Category: Partnership

FEATURE
The Development and Milestones of the CPA Alliance with Paul Saganey and John Pastore Jr. [Episode 61]

The Development and Milestones of the CPA Alliance with Paul Saganey and John Pastore Jr. [Episode 61]

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What does it take to grow from a few accounting firm relationships to a nationwide network of more than 250 CPA partners?  Vision, perseverance, and a true belief in collaboration.

In this episode, host Matt Ackermann sits down with Paul Saganey, Founder and CEO of Integrated Partners, and John Pastore Jr., Wealth Advisor and Vice President of Integrated Partners, to unpack the story behind the firm’s renowned CPA Alliance and the lessons learned along the way.

They discuss:

  • How the CPA Alliance began and evolved
  • Designing a model that CPAs and advisors truly value
  • Building partnerships that drive growth and client success
  • Developing a team of experts and a culture where everyone thrives
  • Brand protection
  • The importance of problem-solving, and meaningful relationships
  • And so much more!

Hear how good times, uncertain times, a group of great humans, and the power of partnership developed the CPA Alliance and Integrated Partners into what it is today.

“We truly have yet to meet the people who will determine the future success of the company.”  – Paul Saganey via his friend Elle

 

 Connect With Matt Ackermann:

Connect with Paul Saganey

Connect with John Pastore Jr.

 

About our Guests

Paul Saganey

With over three decades in financial services, Paul transformed his vision of modern wealth management into reality. As the founder of Integrated Partners, he leads a nationwide RIA featuring 220+ entrepreneurial advisors and groundbreaking partnerships with 250+ accounting firms through the innovative Integrated CPA Alliance Program.

His journey through the financial services industry has given him unique insights into what makes advisory practices thrive. This comprehensive perspective drove him to establish Integrated Partners in 1996, pioneering a fee-based planning approach that puts relationships at the heart of wealth management.

At Integrated Partners, they’ve developed cutting-edge solutions like the Lifetime Income Model, The Business Owner Solution, and the Integrated Family Office, serving high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families with elite services. Their success stems from a simple truth: building great practices requires exceptional people and seamless collaboration.

One of his greatest passions is mentoring advisors, helping them unlock efficiencies and build the practices of their dreams. When he’s not coaching the next generation of financial leaders, you’ll find him cheering on the Tennessee Titan’s with his family— he and his wife Jamie are proud parents of Dan, the Titan’s Vice President of Player Personnel, and blessed grandparents to three wonderful grandchildren.

John Pastore Jr.

As a Private Wealth Advisor with over 25 years of industry experience, he specializes in partnering with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and business owners, seamlessly integrating his Family Focused Office model into their broader wealth management strategy. His practice is dedicated to helping clients build and expand their financial future, delivering a first-class experience at every step.

​John is a founding member of Integrated Financial Partners (Integrated) and developed their industry-recognized Professional Partner Program, a dynamic co-source model that partners financial advisors with CPAs, Attorneys and Property & Casualty professionals. Today, over 250 professionals nationwide are successfully partnering with Integrated.

​As Private Wealth Advisor and fiduciary in an advisory role:

  • He provides a full suite of wealth management services, including estate planning, business owner strategies, retirement planning, investment, and risk management. As an independent advisor, he puts needs first, acting solely in the best interests of his clients, recommending only those solutions that best align with their goals, values, and vision. Serving as a dedicated partner on their wealth journey, he’s often their first call for life’s most exciting and important financial decisions.

As Executive Vice President:

  • He oversees Integrated’s Professional Partner Program and consults with CPA and law firms as they integrate wealth management and financial planning services into their core offerings. His collaborative approach makes Integrated the partner of choice for professionals who value their independence while recognizing the importance of being surrounded by a talented team.

