Wheeling, W. Va - It’s not often that a former professional guitarist who toured North America with his rock band transitions to the financial services industry and enjoys a successful career; but that’s exactly what happened for Dino Giovannone, a new addition to the McKinley Carter Wealth Services team. Giovannone, a Pittsburgh native and 30-year financial services veteran, joined McKinley Carter not only with extensive experience from the nation’s largest investment companies, but he also comes with a deep love for music that he says allows him to keep “a good balance” in his life.

It was back in the early 80s, that Giovannone saw his passion for music evolve into something really special. He was part of the Tri-State area band scene playing guitar for The Toys. He had just graduated from Franciscan University with an accounting degree and had every intention to head to law school in pursuit of a corporate law career. But all that changed when his band got its first big break – an opportunity to play with CBS Recording Artist Rachel Sweet and become Rachel Sweet and the Toys.

“I was at a crossroads,” says Giovannone, “’Do I go to law school or do I follow my dream?’ At age 22, it was a no-brainer for me – I had to take the music path.” So The Toys soon embarked on a year-long U.S. and Canadian tour opening for the likes of The Jerry Garcia Band and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. A young, unknown named Jon Bon Jovi even opened for them at a show at the Fast Lane in New Jersey. It was definitely a young artist’s dream – traveling from city to city, playing for crowds of all sizes from 2,000 to 20,000, and hanging out with some of that decade’s most iconic musical talent.

Two years later, however, the band experienced some growing pains that led to an unfortunate break up. Giovannone and bandmate Johnny DiCarlo, a lifelong friend, stuck together as the remaining Toys members but mutually agreed to put music on the backburner so they could settle down, start families, and pursue more “traditional” career paths.

For a newly engaged Giovannone, the interest in law school had faded and the next chapter of his life began with a search for a new career direction. With several different job offers on the table, Giovannone sought the advice of his uncle, a teacher by day and a brick layer by night. A generous, hard-working Italian man who always saw the value in giving to those less fortunate, Uncle Charlie Bucceri (Aux) inspired the 27-year-old to pursue a career in investments so he could help people manage their wealth and perhaps pay it forward through some charitable gift-giving of his own.

In 1985, Giovannone accepted his first “real job” as a financial adviser with First Investors, a Wall Street-based investment company. With First Investors, Giovannone discovered he had a knack for listening to people, understanding their needs, and developing relationships built on trust and mutual respect. In fact, by the end of his first year, he had earned a spot on the company’s Top 10 Rookie list that recognized the organization’s top salespeople in the United States.

“It took me a couple of months, but I discovered that success wasn’t about selling at all, it was about helping people achieve their goals. I understood the economy and could explain my company’s products to clients, but my ‘Aha moment’ came when I began to focus on what really mattered: ‘What’s the best thinking for my client.’”

Giovannone soon advanced from an advisor to division manager, and later to Vice President/Regional Manager. The latter role meant Giovannone managed many branch managers located in a multi-state region from Pennsylvania to Arkansas and it was then that extensive business travel became a major part of his daily life.

After 17 years with First Investors, Giovannone decided to specialize in retirement plans and accepted a position offered by Federated as Director of Retirement Sales. He was later promoted to Internal Sales Manager for the midwest region of the company’s broker-dealer division working with clients such as Wells Fargo, UBS, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch and Edward Jones.

After 14 years with Federated, Giovannone was ready to cut back on his travel and work closer to home, so he accepted an offer from Edward Jones to oversee one of their offices in Warren, OH. He was with the company almost two years before the McKinley Carter opportunity was presented to him.

“We see Dino as a real asset to our advisory team here in Wheeling and to our regional offices,” said McKinley Carter President and Managing Director David McKinley. “He has extensive investment knowledge, a thorough understanding of the market, and an interesting perspective having worked at some of the nation’s largest financial services companies. Dino’s easy-going and friendly nature also fits in well with our company-wide commitment to provide enhanced communications with our clients and a full-service client care program.”

At McKinley Carter, Giovannone contributes to all business aspects of the firm -- wealth management, corporate retirement plan services and nonprofit advisory services. “What I like most about financial services is that I can get to know my clients, their goals and aspirations,” Giovannone said. “Client’s goals can be achieved with the right planning and commitment, whether it’s having enough money to live the life they want at retirement, or saving for a child’s college education, or determining how to best secure the future of a family business. The goal is to simplify that planning and take the burden off the client – we’re here to make that happen.”

And for the first time, Giovannone finds himself working in the same town in which he resides – just a ten minute commute. “I’ve had the pleasure of working for some big players in the national and global finance services market,” he said. “But of all those opportunities, I’m most excited to be here working at McKinley Carter because of the high quality of its people, the quality of its services, and the depth of care that goes to each client account. It’s a firm that is large in terms of its resources and technology, but one that is still small enough to really listen to its advisors and clients.”

Balancing out his new day job at McKinley Carter, Giovannone continues to work in music by serving as partner/business development director at Atomic Cowboy Productions, a Tri-State-based production and artist management company. He also serves as a co-founding member of Musicians for a Musician (M4AM), a non-profit organization that devotes its time, talent and energy to raising money for local musicians with terminal illnesses.

McKinley Carter Wealth Services is an SEC-registered independent wealth management firm with offices in Pittsburgh, PA, Charleston, Parkersburg and Wheeling, W.Va, as well as Gaithersburg, MD. The firm provides Wealth Management and Trust Services for individuals and families committed to growing and protecting their wealth across multiple generations; Retirement Plan Services for businesses focused on the long-term financial success of their owners and employees; and Nonprofit Advisory Services for nonprofit organizations seeking long-term financial security and sustainability.