View Document Text
Item 1 – Cover Page
Part 2A of Form ADV
Brochure for:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
100 B Shoreline Hwy
Suite 302
Mill Valley, CA 94941
Phone: (833) 467-3426
Email: elliott@gordianwa.com
September 25, 2025
This Brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC (“Gordian”, “GWA”, “We”, “Us”, or the “Firm”). If you have any
questions about the contents of this Brochure, please contact us at (415) 383-9990 or
elliott@gordianwa.com. The information in this Brochure has not been approved or verified
by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or by any state securities
authority.
Gordian is a registered investment adviser with the SEC. Registration of an investment
adviser does not imply any certain level of skill or training.
information about Gordian
is also available on the SEC’s website at
Additional
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
Item 2 – Material Changes
This brochure shall serve as an interim amendment and an update to our previous brochure dated
March 19, 2025. Updates were made to various Items throughout this brochure to reflect the removal
of Gordian Capital Management, LLC. This is due to the fact that Gordian Capital Management, LLC
has registered separately as a related investment advisory firm to Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC.
There was also an update made to Item 5 to reflect our fee schedule.
ii
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
Item 3 – Table of Contents
Item 1 – Cover Page ............................................................................................................... i
Item 2 – Material Changes ...................................................................................................... ii
Item 3 – Table of Contents .................................................................................................... iii
Item 4 – Advisory Business .....................................................................................................1
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation ............................................................................................2
Item 6 - Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ............................................4
Item 7 – Types of Clients ........................................................................................................4
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss .....................................4
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information ...........................................................................................8
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ...................................................8
Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading13
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices .............................................................................................. 14
Item 13 – Review of Accounts ............................................................................................... 16
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation .............................................................. 16
Item 15 – Custody ................................................................................................................ 16
Item 16 – Investment Discretion ........................................................................................... 17
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities ......................................................................................... 17
Item 18 – Financial Information ............................................................................................ 18
iii
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
Item 4 – Advisory Business
GWA is a SEC registered investment advisor located in Mill Valley, California and was formed in 2011.
GWA also has an office in Palm Desert, California. GWA’s principal owners and Managing Members
are: •
•
Elliott Elbaz
Michael Phippen
•
GWA provides investment management services to:
•
Individuals
•
High net worth individuals
Trusts and estates
The Firm currently manages client assets of approximately $348,069,536 on a discretionary basis.
This amount reflects regulatory assets under management (“RAUM”) and was calculated as of
December 31, 2025. It is noted that RAUM are assets of securities portfolios over which the adviser
provides “continuous and regular supervisory or management services,” regardless of whether they
are proprietary assets, assets managed without receiving compensation or assets of foreign clients,
all of which an adviser currently may, but is not required to exclude in calculating the “assets under
management” for SEC registration purposes. RAUM represents gross assets rather than net assets
Portfolio Management:
(AUM).
GWA provides investment management services and investment advice to its
advisory clients. This advice is based on the individual needs of each client. Client needs are
determined by reviewing the client’s financial circumstances and working with the client to
determine his/her goals and objectives. During this process an Investment Policy Statement (“IPS")
is created, by which the portfolio will be managed. Investment recommendations are tailored to each
client’s needs, taking into consideration investment objectives, tolerance for risk, liquidity and
suitability, and clients may be able to add reasonable restrictions on investing in certain securities,
types of securities, or industry sectors. A scenario when restrictions may not be accommodated
includes selection of an outside portfolio manager who may not be able to accommodate such
restriction.
Advisory client accounts are managed on either a discretionary or non-discretionary basis and advice
is not limited to specific types of investments or products. Based on the client’s IPS, allocations may
include a range of investments. Including exchange-listed securities, securities traded over-the-
counter, corporate debt securities (other than commercial paper), municipal securities, mutual fund
shares, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), United States governmental securities, options contracts on
securities, interests in partnerships investing in real estate, Interests in partnerships investing in oil
and gas interests, interests in private equity, venture capital funds, private companies, hedge funds
or cash or cash equivalents.
1
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
Independent Managers:
Where appropriate, GWA recommends the use of independent investment
manager(s) (“independent manager(s)”) to manage certain types of investments in advisory client’s
portfolios. As such, we have an investment committee process by where we evaluate and monitor
these independent managers. More information about our investment committee process can be
made available upon request.
Financial Planning:
GWA offers financial planning as part of the services it offers to its advisory
clients at no extra cost to the client. This is not a separate advisory business, and advisory clients are
under no obligation to participate in the financial planning services offered.
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation
GWA charges asset-based fees for its advisory client services. Fees can be deducted from the advisory
client’s account, or the advisory client may elect to receive a bill. Fee payment methods are
documented in the Investment Management Agreement (“IMA”) between GWA and the advisory
client. Advisory clients who elect to have fees deducted from their account(s) will receive monthly
account statements that reflect and disclose the fee amount deducted. Advisory clients who elect to
be billed for fees incurred will receive bills quarterly.
