View Document Text
Sovereign Wealth Advisors, LLC
3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 500
Houston, Texas 77098
Form ADV Part 2A – Firm Brochure
March 28, 2025
Firm Contact:
Russell Gebhard
Chief Compliance Officer
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Sovereign Wealth
Advisors, LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us by
telephone at (713) 527‐3400. The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the
United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any State Securities Authority.
Additional information about Sovereign Wealth Advisors, LLC also is available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Please note that the use of the term “registered investment adviser” and description of Sovereign Wealth
Advisors, LLC and/or our associates as “registered” does not imply a certain level of skill or training. You
are encouraged to review this Brochure and Brochure Supplements for our firm’s associates who advise
you for more information on the qualifications of our firm and our employees.
Item 2: Material Changes
Sovereign Wealth Advisors, LLC is required to advise you of any material changes to the Firm Brochure
(“Brochure”) from our last annual update. The material changes Are as follows:
Item 4: (Page 10) Regulatory assets under management have changed to $567,695,200 on a discretionary
basis and $39,340,664 on a non‐discretionary basis.
Page 2
Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page ......................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Item 2: Material Changes .............................................................................................................................. 2
Item 3: Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. 3
Item 4: Advisory Business ............................................................................................................................. 4
Item 5: Fees & Compensation ..................................................................................................................... 11
Item 6: Performance‐Based Fees & Side‐By‐Side Management ................................................................. 13
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements ..................................................................................... 13
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss ........................................................... 14
Item 9: Disciplinary Information ................................................................................................................. 15
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations .......................................................................... 15
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions & Personal Trading ................... 15
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ...................................................................................................................... 16
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans ......................................................................................... 19
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation ....................................................................................... 19
Item 15: Custody ......................................................................................................................................... 20
Item 16: Investment Discretion .................................................................................................................. 20
Item 17: Voting Client Securities ................................................................................................................. 20
Item 18: Financial Information.................................................................................................................... 21
Page 3
Item 4: Advisory Business
We are dedicated to providing individuals and other types of clients with a wide array of investment
advisory services. Our firm is a limited liability company formed in the State of Texas. Our firm has been
in business as an investment adviser since 2015 and is solely owned by Russell Gebhard.
Description of the Types of Advisory Services We Offer
Wrap Comprehensive and Comprehensive Portfolio Management:
Our Wrap Comprehensive and Comprehensive Portfolio Management service encompasses asset
management as well as providing financial planning/financial consulting to clients. It is designed to assist
clients in meeting their financial goals through the use of financial investments. We conduct at least one,
but sometimes more than one meeting (in person, if possible, otherwise via telephone conference) with
clients in order to understand their current financial situation, existing resources, financial goals, and
tolerance for risk. Based on what we learn, we propose an investment approach to the client. We may
propose an investment portfolio, consisting of exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), mutual funds, individual
stocks or bonds, or other securities. Upon the client’s agreement to the proposed investment plan, we
collaborate with the client to establish or transfer investment accounts so that we can manage the client’s
portfolio. Once the relevant accounts are under our management, we review such accounts on a regular
basis and at least quarterly. We may periodically rebalance or adjust client accounts under our
management. If the client experiences any significant changes to his/her financial or personal
circumstances, the client must notify us so that we can consider such information in managing the client’s
investments. Our portfolio management accounts consist of Comprehensive (you pay for ticket and other
charges for trades executed in your account) and Wrap Comprehensive (you will not incur transaction
costs for trades executed in your account) accounts. As a result of your advisor executing transactions
with no cost to you, wrap comprehensive fees are typically higher than comprehensive advisory fees.
If you decide to implement our recommendations, we will help you open a custodial account(s). The
funds in your account will generally be held in a separate account, in your name, at an independent
custodian, and not with us. SWA recommends that our clients use LPL Financial LLC, Charles Schwab &
Co., Inc., all are FINRA‐registered broker‐dealers, member SIPC, as a qualified custodian.
You will enter into a separate custodial agreement with the custodian which authorizes the custodian to
take instructions from [us/you] regarding all investment decisions for your account. We will select the
securities bought and sold and the amount to be bought and sold, within the parameters of the
objectives and risk tolerance of your account. You will be notified of any purchases or sales through
trade confirmations and statements that are provided by the custodian. These statements list the total
value of the account, itemize all transaction activity, and list the types, amounts, and total value of
securities held.
You will at all times maintain full and complete ownership rights to all assets held in your account,
including the right to withdraw securities or cash, proxy voting and receiving transaction confirmations.
Financial Planning & Consulting:
We provide a variety of financial planning and consulting services to individuals, families, and other clients
regarding the management of their financial resources based upon an analysis of the client’s current
Page 4
situation, goals, and objectives. Generally, such financial planning services will involve preparing a
financial plan or rendering a financial consultation for clients based on the client’s financial goals and
objectives. This planning or consulting may encompass one or more of the following areas: Investment
Planning, Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, Charitable Planning, Education Planning, Corporate and
Personal Tax Planning, Cost Segregation Study, Corporate Structure, Real Estate Analysis, Mortgage/Debt
Analysis, Insurance Analysis, Lines of Credit Evaluation, Business and Personal Financial Planning.
