Andrew J. Feldman, CFP®, is the President and Founder of A J Feldman Financial. His background in the financial industry began as a teen when he interned for his family’s specialist and market-making firm on the floor of The Chicago Stock Exchange. Through this experience, he learned first-hand about trading and market products.
In 1993, he witnessed the first major Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) debut — the SPDR S&P 500 Index Fund (SPY). Although there was little initial volume and interest in this product, the specialists and market-makers knew it was the launch of something special. It was not until 1999 when the second major ETF premiered — the Nasdaq 100 (QQQ) — that the trading community really embraced these funds. In 2000, this fund was the most actively traded security in the United States.
After graduating from Indiana University in the Liberal Arts and Management Program (LAMP) with a business certificate from the Kelley School of Business, a degree in Philosophy and a minor in Psychology, Andrew put his knowledge, training and experience to work with Treasury Equity, LLC. As a consultant to Treasury Equity, Andrew assisted in producing marketing materials, SEC filings and patent applications to bring new Currency Exchange Traded Funds to market. These product lines currently trade on the NYSE. He currently has a patent pending at the US Patent Office for these products.
After his work with Treasury Equity, Andrew started working with Lincoln Park Financial Group, LLC in Chicago, Ill. Lincoln Park Financial is an independent financial services, asset management, and estate planning firm. In his two-plus years at Lincoln Park Financial, as a Financial Consultant, Andrew earned his series 7, 66, Illinois life, accident and health insurance licenses, as well as the CFP® designation.
In March 2008, Andrew was given an opportunity to move his growing clientele as an Investment Management Associate at Mesirow Financial Investment Advisory. Andrew worked closely with a Managing Director who shared his vision of creating financial plans using ETF/Index Fund asset allocation.
In March 2009, Andrew accepted an opportunity to become a Member of GemShares, LLC. At GemShares, Andrew worked with the same partners of Treasury Equity to create and bring to market new commodity-based Exchange Traded Funds. Andrew and his partners at GemShares were awarded patents #8239211, #8706513 and #10282784 from the US Patent office.
In August 2010, Andrew applied his knowledge and experience to achieve a personal goal — he created A J Feldman Financial. Andrew is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner, member of The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors and a supporting member of the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics. He brings his experience and qualifications to A J Feldman Financial, and he always works to learn and grow in support of his clients’ best interest as the world we live in, and the markets we invest in, change at a rapid pace.
Andrew’s energy and his commitment to his clients’ well-being translate well to his philanthropic work, which is a huge passion for him. Andrew is a former member of the board of directors and a current member of the development committee of Center for Independent Futures, a non-profit in Evanston, Ill., that assists young adults with disabilities to gain access to opportunities to lead a full life. He is on the Investment Committee of The SamFund, a non-profit that supports cancer survivors in the United States between the ages of 17 and 35 with their transition into a successful post-treatment life. He is a member of the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Legacy Partners. Andrew also holds a position as a member of the Israel Bonds Chicago Campaign Advisory Council.
Andrew, his wife, their son and daughter live in the Chicago area where together they enjoy cooking, traveling and Chicago sports.