Mark W. Chamberlain, AIF®.
.
“One of the most impressive aspects of First Allied is the way the management team listens to advisors and works to implement our requests and suggestions. This is extremely evident in the excellent quality of the conferences and events put on by the firm. Such events are constantly updated to match up with what advisors want. For example, a number of advisors expressed in recent years that advisor-led conference sessions are often the most helpful, and in response, First Allied dramatically increased the number of such sessions.

In line with this, First Allied truly understands the impact advisors can have on each other when given the opportunity to work together, and that we learn well from other advisors. This concept of advisors helping each other really works well at First Allied, and the environment created by the firm at the National Conference has a lot to do with that. We are given the opportunity to spend time networking with each other at the conference, and are encouraged by the management team to seek one another out and leverage each other’s expertise.

This idea of First Allied advisor partnerships has really helped me out in my own business. I’ve been able to form relationships with other advisors at the conference, and then down the road have provided them some of my expertise while simultaneously enjoying the benefit of their knowledge.

The environment is just different at First Allied. At a wirehouse, you might walk down the hallway and find that all the advisors are behind their doors, focused on just gaining more clients for themselves and not bothering to work together. My experience at First Allied has been that everyone, including other advisors and First Allied staff, has their doors open and will help you if you have a question. My whole team looks forward to going to the conference every year because of the incredible things we learn and the amazing people we get to interact with.

Lastly, the advisor council, known here as the Representative Advisory Council (RAC), has been extremely beneficial to me and the other First Allied advisors. The RAC enables advisors to express what they need and want from the firm, and gives non-council members a channel to communicate specific ideas or suggestions. The council is continually communicating with both First Allied management and other advisors to stay on top of what is going on in the industry. As a result, the things First Allied advisors get to experience operationally and the products they have access to are much more relevant to what is going on in the real world than what is happening at other financial institutions. Because we have good representation on the board level, we’re able to affect changes that make things more relevant.”

Chief Executive Officer of Lakeside Financial Group, Mark Chamberlain has 30 years experience in the financial services industry, including equities and futures in both retail and institutional markets. In 1998, Mark began his career as a financial advisor in the private sector, and in 2002, he established Lakeside Financial Group, LLC. Mark has been a guest speaker for IRS small business seminars, national broker/dealer conferences and the Securities Industry Financial Markets Association (SIFMA), and is an adult education instructor. He holds Series 7, 24, 51, 63, and 66 licenses, as well as several state life and health insurance licenses and the highly sought Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation.

 

J. Paul Escudero, CFP®, CWS®
.
“First Allied has helped me go beyond being a financial advisor and become a true wealth manager. I am a CFP®, so I already knew how to crunch numbers, but First Allied’s NGU program helped me apply the numbers to my business. NGU is about creating a business structure that allows you to apply what you know and manage money correctly and successfully. Managing money correctly means you make your clients happy, which leads to more referrals and therefore higher production.

The NGU program helped me analyze my book of business to discover where the strengths and weaknesses were, and create a new business model based on my most successful client profiles. Through the help of NGU and First Allied’s Business Strategies Group, I was able to come up with a business plan that has allowed me to duplicate my best clients.

I would say there are four main aspects that set First Allied apart from every other broker/dealer out there:

No. 1 - We have access to top-tier venture capital firms, which attracts high-net-worth clients and gives them the opportunity to invest side by side with significant companies. This added value is a complete game changer and creates a structure that allows me to truly be a wealth manager.

No. 2 – We also have access to world-class money managers through First Allied’s wealth management team. Having a trustworthy third-party money manager allows me to do my job, which is to interact with clients and figure out what it is they need to succeed financially.

No. 3 – First Allied has created the best possible environment for advisors to succeed. The amount of support First Allied provides through subject matter experts, the Business Strategies Group and NGU is incredible. They have helped me create a game plan, identify the best type of client for my business and, in turn, serve that client better.

No. 4 – Another incredible bonus of being a First Allied advisor is the ability to partner with nationally recognized advisors and utilize some of their proven investing and marketing strategies. The Business Strategies Group puts a great deal of effort into helping advisors like myself find other advisors to partner with on joint business opportunities. Working with other advisors has become a hugely important part of my business strategy.

When you put all of these amazing aspects together, I believe there is not a single broker/dealer out there that can match First Allied.”