 

Disclosure:

Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.  Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Integrated Partners, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

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FEATURE
The Accidental Advisor with Mona Santos [Episode 60]

The Accidental Advisor with Mona Santos [Episode 60]

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Sometimes the most powerful careers are born out of integrity and courage. When Mona Santos uncovered unethical behavior in her workplace, she did what few have the courage to do, she spoke up. With no whistleblower protection and no safety net, Mona was fired. But that moment became the catalyst for something greater.

Determined to build a life defined by honesty, compassion, and independence, Mona became a financial advisor on her own terms. In this episode, Mona Santos, Certified Financial Planner and co-founder of Glide Path Financial, shares with our host Matt Ackermann her story through tragedy, entrepreneurship, and resilience. How she turned pain purpose and built a 25-year career rooted in empathy and authenticity.

Today, she helps others design lives of meaning and freedom; the same way she rebuilt her own. Her story is one of courage, character, and the beauty of creating success by helping others do the same.

Connect With Matt Ackermann:

 

Connect with Mona Santos

 

About our Guest

Working as a financial advisor for over 20 years, Mona specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning and wealth management services to individuals, families and business owners. With compassion at the crux of her practice, Mona specifically enjoys helping independent female clients, where she can offer support for women going through life-changing events, such as divorce, death of a spouse or retirement.

Having suffered many of her own personal setbacks, these life experiences have fueled Mona’s passion for helping others. She works diligently to help clients develop the confidence that with a good plan, it is possible to survive – and thrive – through anything life throws at them.

Mona’s mission is simple: To listen empathetically, uncover critical values, and build a plan to help clients live a well-rounded life of financial confidence and resilience.

Whether you are a professional at a thriving company, a business owner looking to sell in the next five years or preparing for a milestone like retirement, Mona follows a values-based financial planning process where she designs a financial roadmap for clients and meets with them every four months to discuss their plan and chart their progress.

Working in a fiduciary capacity to her advisory clients, it is Mona’s legal duty to put her clients’ needs first and act in their best interest while maintaining full transparency throughout the financial planning process. Services include:

  • Investment Management
  • Cash Flow Management
  • Retirement Planning
  • Insurance Consulting
  • Estate Planning
  • Business Owner Planning

Mona graduated from Methodist University with degrees in political science and international studies. She is married to her husband, Kirk and has a son, Gabriel. An adventurer at heart, Mona loves to travel, sing, and meet new people. A bibliophile, she rarely reads less than three books at a time and has never met a microphone she was afraid of. Ramona is also an award-winning actress and an avid runner.

 

Disclosure:

Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.  Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Integrated Partners, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

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FEATURE
When Forces Align: Building a One-Stop Firm Through Partnership with Mark Mitamura and Craig Ima [Episode 59]

When Forces Align: Building a One-Stop Firm Through Partnership with Mark Mitamura and Craig Ima [Episode 59]

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Episode Summary

What happens when leaders of a thriving wealth management firm and a forward-thinking accounting practice join forces? You get a powerhouse partnership that redefines how financial services are delivered.

In this episode our host, Matt Ackermann, chats with two trailblazers, Mark Mitamura of The Reserve Investments and Craig Ima of Windes (Accounting & Advisory Firm), who combined their expertise creating a fully integrated firm, Windes Wealth Management. By streamlining financial planning and investment management with tax strategy and accounting they deliver a seamless client experience.

They discuss

  • The power in partnership: how growth opportunities were unlocked for both their firms and their clients
  • How their collaboration was born and what makes it so unique
  • The importance of relationship management
  • Balancing working both in the business and on the business
  • The deep impact teaming up had on client service
  • And so much more!!!

Whether you’re a solo advisor, a firm owner, or just dreaming of your next chapter, this episode offers practical insight and inspiration on what’s possible when you stop going it alone.

