eight other advisors and two assistants.

After watching the movie Wall Street in 1987, Watstein became inspired to get involved in the financial services world as a stepping stone for future success both professionally and personally. “I have always gotten great joy by being able to help others in need,” he recalls. “I looked at this industry as a way to accomplish both of my passions in one.” Watstein’s main goal in the future includes helping his clients understand the importance of diversification and asset allocation as it pertains to investing with a long-term perspective. He also hopes for the team to be managing $1 billion in client assets by the start of 2015.

Watstein has won numerous awards, including a 2006 Citi Global Chairman’s Council for Consumer Investments Award, a 2007 and 2008 Chairman’s Club Award through Citi Smith Barney, and was named a CitiStar Top Performer nine times.

For more information, visit http://advisor.citi.com/thewatsteingroup.

Owen H. Watstein
Posted by Biltmore Who's Who on Friday, May 28, 2010

Join Us This Saturday at a Chance to Save Big, Earn Cash and Win with Biltmore Earnings and Savings Team!

Biltmore Who’s Who will be hosting an online webinar on Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 11:45 am EST to introduce members to our new Biltmore Earnings and Savings Team, also known as ShopBest.

Our online rewards program offers members the opportunity to save thousands of dollars by shopping online and the potential to earn extra cash as a reward for shoppers and referrals. ShopBest’s online shopping and savings include over 2,000 top brand name retailers, of which ten percent of all profits are given back to children’s charities.

The webinar will introduce you to the site and give tips and tricks on how to get started saving and earning extra cash right away!

ShopBest will also be awarding five members, which will be randomly selected for a $250 cash prize and a FREE Certified Membership valued at $399. The five lucky winners will be announced live on the webinar and you must be listening to win!

To log in, go to http://www.shopbestmeetings.com/corporate17 promptly at 11:45 am EST this Saturday to watch the live webinar!

You can also visit us at http://www.shopbest.com/biltmore for more information.

Join Us This Saturday at a Chance to Save Big, Earn Cash and Win with Biltmore Earnings and Savings Team!
Posted by Biltmore Who's Who on Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Michelle A. Thayer

Biltmore Who’s Who Selects Michelle A. Thayer as this week’s Honored Member of the Executive and Professional Registry for 2009.

Michelle A. Thayer, senior network engineer of Polar Systems, has been selected as an Honored Member of the Biltmore Who’s Who Executive and Professional Registry. The selection recognizes Michelle A. Thayer’s commitment to excellence in the field of Information Technology.

Thayer, who attained her Associates degree with honors in Electronic Engineering and Computer Technology from Heald Institute of Technology in 1989, has been working in her field since 1987. She has dedicated her many years to technology services, and plans to continue working for Polar Systems.

Starting at the very bottom by doing field work, in what she considers to be a very male dominated industry, even by today’s standards, she has persevered and proved to herself and co-workers just how much of a difference she could make. “In my twenty-three years of being in this field, I have only worked with about ten other women who do what I do,” she explained. “But my inspiration was always lead by my compassion for my clients. It compels me to do everything in my power to resolve their issues as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

As an engineer, Thayer’s responsibilities are vast. Polar Systems provides state-of-the-art network design, engineering and implementation services. Their project-oriented, client-focused process enables on-budget, on-time solutions that meet every need of the most discerning client’s needs. They also specialize in server upgrades, enhanced security and remote network management, business process development, project management and other business solutions as well. “As technology grew, Thayer said, “I grew with it and continue to grow. Most of us have been in this field for a long time and each person brings their knowledge, characteristics, customer service, and skills to the team.”

Thayer received a Superstar Award during her time with Entex Information Services, and a Quality Service Award from Standard Insurance. She is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, a Citrix Certified Administrator, is certified in Exchange 2007 and CompTIA A+, and is currently working on her Cisco certification. She is a member of the Association for Computing Machinery and Advancing Computing as a Science and Profession. She is a strong supporter of Children’s International, the Humane Society of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled Veterans of America. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys horseback and buggy riding and reading.

For more information, visit http://www.polarsystems.com.

Michelle A. Thayer
Posted by Biltmore Who's Who on Friday, May 21, 2010

Viktor Franovik aka Victor M. Vega, Jr.