Paul Escudero is Chief Financial Officer of Orange Capital Management, Inc. (OCM) and has been in the financial services industry for 25 years. In 1990, he co-founded OCM with an emphasis on providing complete financial planning to his clients. As OCM’s Chief Financial Officer, Paul has been instrumental in guiding the firm to prominence as one of Orange County’s premier wealth management planning corporations. OCM now has more than $250 million in assets under management. 

 

Andy Koerner, CWS®
.
“When I came to First Allied, I knew I wanted to become involved with NGU as I felt the program would be extremely valuable to my business. I was correct in my assumption. I graduated from NGU and obtained my Certified Wealth Strategist® (CWS®) designation, and as a result I have discovered new investment vehicles, found new ways to grow my business, and determined new strategies to give my clients top-quality service.

In addition to First Allied’s high-quality educational programs, the firm provides advisors access to alternative investments, which have become a vital point of access to high-net-worth and ultra high-net-worth clients. The alternative investments products available through First Allied have broadened what I can do for my top clients, with REITs and private equity offerings being especially valuable.

My high-net-worth clients are currently trying to maintain their lifestyles, which is extremely difficult in this economic environment. They love the tax benefits of alternative investments such as REITs and the relative stability REITs can provide in down markets like that of the last three to five years. While many broker/dealers offer REITs and other alternative investments, First Allied stands apart because of the level of resources that back up these offerings. I have access to a number of different specialists who can help me understand and best position these alternative investments so that I can provide my clients with valuable opportunities that address their objectives.

In addition to making my current high-net-worth clients happy, the alternative investments products available through First Allied are a great door-opener to potential clients. My current clients refer me to their friends and colleagues specifically because of the alternative investments opportunities available through my business. I have been invited to speak at numerous dinners at my clients’ yacht clubs, country clubs and business events because of my product offerings, giving me an opening to procure additional high-net-worth clients.

I have always believed in what I do, but First Allied has given me a more set structure to rely on, a way to improve my branding, and products that set me apart from other advisors out there.”

With almost 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Andy Koerner achieved early success in his career by developing strong client relationships and managing large pools of assets. With the goal of providing better service to his clients, Andy established a highly successful wealth management practice within a major wirehouse firm. He later went on to establish Koerner Walker Wealth Management, an independent firm. Andy is a frequent lecturer at the Rutgers Business School and often speaks at professional sports organizations’ events such as the NBA annual conference. He has been profiled in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, made appearances in Smart Money and Mutual Fund Investor, and been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The Canadian Post and on WCBS Radio, New York. Andy was named one of RegisteredRep magazine’s Advisors of the Year in 2009.

 

Tom Schorn, CPA, PFS
.
“Being a part of First Allied has been a great experience for me and has allowed me to grow my business in significant ways. First Allied has brought real growth factors to the table that I have not found anywhere else in the independent broker/dealer channel, and I am, without a doubt, making more money as a result. Specifically, there are three main factors that have provided real value to my business and enabled me to expand my client base and attract higher-net-worth individuals:

1. First Allied’s sister company, First Allied Asset Management (FAAM). I began using their wealth management services in late 2007 and they have done a great job for me and my clients. I have been pleased with them since the beginning, and have been continually moving many of my assets under management to them.

Their high-quality services have given me more time to focus on business growth and have freed me up to do what I want, which is to spend more time with clients and work to bring in more assets. I don’t have to worry about buying and selling. FAAM’s expert asset management abilities are now a fundamental aspect of my business strategy and have resulted in a number of referrals.

2. Private equity. The ability to sell private equity is key in this business, and the fact that I can do so enables me to talk with individuals I normally would have not openings with and attract specialized, high-net-worth clients.

I have brought in significant assets through other, non-private equity products simply because the potential for private equity investing is available to me. Even if some of my clients never invest in private equity, they use my services because I have access to a private equity offering that my competitors from other broker/dealers don’t have.

3. Educational events and conferences. Every time I go to an NGU event or the annual National Conference, I get at least one actionable idea that I can immediately put in place in my business. I have been continually impressed by the number of great ideas I get from First Allied meetings that I can take back home and use to grow my business.

I believe the National Conference in particular is extremely valuable. Every year the conference has allowed me to build relationships, make new friends in the industry, and get things done more efficiently.

There isn’t necessarily a big secret to success in this business, but just as in football, you have to do the basics well – you have to block and tackle effectively. First Allied has given me the tools to do the basics well, and to even go beyond the basics and offer my clients something unique.”