Our written financial plans or financial consultations rendered to clients usually include general
recommendations for a course of activity or specific actions to be taken by the clients. For example,
recommendations may be made that the clients begin or revise investment programs, create or revise
wills or trusts, obtain or revise insurance coverage, commence or alter retirement savings, or establish
education or charitable giving programs. It should also be noted that we refer clients to an accountant,
attorney or other specialist, as necessary for non‐advisory related services. For written financial planning
engagements, we provide our clients with a written summary of their financial situation, observations,
and recommendations. For financial consulting engagements, we usually do not provide our clients with
a written summary of our observations and recommendations as the process is less formal than our
planning service. Plans or consultations are typically completed within six (6) months of the client signing
a contract with us, assuming that all the information and documents we request from the client are
provided to us promptly. Implementation of the recommendations will be at the discretion of the client.
Educational Seminars:
We offer clients the opportunity to attend educational seminars hosted by advisors of our firm. The
seminars will cover a range of topics which will include but are not limited to the following:
General: We will discuss how individuals may live within their means, save more, and spend less.
This discussion will also touch on budgeting, creating an emergency fund, and basic financial
planning.
Market Overview: Presentation of data pertaining to stock market performance in the previous
year, economic factors, and outlook for the coming year.
Estate Planning: We will explore various estate‐planning issues such as wills, the need for a
durable power of attorney for health care, using a financial power of attorney, and when a trust
makes sense. Additionally, we will discuss using life insurance, the potential impact of estate
taxes, business succession, and funeral expense planning.
Retirement: Topics include types and characteristics of various retirement vehicles, projecting
income, expenses and needs, deciding when to retire, retirement lifestyle, budgeting, and money
management during retirement.
Investments: An emphasis will be placed on familiarizing attendees with investment terminology
and types of investment products to include but not limited to bonds, stocks, mutual funds, and
commodities. In addition to, the distinctions among various asset classes such as value and
growth; large, medium, and small cap; and municipal, corporate and other types of bond
classification.
Retirement Plan Consulting:
We provide retirement plan consulting services to employer plan sponsors on a one‐time or ongoing basis.
Generally, such retirement plan consulting services consist of assisting employer plan sponsors in
establishing, monitoring and reviewing their company's participant‐directed retirement plan. As the
Page 5
needs of the plan sponsor dictate, areas of advising could include: investment options, plan structure and
participant education.
All retirement plan consulting services shall be in compliance with the applicable state law(s) regulating
retirement plan consulting services. This applies to client accounts that are pension or other employee
benefit plans (“Plan”) governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(“ERISA”). If the client accounts are part of a Plan, and we accept appointments to provide our services to
such accounts, we acknowledge that we are a fiduciary within the meaning of Section 3(21) or Section
3(38) of ERISA (but only with respect to the provision of services described in section 1 of the Retirement
Plan Consulting Agreement).
Sponsored Advisory Programs:
Our firm may provide advisory services through certain programs sponsored by LPL Financial (“LPL”) or
Charles Schwab. Below is a brief description of each advisory program available to our firm. For more
information regarding the advisory programs, including more information on the advisory services and
fees that apply, the types of investments available in the programs and the potential conflicts of interest
presented by the programs please see the respective custodians Form ADV Part 2 or the applicable
program’s Appendix 1 (wrap fee program brochure) and the applicable client agreement.
Optimum Market Portfolios Program (OMP) ‐ LPL
OMP offers clients the ability to participate in a professionally managed asset allocation program using
Optimum Funds Class I shares. Under OMP, client will authorize LPL on a discretionary basis to purchase
and sell Optimum Funds pursuant to investment objectives chosen by the client. Advisor will assist the
client in determining the suitability of OMP for the client and assist the client in setting an appropriate
investment objective. Advisor will have discretion to select a mutual fund asset allocation portfolio
designed by LPL consistent with the client’s investment objective. LPL will have discretion to purchase
and sell Optimum Funds pursuant to the portfolio selected for the client. LPL will also have authority to
rebalance the account.
Personal Wealth Portfolios Program (PWP) ‐ LPL
PWP offers clients an asset management account using asset allocation model portfolios designed by LPL.
Advisor will have discretion for selecting the asset allocation model portfolio based on client’s investment
objective. Advisor will also have discretion for selecting third party money managers (PWP Advisors) or
mutual funds within each asset class of the model portfolio. LPL will act as the overlay portfolio manager
on all PWP accounts and will be authorized to purchase and sell on a discretionary basis mutual funds and
equity and fixed income securities.
Model Wealth Portfolios Program (MWP) ‐ LPL
MWP offers clients a professionally managed mutual fund asset allocation program. We will obtain the
necessary financial data from the client, assist the client in determining the suitability of the MWP
program and assist the client in setting an appropriate investment objective. The Advisor will initiate the
steps necessary to open an MWP account and have discretion to select a model portfolio designed by
LPL’s Research Department consistent with the client’s stated investment objective. LPL’s Research
Page 6
Department is responsible for selecting the mutual funds within a model portfolio and for making changes
to the mutual funds selected.
The client will authorize LPL to act on a discretionary basis to purchase and sell mutual funds (including in
certain circumstances exchange traded funds) and to liquidate previously purchased securities. The client
will also authorize LPL to effect rebalancing for MWP accounts.
The MWP program makes available model portfolios designed by strategists other than LPL’s Research
Department. The Advisor will have discretion to choose among the available models designed by LPL and
outside strategists.
Manager Access Select Program ‐ LPL
Manager Access Select provides clients access to the investment advisory services of professional portfolio
management firms for the individual management of client accounts. Advisor will assist client in
identifying a third‐party portfolio manager (Portfolio Manager) from a list of Portfolio Managers made
available by LPL. The Portfolio Manager manages client’s assets on a discretionary basis. Advisor will
provide initial and ongoing assistance regarding the Portfolio Manager selection process.