The annual fee shall be computed on the basis of the schedule set forth as follows (or as negotiated
with the client) and shall be paid quarterly in advance:
Assets Under Advisement (AUA) Standard Fee
First $5 million
1.50% of AUA
$5 million to $15 million
$75.000 +1.35% of AUA over $5 million
$15 million to $25 million
$210,000 +1.20% of AUA over $15 million
$25 million to $50 million
$330,000 + 1.00% of AUA over $25 million
Over $50 million negotiable
GWA may at its option increase the advisory fee one (1) time per year, effective on the anniversary
of the effective date of the IMA, by an amount equal to the increase in the Consumer Price Index in
the United States over the one (1)-year period immediately prior to that anniversary date, however
the advisory fee for all assets in all accounts will not exceed the standard fee.
Fees may be discounted on a case-by-case basis only with the approval of the supervisor.
If an advisory contract is terminated within 5 days of signing and delivery of this disclosure Brochure,
Additions & withdrawals
no fees may be charged.
Assets shall be valued and the advisory fee calculated as of the close of business on the last business
day of the preceding calendar quarter in such manner as will, in the judgment of the Firm, best and
most accurately reflect their fair market value. Substantial additions to or withdrawals from client
advisory accounts may be pro-rated on an equitable basis for the period the assets involved were
under management. In the event that a fee period is less than one full quarter, the advisory fee shall
2
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
be calculated by multiplying a full quarterly management fee by a fraction, the numerator of which
shall be the number of days that the advisory agreement is in effect prior to the end of the calendar
quarter and the denominator of which shall be the number of days in the quarter. It is noted that
withdrawals may prevent the advisory client’s portfolio from achieving investment objectives as the
Firm’s recommended strategies tend to be more long-term in nature. Withdrawals are subject to
securities settlement procedures.
Upon termination of a relationship (terminated by either party in accordance with the terms of the
client advisory agreement), advisory clients will remain liable for any accrued but unpaid fees
through the date of termination. In the event any assets are invested in illiquid private funds, clients
remain liable to pay annual fees, calculated on the basis of the remaining assets invested in such
private fund(s), for the remainder of such private fund’s investment. Clients should review their
advisory agreement for further details.
Transaction and custodial related costs
Lower fees for comparable services may be available from other sources.
The above noted fees are not inclusive of custodial fees charged by the custodial broker-dealer. As
such, advisory clients may incur brokerage and other transaction costs in connection with services
provided by the Firm. These fees are disclosed in the IMA and on the monthly brokerage statements.
Other fees
See Item 12 “Brokerage Practices” for more information regarding brokerage practices.
In certain instances, GWA will charge a one-time fee for the introduction of a specific investment
opportunity. Such fees will be disclosed to advisory clients at the time of investment and will require
Independent managers
a separate, signed statement acknowledging the fee.
As previously discussed in Item 4, in certain instances GWA recommends independent managers to
manage certain types of investments in advisory client portfolios. Fees charged by the independent
manager and broker-dealer/custodian of the account are generally in addition to GWA’s advisory fee
discussed above. In some cases, independent managers have billing practices that vary from our
practices discussed above. As such, we may alter our advisory client account requirements or billing
practices to accommodate those independent managers.
Please refer to the independent manager’s ADV Part 2 disclosure Brochure for specific terms relating
to the independent managers you select through your relationship with GWA as their terms may vary
Financial Planning
from that of GWA.
Other Compensation
As mentioned in Item 4 above GWA does not charge a separate fee for financial planning services.
Representatives of GWA enter into selling agreements with independent managers and issuers of
private offerings through a broker-dealer relationship with Capulent, LLC. The representative of
GWA may receive transaction-based compensation for referring investors or clients under these
3
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
•
selling agreements. In instances where GWA advisory clients are referred under these selling
agreements and transaction-based compensation is received, the following will occur:
•
The amount of selling compensation will be disclosed to the client.
•
The fact that the recommendation is being made through Capulent, LLC will be disclosed to
the client.
The amount of assets invested under the selling agreement will not be included in the client’s
AUM with GWA and thus excluded from the amount on which advisory fees are charged. (The
fee received from the selling agreement generally will not be materially different than the
advisory fee charged to the client if invested in another product offered through GWA thus
mitigating the potential conflict around recommending a manager who pays a referral fee.)
GWA has entered into an agreement with WC RH-GI GP LLC (“Manager”), whereby GWA holds a 40%
interest in order to be paid a portion of the incentive allocation charged by the Manger for any
investments made by GWA clients into RH-GI Investor LLC (a pooled real estate investment vehicle).
In instances where GWA advisory clients are referred to RH-GI Investor LLC, the following will occur:
•
•
The fact that GWA receives an incentive allocation will be disclosed to the client.
•
The incentive allocation will only be charged to investors who are “qualified clients” as
defined in Rule 205-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”),
in accordance with the provisions of the California Corporations Code Section 260.234.
The client will not be required, as a result of the incentive allocation, to pay any additional or
different amount than other investors in RH-GI Investor LLC.
Please see Item 10 for more information on these arrangements.
Item 6 - Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
GWA does not currently collect any performance-based fees for its advisory clients and the Firm’s
standard advisory fee agreement does not anticipate performance-based fees.
Item 7 – Types of Clients
The Firm’s advisory clients include high net worth individuals, trusts and estates.
