Robert Runkle likes working with numbers, and he likes making those numbers work for him. So much so that the Auburn University alumnus, who earned a degree in industrial design, long ago decided to make a major career change.

“Having a strong interest in the stock market from a young age, I shifted gears in 1983 and made the move to finance and have been in the industry for almost 40 years!” he said.

Today, Runkle is the senior portfolio management director and financial advisor of The Runkle Group/Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, based in Montgomery.

He also is instrumental in an influential corporate partnership with Auburn’s Harbert College of Business.

“As an alumnus of Auburn, I am proud to partner with Harbert and Morgan Stanley to sponsor the Barron’s in Education program, which provides financial proficiency to the NEXTGEN of business leaders and advisors,” Runkle said.

“In addition, my team and I went and spoke to undergraduate finance majors who are involved in the Financial Management Association back in the spring about my career in wealth management,” he said. “I think having outside speakers like this is so important to give students a glimpse into what the day-to-day job of a certain career path looks like.

“Hearing real people talk about their real jobs might inspire a student to choose a path they might not have otherwise thought of.”

Edward Reynolds, corporate and foundation relations officer at Harbert, said Runkle’s efforts and field of expertise are important contributions.

“The Harbert College of Business is grateful for Bob Runkle and the Runkle Group’s generosity. Their support of the Barron’s in Education program provides our students complimentary digital access to Barron’s, which serves as a unique supplementary learning experience to their in-class instruction,” Reynolds said.

“Furthermore, our faculty have access to this service, which provides an additional resource for current and top-of-mind financial industry topics that can be woven into the curriculum and classroom discussions,” he said.

Runkle touted the hiring of Harbert graduates and said he enjoys seeing them being recruited at Auburn.

“With its proximity to Atlanta, Birmingham and Montgomery, Auburn University and specifically the Harbert College of Business is a tremendous resource for hiring highly competent graduates to begin their careers in wealth management at Morgan Stanley.

“Morgan Stanley has many Auburn graduates in the Montgomery office and the firm is always looking to hire driven individuals who have an interest in wealth management,” Runkle said. “Harbert has a very robust reputation for educating and training topnotch young people prepared to enter the business world and excel in their chosen career paths.”

Reynolds said he hopes more companies such as Runkle’s will join the impressive and growing list of corporate partnerships with Harbert.

“This partnership is an all-around win as the college seeks to enhance our students’ learning experience. It also highlights the importance of alumni engagement,” Reynolds said. “Their gifts of time, talent and treasure make indelible impacts on Auburn’s ability to educate students and prepare them for successful career trajectories.”