Remembering Greg – by Randy Ahlgren

Over the course of our working careers we cross paths with a variety of people, some of whom can only be remembered vaguely. Then there are others who leave their mark and can be remembered long after. I was able to meet one of those people who left their mark in 2012, when Greg Reiter stepped into the Head of RMBS Research role at Wells Fargo Securities.

 

In short order, Greg and I connected on several different levels. We both had strong interests in structured products. With his depth and breadth of knowledge in the sector and connections across the industry, he took every opportunity to teach me what he knew and introduce me to colleagues he had met during his career, to assist with my professional development. It was clear from the beginning that Greg had nothing but good intentions and always tried to find a way to help where he could.

 

This was also evident on the trading floor, where he was a mentor to a few junior analysts in other groups. He would always take the time to grab a cup of coffee with them to give guidance on whatever was on their plate. He was, from what I could tell and what I was told after the fact, someone who was always able to provide sage advice in a time of need.

 

Greg also had a handful of quirks that are hard to describe, but fully complemented his personality and the energy he brought to various situations to make him a very likeable and friendly soul. I remember one instance, shortly after my son Logan was born in September 2013, when Greg wanted to take me to get some coffee and told me to meet him at the office elevators. Of course I obliged. While we were waiting at the elevator doors, he quickly reached into his pocket and said “hey”. I looked over and he handed me a wad of cash, cupping his hand over mine as if it was some secret handoff of classified information, and said that it was for the new baby. It was the classic, quirky Greg, with the usual mannerisms and an awkward moment of silence to boot. I laughed and promptly said thank you. He quickly said not to worry – he had checked the human resource rules and this was okay. I laughed again – and just before we hopped into the elevator, he repeated that I was to use it for the baby, and that I should always try to take care of my family and friends. Those words had an especially deep meaning coming from him.

 

Slowly I learned about some of his undertakings in rescuing countless animals and his involvement with PETA. I remember a few stories about goats Greg and Alysoun “hired” to mow their grass. I thought that the idea was absolutely ludicrous, but I knew that was what Greg was into, and when he gave me the full backstory of the goats along with some pictures, I started to understand why they “hired” them. I also heard about the adoption of their two horses, Caroline and Henry. I personally could not fathom taking care of two horses, and I didn’t think Greg really knew the involvement either. From what I can recall, it was a very difficult transition. Needless to say, Greg and Alysoun persevered and “made it work”. From my perspective, it was clear that Greg was one of those people who would help out anyone in need, whether they were human or animal – a truly respectable trait.

 

While a majority of our time together was in a professional setting, over a short amount of time we dropped the corporate façade, becoming friends, swapping text messages and phone calls often. When I found out that Greg was leaving the Head of RMBS Research role and making his way back to the buy-side, there was a flurry of phone calls and text messages between us. He could tell that I was pretty stressed out about him leaving, but he continued to reassure me that I would be fine. In fact, he said “I will always be an advocate for you”. Given my prior observations and experiences with Greg, I knew that he was telling me the truth and he assuaged most of my initial fears about once again getting a new manager.

 

I think a week had passed since the initial news of Greg heading to the buy-side, and I had done a good job of digesting it all by then. However, I had some lingering questions and was looking for some of that “Greg Reiter Sage Advice”. So on Friday, October 16, 2015 at 10:18 am, I opened with a text message to him of “How are you doing?” He promptly responded with “I am ok. How are you?” We exchanged a few more text messages where I put my question out there, hoping he would have an easy answer. He made some points, but we had decided that it was best to talk about the matter in person and at 10:43 am, we agreed to grab lunch that following Tuesday when he would be back in town. About nine hours later, I received the heartbreaking news that Greg had passed from an accident on his farm. In an instant I had lost my friend, advocate and sounding board for all of life’s events, and the world had lost a large pair of helping hands.

 

While Greg’s passing is a true tragedy and he will be greatly missed, he influenced my life in a resoundingly positive way. I will continue to remember the things that he taught me both directly and indirectly, carrying those things forward throughout my personal and professional life. In terms of his endeavors outside of his career, he is survived by Alysoun, who is continuing to push forward the same acts of kindness by way of the Gregory J. Reiter Fund so that his legacy of helping animals will continue well into the future.