Resolutions from the corner office

While planning my own New Year's resolutions, I wondered what those at the top of the financial services industry are thinking.

While planning my own New Year’s resolutions, I wondered what those at the top of the financial services industry are thinking.

I checked on a few and would like to share their thoughts.

“As a father of six children, ages 5 to 18, I’m always hearing about the latest gadget or newest form of social media from my kids,” said Tom Bradley, president of TD Ameritrade Institutional. “It can be a challenge to keep up with ever-changing technology, but it’s important to take the time to listen and learn.”

So for 2012, Mr. Bradley is determined to work on his reverse-mentoring skills.

“Reverse mentoring is a great way for top management to get advice on the latest workplace and social-media trends. Right now, there is a changing of the guard as boomer advisers get ready to retire, and Generation X and Y are preparing to take over,” Mr. Bradley said.

“In the new year, I will continue to reverse-mentor and look for new ideas from younger generations,” he said.

On a personal level, Mr. Bradley will be training to run in his third New York City Marathon.

“I will be running with my 18-year-old daughter, Sarah. In 2012, I will be looking to continue the trend of getting faster as I get older,” Mr. Bradley said.

Bernie Clark, executive vice president and head of Schwab Advisor Services, said that he will “continue to find ways to raise the bar with business solutions and technology capabilities that meet existing as well as new clients’ needs.”

On a personal note, he said that he plans to tweet and text more than his three children.

Going into the new year, Chet Helck, Raymond James’ chief operating office and head of the Private Client Group, said that he is focused on continuing to support the growth of the group.

“That includes a constant focus on making it easier for advisers to do business with us, providing the best possible support for our current advisers and attracting the best professional advisers in the industry,” he said.

“For 2012, with so many global issues to think about, I am resolved to focus locally on what I can do to make the world a better place,” said Mark Casady, chairman and chief executive of LPL Financial.

“My wife, Julia, and I have been blessed over the years and have established a foundation called One Step Forward Education Foundation to give back the gift of education to those in need,” he said. “This cannot solve the issues of the day, but it can change the life of a child.”

This same focus is true with the InvestmentNews and Invest in Others Charitable Foundation, Mr. Casady said.

“We love raising money to allow us to give to advisers who are also changing their local community, one project at a time,” he said.

Professionally, Mark Tibergien said that he wants to distinguish Pershing Advisor Solutions, where he serves as chairman, “as the custodian of choice for professionally managed, growth-oriented advisory firms that are serving clients with complex lives.”

“This is going to come by completing the integration of Europe, Australia, Canada and BNY Mellon’s custodial offerings into our domestic offering, and complete critical projects related to technology, product innovation, client service and practice management,” he said.

“On a personal level, this year, I celebrate my 30th wedding anniversary, which is a remarkable accomplishment for my wife, considering who she has to deal with,” Mr. Tibergien said. “This is a year I intend to travel more with her and participate in more activities together with friends who I have not had a chance to see much.”

As for me, I will look for new ways to better serve our readers, and I am planning to drop a few pounds.

I would like to wish all our readers and their families a very happy and healthy 2012.

Jim Pavia is the editor of InvestmentNews.