Guided Wealth Portfolios (GWP) ‐ LPL
GWP offers clients the ability to participate in a centrally managed, algorithm‐based investment
program, which is made available to users and clients through a web‐based, interactive account
management portal (“Investor Portal”). Investment recommendations to buy and sell exchange‐traded
funds and open‐end mutual funds are generated through proprietary, automated, computer algorithms
(collectively, the “Algorithm”) of FutureAdvisor, Inc. (“FutureAdvisor”), based upon model portfolios
constructed by LPL and selected for the account as described below (such model portfolio selected for
the account, the “Model Portfolio”). Communications concerning GWP are intended to occur primarily
through electronic means (including but not limited to, through email communications or through the
Investor Portal), although SWA will be available to discuss investment strategies, objectives, or the
account in general in person or via telephone. A preview of the Program (the “Educational Tool”) is
provided for a period of up to forty‐five (45) days to help users determine whether they would like to
become advisory clients and receive ongoing financial advice from LPL, FutureAdvisor and SWA by
enrolling in the advisory service (the “Managed Service”). The Educational Tool and Managed Service are
described in more detail in the GWP Program Brochure. Users of the Educational Tool are not
considered to be advisory clients of LPL, FutureAdvisor or SWA, do not enter into an advisory agreement
with LPL, FutureAdvisor or SWA, do not receive ongoing investment advice or supervisions of their
assets, and do not receive any trading services.
55IP – Charles Schwab
55IP provides sub‐advised ETF and Mutual Fund actively managed model portfolios through JPMorgan
and Blackrock. The advisor helps the client pick from many portfolio choices based on several risk/return
profiles and 3 main Model Types: Strategic, Tactical and Multi‐Asset Income. Exceptional care is taken
for using tax‐aware strategies to lower clients turnover and taxable gains. The tax‐aware strategies used
are transition, loss harvesting and withdrawal. 55IP is accessed through custodian Charles Schwab
Third Party Asset Managers:
Page 7
We may determine that opening an account with a professional third‐party asset manager is in your best
interest. We utilize the services of LPL Financial LLC (“LPL”), SEI Investments, City National Rochdale,
Lockwood and Assetmark as third‐party asset managers.
These programs allow you to obtain portfolio management services that typically require higher minimum
account sizes outside of the program. The asset managers selected under these programs will have
discretion to determine the securities they buy and sell within the account, subject to reasonable
restrictions imposed by you. Due to the nature of these programs, each of the independent asset
managers is obligated to provide you with a separate disclosure document. You should carefully review
this document for important and specific program details, including pricing.
Under these programs, we may:
Assist in the identification of investment objectives.
Recommend specific investment style and asset allocation strategies.
Assist in the selection of appropriate money managers and review performance and progress.
Recommend reallocation among managers or styles within the program.
Recommend the hiring and firing of money managers utilized by you.
You will receive a separate Form ADV Part 2 from the third‐party asset manager that discusses how its
fees and expenses are paid and your relationship with them. The third‐party asset manager fees may
be separate from our fees and vary based on the total client assets we have invested. These fees are
separately charged to advisory clients. All fees are disclosed in the Client Agreement and displayed on
quarterly statements. You should read the ADV Part 2 disclosure document of the asset manager you
select for complete details on the charges and fees you will incur and ask us any questions you may have.
Please refer to the ADV Part 2 for LPL, SEI Investments, City National Rochdale, Lockwood and Assetmark
for a complete description of the services offered through these third‐party asset managers.
SEI Investments
SWA participates in the Separately Managed Accounts Program sponsored by SEI Investments
Management Corporation. To participate in the Program, SWA, SEI and each client execute a three‐party
agreement (hereinafter, a Managed Account Agreement) providing for the management of certain
investor assets in accordance with the terms thereof. By means of the Managed Account Agreement, the
client appoints SWA as its investment advisor to assist the client in selecting an asset diversification
strategy, which includes allocating a percentage of client assets to designated portfolios of separate
securities and which may include a percentage of assets allocated to a portfolio of mutual funds sponsored
by SEI or an affiliate of SEI.
The client appoints SEI to manage the assets in each Separately Managed Account Portfolio in accordance
with a strategy selected by the client together with SWA. SEI may delegate its responsibility for selecting
securities to one or more portfolio managers. Please refer to SEI’s ADV Part 2 disclosure brochure for a
full description of fees.
City National Rochdale
Page 8
The Wrap Program offered directly through City National Rochdale by SWA offers continuous
management of client accounts on a fully discretionary basis making all security purchase and sale
decisions. Securities transactions are executed through Advisor’s brokerage affiliate, RIM Securities LLC,
a member of FINRA. Clients participating in the City National Rochdale Wrap Program are required to
direct the use of RIM as their broker/dealer. RIM clears all its transactions on a fully disclosed basis
through Pershing LLC, but separate commissions are not charged for securities transactions under the City
National Rochdale Wrap Fee Program. Pershing also serves as the custodian for all client Accounts that
participate in the City National Rochdale Wrap Fee Program. In addition to actively managing client
accounts, the City National Rochdale Wrap Program aid clients in setting investment objectives, as well as
determining appropriate asset allocations. A variety of investment styles may be employed, with client
consultation, with a view to establishing the investment style most appropriate for the client’s investment
objectives.