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis:
Fundamental analysis
In formulating our investment advice and managing client accounts, we generally rely on a
fundamental analysis of historical and present data. This type of analysis includes determining an
investments “core health” and examining core numbers of the company, issuer of securities or
4
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
investment manager, as applicable. This includes reviewing financial statements, performance,
economic state, interest rates, management, etc.
This type of analysis tends to be more useful for long-term investment decisions and may not be
appropriate for someone with a short-term investment horizon. As with any method of analysis, this
analysis type involves risk. The price of a security can move up or down regardless of the economic
or financial factors considered and unanticipated social or economic events can change the outcome
of investments.
In conducting our analysis we rely on the assumption that the sources of information considered
accurate and unbiased. We do review information for any indication that data may be incorrect, but
Charting and technical analysis
there is always a risk that our analysis may be compromised by inaccurate or misleading information.
We attempt to forecast future financial price movements based on an examination of past price
movements and review of charts of market and security activity. This does not result in absolute
predictions about the future, but is an attempt to identify when the market is moving up or down and
to predict how long the trend may last and when that trend might reverse. As such, this tool can help
assess what is “likely” to happen to prices over time. Technical analysis does not consider the
underlying financial condition of a company. This presents a risk in that a poorly-managed or
Cyclical analysis
financially unsound company may underperform regardless of market movement.
In this type of technical analysis, we measure the movements of a particular investment opportunity
Investment Strategies:
against the overall market in an attempt to predict the price movement of an investment.
Investment strategies used by the Firm to implement investment advice vary and may include long
and short-term purchases, trading, short sales, margin transactions, options trading or selection of
independent managers.
Our primary strategy does not involve frequent trading of securities, rather, we utilize an asset
allocation process to identify independent managers who implement investment strategies that are
appropriate for the client’s individual situation and investment objectives. Disclosures of the risks
of a specific investment strategy implemented by an independent manager are made to our advisory
clients by the independent manager. This disclosure can be found in the independent manager’s ADV
Part 2 or similar disclosure Brochure, which will discuss the independent manager’s strategy and
associated risks.
Specific investment strategies managed by the Firm and may be included as part of an advisory
client’s total portfolio are discussed below.
It is important to note, any investment has the risk of loss. No investment in securities or specific
strategies come without the risk of losing money on your investment. As part of the IPS process, we
Covered Call Strategy
will work with you to understand your risk tolerance.
5
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
The investment objective of our Covered Call Strategy is to provide investors with exposure to the
large cap dividend paying equity markets with a call option overlay for increased levels of income.
Although the covered call strategy can be effective in any market condition, it is most effective during
range bound market cycles.
The portfolio will contain approximately 25-35 names with diversified exposure across all sectors of
the S&P 500. The investment process begins with a top down approach aimed at finding the relative
value in each of the sectors of the S&P 500. Based on the investment team’s current view of the equity
markets, the portfolio will underweight/overweight sectors based on equity valuations and growth
prospects over the next 12 months. The goal is to create a balanced portfolio that will closely
correlate to the sector weightings of the S&P 500. The strategy will vary its exposure to individual
sectors based on economic conditions and valuations, but at no time will any one sector represent
more than 25% of the entire portfolio. In addition, at no time will any single position represent more
than 10% of the portfolio. The portfolio will not use leverage. The portfolio will necessarily have
approved money market funds that it invests in on the client’s behalf due to the expected income
from investments.
Our investment team uses several quantitative screens to identify potential candidates for the
portfolio. The first and most important characteristic is a consistent and increasing dividend yield.
The portfolio will target stocks with a current yield of 3% or higher but will consider stocks with a
lower yield if that security exhibits the ability to grow the dividend significantly. The portfolio will
actively look for companies that have a long history of increasing the dividend through several
market cycles. Sample screens that we run include companies that have an average growth pattern
of quarterly dividend yields of 5% or greater over the past 36 quarters.
In order to feel confident our companies can sustain paying their dividends, other screens are run to
check the financial health of the company. These include, but are not limited to, improving revenue
and earnings growth, strong cash flows, debt to equity ratios, and historically low valuations. An
example of a screen that we find useful is the dividend payout ratio. This screen helps us indicate the
likelihood that a company will continue paying dividends, and also its ability to increase the dividend
in the future.
Covered call writing is a bullish, premium selling, strategy. Maximum profit occurs when the
underlying stock is at or above the strike price of the option at time of expiration. By writing the call
and collecting the premium, you give up some of the stock's upside potential, as you agree to sell the
stock at the strike price at expiration. The true risk in the strategy comes from owning the underlying
stock. At the time of expiration, if the stock is lower, loss is calculated by subtracting the sale price of
the underlying stock from the purchase price, and then adding back the premiums received by
writing the calls during the time of ownership. Therefore, if an investor is comfortable owning the
underlying stock, writing calls on the portfolio becomes an income strategy, and somewhat of a loss
mitigation strategy and enhanced by the dividends the company pays on a quarterly basis.
