Employee Spotlight: Meet John Peter

A Cincinnati native, John Peter has always had strong ties to Ohio. After graduating from La Salle High School, he attended The Ohio State University, where he earned a degree in finance. In many ways, Ohio State felt like home long before he enrolled. His older brother attended OSU, giving John plenty of opportunities to visit campus and become familiar with the university culture. When it came time to choose a college, the decision felt natural.

John's interest in finance was sparked early by his mother, who spent her career working in accounting and finance. Seeing her positive experiences in the field encouraged him to explore the profession for himself. A pivotal moment came when he had the opportunity to shadow a family friend who worked as a financial advisor at Fidelity. Through that experience, he gained firsthand insight into the industry and learned what a career in financial services could look like. The experience solidified his decision to study finance, and fittingly, his first job after graduation was with Fidelity.

During his time at Fidelity, John developed valuable communication and relationship-building skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the mechanics of the financial industry. Working with securities markets, trading systems, and financial planning helped him understand how concepts learned in the classroom translate into real-world applications. The experience provided a strong foundation for his career and helped shape the professional he is today.

While he appreciated his time at Fidelity, John eventually found himself looking for an opportunity where relationships could extend beyond client interactions. He was drawn to HCM's close-knit culture and collaborative environment. Rather than being one of many employees in a large organization, he wanted to be part of a team where individuals truly know each other and can make a meaningful impact.

One of the aspects John enjoys most about the financial planning profession is the opportunity to help clients achieve their goals. He believes many people underestimate how rewarding the work can be. Seeing a carefully crafted financial plan come together and watching clients experience positive outcomes makes the effort worthwhile and serves as a reminder of why he chose this career path.

When asked about the best professional advice he has received, his answer is simple: don't be afraid to fail. He believes mistakes are often some of life's most valuable learning opportunities. Paired with persistence and a willingness to keep moving forward, that mindset has helped guide him throughout his career.

Outside the office, John is an avid golfer and passionate sports fan. Whether cheering on the Reds, Bengals, Ohio State athletics, or Xavier basketball, he rarely misses an opportunity to follow his favorite teams. His love for Xavier basketball stems from attending games with his father, whose season tickets provided a close-up view of the action and helped turn him into a lifelong fan. He also enjoys spending time outdoors, especially in the fall. Hiking, changing leaves, and the start of football season make autumn his favorite time of year.

Travel is another passion for John. He has visited 40 of the 50 U.S. states and hopes to eventually see them all. Florida remains his favorite destination, a place he has visited more than 30 times. If given the opportunity to share a meal with anyone, he would choose legendary investor Warren Buffett. He would love to hear Buffett's perspective on today's investment landscape and gather insights for young professionals entering the industry.

Recently, John celebrated an exciting personal milestone. Three years ago, while both were interns at Fidelity, he met his wife, Becky. What began as a friendship eventually grew into something more. The couple married on August 8, 2026, and recently returned from their honeymoon in Banff, Canada, where they enjoyed the breathtaking scenery of the Rocky Mountains.

A few fun facts round out the picture. John's favorite movie is The Pursuit of Happyness, and although he technically bought a Goldendoodle as a Mother's Day gift for his parents, his dad insists that makes it John's dog. As for ice cream, he's generally a fan of a classic vanilla-and-chocolate swirl, though when visiting Graeter's, he'll happily choose Black Raspberry Chip every time.

We're excited to welcome John Peter to HCM and look forward to watching his career continue to grow as he helps clients build confidence in their financial futures.