Lockwood Investment Advisors
Lockwood provides access to individual portfolio managers (“Portfolio Managers”) and investment
advisory and discretionary services to financial planners, certified public accountants, broker‐ dealers,
registered investment advisers, and other financial advisors (“Firms” or “Firm” in the singular) which, in
turn, provide investment advice and consulting services to their clients
An affiliate of Lockwood, Pershing LLC (“Pershing”) is a SEC registered broker‐dealer that is a member of
the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), the Securities Investor Protection Corporation
(“SIPC”) and the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), and provides clearing and custody services for the
Lockwood program described in this Brochure. Another affiliate of Lockwood, Pershing Advisor Solutions
LLC (“Pershing Advisor Solutions”), is a SEC registered broker‐dealer that is a member of FINRA and SIPC,
and provides retail brokerage services for certain Clients in the Managed360 Program. Lockwood,
Pershing and Pershing Advisor Solutions are affiliated companies, each of which is indirectly owned by
BNY Mellon.
Lockwood’s range of investment offerings includes the following:
• Separately Managed Accounts (“SMA”) – Researched SMA managers and open architecture SMA
managers.
• Lockwood AdvisorFlex Portfolios – A flexible mutual fund and exchange traded fund (“ETF”) wrap
product.
• Lockwood Investment Strategies – A fixed unified managed account (“UMA”) wrap product.
• Lockwood WealthStart Portfolios – A fixed mutual fund and ETF wrap product.
• Lockwood Asset Allocation Portfolios – A fixed mutual fund and ETF wrap product.
• Lockwood/American Funds Core Portfolios – A fixed mutual fund and ETF wrap product constructed
using American Funds mutual funds;
• Lockwood Flexible Unified Managed Account – A flexible UMA wrap product.
• Third Party Strategists – Open architecture mutual fund and ETF models.
AssetMark
AssetMark, Inc. (“AssetMark”) is the sponsor of the AssetMark Platform (“Platform”) through which it
offers its advisory and Platform services to Clients (the “Client”). Representatives of third‐party
investment adviser firms (these firms are referred to in this brochure as “Financial Advisory Firms” and
Page 9
their representatives are referred to as the “Financial Advisors”), consult with Clients to assess their
financial situation and identify their investment objectives in order to implement investment solutions
designed to meet the Client’s financial needs. If the Client and the Financial Advisor choose a Solution
Type (or “Solutions,” described below) managed by ISG or Savos, AssetMark is responsible for the
management of that Solution Type for the Client’s Account (described below). AssetMark also serves as
the investment adviser for the following registered investment companies (“Proprietary Funds”)
available in certain Solution Types under the Platform: 1) GPS I, a series of sub‐advised no‐load mutual
funds that include the GuideMark® Funds; 2) GPS II, a series of no‐load mutual funds that include
GuideMark Funds as well as GuidePath Fund of Funds; and 3) the Savos Investments Trust Dynamic
Hedging Fund (“Savos DHF”), a registered investment company used by Savos to provide risk mitigation
in some Solution Types. AssetMark is responsible for the management of each of these registered
investment companies. However, the Client and the Financial Advisor, and not AssetMark, are
responsible for selecting the Solution Type that uses these investment companies. Current approved
custodian of AssetMark assets is Pershing LLC and AssetMark Trust Company.
Please refer to the ADV Part 2 for LPL, SEI Investments, City National Rochdale, Lockwood Investment
Advisors and Assetmark for a complete description of the fees charged by these third‐party asset
managers.
Tailoring of Advisory Services
We offer individualized investment advice to clients utilizing our Comprehensive Portfolio Management
service. Additionally, we offer general investment advice to clients utilizing our Financial Planning &
Consulting, Educational Seminars, and Retirement Plan Consulting services.
Each client has the opportunity to place reasonable restrictions on the types of investments to be held in the
portfolio. Restrictions on investments in certain securities or types of securities may not be possible due
to the level of difficulty this would entail in managing the account. Restrictions would be limited to our
Comprehensive Portfolio Management service. We do not manage assets through our other services.
Participation in Wrap Fee Programs
We offer wrap fee programs as further described in Part 2A, Appendix 1 (the “Wrap Fee Program
Brochure”) of our Brochure. Our wrap fee accounts are managed on an individualized basis according to
the client’s investment objectives, financial goals, risk tolerance, etc. We do not manage wrap
comprehensive fee accounts in a different fashion than comprehensive fee accounts. As further described
in our Wrap Comprehensive Program Brochure, we receive a portion of the wrap fee for our services.
Regulatory Assets Under Management
As of February 28th, 2025, our firm manages $567,695,200 on a discretionary basis and $39,340,664 on a
non‐discretionary basis.
Page 10
Item 5: Fees & Compensation
How We Are Compensated for Our Advisory Services
Wrap Comprehensive and Comprehensive Portfolio Management:
Our maximum fee for our Wrap Comprehensive and Comprehensive Portfolio Management service is
3.0% and 2.8% respectively, of the assets under management. Our firm’s fees are billed on a pro‐rata
annualized basis quarterly in advance based on the value of your account on the last day of the previous
quarter. The total estimated fee, as well as the ultimate fee that we charge you, is based on the scope and
complexity of our engagement with you. Fees will be automatically deducted from your managed
account*. The custodian will make quarterly adjustments for deposits and withdrawals in client accounts.
