Seeing old friends, meeting new ones

One of the most rewarding parts of my job is the friendships that I have developed with financial advisers over the past 15 years of InvestmentNews’ existence.

I thought a lot about the significance of those ties last week when I attended The Charles Schwab Corp.’s Impact 2013 conference in Washington. More than 2,000 advisers and 1,000 exhibitors attended.

As editor of InvestmentNews, I always welcome the opportunity to speak directly with readers. Many stopped me at Impact to let me know that they have noticed and liked some of the changes that we recently made to the newspaper, such as the addition of in-depth cover stories or our new Best Practices feature.

A few wanted to express their disagreement over our handling of a particular story or our position in an editorial.

To me, any feedback is valuable and appreciated.

It was great to see many familiar faces at Schwab.

For example, I got a chance to reconnect with Bob Glovsky, vice chairman and a principal at The Colony Group. I got to know him in the 1990s when he was the president of Mintz Levin Financial Advisors, before it was acquired by The Colony Group last year.

Back in the day, I could always count on Mr. Glovsky to take the time to explain to me how things worked in the business of providing financial advice.

It was also great to run into Harold Evensky and Deena Katz, whom I have known for years. Their firm, Evensky & Katz Wealth Management, was the recipient of this year’s Trailblazer Award, which is given by Schwab to recognize advisory firms that have advanced the industry’s interests through advocacy, made a difference in their communities and helped shape the future for all registered investment advisers.

I can’t think of another firm that is more deserving.

Mr. Evensky and Ms. Katz, whom I dubbed in a tweet last week as the “first couple” of financial planning, were kind enough to share with me on INTV their views about the future of the business, their formula to running a successful advisory firm and their secret to a happy marriage.

To see that video, go to InvestmentNews.com/impact2013.

Finally, it was also great to make new friends at Impact.

For example, I met Marita Sullivan, who is principal and chief executive of JMG Financial Group. She shared with me her views on what it was like to be a female adviser in the early days of the business.

Ms. Sullivan also talked to me about how her firm is focusing more on financial planning and now derives about 30% of its revenue from drawing up detailed financial plans.

I have attended probably close to 10 Impact conferences over the years. It’s a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make new ones in the advice business.

[email protected] Twitter: @fredpgabriel