Readers, I'm excited for the year ahead and look forward to serving your needs. Clients, your trust and confidence in me and my staff over these many years are not something I take lightly. I am still passionate about this business and enjoy assisting you in meeting your financial planning and investment needs.
This past year, I have wrestled with the thought of how I can continue serving our clients' needs long into the future, with the same service and attention our clients are used to. This has led me on a quest to find a partner that shares our values and objectives, and one that can offer the resources necessary to enhance what we already do, without changing what works. This has been an exhaustive and time-consuming process. I have interviewed and met with nearly 30 different firms. I am pleased to announce that we have partnered with Pence Financial Group (PFG). This partnership will allow us to focus on what matters most: working with you.
Pence Financial Group is an established wealth management firm that, like us, provides comprehensive financial and retirement planning services for retirees, pre-retirees, business owners, members of the military, veterans, and many others. They maintain 15 offices in 10 states. They are excited to partner with us and look forward to serving your needs and growing our presence in the Las Vegas market and beyond.
So, what’s next? First and foremost, current clients will keep working with me and the same familiar team they are used to, including myself, Jacob Bierstedt, CFP®, ChFC® & LPL Financial Advisor, our office manager, Autumn Shane, and our marketing director, Tamara Schnieder. Our office location and phone numbers remain the same, but we will now be backed by a larger firm, which will assist us in handling much of the behind-the-scenes work. Client accounts will remain the same, but will be provided with more capabilities and support.
I am excited about this partnership because it strengthens what we’ve built and helps us keep moving forward. I know clients and readers will have questions. Do not hesitate to call the office, as we are here and ready to help. You will find additional information by reading the Q&A sectionbelow.
As stated earlier, my primary goal has always been to ensure that our clients' needs are met, and that continues to be my goal. It is my belief that this partnership will allow current and future clients' needs to be served long into the future without interruption.
I encourage you to scan the QR code in the banner above and watch a short video.
You're invited to an event hosted by Dixon Financial Group, LLC, on May 7. Dryden Pence will be talking about current market trends and taking questions about the relationship between Dixon Financial Group, LLC, and Pence Financial Group. Click on the link below or on the banner above for more information about the event and to register. You can also register by calling 702.982.2479.
https://pence.financial/vegas-event/
DFG/Pence Merger Q&A
Does this merger mean that David is retiring?David will eventually retire, but that date and time have yet to be determined. He will continue working and servicing your needs, but this merger is in part preparation for that eventuality. His goal has always been to see to it that his clients are taken care of and that they are not abandoned. This partnership will help in that process.
Will my accounts change? No, your accounts will not change. You may eventually be introduced to additional investment opportunities and strategies that you may want to take advantage of, but you will be under no obligation to pursue them. Certain types of accounts, such as our managed accounts, may require that you sign a discretionary authorization form, but you will be notified if this is necessary. Most documents today can be signed electronically.
If I have a fee-based management account, will my fees increase?No, your management fees will not change.
Will my accounts be assigned to another advisor? No! In time, particularly when David retires, your account will be managed by Jacob Bierstedt and/or other advisors that may be hired, but any advisor change will be done with your permission and only after an introduction and meeting with the new advisor. One of David’s objectives in this merger process is that there be no surprises. You and your accounts deserve the same attention and care you are used to. You must be familiar with and have confidence and trust in your advisor. We are committed to ensuring that this occurs.
Will my accounts still be held with LPL Financial? Yes! LPL Financial is the Broker/Dealer that Dixon Financial Group, LLC and Pence Financial Group clear through. LPL is the largest independent brokerage firm in the country. Their services and resources will continually be used and depended upon.
Am I required to keep my account with Dixon Financial Group, LLC/Pence Financial Group as part of this merger?No! You can move your account to any other firm you would like. This merger has been consummated with the intent that you would be willing to have us continue as your advisor. We pledge every effort to continually meet your needs and objectives so that you will choose to allow us to continue serving your needs.
Who is Pence Financial Group, and how do they manage money? Like us, they are also part of the LPL ecosystem. Pence Financial Group is a firm created around the best practices and a heritage of over 30 years of service. Guided by their own experience and that of many experts, they create, build, and sustain processes centered around one theme: positive client experience. Their money management is based on a keen understanding of human behavior and a proprietary analytical process developed by Dryden Pence, a Harvard-educated economist and Retired Army Colonel whose expertise is psychological warfare. Dryden is also the Chief Investment Officer of the #13-ranked Forbes RIA in the country** and a prominent media guest who routinely contributes to Bloomberg, NBC, Fox Business, and Yahoo Finance. Their investment team understands how human behavior drives demand and how companies at the choke point of the supply chain are positioned to deliver significant returns.
Will Dixon Financial Group change its name to Pence Financial Group?That may occur in the future, but for now, the firm will retain its name and may be referenced as Dixon Financial Group, LLC, a division of Pence Financial Group.
Will I continue to have the same access to David’s team as I do now?Yes! You will also have added support from the Pence Financial Group team.
If I have further questions or concerns, can I schedule a private meeting? Yes, of course. Call the office, and we can schedule an in-person meeting. If you would prefer a ZOOM meeting or phone meeting, we can do that as well.
David and Jacob have assisted me with implementing an Income for Life (IFL) strategy designed to provide an ongoing inflation-adjusted income stream over my life expectancy. Will any of those plans be interrupted by this merger? No! The IFL plans we have structured for you will continue as planned. Ongoing monitoring and reviews will continue to ensure that your retirement plans are on track.
Will the current office location be maintained? Yes. As we grow, it may require a move to a larger space, but for no,w we will maintain our current office space at 7472 W. Sahara, Suite 101, Las Vegas, NV. 89117
Will I be inundated with additional emails and marketing information due to the merger?No! Our weekly market updates will continue. Pence does not intend to add any additional email communications.
**The Forbes ranking of America’s Top RIA Firms, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. The algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings. Pence Wealth Management (“PWM”) is a financial services practice within LPL Financial LLC (“LPL Financial”) comprised of multiple financial professionals that provide a series of services including personal investment advisory, third party managed advisory and brokerage services. Pence Wealth Management, Inc. is an investment adviser registered with the State of California to provide financial planning services. Both PWM and LPL Financial were considered as part of the application process for ranking.