Biltmore Who’s Who Selects Viktor Franovik (aka Victor M. Vega, Jr.) as this week’s Honored Member of the Executive and Professional Registry for 2009.

Viktor Franovik, fashion designer for Franovik Designs, has been selected as an Honored Member of the Biltmore Who’s Who Executive and Professional Registry. The selection recognizes Viktor Franovik’s commitment to excellence in the Fashion industry.

Franovik, a 1984 graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, has taken on a challenge with his business partner in Eco-Friendly fashion, creating some of the trendiest styles, including Haute Couture, by using recycled materials, fabrics and vintage garments.

After moving to Miami from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Franovik met his partner in Hollywood and they have been working together ever since. With over twenty combined years of experience between the two of them, they began experimenting with carnival and Halloween costumes by being eco-conscience, yet stylish. “We have a client pool that we cater too and also official designers to several pageant organizations, Ms. Latina International, Miss Earth United States, Miss Earth Florida, just to name a few,” he said. In 2008, Franovik Designs was created, followed by a magazine, Models and Designers, and now partnering with a cosmetic line, Motives. Explaining himself as “The Renaissance Man”, there is no limit to what is required of him or his business. “I am heavily involved in every aspect, from the designs to the models, publications, websites. Nothing goes out without me seeing or supervising it,” he replied.

Franovik has always taken a liking to fashion after taking a graphic design elective while he was in college. He was always very fond of the arts, having a flair for working with colors and textures, being crafty and conveying his ideas on paper. And when he is not busy running his fashion business, he is also the Associate Vice-President for the University of Miami Hospital, his other true passion.

His hopes are to continue juggling both careers, and have his “green” fashion become more popular through some key international networks. Franovik Designs has been published in several papers, including the Santo Domingo Times, Palm Beach Illustrated and the Nuvia Rose in Brazil.

Franovik is a member of both Dade and Broward County’s Chamber of Commerce, and he is an active volunteer and participant in numerous organizations and fundraising events for the American Heart Association, Angel’s Pediatric Heart House, and other causes like HIV/AIDS, Breast Cancer, the Humane Society, and environmental issues. He was named Top Walker by the American Heart Association in 2008 for raising over $15,000 to their cause.

For more information, visit http://www.franovik.com.

Viktor Franovik aka Victor M. Vega, Jr.
Posted by Biltmore Who's Who on Friday, May 14, 2010

Henry Bennett

Biltmore Who’s Who Selects Henry Bennett as this week’s Honored Member of the Executive and Professional Registry for 2009.

Henry Bennett, owner of Gene’s Hot Rod Parts, has been selected as an Honored Member of the Biltmore Who’s Who Executive and Professional Registry. The selection recognizes Henry Bennett’s commitment to excellence in the automotive industry.

Bennett, who has been working in the industry for the past 25 years, has invested the last year and a half taking over a business that buys and rebuilding cars. With all his experience building old cars and trucks and restoring and painting them, he was excited to take the big leap into entrepreneurship. “I knew it would be something I would enjoy doing,” he said. “The most rewarding aspect of the business is taking the cars to the car shows to show them off.” He added that he really enjoys meeting new people in the industry and sharing in their insight. Bennett is also retired fire-fighter of twenty eight years for the city of Springfield, Massachusetts.

In addition to looking for cars to buy and restore, Bennett purchases and sells antique Ford car parts and hotrod parts. He also goes on numerous road shows, and swap meets, and brings his trailer with him to sell his products. In addition to selling products face to face, he has an online store. Back at the office, his main priorities are promoting his company, sales, advertising, conducting inventory, processing all outgoing orders, the billing aspect of the business and delivery to his customers.

Bennett hopes to improve his business by gaining more clientele and getting customers more familiar with his products and services through his online store. He is currently working on his first retail catalog.

Bennett is a member of the better business bureau, the National Street Rod Association, Main Street Cruisers and Right Coast Association. He has received numerous trophies for his cars and trucks that he has built over the years. He was a full-time firefighter in Springfield, Massachusetts for twenty-eight years prior. He is a strong supporter of Toys for Tots and the American Cancer Society. In his spare time, Henry enjoys going camping and traveling.

For more information, visit http://www.geneshotrodparts.com.

Henry Bennett
Posted by Biltmore Who's Who on Friday, May 7, 2010

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