Connect With Mark Mitamura

 Connect with Craig Ima

Connect With Matt Ackermann:

 

About Our Guests

Mark Mitamura

As Senior Wealth Advisor at Windes Wealth Management, Mark’s mission is to help his clients find financial confidence, working to coordinate many aspects of their financial life. He takes the time to get to know each client and build lasting relationships to help guide generations toward financial independence. Mark uses the same steady approach when helping business owners better position their personal and business finances, seeking to quiet the storm of uncertainty.

With almost 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Mark takes a measured approach to give clients the confidence that someone professional is in their corner throughout the many financial stages in life. He specializes in simplifying complex concepts and explaining them in a way that is easy to understand and also apply. Backed by a team of dedicated and tenured professionals, Mark collaborates with the Windes Wealth Management team as well as experienced subject matter experts from coordinating and consulting to the delivery and implementation of financial plans.

Mark believes in the importance of providing customized strategies, therefore each client’s current financial situation, goals for the future and any challenges he or she may face in their pursuit of financial independence are properly considered. Mark applies this personalized attention as he offers guidance related to asset management, retirement planning, insurance planning, estate planning, tax planning and more.

Craig Ima

Craig joined Windes in 2008 and is the firm’s Chief Marketing & Development Officer. He has more than 30 years of marketing, business management, product, strategy, database, business development, and sales experience.

Craig has held extensive executive positions with top-notch small to large-sized companies in industries such as accounting, professional services, automotive, information marketing services, Internet, direct marketing, computers, electronics, software, and investment banking.

Craig’s focus in the firm is to develop and execute marketing and practice development strategies.

Disclosure

Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.  Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Integrated Partners, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

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FEATURE
Leveling Up in an Ever-Evolving Industry with Sam Diarbakerly [Ep. 57]

Leveling Up in an Ever-Evolving Industry with Sam Diarbakerly [Ep. 57]

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Ever wonder what’s fueling young and ambitious independent advisors?  What are they doing to stand out among their seasoned competitors? What about Integrated Partners makes them a great fit for entrepreneurial advisors at any stage of their professional journey?

In this episode, Matt Ackermann is joined by Samuel Diarbakerly, Founder and CEO of the Boston-based firm Generation Capital Advisors, and one of Integrated Partner’s newest affiliates. When you meet Sam it’s clear he has a genuine passion for his craft and a desire to elevate the industry.

Sam discusses:

  • His journey to becoming a financial advisor
  • The meaning behind his firm name and the importance of understanding the needs and mindsets of investors among all generations
  • Leveling up your client’s experience
  • The power of mentorship and coaching your clients appropriately
  • His full circle moment in his path to Integrated Partners
  • And so much more!!!

 

Connect With Samuel Diarbakerly

 

Connect With Matt Ackermann:

About Our Guest:

Samuel J. Diarbakerly is the founder and CEO of Generation Capital Advisors, a private wealth management firm that specializes in helping high-net-worth individuals, corporate executives, business owners, and widowed women. With a passion for providing a boutique, personalized experience, he focuses on building, protecting, and sustaining wealth for generations. His mission is rooted in the principles of Passion, Education, and Partnerships (PEP), prioritizing integrity, education, and collaboration to guide clients through the complexities of financial planning.

With extensive experience from Merrill Private Wealth Management and Commonwealth Financial Group, Samuel has honed his expertise in investment strategy, financial planning, and managing large custom portfolios. He is known for his ability to simplify intricate financial challenges, offering clients a tailored approach that includes estate planning, tax-efficient portfolios, and leveraging technology for transparency. Outside of work, Samuel is active in the Boston Estate Planning Council and enjoys mentoring at-risk youth and serving as a Trustee at the Gow School. He is also an avid golfer and a passionate learner of modern and financial history.‍

“I consider myself to be one of luckiest people in the world that some of the smartest people in the country trust me to be their closest confidant in every aspect of their life. I enjoy the responsibility and the burden. When I wake up in the morning, I cannot wait to get to work.”

– Samuel J. Diarbakerly

Disclosure:

Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.  Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Integrated Partners, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

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