Large Firm Forum Recap

By By David Flores Wilson, CFA, CFP^®, CEPA^®

In this issue of NAPFA Advisor magazine, we explore how the profession is evolving and how boutique firms and larger enterprises are adapting to growth and innovations. You will gain insights about embracing your "you-ness" to connect with clients without resorting to hard sales tactics and discover how genuine appreciation helps attract and retain top talent. We also break down the latest SEC rules for AI and texting so you can navigate compliance with confidence. From a new focus on specialized firm roles to staying top-of-mind between client meetings, this issue offers value so firms and teams of all sizes can stay ahead in a changing landscape. 

The old adage of “what got you here, won’t get you there” served as the inspiration for the mission of the 2025 Large Firm Forum held at the Omni Amelia Island Resort on February 10–12. Large firms face myriad challenges and issues as they strive to continue on their growth trajectory in a rapidly changing industry and business environment. NAPFA, along with the conference committee, put together a program that took a dive deep on the issues and topics most relevant to the current and future large firm ($1 BB+ AUM) leaders who attended.

Attendees were able to gain insights, build connections, and have engaging conversations on many impact topics, including the future of wealth management, shoring up cybersecurity risks, managing employee career paths, longevity, transitioning clients to the next generation, organic and inorganic growth channels, and much more. In addition to attending sessions, attendees also participated in networking dinners, enjoyed a whiskey tasting, took in a round of golf, or just relaxed and enjoyed the southern charm and gorgeous beaches of Amelia Island.

The conference started with an insightful keynote presentation by Dr. Joel Rothman, founding director of the Center for Aging and Longevity Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara, who discussed some profoundly impactful discoveries in longevity science that hold the promise to slow and even reverse aging. Dr. Rothman’s ideas and research have some interesting implications for the financial planning profession overall.

Another highlight of the forum was two long-form panels focused on succession for large firms. The first succession panel focused on best practices and pitfalls when integrating acquisitions into a larger firm. Hosted by industry veteran Tom Orecchio, CEO of Modera Wealth Management, the panel also included Seth Streeter, co-founder, of Mission Wealth, and Allen Darby, CEO of Alaris Acquisitions. Between them, they’ve completed over 100 acquisitions. The second succession panel, which included industry leaders Michael Goodman, Becky Krieger, and Tim Swain, focused on internal succession planning to foster growth and a stronger company culture.

The second day of the conference began with a keynote from Rohit Bhargava, a bestselling author of 10 books, including one I’m reading now, Non-Obvious Thinking, How to See What Others Miss. In an industry and business environment that’s changing rapidly, we thought the leaders attending the conference could benefit from Rohit’s systematic approach to identifying trends before they become mainstream. We especially enjoyed diving deeper into his approach and insights after his talk with a fireside chat. Rohit also conducted a special interactive exercise with the entire audience to help them forge deeper connections throughout the rest of the conference and beyond.

Special thanks to the other conference committee members, Michael Gibley, principal, Modera Wealth Management; Michael Joyce, executive managing Director, CW Advisors; Samantha Macchia, CEO and president, Summit Financial Strategies; and Tejuana (TJ) Baskerville, director, Professional Development & Events, NAPFA.

David Flores Wilson, CFA, CFP^®, CEPA^®, Managing Partner at Sincerus Advisory, helps entrepreneurs in New York City achieve financial freedom and beyond. A multiple-time Investopedia Top 100 Financial Advisor, his financial guidance has appeared on CNBC, Yahoo!Finance, the New York Times, US News & World Report, and InvestmentNews.