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Though they're all in their 80's now, Arnie Zaslow and his brothers, Jerry and Spencer,
still come in to work every day.
I'd like to see Bob come through with that order...
Well, I'm in a family business with my two much older brothers.
We've worked together for about 70 years so we're getting used to each other. My father
started back in 1931 as a small retail store in Philadelphia.
Today, ATD American is a highly successful furniture and textile distributor with more
than 200 employees and customers in more than 78 countries.
The third generation of the Zaslow family now runs the company, which is based just
outside Philadelphia.
And to manage the family's assets, investments and family dynamics, Arnie and his family
rely on Abbot Downing.
Abbot Downing has taught us a great deal. Not only have they been a tremendous aid in
preserving assets in the family, but in addition they preserve the family unity because they
share our culture.
Relationship Manager Mike Smolarski is part of the Zaslow family's team.
Working for Abbot Downing and for the Zaslow family is just a tremendous opportunity to
work with some of the most interesting, unique families in the country, getting to assist
them with everything from investment to asset management and planning.
And Abbot Downing services that we can bring really are customized for each particular
family, so our families know that, you know, with a simple phone call to one person, they're
getting the most objective advice that they can get.
Asset Management Director Ron Noble helps oversee the family's investment strategies.
We are not the typical manager that will only adhere to one type of approach.
We'll be very flexible and I know that's been one of the distinguishing factors that has
allowed our families, and particularly the Zaslow family, to be very, very appreciative
of how we manage assets.
It's this team approach that sets Abbot Downing apart.
One of the most important things we do at Abbot Downing is listen to our clients.
And I think in listening to them, we also hear what their issues are and what we can
do for them not only today, but in generations to come.
Does that make sense to you...?
I think over a long period of time what our clients come to know is they know us well
as people and they come to trust us. And I think that's an important piece of who we
are.
Another important and unique piece is something Abbot Downing calls its "Family Dynamics practice".
The Family Dynamics consultants work with our other specialists to really facilitate
communication within a family. So whether that be talking about and encouraging
a discussion of shared values ... facilitating a family meeting where we help bring up challenging
topics and seek to reach some resolution on those, would be examples of how we contribute
to the overall team approach.
Well, I think the results are a hell of a lot better and an awful lot less expensive
than going to see a therapist. We have 40 members of our family.
Every one of the 40 members has an account with Abbot Downing, including my 3 and a half
year old grandson. So that makes us very proud. We're extremely pleased.
I think oftentimes in our industry we sell product to people and I think what we try
to do is provide a service that allows us to... help them... preserve and grow and be
impactful with their wealth and make a difference.