Depending on market conditions, covered calls will be written, or sold on the stocks typically 4-6
months out, providing 5-15% upside potential to the strike price. At the time of expiration, if the
stock is above the strike price of the call option, a decision will be made on whether to roll the option
to a higher strike price and keep the underlying stock, or allow the stock to be called away. If the
6
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
stock price is below the strike and we continue to believe the fundamentals of the company are
Endowment Model
strong, we will write another option to collect more income and lower our cost basis.
Our Endowment Model is an asset allocation strategy that seeks to generate high risk-adjusted
returns with lower volatility by diversifying the portfolio with a strong global mix of ETFs, mutual
funds, and liquid alternatives. The goal of the strategy is to offer a tax-efficient vehicle to act as the
core investment portfolio for clients that can be adjusted based on the client’s risk tolerance. We start
off with a top-down, customizable approach to select the best asset allocations for clients, using
quantitative based models as well as other Wall Street modeling programs. We then will invest in
ETFs that we feel do the best to reduce costs and drive performance and use mutual funds to buffer
the portfolio and strategically invest where active management is required to navigate dislocations
or inefficiencies in specialized markets. Our investment philosophy is to offer clients a well-
Large Cap Growth Strategy
diversified, global portfolio with lower volatility and reasonable management fees.
Our Large Cap Growth Strategy seeks long-term capital appreciation through investment in equity
securities with market capitalizations over $1 billion. Our strategy is to invest in a diversified
portfolio of large cap US stocks that have strong fundamentals and the ability to either pay dividends
or buy back stock because of strong cash flow characteristics. We employ a process that combines
fundamental research, stock selection, and risk management to construct a diversified portfolio.
Longer term, we strive for our portfolio to demonstrate higher performance relative to risk compared
Best Ideas Fund
to the S&P 500 benchmark.
Our Best Ideas Fund is an actively managed strategy comprised of our high conviction investments
designed to generate alpha by utilizing intensive fundamental research. We strive to generate above
average returns in inefficient sectors in the market or where there are price dislocations or changes
in management/ company structures offer unique opportunities to invest. We will leverage our deep
Risks of Loss:
relationships with our contacts in the hedge fund community to help source ideas.
•
Some of the strategies discussed above include discussion of specific risks associated that specific
strategy. Additional risks for these and other strategies used by the Firm include:
•
Market Risk – Either the stock market as a whole, or the value of an individual company, does
down resulting in a decrease in the value of client investments. This is also referred to as
systemic risk.
•
Interest Rate Risk – The risk that an investment’s value will change due to a change in interest
rates. Such changes usually affect securities inversely.
Equity (stock) market risk – Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market
fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and
perceptions of their issuers change. If you held common stock, or common stock equivalents,
of any given issuer, you would generally be exposed to greater risk than if you held preferred
stocks and debt obligations of the issuer.
7
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
•
•
Company Risk - When investing in stock positions, there is always a certain level of company
or industry specific risk that is inherent in each investment. This is also referred to as
unsystematic risk and can be reduced through appropriate diversification. There is the risk
that the company will perform poorly or have its value reduced based on factors specific to
the company or its industry. For example, if a company’s employees go on strike or the
company receives unfavorable media attention for its actions, the value of the company may
be reduced.
•
Options Risk - Options on securities may be subject to greater fluctuations in value than an
investment in the underlying securities. Purchasing and writing put and call options are
highly specialized activities and entail greater than ordinary investment risks.
•
Fixed Income Risk - When investing in bonds, there is the risk that issuer will default on the
bond and be unable to make payments. Further, individuals who depend on set amounts of
periodically paid income face the risk that inflation will erode their spending power. Fixed-
income investors receive set, regular payments that face the same inflation risk.
•
ETF and Mutual Fund Risk – When investing in an ETF or mutual fund, there are additional
expenses based on your pro rata share of the ETF’s or mutual fund’s operating expenses,
including the potential duplication of management fees. The risk of owning an ETF or mutual
fund generally reflects the risks of owning the underlying securities the ETF or mutual fund
holds. Leveraged and inverse ETFs may not be suitable for all investors and have unique
characteristics and risks. Although there are limited occasions where a leveraged or inverse
ETF may be useful for some types of investors, it is extremely important to understand that,
for holding periods longer than a day, these funds may not give you the returns you may be
expecting.
Management Risk – The value of your investment with will vary with the success and failure
of GWA’s investment strategies, research, analysis and determination of portfolio securities.
If the investment strategies do not produce the expected returns, the value of the investment
may decrease.
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information
Registered investment advisers are required to disclose all material facts regarding any legal or
disciplinary events that would be material to your evaluation of GWA or the integrity of GWA’s
management. Neither GWA nor its management persons have been involved in any events required
to be disclosed in this Item.
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Gordian Capital Management, LLC:
Elliott Elbaz and Michael Phippen own and manage Gordian Capital Management, LLC GCM. GCM is
registered as a related investment advisor to GWA. GCM is the General Partner and provides
investment advisory services to pooled investment vehicles (each a “Fund”). In their capacity as
Advisors of GWA, Messrs. Elbaz and Phippen may invest or recommend that advisory clients of GWA
invest assets into the Fund(s) managed by GCM. This practice poses a conflict of interest. As such,
when advisory clients of GWA invest in the Fund(s) managed by GCM, they are invested in a share
8
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
class that does not charge a management fee; however, they may be charged an incentive allocation
discussed in Items 5 and 6 of GCM’s ADV Part 2A Brochure.