As part of this process, you understand and acknowledge the following:
a) The custodian sends statements at least quarterly to Clients showing all disbursements for
their account, including the amount of the advisory fees paid to our firm;
b) The Client has provided authorization permitting fees to be directly paid by these terms;
c) The Custodian calculates the advisory fees and deducts them from the Client’s account.
Advisory Sponsored Programs:
The maximum fees for the sponsored advisory programs are as follows:
Sponsored Advisory Program
(a) Optimum Market Portfolios Program (OMP) ‐ LPL
(b) Personal Wealth Portfolios Program (PWP) – LPL
(c) Model Wealth Portfolios Program (MWP) – LPL
(d) Manager Access Select Program (MAS) – LPL
(e) Guided Wealth Portfolios (GWP) – LPL
(f) 55IP – Charles Schwab
Annual Percentage of Assets Charge
2.50%
2.50%
2.50%
3.00%
1.35%
2.00%
The fees for Sponsored Advisory Programs are billed on a pro‐rata annualized basis quarterly in advance
based on the value of your account on the last day of the previous quarter. LPL and Charles Schwab serve
as program sponsor, investment adviser and broker‐dealer for the LPL advisory programs. Our firm may share
in the account fee and other fees associated with program accounts.
Our firm’s fees are billed on a pro‐rata annualized basis quarterly in advance based on the value of your
account on the last day of the previous quarter. Management fees will be deducted from the client’s
managed account, upon a signed Account Application form. The total management fee is indicated on the
Account Application form. Our firm does not have the authority to increase or debit fees without written
client consent. Our firm does have the authority to decrease advisory fees for clients without client written
consent. The Custodian sends a quarterly statement showing all fees debited from the client accounts.
Financial Planning & Consulting:
Page 11
We charge on an hourly or flat fee basis for financial planning and consulting services. The total estimated
fee, as well as the ultimate fee that we charge you, is based on the scope and complexity of our
engagement with you. Our hourly fee is $350, and our flat fees generally range from $1,500 to $10,000.
We require a retainer of fifty percent (50%) of the ultimate financial planning or consulting fee with the
remainder of the fee directly billed to you and due to us within thirty (30) days of your financial plan being
delivered or consultation rendered to you. In all cases, we will not require a retainer exceeding $1,200
when services cannot be rendered within 6 (six) months.
Clients may pay the financial planning fee by check made payable to Sovereign Wealth Advisors, LLC In
the alternative, clients may instruct and authorize their Custodian to debit the fee on a one‐time or
reoccurring basis either (i) from a non‐retirement account of the client held at their Custodian or (ii)
through a Sovereign third‐party payment processing service.
Educational Seminars:
Clients will be charged up to $500 to attend an educational seminar. The fee is payable in advance and
will be detailed in the signed Educational Seminar Agreement. Client will have up to 48 hours prior to the
seminar to unconditionally rescind their reservation and receive a full refund of all fees.
Retirement Plan Consulting:
Our maximum fee for our Retirement Plan Consulting service is 1.50% of the assets under advisement.
We may also charge on an hourly basis for one‐time consulting services. Our maximum hourly fee is $350.
The total estimated fee, as well as the ultimate fee that we charge you, is based on the scope and
complexity of our engagement with you.
Our firm’s annualized fees are billed on a pro‐rata basis quarterly in arrears based on the value of the
account on the last day of the quarter, which will be automatically deducted from the Plan. Hourly
engagements will be billed directly and due to us within thirty (30) days.
The fee‐paying arrangements for Retirement Plan Consulting service will be determined on a case‐by‐case
basis and will be detailed in the signed Retirement Plan Consulting Agreement.
Other Types of Fees & Expenses
Non‐Wrap fee Clients will incur transaction charges for trades executed in their accounts. These
transaction fees are separate from our fees and will be disclosed by the firm that the trades are executed
through. Also, clients will pay the following separately incurred expenses, which we do not receive any
part of: charges imposed directly by a mutual fund, index fund, or exchange traded fund which shall be
disclosed in the fund’s prospectus (i.e., fund management fees and other fund expenses).
Wrap fee clients will receive our Form ADV, Part 2A, Appendix 1 (the “Wrap Fee Program Brochure”).
Wrap fee clients will not incur transaction costs for trades. More information about this is disclosed in our
separate Wrap Fee Program Brochure.
Termination & Refunds
Page 12
We charge our advisory fees quarterly in advance with the exception of Charles Schwab, which charges
quarterly in arrears. In the event that you wish to terminate our services, we will refund the unearned
portion of our advisory fee to you. You need to contact us in writing and state that you wish to terminate
our services. Upon receipt of your letter of termination, we will proceed to close out your account and
process a pro‐rata refund of unearned advisory fees.
Commissionable Securities Sales
In order to sell securities for a commission, our supervised persons are registered representatives of LPL
Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Our supervised persons may accept compensation for the sale of securities
or other investment products, including distribution or service (“trail”) fees from the sale of mutual funds.
You should be aware that the practice of accepting commissions for the sale of securities:
1. Presents a potential conflict of interest and gives our firm and/or our supervised persons an incentive
to recommend investment products based on the compensation received, rather than on your needs.
We generally address commissionable sales conflicts that arise when explaining to clients that
commissionable securities sales create an incentive to recommend products based on the
compensation we and/or our supervised persons may earn and/or when recommending
commissionable mutual funds, explaining that “no‐load” funds are also available. In order to mitigate
this conflict of interest, representatives of our firm will recommend products based solely on the
client’s best interests.
2.
In no way prohibits you from purchasing investment products recommended by us through other
brokers or agents which are not affiliated with us.
