College of Business Alumni
Meet Norman AlvisGraduated 2001, Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Finance
Currently, Investment Manager at Wells Fargo, The Private Bank in Colorado Springs
Interviewed by Samantha Bruner BS '06
SB: Thanks for being willing to sit in the spotlight this month, Norman! First up, let’s talk a little bit about your time as a student at UCCS. In your opinion, what was your great accomplishment during that time?
NA: Beyond completion of my degree, the fact that I remained fully engaged throughout and never let a single class go; also, the relationships with professors that remain to this day (Reddy, Zwirlein, Olson, Weigand).
SB: Who at UCCS made the greatest impact on you?
NA: Though Professor Weigand is no longer with UCCS, he had the greatest impact on me because of the discipline and focus he inspired me to have. Also, he introduced me to the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program.
SB: Now, I understand that you are working in the wealth management industry. What drew you here?
NA: The fluid combination of art and science, the subjective and the quantifiable. The numbers and theory (Modern Portfolio Theory) are great supports, but they are incomplete because we deal with people at every juncture including everyone from the people that run the companies in which we invest to the clients whom we serve.
SB: How do you credit UCCS with where you are today?
NA: The College of Business was a great platform from which to meet the community and continues as a great link to the community.
SB: I understand you weren’t always in wealth management and actually did something quite different – professional sports! Would you mind telling us all a little bit about your career as a professional cyclist?
NA: My bike carried me around the world, through 30+ countries on five continents. I started racing in high school, graduated to spending a lot of time in Colorado Springs, competed in the Olympics (1988) and eventually lived in France for five years racing events such as the Tour d’France, Giro d’Italia, Paris Roubaix, etc. In total I have put nearly half a million miles on my various bikes.
SB: Amazing! You have accomplished amazing feats, but I understand that something is more important than them all. Tell us what your ultimate ambition is?
NA: I find it difficult today to envision anything beyond raising my children to be healthy and successful adults.
SB: Spoken by a true family man. As a final note, what advice would you like to pass on to your fellow alumni?
NA: Be engaged fully in what you do; find a way to be genuine and enthusiastic; actively be a part of the community; and set a good example for those around you.
Norman is Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and the former Networking Team Chair for the COB Alumni Association.
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