Tag: Communication

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
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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FEATURE
The Future of Financial Planning With Craig Lemoine (Ep. 50)

The Future of Financial Planning With Craig Lemoine (Ep. 50)

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If you close your eyes and imagine the next generation of financial planners, what do they look like? How will they be interacting with clients? How will technology influence their financial planning strategies and communication with clients?

In this episode, Matt Ackermann speaks with Craig Lemoine, Director of Personal Financial Planning at the University of Illinois, on the next generation of financial planning and how the industry has changed over the past 25 years. They talk about the value of internships, apprenticeships, and competitions for students, as well as the challenges of technology and social media.

Craig discusses:

  • How financial planning has evolved as an industry
  • What skills and tools the next generations brings to financial planning
  • How the increase in technology use impacts the way they view information
  • How that technology impacts their communication and relationship with clients
  • And more

Connect With Craig Lemoine:

Connect With Matt Ackermann:

About Our Guest:

Craig Lemoine is the Director of the Financial Planning Program at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He serves as an Associate Clinical Professor, teaching courses in risk management, retirement and financial planning. Craig earned his PhD from Texas Tech University in 2013 and currently holds the Certified Financial Planner ™ and Master Registered Financial Consultant™ designations.

Craig currently serves as the Executive Director of the Academy for Home Equity in Financial Planning, vice-chairman of the Master Registered Financial Consultant Board and is working with his team to develop specialized content in the area of agriculture-focused financial planning. Previously, Craig served on and chaired the CFP® Council of Examination (2009-2014) and was the Executive Director of the Northwestern Mutual Granum Center for Financial at The American College of Financial Services in Bryn Mawr, PA.

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.

Craig Lemoine is Director of Personal Financial Planning at the University of Illinois and is a separate entity and not affiliated with Integrated Partners and LPL Financial.

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FEATURE
The Evolution Of Client Communication With Carol Anderson and Andree Peterson (Ep.31)

The Evolution Of Client Communication With Carol Anderson and Andree Peterson (Ep.31)

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With technology’s constant evolution, the number of ways financial advisors can provide efficient and comprehensive advice increases through the tools we now have access to. 

In this episode, Matt Ackermann is joined by the FPA Carol Anderson, President of MQ Research And Education, and Andree Peterson, Chief Implementation Officer at Integrated Partners. They reveal how communication has evolved thanks to technology and the impact this has on client comprehension regarding their own financial and retirement plans.

Carol and Andree discuss:

  • Different types of communication methods
  • How a difference in knowledge impacts communication and understanding
  • The pandemics impact on technology acceptance
  • What the future holds for client advisor communication
  • And more

Connect With Carol Anderson:

Connect With Andree Peterson:

Connect With Matt Ackermann:

About Our Guests:

Carol:

Carol Anderson is the founder and President of MQ Research & Education™ .  She has an M.S. in Consumer Economics & Family Resource Management and a diverse background in business, education, and financial services.  Since 1989, Carol has focused on the issues of financial planning education, retirement preparation, life planning, and productive aging.  As a researcher, writer, and consultant, Carol has worked with a broad range of companies and non-profit organizations in designing studies, conducting analyses, and compiling research reports. In addition, Carol has written articles, developed publications, and designed educational tools, materials, and training workshops. She is a member of the Financial Planning Association,Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education, and Financial Therapy Association.  When not working, Carol enjoys spending time with her family and pets, gardening, and hiking.

Andree:

Andree Peterson helps create successful referral relationships between CPAs and advisors through The Integrated CPA Alliance. This program has been in place since the inception of the firm and her role includes supporting its growth and evolution. They now proudly call over 127 CPA firms their trusted resources – they know they can count on Integrateds’ advisors to deliver for their clients, and vice-versa. It is perhaps the most sought-after growth driver at the firm, among many.

She takes great pride in my ability to effectively transition advisors to Integrated, creating a smooth process for all involved. Their partner firms have made an important decision by choosing Integrated Partners. Having managed the transition of over 160 advisors and 50,000+ client accounts, Andree has witnessed first-hand how crucial it is to maintain discipline, apply a strong process and ensure that she is with the new team members every step of the way as they come aboard.

This may be a business decision, but it is also highly personal. Andree find ways to solve complex problems quickly, and ways to meet the needs of individual clients while maintaining efficiency, all the while keeping in mind the emotional side of a transition. 

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.

The Integrated CPA Alliance is not affiliated with LPL Financial. 

Carol Anderson is President of MQ Research and Education and is a separate entity and not affiliated with Integrated Partners and LPL Financial.

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