Managing Partner
While still attending Swarthmore College, where he majored in economics and minored in psychology, Marvin began working with TGS Financial Advisors in 2000 as a summer intern. After graduating with high honors in 2002, he joined the team full time as a research analyst. He kicked off his tenure with the firm by rebuilding the technical infrastructure of its Dynamic Contrarian Portfolio System™, and, in August of 2008, became a managing director. Marvin earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2005 and soon thereafter passed the first of three tests toward acquiring the Chartered Financial Analyst™ designation.
In 2006, Marvin took a firm-sponsored sabbatical, returning to his rural home in Alabama to work on a novel and then study the art of storytelling in Tennessee. He returned to his full-time responsibilities in May of 2007.
Marvin keeps close ties with Swarthmore, chairing the Steering Committee of Swarthmore Alumni in Finance.
The eldest of five siblings, Marvin has a younger sister and three younger brothers scattered across the country. He currently resides in Philadelphia and spends much of his free time reading, writing and watching football.
CFP® | Certified Financial Planner™ | 
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.,
owns the certification marks above, which it awards
to individuals who successfully complete initial and
ongoing certification requirements.
Q&A with Marvin
Q: What would you never leave home without?
A: A pen, chapstick and a destination
Q: What's your favorite book/publication/blog/etc.?
A: Books: "Invisible Cities" by Italo Calvino,
"The Wine of Youth" by John Fante;
Publications: The Atlantic, The Economist: Blogs: The Big Picture by Barry Ritholtz (ritholtz.com),
Cool Tools by Kevin Kelly (kk.org/cooltools),
Arts & Letters Daily by the Chronicle of Higher Education (aldaily.com)
Q: If you were stranded on a desert island, what's the one food you couldn't live without?
A: Cheeseburgers. The perfect cheeseburger is simple. No rare ingredients. Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, ketchup and mustard. Sharp cheddar on a soft bun. Sometimes, I'll allow for an avocado. But, mushrooms, caviar, blue cheese or fig jam – these additions are made by people who don't like cheeseburgers. I, however, love cheeseburgers. And when tomatoes are perfect, in the fading days of summer, I can eat them every single day.
Q: Where have you traveled? Where do you dream of traveling?
A: I spend a lot of time driving, and I love New Orleans. I've always wanted to take a road trip from Paris to Mumbai, in an old sleeper truck with a friendly dog. Like "Travel With Charley", but overseas.
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