This is part of a new series of posts where we feature a member of our team using a Q&A format so you can get to know them a little better – both personally and professionally. This week we’ll be interviewing Erin Buis, who joined Brown and Company in February of 2017 as Director of Operations and Compliance. Erin is responsible for the overall management of the office and overseeing the increasing complex compliance duties. Erin focuses on the day to day office operations and maintaining compliance guidelines and records.She holds her Series 7 and 24 registrations with LPL Financial. Erin and her husband, Cole, reside in Frederick. They love to travel, go to movies, or enjoy a good craft beer but most of all love spending time as a family. They have 2 grown daughters that are their world. Alexa is in her final stages of getting her teaching degree at the University of Northern Colorado and is set to marry her high school sweetheart, Justin in fall of 2019. Their younger daughter Riley is attending Auburn University in Alabama pursuing a degree in the medical field. They enjoy going out to visit her and attending football games and cheering the Tigers on! Q: Can you briefly describe your role as Director of Operations and Compliance? A: Gosh, the best way for me to describe it is a jack of all trades! I have been in this industry now for over 22 years so with that I bring a lot of experience with me from several areas - client services, marketing, HR/payroll, accounting, compliance, operations and management. I can jump in wherever we have a need and help, and I love being able to do that. Q: What is your favorite part about working for Brown and Company? A: This team! I can honestly say that I love working with each person here. I know they have my back and I most certainly have theirs. Being a part of a good team is hard to find at times, so when it lines up like ours does – it’s pretty special. Q: What is your proudest moment at Brown and Company? A: The top security team from LPL recently came in at our request to review our security processes and make sure we are where we need to be. For the last several months, Ryan Csrnko and myself have tirelessly worked on our procedures around cybersecurity and revamping all our processes. It was great to hear them say that we have done a fantastic job and that we should be recognized for all the great work that has been completed in this area and how seriously we have taken it. This was a very proud moment for not just me but our whole office and a great feeling of accomplishment as well. Q: What advice would you give to recent new hires? A: Don’t be afraid to say that you don’t know the answer to something, but never guess or assume! Also, own your mistakes – we all will make them so own them, learn from them and move forward. Now, we’ll switch gears to learn more what you like to do outside of the office. Q. What is your favorite movie and book? A: OK, all-time favorite movie (because I could stop and watch it anytime if I caught it on tv) would be The Goonies. Who doesn’t love a great adventure? As far as book – I have always been a big Stephen King fan since I was younger, and I have to say one of my favs has always been IT. Not only was it the longest book I think I have ever read but was also a great read if you like suspenseful thrillers, which I do! Q. What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your life thus far? A: Definitely losing my Dad a few years ago. He and I were very close, and we lost him pretty unexpectedly so that has been hard. He was the glue that held our family together so I feel as though now I am trying to figure out how to do that for our family and that’s tough, but I try and stay positive because I know I will see him again! Q. What is the first concert you attended? A. Pink Floyd at the Rose Bowl in the early 90’s. I am originally from California so seeing concerts at big venue’s like that was super cool! I love concerts too, been to so many at this point I don’t think I could even count them all! Q: When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried? A: We have been planning my oldest daughter’s wedding over the last year and recently we have been gathering photos for a montage that will play. It has been so much fun going through all the pictures and looking back and remembering such sweet memories of my girls when they were little! Lots of happy laughter tears have been shed for sure!