Item 6: Performance‐Based Fees & Side‐By‐Side Management
We do not accept performance‐based fees.
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements
We have the following types of clients:
Individuals and High Net Worth Individuals.
Trusts, Estates or Charitable Organizations.
Pension and Profit‐Sharing Plans.
Corporations, Limited Liability Companies and/or Other Business Types.
Our requirements*for opening and maintaining accounts or otherwise engaging us:
A minimum account value of $10,000 is required for our Comprehensive Wealth Management
service.
A minimum account value of $10,000 is required for OMP.
A minimum account value of $250,000 is required for PWP.
A minimum account value of $10,000 is required for MWP.
A minimum account value of $5,000 is required for GWP.
A minimum account value of $100,000 is required for Manager Access Select, however, in certain
instances, the minimum account size may be lower or higher with many starting at $50,000.
Page 13
* ‐ These are general guidelines for client engagements and exceptions can be made
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis
Our firm will utilize several disciplines of analysis. On occasion we will use a technical analysis for
forecasting the direction of prices through the study of past market data, primarily price and volume by
examining what investors fear or think about those developments and whether or not investors have the
wherewithal to back up their opinions as opposed to a fundamental analysis which examines earnings,
dividends, new products, research, and the like. Technical analysis is frequently contrasted with
fundamental analysis, and each has limitations because of assumptions about the market. We enlist a
more rational approach by utilizing both types of analyses. In addition to these we may employ charting
which plot the span between the high and low prices of a trading period. Some widen and fill the interval
between the open and close prices to emphasize the open/close relationship. The risk of relying on
charting would be similar to the weaknesses of the technical approach, where the price reflects the trend
as opposed to fundamental which holds that economic factors influence the price. Studying recurring,
preferably periodic, movements in prices or other time series or cyclical analysis may also be incorporated
in our methods of analysis. Cyclical may too narrowly predict price without integrating relevant factors.
We strive to avoid risks of any one method by incorporating several methods.
Investment Strategies We Use
Our firm will make long term purchases (securities held at least a year), short term purchases (securities
sold within a year), trading (securities sold within 30 days). Generally, there is more risk involved with
shorter trading. We also use short sales to implement our strategies in which we would hope to make a
profit from prices going down. The related risks occur when the price of the assets rises. There may also
be costs for shorting such as a fee for borrowing the assets and payment of any dividends on the borrowed
assets. Similarly margin transactions, option writing, including covered options, uncovered options or
spreading strategies may be used to implement our strategies.
We generally invest client’s cash balances in money market funds, FDIC Insured Certificates of Deposit,
high‐grade commercial paper and/or government backed debt instruments. Ultimately, we try to achieve
the highest return on our client’s cash balances through relatively low‐risk conservative investments. In
most cases, at least a partial cash balance will be maintained in a money market account so that our firm
may debit advisory fees for our services related to Asset Management, Comprehensive Portfolio
Management, and Portfolio Monitoring, as applicable.
Risk of Loss
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. While the stock market
may increase and your account(s) could enjoy a gain, it is also possible that the stock market may decrease,
and your account(s) could suffer a loss. It is important that you understand the risks associated with
investing in the stock market, are appropriately diversified in your investments, and ask us any questions
you may have.
Page 14
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
There are no legal or disciplinary events that are material to the evaluation of our advisory business or
the integrity of our management.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations
Representatives of our firm are registered representatives of LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC, licensed
insurance agents/brokers. They may offer products and receive normal and customary commissions as a
result of these transactions. A potential conflict of interest may arise as these commissionable securities
sales may create an incentive to recommend products based on the compensation they may earn. In order
to mitigate this conflict of interest, representatives of our firm will recommend products based solely on
the client’s best interests.
Our firm recommends and selects other investment advisers and receive compensation from those
advisers. As part of this process, we will provide an initial due diligence on the programs available, gather
information from clients about their financial situation, investment objectives, and restrictions, and
deliver the required account paperwork and disclosure documents if the client selects a program. Prior to
referring clients to an investment adviser, we will ensure that they are licensed, or have a notice filed with
the respective authorities.
The investment adviser will pay us a portion of the investment advisory fee that they charge you for
managing your account. The investment adviser will establish and maintain their own separate billing
processes over which we have no control. In general, they will directly bill you and describe how this works
in their separate written disclosure documents. The investment adviser will not directly charge you a
higher fee than they would have charged without us introducing you to them. The compensation paid to
us the investment advisers may vary, and thus, there may be a conflict of interest as we may be
incentivized to recommend investment advisers depending on the compensation, they pay us. In order to
minimize this conflict, our firm will make our selections in the best interest of our clients.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions & Personal Trading
An investment adviser is considered a fiduciary and our firm has a fiduciary duty to all clients. As a fiduciary,
it is an investment adviser’s responsibility to provide fair and full disclosure of all material facts and to act
solely in the best interest of each of our clients at all times. Our fiduciary duty is considered the core
underlying principle for our Code of Ethics which also includes Insider Trading and Personal Securities
Transactions Policies and Procedures. If a client or a potential client wishes to review our Code of Ethics in its
entirety, a copy will be provided upon request.
We recognize that the personal investment transactions of members and employees of our firm demand the
application of a high Code of Ethics and require that all such transactions be carried out in a way that does
not endanger the interest of any client. At the same time, we believe that if investment goals are similar for
Page 15
clients and for members and employees of our firm, it is logical and even desirable that there be common
ownership of some securities.