Tom Schorn has worked extensively in the financial services field since 1985. After beginning in the industry as a CPA for a Big Eight accounting firm, in 1997 he combined his experience and tax expertise to open his investment management firm, Schorn Wealth Management Group. He provides comprehensive, end-to-end solutions for his clients. Tom’s goal is help his family, friends and clients make the best decisions for their future.

 

Len Viscito, CPA, CWS®, J.D.
.
“I have only been with First Allied since August 2009, but I have already been offered the full resources of the firm and as a result have completely changed the way I market my business.

I absolutely love what NGU has done for my business – it has given me the tools I need to completely stand out from my competitors. The concept of being a complete wealth manager has, without a doubt, taken my business to the next level. I already had the skills I needed as a CPA, but NGU packaged my skills into the concept of being a wealth advisor, which helps clients see me as unique.

I was amazed by the 13 Wealth Management Issues when I first heard about them at NGU, and they have given me the perfect avenue to explain what my business is all about to prospective clients. The 13 Wealth Management Issues have provided me an entirely new way to brand my business and my wealth-advising abilities.

In addition to NGU and the concurrent support I’ve received, one of the things that have truly amazed me about First Allied is the access to the all-encompassing Advisor Marketing System (AMS). This tool is outstanding! Once I realized its power, I became extremely excited about what I could do with it. AMS is worth every penny and 10 times more. It has given me the ability to communicate with all my clients every single week, which would be extremely difficult for me without AMS, and effectively reach out to referrals with my value proposition.

AMS drives clients and prospects to my Web site and helps me to create an exciting brand that stands out and draws people in – they want to know more about what it is we do. It does considerably more than a full-time marketing staff member could do.

And, I absolutely love the First Allied Compliance department because they have made it so easy for me to use AMS and its marketing tools. In contrast to other Compliance departments I’ve dealt with, they have an extremely positive attitude and they work with me to make the approval process as smooth and as easy as possible. As long as I am within their guidelines, they approve my material, even pieces with wealth management language, which is so important to my marketing strategy.

With all of the tools and support the firm offers, First Allied is a breath of fresh air in a very tough business.”

For more than 25 years, Len Viscito, founder of Viscito Financial Services, has been guiding clients toward achieving their investment, tax and retirement goals. Len is a registered representative and an Investment Advisor Representative. Len has more than 250 clients and focuses on educating people about managing their taxes and investments. Since 1998, Len has provided audiences with financial assistance in his weekly radio show, Let’s Talk Money & Taxes with Len Viscito, which airs in the Springfield, Massachusetts area.

 

Mike Wegner, RFC, CSA, CWS®
.
“First Allied is financially prepared to provide advisors with a high-quality support platform and the resources we need to grow our practices. I have been amazed at how focused First Allied is on supporting advisors’ business growth goals and making sure we have continuous opportunities to expand our knowledge.

The conferences and meetings First Allied puts on are the highest quality events I have seen in the industry. It is obvious the firm spends a lot of money to keep us trained and provide us with educational resources. Because the events are so valuable, I make sure to take advantage of every opportunity to attend both the conferences and educational meetings, including NGU, the National Conference and the recent NGU Masters Academy. All of these events have very practical and useful information that for me has had a direct impact on client relationships and profitability.

For example, I learned about the 13 Wealth Management Issues at NGU and have been able to directly apply them to many clients’ situations. One client in particular was transferring his assets over to me and was overwhelmed with the process of changing advisors. He had a number of items that needed to be addressed and had no idea where to start. To help him figure out which financial issues were the most important, I presented the 13 Wealth Management Issues. We were able to prioritize each item by placing them in the 13 categories, and every time we meet we are able to drill down a little more and specifically address each issue.

Additionally, I truly enjoyed the recent Masters Academy because it allowed me to focus on an area of my business that is currently growing – income planning – and build the skills I need to better work with retirees’ assets.

I can’t say enough how impressed I am with First Allied’s dedication to advisors’ education and business growth as evidenced by the quality conferences and events.”

Mike Wegner is founder, President and CEO of Lifestyle Financial Advisors, Inc., a leading independent retirement and wealth management firm located in Friendswood, Texas. He brings more than 20 years experience to the task of providing financial advice to a broad range of clients. He currently serves as President of the FISD Education Foundation. In addition, Mike has served on the Galveston County Investment Advisory Council and the Texas A&M Planned Giving Council for more than 10 years.