Thirty Years!

Today’s clients expect us to perform at the highest level, and they deserve nothing less. Tomorrow’s clients may be even more demanding. Outperforming in any endeavor requires more than just talent or a strong resume; it demands maximum effort, unrelenting commitment, and a laser-like focus on the goal at hand. So, whether you seek a successful retirement, supporting your family and employees’ financial future, or just living the life you deserve, advisors with ‘game’ want the ball when it counts.

Truly outstanding advisory work requires that we dig deeper. It means creating comprehensive generational wealth transfer strategies that preserve an estate as a family evolves and grows. It means continually improving our diverse advisory skillsets, such as an intricate understanding of personal wealth planning or the nuances of constructing a company’s retirement plan.

For so many individuals and families, a 401(k) and other tax-advantaged accounts are the backbone of their retirement savings strategy. To ensure we are always at the forefront of the industry, for example, we operate our own nationally recognized company retirement plan division, Fiduciary Plan Solutions. Fiduciary Plan Solutions is not only an invaluable service for our corporate clients, it is a crucial additional resource for our wealth management clients and team.

Underpinning our firm’s longevity is our unbending commitment to fiduciary excellence. Each year our Fiduciary Plan Solutions team undertakes the rigorous process of becoming certified by the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX). CEFEX certification is the gold standard for fiduciary excellence and is held by less than 200 firms worldwide. To qualify, a firm must be put through a large-scale audit, which we have completed for several years running.

An example of the extraordinary expertise and credentials necessary to perform this high-level of service is personified by Fiduciary Plan Solutions’ Managing Director, Steven Kaczynski, CFA®,AIFA®,CPFA®, MST, MBA. Steve and his team possess a depth of knowledge and critical thinking ability, especially as it relates to the role wealth management plays in managing retirement plans. As a result, DBR & CO, has become an industry leader in cross-functional, holistic wealth planning for business owners and their families.

Just as Steve’s thirst for knowledge resulted in advanced credentials ranging from the Chartered Financial Analyst designation to a Masters in Taxation, we seek to bring multi-faceted expertise to every aspect of a client’s situation. Individual wealth is inextricably tied to family wealth, legacy, and business. Virtually every family with measurable wealth invests heavily in, outright owns, or has significant exposure to businesses.

The same standards exemplified by Fiduciary Plan Solutions are carried throughout our organization. We are a fiercely meritocratic team. Everyone in the firm is trained, passionate, and incentivized to win for our clients. Senior advisors are put through a minimum three-to-five-year process before working with clients. They too are required to gain high-level industry credentials, and our impressive group includes five Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charterholders, six Certified Financial Planners (CFP®), multiple Accredited Investment Fiduciaries (AIF®) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analysts (AIFA) Designees. These are among the elite credentials in our industry.

We have worked to set the standard over the last thirty years. To me, the next thirty years begins and ends with our people and our capabilities. Excelling in these two areas is how we will serve clients best over the next 30 years. As the next generation of our team and the next generation of clients takes a foothold within our firm, they will continue to up my game. Through their attitudes, commitment to the highest professionalism and understanding of our clients’ needs, I have full conviction that our firm is prepared for another 30 years of service.

And finally, as any good entrepreneur knows, sustained excellence is not possible without our clients. I could not be more thankful for our long-term partnership. I’ve learned so much from you over the years, and you have been an invaluable resource in clarifying how we can get better. My line is always open for your ideas.

My sincerest and heartfelt thank you to our team and to our clients. Cheers to the next thirty years!

Thanks for reading.