Built to serve: A mission to help fellow veterans

Austin Storck transformed 50 conversations into a successful second career and is now helping others do the same.

Austin Storck’s second act started with 50 cups of coffee.

After completing his service in the US Navy, he worked with the Honor Foundation to chart his next career move. Through the organization’s “50 Cups of Coffee Challenge,” he spent months talking with professionals across the financial services industry – conversations that ultimately led him to pursue life as a financial advisor.

Now he’s paying it forward, helping other veterans navigate their own transitions into financial services.

A call to service

Austin always knew he wanted to join the military, like the men he looked up to in his family. But as he was preparing to graduate from high school, he had a choice to make: enlist now or accept a full-ride football scholarship and get his degree first.

“I ultimately wanted to serve,” he said, “and if an injury or anything else prevented me from doing that, I wouldn't have been happy with my decision.”

He told his coaches he appreciated the offer, but he was going to serve his country.

Austin served in the Navy as an electronics technician and was selected for assignment to the highly selective Naval Special Warfare Development Group, often referred to as SEAL Team 6, tasked with developing new equipment and tactics for special operations forces. SEAL Team 6 carries out some of the military’s riskiest missions; they are primarily a counterterrorism unit, involved in intelligence, counter-intelligence, investigative and national security work.

“As a direct support radio operator, I was on the ground with the guys, handling communications. It was an incredible experience to work alongside giants – some of the greatest people I’ve ever met,” he said.

A series of conversations

After his second deployment – and meeting his future wife – Austin was ready to see what was next. “I knew I wanted to have kids, grow a family, be present,” he said.

He got in touch with the Honor Foundation, a transition program that helps special operations veterans translate their military experience to the private sector.

At first, he thought he’d pursue a career in banking, like his Papa, a small-town bank president and larger-than-life presence in Austin’s childhood. So as he embarked on his “50 Cups” journey, he started meeting with branch managers and presidents of regional banks.

Austin soon realized banking wasn’t exactly the right fit.

“It didn’t have that personal element I was looking for,” he said.

As he explored other corners of the industry, Austin had a conversation with an investment manager that shifted everything. The man explained that he had intended to go into wealth management with his father but had opted to pursue bigger deals instead of working with retail clients. Something clicked. Working directly with families, retirees and everyday people was exactly what he wanted to do: not high‑finance dealmaking, but wealth management grounded in personal relationships.

Austin asked, “Is it okay if I talk with your dad?”

A path to success

After that meeting, Austin added a concentration of financial planning to his major and drank the rest of his coffees with wealth managers at all the major firms, including Raymond James.

What ultimately drew him to Raymond James was the concept of book ownership* and the firm’s culture of trust. In special operations, every mission depended on knowing the person to your left and right would operate with excellence, integrity and complete ownership. For someone who had spent years in an environment where trust was everything, that alignment made Raymond James feel like the natural place to build his practice.

In February 2022, he joined the firm as a client service associate while still on active duty and officially transitioned out of the military that May. He stayed in the role for more than a year as he finished up his bachelor’s degree and licensing exams. Though he’d initially hoped to join as a financial advisor, Austin believes his experience as a CSA gave him an advantage.

“I got to pick the brains of phenomenal advisors,” he said. “Which I was doing externally with my cups of coffee, but doing it internally enabled me to position myself in the best way possible. I've had all these great mentors who have passed knowledge down to me and helped catapult me to be a successful advisor.”

Austin wanted to be able to help other veterans the same way.

Lighting the way

It’s not uncommon for veterans to feel uncertain about their next move, or what’s even possible. As part of the Valor team and vice chair of military recruiting and retention, Austin wanted to put something together to provide veterans with a roadmap.

“All the things I’ve synthesized from other advisors,” he said. “Something that tells them, ‘You’re not alone.’”

And that’s how the Veteran Financial Advisors Playbook was born.

“It started as a Word document,” Austin said. “It’s nothing official; I just want veterans to be better served in this space.”

As it exists today, Austin said, the playbook is just a foundation. His hope is for it to be a living document – for others in the community to add their experiences and make it better.

“One thing I learned through my cups of coffee and transition to Raymond James is that there’s enough business out there for everybody,” he said. “Not being willing to share what you know puts you in a scarcity mindset. A candle doesn’t lose its light by lighting another candle. I’m going to try to light as many candles as possible.”

*Financial advisors retain ownership of their book of business if there is ever a separation, provided they meet certain financial, compliance and regulatory requirements. Exceptions may be granted.

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