Rusty's Bridge
Rusty’s BridgeA Daily Journal on Wiser Investing and Stronger Living
After spending over 35 years in the investment profession, I’ve gathered a few ideas, formed a few opinions—and perhaps even learned a lesson or two. Some of those lessons I’ve gotten right. Others, well, as my favorite walk-up song by Radiohead goes: “I Might Be Wrong.” And I might be. But I also might be right. That’s the balance of experience—confidence with humility. And that’s part of what this journal is about.
Welcome to Rusty’s Bridge. This is my daily practice of writing down ideas on wiser investing and stronger living, with the sincere hope that some of these words might help other professionals better connect purpose, people, and performance.
I’ve been fortunate in my career to have platforms that allow me to help investors stay invested, stay disciplined, and stay focused on the long game. That’s not always easy. In fact, it rarely is—especially in a world that feels increasingly uncertain. But over time, I’ve found that focusing on what we can control—and letting go of what we can’t—is one of the most powerful ways to build not only better portfolios, but also better lives.
When I entered the industry, my goal was simple: I wanted to be a portfolio manager. I’ve been lucky to live that dream, managing strategies and funds that were highly rated (and sometimes not) and working at firms that were recognized as best-in-class. But along the way, I learned that being a good portfolio manager isn’t just about generating returns. It’s about building trust.
That means clearly communicating what you’re doing, why you’re doing it—and then doing exactly that. It’s about setting expectations and then meeting them. And then the “+1”: doing a little more. Whether it’s consistent, transparent communication or extra client service, the goal is always the same—help the investor stay disciplined and stay on plan, especially during the times when your investment style might be out of favor.
Because in the end, it’s not just about performance. It’s about purpose. And that’s the foundation of this journal. I hope Rusty’s Bridge becomes as useful to you—the reader—as it is to me, as I continue to reflect, refine, and strive to invest well and be well.
—Rusty