I am one of the founding principals of Concentus Wealth Advisors and have been in the business for more than 45 years. My full name is Gerald Zeke Strid, but everyone calls me Zeke!

After graduating from Villanova University, I took a job in business management with the Continental Can Company in Mount Vernon, Ohio, but I longed to return to the East Coast. I was lucky enough to come back to the Villanova area, where I began a career in the financial service industry, met my wife Kris, and raised our five children.

I spent the majority of my career as a “Circle of Excellence” Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, where I created a program to help people invest in savings for their children’s college educations and formed one of the first father-son advisor teams with my son, Erik. Erik and I traveled the country training and mentoring other teams for Merrill.

In 2003, my son Paul came from Credit Suisse First in Boston to join me and Erik in forming the Strid Wealth Management Group, under the Wachovia (Wells Fargo) umbrella. I was lucky again. Now I was working with two of my sons. This made it possible for me to take one day a week to spend working on the streets of Philadelphia with Project H.O.M.E., helping the homeless.

Because we wanted to do more for our clients and their families, and recognized the changes in our industry, we decided to create a completely independent firm where we could take an objective and holistic view of their financial needs. Concentus Wealth Advisors has been our conduit to accomplish this goal.

I am proud of our firm as I watch our team provide quality service and integrity through their hard work, incisive analytical ability, and personal dedication. I recently celebrated my 75th birthday and I still feel lucky. I am more excited about our future than ever before.

My Notable Recognitions

• One of ten advisors recognized with Registered Representative magazine’s 28th Annual Outstanding Advisor Award (2008)
• Inducted into Research magazine’s Advisor Hall of Fame (2008)
• Received the Heart of Siloam Award (2008)
• Profiled in Research magazine’s Profiles in Success (2008)
• Awarded Main Line Today’s Man of the Year (2007)
• Received Investment News’ Community Leadership Awards Volunteer of the Year (2007)
• Received the St. Thomas of Villanova Medal, Villanova University Alumni Association’s highest award (2007)

My Prior Experience

Worked at Merrill Lynch from 1984 through 2003. Started in the business in 1970, working with a number of Philadelphia brokerage firms: Paine Webber; Shearson Loeb Rhoades Inc.; Loeb Partners; Babbit, Myers & Company, Inc.; Elkins & Co.; Diversified Equities Inc.

My Family

Born and raised in Torrington, CT. Currently residing in Villanova, PA with my wife of more than 50 years. The father of five children and proud grandfather of fourteen.

My Favorite Quotes

“Character is doing the right thing when nobody’s looking!”
– J.C. Watts Jr.

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
– Mark Twain

“Always know the difference between right and wrong and never compromise your values.” – Zeke Strid