The offering of investment advice by GCM is entirely separate and distinct from Messrs. Elbaz and
Phippen’s business with GWA. Clients of GCM are not clients of GWA, and vice versa, in absence of a
Capulent, LLC:
clear and written agreement to such effect.
GWA is not registered as a broker-dealer, however certain of its management and supervised persons
are registered representatives of a broker-dealer. Advisors Elliott Elbaz, Michael Phippen and Scott
Peters are registered representatives of Capulent, LLC (“Capulent”), a registered broker-dealer.
•
In their capacity as registered representatives of Capulent, the representatives enter into selling
agreements with independent managers and/or issuers of private securities (acting as placement
agent) and may receive transaction-based compensation for referring investors or clients under
these selling agreements. In instances where GWA advisory clients are referred under these selling
agreements and transaction-based compensation is received, the following will occur:
•
The amount of selling compensation will be disclosed to the client.
•
The fact that the recommendation is being made through Capulent will be disclosed to the
client.
Insurance Agencies:
The amount of assets invested under the selling agreement will not be included in the client’s
AUM with GWA and thus excluded from the amount on which advisory fees are charged. (The
fee received from the selling agreement generally will not be materially different than the
advisory fee charged to the client if invested in another product offered through GWA thus
mitigating the potential conflict around recommending a manager who pays a referral fee.)
Certain Advisors may have a relationship with Mr. Matt McKenzie of Thomas Brady & Associates
and/or Mr. John DeDominic of TCS Insurance Agency Inc. Mr. McKenzie is a licensed life insurance
agent with insurance agency Thomas Brady & Associates and Mr. DeDominic is a licensed life
insurance agent with insurance agency TCS Insurance Agency Inc. Certain Advisors may have an
arrangement in place with Mr. McKenzie and/or Mr. DeDominic where they may refer advisory
clients of GWA to Mr. McKenzie and/or Mr. DeDominic for life insurance business. These Advisors
would receive compensation in the form of a referral fee from Mr. McKenzie and/or Mr. DeDominic
for referring the life insurance clients. As this represents a conflict of interest, Advisors will be
obligated by their fiduciary responsibility to always act in the best interest of the client.
RH-GI GP LLC
GWA has entered into an agreement with WC RH-GI GP LLC (“Manager”), whereby GWA holds a 40%
interest in order to be paid a portion of the incentive allocation charged by the Manger for any
investments made by GWA clients into RH-GI Investor LLC (a pooled real estate investment vehicle).
In instances where GWA advisory clients are referred to RH-GI Investor LLC, the following will occur:
9
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
•
•
The fact that GWA receives an incentive allocation will be disclosed to the client.
•
The incentive allocation will only be charged to investors who are “qualified clients” as
defined in Rule 205-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”),
in accordance with the provisions of the California Corporations Code Section 260.234.
NV Advisors LLC
The client will not be required, as a result of the incentive allocation, to pay any additional or
different amount than other investors in RH-GI Investor LLC.
GWA has entered into an agreement with NV Advisors LLC (“Manager”) whereby GWA will be sharing
a portion of their management fees and of earned incentive allocation with the manager for certain
predetermined investments made by NV Advisors, LLC represented families. In instances where NV
Advisors LLC clients are referred to investments presented by GWA the following will occur:
•
The fact that GWA shares its management fee and incentive allocation will be disclosed to
client.
•
DPW TRA Investment LLC
The incentive allocation will only be charged to investors who are “qualified clients” as
defined in Rule 205-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”),
in accordance with the provisions of the California Corporations Code Section 260.234.
GWA has entered into an agreement with DPW TRA Investments LLC (“Manager”), whereby GWA
will be paid a portion of the incentive allocation charged by the Manger for any investments made by
GWA clients into the FDG Novato Land Associates, LLV. In instances where GWA advisory clients are
referred to the DPW TRA Van Ness L.P., the following will occur:
•
•
The fact that GWA receives an incentive allocation will be disclosed to the client.
•
The incentive allocation will only be charged to investors who are “qualified clients” as
defined in Rule 205-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”),
in accordance with the provisions of the California Corporations Code Section 260.234.
The client will not be required, as a result of the incentive allocation, to pay any additional or
different amount than other investors in the DPW TRA Van Ness L.P.
Ironside Capital, LLC – ICG Southern Co-Investment
GWA has entered into an agreement with Ironside Capital, LLC (“Manager”), whereby GWA will be
paid a portion of the incentive allocation charged by the Manger for any investments made by GWA
clients into the ICG Southern Co-Investment, LLC. In instances where GWA advisory clients are
referred to the ICG Southern Co-Investment, LLC, the following will occur:
•
The fact that GWA receives an incentive allocation will be disclosed to the client.
10
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
•
•
The incentive allocation will only be charged to investors who are “qualified clients” as
defined in Rule 205-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”),
in accordance with the provisions of the California Corporations Code Section 260.234.
•
The client will not be required, as a result of the incentive allocation, to pay any additional or
different amount than other investors in the ICG Southern Co-Investment, LLC.
