We’re halfway through 2025 (how did that happen so fast?), and since many of you ask how things are going at PFA, I wanted to share a quick update. There’s a lot of good stuff happening, so I’ll try to keep it brief—but there are many things to share!
First off, I must be showing my age, because I am getting more questions from clients about when I am planning to retire. Don’t worry—I’m healthy, still love what I do, and plan to stick around for many more years. That said, we’ve built a strong team and we have a solid transition plan in place, so no matter what the future holds, you’ll always be in good hands with the PFA crew.
We’ve continued to grow this year, welcoming new clients (many of whom were referred by you—thank you!). As we grow, we’re also expanding our team. Some of you have already met Wayne Salsbury, CFP®, who joined us at the start of the year. With 12 years of experience, he’s been a great addition and helps us make sure every client gets the attention you deserve.
As our client base grows, you may notice that I am not always in every review meeting—and that’s by design. While I may not be in the room, I’m still very much involved. I review the prep materials beforehand and go over the meeting notes and action items afterward to stay in the loop and offer input when needed. Our team-based approach means you’re always supported by knowledgeable professionals who collaborate closely behind the scenes. So even if I am not in your meeting, rest assured I’m still part of the process—and you’re in great hands with the rest of the PFA team but never hesitate to contact me if you have a question or concern.
We’re big on continuing education around here. Wayne recently earned his CFP®, and Dave Cranston earned his FPQP®—we’re proud of both of them! Many team members will take part in conferences this year (some virtual, some in person), all with the goal of getting better at what we do for you.
Our leadership team is also deep into Schwab’s Leadership and Educational Series for firms our size. It’s been more work than we expected—in a good way—and we’re already putting some of the ideas into practice. Madeline, our Business Manager, was accepted into Schwab’s Management Advancement Program, this is an intensive four-and-a-half-month program including both in person and virtual classes to help her continue to develop her leadership skills. She’ll graduate in January, and we’re excited to see what she brings back.
On the tech front, we’re upgrading everyone’s laptops this summer and continuing to evolve our systems. We’ve fully transitioned our client portal from Morningstar to Advyzon and launched the PFA app for easier access to your accounts. We’ve also added new tools for investment analysis and scheduling. We tested a few AI note-taking tools, but for now, our human team is still faster and more accurate—though we’ll revisit that periodically as the technology is evolving rapidly.
All in all, we’re feeling great about where we are and where we’re headed. If you ever have feedback or ideas for us, we’re always open to hearing them.
Wishing you a fantastic second half of the year!
—Tom