Therefore, in order to prevent conflicts of interest, we have in place a set of procedures (including a pre‐
clearing procedure) with respect to transactions effected by our members, officers and employees for their
personal accounts1. In order to monitor compliance with our personal trading policy, we have a quarterly
securities transaction reporting system for all of our associates. Upon employment or affiliation and at least
annually thereafter, all supervised persons will sign an acknowledgement that they have read, understand,
and agree to comply with our Code of Ethics.
Neither our firm nor a related person recommends to clients, or buys or sells for client accounts, securities
in which our firm or a related person has a material financial interest. Related persons of our firm may
buy or sell securities and other investments that are also recommended to clients. In order to minimize
this conflict of interest, our related persons will place client interests ahead of their own interests and
adhere to our firm’s Code of Ethics. Further, our related persons will refrain from buying or selling the same
securities prior to buying or selling for our clients in the same day. If related persons’ accounts are included
in a block trade, our related persons accounts will be traded in the same manner every time.
Our firm and supervised persons must conduct business in an honest, ethical, and fair manner and avoid all
circumstances that might negatively affect or appear to affect our duty of complete loyalty to all clients.
This disclosure is provided to give all clients a summary of our Code of Ethics.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Selecting a Brokerage Firm
We seek to recommend a custodian/broker who will hold your assets and execute transactions on terms
that are overall most advantageous when compared to other available providers and their services. We
consider a wide range of factors, including, among others, these:
Timeliness of execution
Timeliness and accuracy of trade confirmations
Research services provided.
Ability to provide investment ideas.
Execution facilitation services provided.
Record keeping services provided.
Custody services provided.
1 For purposes of the policy, our associate’s personal account generally includes any account (a) in the name of our associate, his/her spouse,
his/her minor children or other dependents residing in the same household, (b) for which our associate is a trustee or executor, or (c) which our
associate controls, including our client accounts which our associate controls and/or a member of his/her household has a direct or indirect
beneficial interest in.
Page 16
Frequency and correction of trading errors
Ability to access a variety of market venues.
Expertise as it relates to specific securities.
Financial condition
Business reputation
Quality of services
With this in consideration, our firm has an arrangement with LPL. LPL offers services to independent
investment advisers which include custody of securities, trade execution, clearance, and settlement of
transactions.
LPL may make certain research and brokerage services available at no additional cost to our firm all of
which qualify for the safe harbor exemption defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. These services may be directly from independent research companies, as selected by our firm
(within specific parameters). Research products and services provided by LPL may include research reports
on recommendations or other information about, particular companies or industries; economic surveys, data
and analyses; financial publications; portfolio evaluation services; financial database software and services;
computerized news and pricing services; quotation equipment for use in running software used in investment
decision‐making; and other products or services that provide lawful and appropriate assistance by LPL to our
firm in the performance of our investment decision‐making responsibilities.
We do not use client brokerage commissions to obtain research or other products or services. The
aforementioned research and brokerage services are used by our firm to manage accounts for which we
have investment discretion. Without this arrangement, our firm might be compelled to purchase the same
or similar services at our own expense.
As a result of receiving these services, we may have an incentive to continue to use or expand the use of LPL
services. Our firm examined this potential conflict of interest when we chose to enter into the relationship
with LPL and we have determined that the relationship is in the best interest of our firm’s clients and satisfies
our fiduciary obligations, including our duty to seek best execution.
LPL charges brokerage commissions and transaction fees for effecting certain securities transactions (i.e.,
transaction fees are charged for certain no‐load mutual funds, commissions are charged for individual
equity and debt securities transactions). LPL enables us to obtain many no‐load mutual funds without
transaction charges and other no‐load funds at nominal transaction charges. LPL commission rates are
generally discounted from customary retail commission rates. The commission and transaction fees
charged by LPL may be higher or lower than those charged by other custodians and broker‐dealers.
Our non‐wrap fee program clients may pay a commission to LPL that is higher than another qualified
broker dealer might charge to affect the same transaction where we determine in good faith that the
commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services received. In
seeking best execution, the determinative factor is not the lowest possible cost, but whether the
transaction represents the best qualitative execution, taking into consideration the full range of a broker‐
dealer’s services, including the value of research provided, execution capability, commission rates, and
responsiveness. Accordingly, although we will seek competitive rates, to the benefit of all clients, we may
not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates for specific client account transactions.
Page 17
Soft Dollars
Although the investment research products and services that may be obtained by our firm will generally
be used to service all of our clients, a brokerage commission paid by a specific client may be used to pay
for research that is not used in managing that specific client’s account.
Our firm does not accept products or services that do not qualify for Safe Harbor outlined in Section 28(e)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, such as those services that do not aid in investment decision‐
making or trade execution.
Client Brokerage Commissions
We do not use client brokerage commissions to obtain research or other products or services. The
aforementioned research and brokerage services are used by our firm to manage accounts for which we
have investment discretion. Without this arrangement, our firm might be compelled to purchase the same
or similar services at our own expense.
Procedures to Direct Client Transactions in Return for Soft Dollars
We do not direct client transactions to a particular broker‐dealer in return for soft dollar benefits.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
Our firm does not receive brokerage for client referrals.
Directed Brokerage
Neither we nor any of our firm’s related persons have discretionary authority in making the determination
of the brokers with whom orders for the purchase or sale of securities are placed for execution, and the
commission rates at which such securities transactions are affected. We routinely recommend that a
client directs us to execute through a specified broker‐dealer. Our firm recommends the use of LPL.