•
The traditional management fee charged by GWA will be waived for the assets invested in
the ICG Southern Co-Investment, LLC.
The Manager will reduce their management fee from 2.0% to 1.5% for investors referred by
GWA.
Ironside Capital, LLC – Rickhouse II
GWA has entered into an agreement with Ironside Capital, LLC (“Manager”), whereby GWA will be
paid a portion of the incentive allocation charged by the Manger for any investments made by GWA
clients into Rickhouse II SPV, LLC. In instances where GWA advisory clients are referred to the
project Richouse II SPV, LLC the following will occur:
•
•
•
•
•
The fact that GWA receives an incentive allocation will be disclosed to the client.
The incentive allocation will only be charged to investors who are “qualified clients” as
defined in Rule 205-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”),
in accordance with the provisions of the California Corporations Code Section 260.234.
The client will not be required, as a result of the incentive allocation, to pay any additional or
different amount than other investors in Rickhouse II SPV, LLC.
The traditional management fee for the assets invested in Rickhouse II SPV LLC will be
charged by GWA. The fact that the clients will be paying management fees to both GWA and
the Manager will be disclosed to the client.
The Manager will reduce their management fee from 2.0% to 1.5% for investors referred by
GWA.
Ironside Capital, LLC – Iron Cask Fund III
GWA has entered into an agreement with Ironside Capital, LLC (“Manager”), whereby GWA will be
paid a portion of the incentive allocation charged by the Manger for any investments made by GWA
clients into Iron Cask Fund III, LLC. In instances where GWA advisory clients are referred to the Fund
Iron Cask III, LLC the following will occur:
•
•
•
The fact that GWA receives an incentive allocation will be disclosed to the client.
The incentive allocation will only be charged to investors who are “qualified clients” as
defined in Rule 205-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”),
in accordance with the provisions of the California Corporations Code Section 260.234.
The client will not be required, as a result of the incentive allocation, to pay any additional or
different amount than other investors in Iron Cask Fund III, LLC.
11
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
•
The traditional management fee for the assets invested in Iron Cask Fund III,LLC will be
charged by GWA. The fact that the clients will be paying management fees to both GWA and
the Manager will be disclosed to the client.
12/12 Ventures GP I, LLC
GWA has entered into an agreement with 12/12 Ventures GP I, LLC (“Manager”), whereby GWA will
be paid a portion of the incentive allocation charged by the Manger for any investments made by
GWA clients into the 12/12 Ventures Fund I QP, LP. In instances where GWA advisory clients are
referred to the 12/12 Ventures Fund I QP, LP, following will occur:
•
•
The fact that GWA receives an incentive allocation will be disclosed to the client.
•
The incentive allocation will only be charged to investors who are “qualified clients” as
defined in Rule 205-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”),
in accordance with the provisions of the California Corporations Code Section 260.234.
•
The client will not be required, as a result of the incentive allocation, to pay any additional or
different amount than other investors in the ICG Southern Co-Investment, LLC.
The Manager will reduce their management fee from 2.0% to 1.5% for investors referred by
GWA.
Forum Management, Inc.
GWA has entered into an agreement with Form Management, Inc. (“Manager”), whereby GWA will be
paid a portion of the incentive allocation charged by the Manger for any investments made by GWA
clients into the FDG Novato Land Associates, LLV. In instances where GWA advisory clients are
referred to the FDG Novato Land Associates, LLV, the following will occur:
•
•
The fact that GWA receives an incentive allocation will be disclosed to the client.
•
The incentive allocation will only be charged to investors who are “qualified clients” as
defined in Rule 205-3 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”),
in accordance with the provisions of the California Corporations Code Section 260.234.
The client will not be required, as a result of the incentive allocation, to pay any additional or
different amount than other investors in the FDG Novato Land Associates, LLV.
General Information on Conflicts Resulting from These Arrangements
We recognize that receipt of additional compensation by the Firm and its employees creates a conflict
of interest that may impair the objectivity of our Firm and these individuals when making advisory
recommendations. As such, we endeavor at all times to put the interest of our clients first as part of
our fiduciary duty as a registered investment adviser. Specific steps to address these conflicts
include:
12
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
•
•
disclosure to clients of the existence of conflicts of interest (including the potential for our
Firm and employees to earn compensation in addition to our Firm’s advisory fees);
•
collection of information relevant in completing an advisory client’s IPS by which the client’s
portfolio is managed;
•
conducting regular reviews of each client account to verify that all recommendations made
to a client are suitable to the client’s needs and circumstances; and
implementing a code of ethics that governs Firm and employee ethical obligations.
It is important to note that you are not obligated to purchase recommended investment products
from our employees or affiliated entities.
Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading
We have adopted a Code of Ethics to govern our ethical obligations regarding personal securities
transactions pursuant to Rule 204A-1 under the Advisors Act. A copy of the Code will be provided to
advisory clients or a perspective client upon request.
Our Code of Ethics addresses conflicts that could occur with our employees around making decisions
in the best interest of advisory clients and implementing such decisions while, at the same time,
allowing employees to invest for their own accounts.
