Buckingham Positions Itself for Success in 2015

The organization continues to demonstrate strength and innovation at a time when the broader financial services industry is feeling the pinch of succession struggles and in which the ongoing debate between advisor versus algorithm brings a renewed focus to the importance of the client experience.

Leading both entities during this exciting time is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Adam Birenbaum and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Al Sears. Former chief marketing officer David Levin has assumed the role of President of Buckingham and Jeff Remming is now President of BAM Advisor Services.

“Every decision we make,” says Birenbaum, “is designed to provide an experience that exceeds expectations for all of our clients. We believe these changes position us for an ever-changing marketplace and to take advantage of the opportunities ahead of us this year and beyond.”

In the new year, two key hires in important practice areas will reinforce the organization’s continued commitment to providing customized financial advice tailored to the unique circumstances of investors.

The first is nationally known writer and speaker Manisha Thakor, who has been named Director of Wealth Strategies for Women. In her role, Manisha will leverage her energies and experience to lead the firm’s effort in addressing the unique perspectives of women investors and the role they play in safeguarding their own financial futures and that of their families. Manisha is co-author of two critically acclaimed personal finance books, and her financial advice has been featured in a wide range of national media outlets, including CNN, PBS, NPR, The Today Show, The New York Times, Real Simple, Glamour and others. Manisha comes to Buckingham with more than 20 years of experience working in the financial services industry, first on the institutional side and then through running her own Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firm, MoneyZen Wealth Management.

The second is David Luckes, the firm’s new Director of Institutional Services. David brings diverse advisory and executive leadership experience in both the for-profit financial services and nonprofit sectors. He was most recently a Senior Financial Analyst at The Wilkins Group through Merrill Lynch. Prior to that, he was president and CEO of the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation for 10 years, where he grew the charitable service organization’s asset base from $55 million to $190 million.

The addition of Manisha and David to the Buckingham/BAM family underscores the organization’s commitment to strengthening the depth of its offering to underserved segments of the financial services market.

After adding billions in collective client assets through organic growth and significant acquisition activity in 2014, the coming year looks to be equally as rewarding for Buckingham. The wealth management firm continues to be a destination for existing RIAs looking to implement a succession solution incorporating the strength and stability that comes from partnering with an organization that’s now more than 200 associates strong. Already this year, Buckingham has at least three acquisitions currently in progress, expanding its presence to additional major metropolitan markets. Together, Buckingham and BAM Advisor Services manage or administer $24.7 billion in assets (as of Dec. 31, 2014).

In the area of technology, BAM Advisor Services has introduced a brand new website and will begin the rollout of its newly minted partnership with InStream, a planning-centric wealth management software platform that will be offered to the more than 140 client firms that make up the BAM ALLIANCE.

Photos, bios and interviews available upon request.

The opinions expressed by featured authors are their own and may not accurately reflect those of the BAM ALLIANCE. This article is for general information only and is not intended to serve as specific financial, accounting or tax advice.

© 2014, The BAM ALLIANCE