Permissibility of Client‐Directed Brokerage
We allow clients to direct brokerage outside our recommendation. We may be unable to achieve the most
favorable execution of client transactions. Client directed brokerage may cost clients more money. For
example, in a directed brokerage account, you may pay higher brokerage commissions because we may
not be able to aggregate orders to reduce transaction costs, or you may receive less favorable prices.
Special Considerations for ERISA Clients
A retirement or ERISA plan client may direct all or part of portfolio transactions for its account through a
specific broker or dealer in order to obtain goods or services on behalf of the plan. Such direction is
permitted provided that the goods and services provided are reasonable expenses of the plan incurred in
the ordinary course of its business for which it otherwise would be obligated and empowered to pay.
ERISA prohibits directed brokerage arrangements when the goods or services purchased are not for the
Page 18
exclusive benefit of the plan. Consequently, we will request that plan sponsors who direct plan brokerage
provide us with a letter documenting that this arrangement will be for the exclusive benefit of the plan.
Aggregation of Purchase or Sale
We perform investment management services for various clients. There are occasions on which portfolio
transactions may be executed as part of concurrent authorizations to purchase or sell the same security for
numerous accounts served by our firm, which involve accounts with similar investment objectives. Although
such concurrent authorizations potentially could be either advantageous or disadvantageous to any one or
more particular accounts, they are affected only when we believe that to do so will be in the best interest of
the effected accounts. When such concurrent authorizations occur, the objective is to allocate the executions
in a manner which is deemed equitable to the accounts involved. In any given situation, we attempt to
allocate trade executions in the most equitable manner possible, taking into consideration client objectives,
current asset allocation and availability of funds using price averaging, proration, and consistently non‐
arbitrary methods of allocation.
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans
We review accounts on at least a quarterly basis for our clients subscribing to our Comprehensive Portfolio
Management service. The nature of these reviews is to learn whether clients’ accounts are in line with
their investment objectives, appropriately positioned based on market conditions, and investment
policies, if applicable. Only our Financial Advisors or Portfolio Managers will conduct reviews. We may
review client accounts more frequently than described above. Among the factors which may trigger an
off‐cycle review are major market or economic events, the client’s life events, requests by the client, etc.
We do not provide written reports to clients, unless asked to do so. Verbal reports to clients take place
on at least an annual basis when we contact clients who subscribe to this service.
Retirement Plan Consulting clients receive reviews of their pension plans for the duration of the
retirement plan consulting service. We also provide ongoing services to Retirement Plan Consulting clients
where we meet with such clients to discuss updates to their plans, changes in their circumstances, etc.
Retirement Plan Consulting clients do not receive written or verbal updated reports regarding their
pension plans unless they choose to contract with us for ongoing Retirement Plan Consulting services.
Financial Planning clients do not receive reviews of their written plans unless they take action to schedule
a financial consultation with us. We do not provide ongoing services to financial planning clients, but are
willing to meet with such clients upon their request to discuss updates to their plans, changes in their
circumstances, etc. Financial Planning clients do not receive written or verbal updated reports regarding
their financial plans unless they separately contract with us for a post‐financial plan meeting or update to
their initial written financial plan.
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation
Other Compensation
Page 19
We may receive from affiliated custodians, mutual fund company, insurance company, or alternative
assets vendor without cost and/or at a discount support services and/or products, to assist us to better
monitor and service client accounts maintained at such institutions. Included within the support services
we may receive investment‐related research, pricing information and market data, software and other
technology that provide access to client account data, compliance and/or practice management‐related
publications, discounted or gratis consulting services, discounted and/or gratis attendance at
conferences, meetings, and other educational and/or social events, marketing support, computer
hardware and/or software and/or other products used by us to assist us in our investment advisory
business operations.
Our clients do not pay more for investment transactions effected and/or assets maintained at LPL as result
of this arrangement. There is no commitment made by us to LPL or any other institution as a result of the
above arrangement.
Referral Fees
We do not pay referral fees (non‐commission based) to independent solicitors (non‐registered
representatives) for the referral of their clients to our firm in accordance with Rule 206 (4)‐3 of the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
Item 15: Custody
We do not have custody of client funds or securities. All of our clients receive at least quarterly account
statements directly from their custodians. Upon opening an account with a qualified custodian on a
client's behalf, we promptly notify the client in writing of the qualified custodian's contact information.
We encourage our clients to raise any questions with us about the custody, safety, or security of their
assets. The custodians we do business with will send you independent account statements listing your
account balance(s), transaction history and any fee debits or other fees taken out of your account.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Clients have the option of providing our firm with investment discretion on their behalf, pursuant to an
executed investment advisory client agreement. By granting investment discretion, we are authorized to
execute securities transactions, which securities are bought and sold, and the total amount to be bought
and sold. Limitations may be imposed by the client in the form of specific constraints on any of these areas
of discretion with our firm’s written acknowledgement.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
We do not accept proxy authority to vote client securities. Clients will receive proxies or other solicitations
directly from their custodian or a transfer agent. In the event that proxies are sent to our firm, we will
forward them on to you and ask the party who sent them to mail them directly to you in the future.
Page 20
Item 18: Financial Information
We are not required to provide financial information in this Brochure because:
We do not require the prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees and six or more months in
advance.
We do not take custody of client funds or securities.
We do not have a financial condition or commitment that impairs our ability to meet contractual
and fiduciary obligations to clients.
We have never been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
Page 21