Our Firm, individuals and entities associated with our Firm are permitted to trade in their personal
securities accounts in securities that are identical to or different from those recommended to our
clients. Our Code of Ethics seeks to govern issues that may arise from such activity. As such, none of
our “Access Persons” may effect for themselves or for their immediate family (i.e., spouse, minor
children, and adults living in the same household as the Access Person) any transactions in a security
which is being actively purchased or sold, or is being considered for purchase or sale, on behalf of
any of our clients.
These requirements are not applicable to: (i) direct obligations of the Government of the United
States; (ii) money market instruments, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial
paper, repurchase agreements and other high quality short-term debt instruments, including
repurchase agreements; (iii) shares issued by mutual funds or money market funds; and (iv) shares
issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in one or more mutual funds.
With respect to personal or Firm accounts, our Code of Ethics covers the following to mitigate
conflicts around trading activity: (i) disclosure of holdings; (ii) pre-clearance of securities
transactions; (iii) short-term trading; (iv) new issues securities; (v) private placements; and (vi)
private fund investments and distributions. The Code of Ethics requires quarterly reporting,
employee verification, and receipt of reporting from broker-dealers.
13
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
As discussed in Item 10 above, we have a number of arrangements by where we may have a financial
interest in making specific recommendations. Please see the disclosures made around these
arrangements and the conflicts of interest they present.
If issues arise with regard to an Advisor’s fiduciary obligation and/or violations of our Code of Ethics,
it will be escalated to the Firm’s Compliance Department.
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices
We generally recommend that advisory clients establish brokerage accounts with Schwab Advisor
Services division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) (referred to as “custodial broker”) to
maintain custody of their assets and to effect trades for their accounts. We make this
recommendation for custodial purposes only and do not recommend brokers on a transaction basis.
Although we make recommendations to Schwab, it is the advisory client’s decision on where to
custody assets. We are not affiliated with Schwab and have no financial interest in recommending
clients to them.
Recommendations to a custodial broker will take into account a number of factors, including
transaction fees, custodial fees charged by the custodial broker for holding securities for the client,
commission rates, interest charges on debit balances and interest credits on credit balances, quality
of execution, and record-keeping and reporting capabilities. Our goal is to minimize the total cost for
all brokerage services paid by the client. However, it may be the case that a recommended custodial
broker charges a higher fee for a particular type of service, such as commission rates, than can be
obtained from another broker. It may also be the case that the total costs of all services provided by
the recommended broker may be higher than can be obtained at another broker. GWA may
determine in good faith that such total costs are reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage and
research services provided by such broker, viewed in terms of GWA’s overall responsibilities to the
client.
The custodial broker provides GWA with access to their institutional trading and custody services,
which are typically not available to retail investors of the custodial broker. In certain instances these
services generally are available to independent investment advisors on an unsolicited basis, at no
charge to them so long as a total of at least $10 million of the advisor’s clients’ assets are maintained
in accounts at the custodial broker. The custodial broker’s services may include brokerage services
that are related to the execution of securities transactions, custody, research, including that in the
form of advice, analyses and reports, and access to mutual funds and other investments that are
otherwise generally available only to institutional investors or would require a significantly higher
minimum initial investment.
The custodial broker may also make available to GWA other products and services that benefit GWA
but may not benefit its clients’ accounts. These benefits may include national, regional or GWA-
specific educational events organized and/or sponsored by the custodial broker. Other potential
benefits may include occasional business entertainment of personnel of GWA by the custodial
broker’s personnel, including meals, invitations to sporting events, including golf tournaments, and
other forms of entertainment, some of which may accompany educational opportunities. Other of
14
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
these products and services assist GWA in managing and administering clients’ accounts. These
include software and other technology (and related technological training) that provide access to
client account data (such as trade confirmations and account statements), facilitate trade execution
(and allocation of aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts), provide research, pricing
information and other market data, facilitate payment of GWA’s fees from its clients’ accounts, and
assist with back-office training and support functions, recordkeeping and client reporting. Many of
these services generally may be used to service all or some substantial number of GWA’s accounts,
including accounts not maintained at the custodial broker. The custodial broker may also make
available to GWA other services intended to help GWA manage and further develop its business
enterprise. These services may include professional compliance, legal and business consulting,
publications and conferences on practice management, information technology, business succession,
regulatory compliance, employee benefits providers, human capital consultants, insurance and
marketing. In addition, the custodial broker may make available, arrange and/or pay vendors for
these types of services rendered to GWA by independent third parties. The custodial broker may
discount or waive fees it would otherwise charge for some of these services or pay all or a part of the
fees of a third-party providing these services to GWA.
While, as a fiduciary, GWA endeavors to act in its clients’ best interests, GWA’s recommendation that
clients maintain their assets in accounts at Schwab may be based in part on the benefit to GWA of the
availability of some of the foregoing products and services and other arrangements and not solely on
the nature, cost or quality of custody and brokerage services provided by the custodial broker, which
may create a potential conflict of interest.
We do not receive client referrals from broker-dealers for recommending clients, thus we do not have
any incentive to select or recommend a broker-dealer based on the Firm’s interest in receiving client
referrals.
