NAPFA’s Friends Celebrate NAPFA’s 40th Anniversary

By Susan Weiner

NAPFA’s longtime friends appreciate the value that NAPFA adds to the world of financial planning. Several of them share their experiences in Q&As below.

John Ryan

John Ryan is the founder and CEO of Ryan Insurance Strategy Consultants and a longtime NAPFA Resource Partner.

When and why did you get involved with NAPFA?

I first got involved with NAPFA in 1983 as a result of my relationship with Jim Schwartz, one of the founders. I was Jim’s insurance agent, and he suggested I reach out to other members to see if they needed help analyzing their clients’ life, disability, and long-term care insurance needs. Since then, we have worked with hundreds of NAPFA members and thousands of their clients.

What changes have you seen over the years?

One of the biggest changes I’ve seen is the increase in risk management knowledge of the new advisor due to the establishment of CFP^® curriculums at universities. In fact, all advisors have a greater understanding of the issues of risk management due to the vast array of college and online courses designed to educate RIAs in these very important areas and from educational webinars like the ones we conduct for advisors.

Why do you maintain your relationship with NAPFA?

I continue to work with NAPFA members in two capacities. One, helping them assist their clients with their insurance planning, and two, as plan administrator of the NAPFA association group insurance benefit programs that provide discounted benefits to members and their staff. I take a lot of pride in being a preferred resource to such a distinguished organization. Maintaining my relationship with NAPFA has enabled me to enjoy a very successful insurance career and provided me with some of my best personal relationships along the way. It is safe to say my entire career has been made possible by my relationship with NAPFA. For this, I will be forever grateful.

Skip Schweiss

Skip Schweiss is CEO of Sierra Investment Management, a past president of TD Ameritrade Trust Company, and a past president (2017–2020) and trustee of the NAPFA Foundation, which was then known as the NAPFA Consumer Education Foundation.

When and why did you get involved with NAPFA?

I got involved with NAPFA in the 1990s. I worked with a couple of different RIA custodians, and we had great relationships with NAPFA and its members. And as a public policy person very involved in “standards of conduct” for brokers and advisors, I was very attracted to the Fee-Only planning model. Later I spent about a decade on the NAPFA Consumer Education Foundation board helping match Fee-Only planners on a pro bono basis with consumers who could not otherwise access professional financial planning services. It was rewarding work, and I’m grateful to NAPFA and its members for providing these services!

What changes have you seen over the years?

NAPFA has grown over the years, and the business of financial advice has shifted toward the fee-for-service model. NAPFA has been influential!

Why do you maintain your relationship with NAPFA?

I still admire the “small but mighty” NAPFA! While I do acknowledge there are various valid business models out there, none are as conflict-free as the Fee-Only model, and NAPFA is the home for these planners.

Brian I. Gordon

Brian I. Gordon, CLTC^®, is president of Gordon Associates Long Term Care Planning, a longtime NAPFA Resource Partner.

When and why did you get involved with NAPFA?

We’ve been involved as a NAPFA Resource Partner for almost 25 years. We joined after a couple of Fee-Only advisors recommended we join. We knew then that long-term care planning is an area that financial advisors need to know about, but it can be complicated for them (or anyone!) to keep up with. By joining NAPFA, we saw an opportunity to bring value to more and more financial advisors.

What changes have you seen over the years?

The world of financial planning seems to have gotten a lot more complex. Advisors have a lot more to keep up with. We work hard to make sure we’re keeping it as simple for advisors as possible when it comes to long-term care planning and long-term care insurance.

Why do you maintain your relationship with NAPFA?

NAPFA has a strong and growing group of advisors. We find we have a good give-and-take with NAPFA members when it comes to long-term care planning. We’ve built good relationships during our membership and continue to build new ones.

Marie Swift

Marie Swift, president and CEO of Impact Communications, interviews NAPFA members and professionals on the NAPFA Nation podcast, the most recent of her collaborations with NAPFA, along with leading NAPFA’s Playbook webinars.

When and why did you get involved with NAPFA?

I first learned of NAPFA when I began working as a PR and marketing consultant to advisor Sheryl Garrett, the founder of the Fee-Only Garrett Planning Network, who was actively involved in NAPFA volunteer leadership positions at that time.

What changes have you seen at NAPFA over the years?

Over the years, I have seen NAPFA blossom and grow along with other fiduciary networks of advisors, such as the Alliance of Comprehensive Planners, XY Planning Network, and the Garrett Planning Network. I’m pleased to have contributed to this blossoming, as I have written articles for the NAPFA Advisor magazine, led many webinars and workshops, and connected Allan Slider of the Fee-Only Network with NAPFA as the foundation for his advisor directory. I am going into my third year as the host of NAPFA’s podcast and my fourth year as the master orchestrator and lead presenter for NAPFA’s Playbook webinar series.

I have loved seeing the focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion at NAPFA and was instrumental in NAPFA’s being recognized for its leadership and work in this regard, most notably when NAPFA received a Wealthie award in 2022 from WealthManagement.com’s judging committee. I share all this not to make myself look good but to provide context: NAPFA has truly blossomed and grown.

Why do you maintain your relationship with NAPFA?

We are all known by the company we keep. I am proud to be associated with NAPFA as a supporting entity, friend, and fan.

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Susan Weiner, CFA, is the editor of the NAPFA Advisor. Send her your ideas for articles and authors for the magazine.