Darren met his wife, Jennifer, in 1998 and they married in 2001. Their son, Galvin, was born in 2005 and their daughter, Madison, was born in 2007. The Morgan Family resides in the Cleveland, OH suburb of Olmsted Township.
Darren attended Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant Schools from 1st through 12th grade. While in high school, Darren played football, wrestling, powerlifting, baseball, and enjoyed bowling, playing guitar, and art.
In 1987, Darren attended Youngstown State University (YSU) in Youngstown, Ohio where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1992. While at YSU, Darren was a placekicker on the Penguin football team, which was then coached by former Ohio State Buckeye coach, and now YSU President, Jim Tressel. In 1991, Darren's senior season, the Penguins won their first of four I-AA football championships, beating the Thundering Herd of Marshall University, 25-17.
Humble beginnings started in this commercially-zoned home in Bedford, Ohio. From 1994 thru 1998, Darren rented the first floor for $600/month, living in the back half and with a three room office in the front. Darren met clients and held financial seminars in this location for more than three years prior to leasing his current office space in North Olmsted, Ohio.
"I remember I had two large French doors in the middle of the apartment, so I could close them and have meetings with clients and prospects in the front 'office' area. Behind those French doors were my kitchen and my bedroom that I don't think anyone knew was there. We had parking for about six cars. I had posters and other business-type decorations on the wall, a desk, filing cabinets, and a meeting table. I also had a meeting room that could only hold 12 people, but it had a white board and TV stereo system in it. It is really fun to think back on those days."
In 2017, Darren's branch office surpassed $100 million in client assets, and today serves nearly 300 households in 14 states.
One of the early highlights of Darren's career was receiving an award in July 1999 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Hollywood, California (the site of the Academy Awards ceremony for many decades).
Pictured here with his future wife, Jennifer, Darren receives his $100,000 Ring on stage, signifying annual earnings of $100,000 or more. Darren recalls, "I remember looking back at the crowd and the four levels of mezzanines and thinking, 'goodness, movie stars walked up here.' It was a feeling I know we will always remember."
On November 22nd 1994, while still a school teacher, I sat for my Series 6 securities exam and passed the test. Little did I know where it would lead me, but here I am today with a nice little business near Cleveland, Ohio. Since that first exam, I have passed the Series 26 exam (1997), the Series 63 (1998), and a rigorous securities law exam - the Series 65 (2006). I am far from what I consider a “success”, but definitely feel that we are on the right path.
Thankful acknowledgments:
First, my wife Jennifer. She has been beside me since we met in 1998. And she was all I needed for motivation. Exactly 365 days after she and I met, I learned that I had “qualified for the ring”, an award given to those with earnings over $100,000/yr. Coincidence?