GWA does not routinely recommend, request or require that a client direct the Firm to execute
transactions through a specific broker-dealer and the Firm does not have directed brokerage
arrangements.
follow
these procedures
regardless of
compensation
From time to time, receives certain benefits from the independent managers that our clients invest
(or may potentially invest with) with based on our recommendation. Such benefits include
invitations to attend Limited Partnership conferences or industry conferences to learn about
investments and general markets sponsored by the independent managers on a complimentary
basis. Benefits include the independent manager(s) paying for items such as airfare, hotel rooms and
meals during the conferences. Because benefits like these could result in a conflict of interest, the
Firm mitigates this conflict by having a procedure for allocating to and redeeming from third party
managers. These decisions are made following our investment committee process. We have an
internal process regarding when a manager is recommended, retained or redeemed. All such
structure or
decisions must
conflicts. Additionally, travel and events (or other benefits received) that are paid for by managers
or other third parties must be reviewed by the CCO for determination of appropriateness.
15
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
Transactions for each client generally will be effected independently, unless we decide to purchase
or sell the same securities for several clients at approximately the same time. We may (but are not
obligated to) combine or aggregate these orders to obtain best execution, to negotiate more favorable
commission rates, or to allocate equitably among the accounts involved.
In the event that GWA determines that a prorated allocation is not appropriate under the particular
circumstances, the allocation will be made based upon other relevant factors.
Item 13 – Review of Accounts
Advisory client accounts are reviewed by the supervisors of the Firm on an ongoing basis to assess
trading activity and ensure that the portfolios are being managed consistent with the stated
investment objectives (outlined in the IPS for advisory clients). This review is a collective process by
the advisors and supervisors. Elliott Elbaz and Michael Phippen have the supervisory responsibility
of ensuring reviews are conducted.
These reviews are conducted informally on a regular basis and formally with the client on a time
schedule agreed upon between us and the client, but no less than annually.
Advisory clients receive month-end account statements showing activity and month end positions,
and a year-end tax statement detailing the previous year’s taxable activity. This information will be
prepared and sent to clients by the custodial broker-dealer. Clients may also choose to have online
access to their accounts to view daily information.
Quarterly management reports, compiled by a third-party data aggregator, will also be made
available to clients. These reports are comprehensive and provide a review of all assets and
performance information for the advisory client’s whole portfolio as well as each independent
manager held in the client’s portfolio.
All third-party aggregators must be pre-approved by the Firm.
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation
We do not receive any economic benefit, directly or indirectly from any third party for advice
rendered to clients. Please reference Items 4 and 10 for disclosure of other types of compensation
arrangements.
Item 15 – Custody
GWA does not have custody of client funds or securities, except for authorized fee withdrawals. All
client funds and securities will be held with a custodial broker-dealer and each client will have online
access and will receive a monthly account statement directly from the custodian.
16
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
As discussed in Item 4, we do withdraw advisory fees directly from client accounts and as such, we
comply with the following guidelines:
The custodian will send monthly statements to the Firm’s clients, which will reflect all disbursements
for the account, including the amount of the advisory fees.
GWA will receive written authorization from its clients permitting the payment of fees directly from
their accounts held by the custodian. This written authorization will be provided in the advisory
account agreement signed by each client.
Item 16 – Investment Discretion
We provide discretionary and non-discretionary services to our advisory clients. For discretionary
accounts, we may place trades in a client's account without contacting the client prior to each trade
to obtain the client's permission.
•
Our discretionary authority includes the ability to do the following without contacting the client:
•
determine the security to buy or sell; and/or
determine the amount of the security to buy or sell
Advisory clients give us discretionary authority when they sign a discretionary agreement with our
Firm and may limit this authority by giving us written instructions. Advisory clients may also
change/amend such limitations by once again providing us with written instructions.
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities
GWA does not accept authority to vote client securities. Advisors shall not vote or advise the client
on voting proxies for securities held in client’s accounts. Therefore, the client maintains exclusive
responsibility for: (1) directing the manner in which proxies solicited by issuers of securities
beneficially owned by client shall be voted, and (2) making all elections relative to any mergers,
acquisitions, tender offers, bankruptcy proceedings or other type events pertaining to client’s
investment assets. Advisors and/or the clients shall instruct the client’s qualified custodian to
forward to client copies of all proxies and shareholder communications relating to the client’s
investment assets. Clients will receive their voting proxies or other solicitations directly from the
custodian.
For accounts managed by independent managers the proxy voting is dictated by the independent
manager (and outlined in their ADV - either the independent manager will vote or proxies will be
sent to the client to vote).
If a client has questions on any particular proxy or solicitation, they can contact their advisor.
17
Part 2A of ADV:
Gordian Wealth Advisors, LLC
Item 18 – Financial Information
As an advisory firm who has discretionary authority and custody, we are required to disclose any
financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair our ability to meet our contractual obligations.
We have no circumstances that meet this disclosure requirement.
We do not require or solicit payment of fees in excess of $1,200 per client more than six months in
advance of services rendered. Therefore, we are not required to include a financial statement with
this disclosure Brochure.
GWA has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition at any time during the past ten years.
18