Justin Cox has worked in financial services since 2018, building experience across both broker-dealers and registered investment advisers. Before entering the industry, he served in the Army – a chapter that shaped the disciplined, detail-oriented approach he brings to his work today. Most recently, he served as Lead Portfolio Trader at Focus Partners Wealth, where he supported portfolio implementation through careful trade execution. At Parkwoods, he works as a Portfolio Manager, specializing in tax-efficient, cost-conscious trading strategies and the close advisor-trader collaboration that leads to better outcomes for clients.
Justin holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and is based in the firm’s St. Louis office.
Below, Justin shares how he works behind the scenes, the planning detail clients often find surprising, and why alignment with the fiduciary standard matters to him personally.
How do you help clients?
I help clients by ensuring their investment portfolios are managed accurately and in line with their goals. I work closely with our advisors to make sure we stay aligned with each client’s situation, while also providing meaningful insight into trading operations and helping make sure everything runs smoothly.
What should clients expect when they work with you?
Clients can expect a high level of accuracy, attention to detail, and consistency – particularly when placing trades and preparing reports. My goal is to make sure their advisor always has the information they need to serve them well.
What’s a recent improvement you’ve made that helps clients?
Improving our portfolio management process is one of my top priorities and an ongoing focus. Recently, I implemented an update to our trading platform that allows my team to manage client cash more precisely and with greater control. As a result, we’re able to put more client cash to work while maintaining a tighter grip on execution.
What’s one misconception you often clarify?
A common one is around asset location. Clients may wonder why an IRA is invested primarily in fixed income when they’d expect to see more equities for growth – but we evaluate all of a client’s accounts together, based on their overall risk tolerance and goals. Our objective is to maximize after-tax return while managing risk appropriately, which can sometimes mean holding more fixed income in an IRA.
Why does Parkwoods fit how you like to serve clients?
I truly believe our business model and investment philosophy embody the fiduciary standard. We put our clients’ best interests first, and that gives me confidence that the work I’m doing is genuinely helping clients achieve their goals. That alignment is important to me and motivates me to do my best every day.
What’s a behind-the-scenes detail that improves the client experience?
Our trading team’s close collaboration with Orion is something most clients never see but consistently feel. We connect with them almost daily to discuss improvements, troubleshoot issues, and ask questions. Those small, ongoing improvements compound over time – allowing us to operate more smoothly and serve client portfolios more effectively.
What’s a common bottleneck – and how do you prevent it?
A common one occurs when an advisor has a trading plan ready but we’re still waiting for an account to be linked, a transfer to arrive, or paperwork to be completed. As traders, we stay on top of pending instructions and proactively follow up with Orion, the custodians, or the appropriate internal teams when something is delayed. By catching and resolving those issues early, we help keep the advisor’s plan on track and minimize delays for the client.
What’s your favorite local spot?
5 Star Burgers on Maryland Avenue in Clayton. The quality of the food for the price is hard to beat – it’s one of my top lunch spots.
What’s a fun fact (that’s actually fun)?
I initially planned to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. During my time in the Army, my goal was to reclassify as a 68T Animal Care Specialist – but my red-green color blindness prevented me from doing so. That change in plans ultimately led me to a career in finance.
Ready to see your financial picture more clearly?
Schedule a 20-minute call with a Parkwoods advisor. We’ll talk through your situation and help you understand your next steps.