Overseeing the Hudson Companies (formerly Hudson Valley Wealth Management) as president and chief investment officer, Chris Conover delivers holistic approaches to actively managing client wealth. His team of SEC-registered investment advisors serve clients on a fee-only basis, which aligns their interest with those they serve, and deliver comprehensive solutions across a range of sectors. Chris Conover maintains a close watch on markets and investment opportunities, and coordinates with clients in taking on new, risk-averse positions.
Prior to establishing his own company, Mr. Conover gained diverse Wall Street experience spanning marketing, sales, and portfolio management. As internal and regional sales supervisor with Guardian Life Insurance, he oversaw the company’s top ranked territory for variable annuity sales, which generated $15 million in monthly annuity sales. He also trained recently hired associates on various equity products.
Mr. Conover established his current firm in 2008 after becoming increasingly aware of a major gap between services provided to individual investors and those enjoyed by institutional clients. To this day, he excels in corporate capital raising, coordinating lines of credit through lending partners who provide liquidity that is both asset-backed and secure.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
A structured routine is key. Mornings start with market analysis and client portfolio reviews, followed by strategic meetings with the investment team. Prioritizing high-impact tasks early ensures productivity, while delegation and automation handle repetitive workflows.
How do you bring ideas to life?
By combining research with execution. If an investment strategy or business opportunity seems viable, I test it through data analysis, consult experts, and implement it in phases—whether it’s a new fund structure, AI-driven asset allocation, or a philanthropic initiative.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The integration of AI in wealth management, particularly predictive analytics for personalized asset allocation. It’s transforming how advisors optimize portfolios and manage risk.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Time blocking. Dedicated slots for deep work (e.g., research), client calls, and team collaboration minimize distractions and improve focus.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Focus on relationships as much as returns. Long-term success in finance hinges on trust, not just transactions.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Cryptocurrency will become a standard asset class in institutional portfolios—not as a speculative bet, but as a hedge against monetary policy shifts.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Weekly reviews. Assessing wins, losses, and adjustments in both business and personal goals ensures continuous improvement.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Step back and revisit the big-picture mission. A short walk or reviewing the firm’s long-term vision helps reset priorities.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Hybrid business development—blending internal expertise with external partnerships (e.g., at Van Eck Global). This approach expanded distribution channels and scaled assets under management efficiently.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early on, underestimating the importance of niche specialization. Overcoming it meant pivoting Hudson Companies to focus on high-net-worth retirement planning and alternative investments, which differentiated the firm. Lesson: Clarity beats broad appeal.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A subscription-based AI tool for small advisors that automates asset allocation proposals, combining client risk profiles with real-time market data.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Bloomberg Terminal—for real-time market data, portfolio analysis, and macroeconomic research. It’s indispensable for making informed investment decisions.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Book: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel—reinforces how behavior drives financial outcomes.
Podcast: Invest Like the Best with Patrick O’Shaughnessy—deep dives into unconventional investment strategies.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Billions—while dramatized, it captures the tension between ethics and ambition in finance, plus the evolving role of AI in trading.
Key learnings
- Hybrid business development models (internal/external teams) can accelerate growth in asset management.
- AI and cryptocurrency are reshaping wealth management, requiring advisors to adapt strategies.
- Niche specialization (e.g., high-net-worth retirement planning) often outperforms generalized services.
- Time blocking and weekly reviews are critical for maintaining productivity in fast-paced industries.
- Relationships and trust matter as much as technical expertise in long-term financial success.