Hear from Others Who’ve Joined Mercer Advisors

I founded Chapel & Collins Personal Wealth Management in Fort Collins, CO in 2004 with a belief that exceptional client service required continuous evolution. The transformative decision to join Mercer Advisors in 2024 was driven by one clear goal: to provide my clients with the expanded services they needed, offering a family office-like structure experience. This transition not only enhanced the client experience, but also strengthened my team, provided new growth opportunities, and helped ensure long-term stability.

Strengthening my team and business

When I reflected on the evolution of my practice and the reality of our structure, it was clear that there was more fragility than I wanted to admit. Last summer, when a key employee was out for four months, this fragility came into focus. With $600-700 million in assets under management and a small team, I relied too heavily on a few individuals. Mercer Advisors’ depth of experience, centralized teams, and streamlined processes ensure continuity and high-caliber service, even in unforeseen circumstances.

New opportunities for growth

This transition has created incredible opportunities for my team. Whether pursuing leadership roles, expanding expertise, or offering relocation opportunities, Mercer Advisors provides career paths I couldn’t have offered alone. Their dedicated marketing and sales support is another game changer – before, my growth strategy relied solely on client referrals. Now, backed by a sophisticated marketing and sales structure, I can expand my reach without compromising client service.

Mercer Advisors — an RIA of the future

Seeing the benefits to my clients and team has been rewarding, which brings me full circle to the obvious question: “Why Mercer Advisors?” The reality is that I explored many firms before making my decision. However, Mercer Advisors’ alignment in investment philosophy, cutting-edge technology, and national network made the choice clear. Since joining Mercer Advisors, I feel like I’ve fast-forwarded ten years, equipped with the high-quality systems and support available. At Mercer Advisors, advisors thrive, clients receive unparalleled service, and firms unlock exponential growth. I’m excited for what’s ahead, knowing I made the best choice for my clients, my team, and my future.

I started my career in 1992, building Kades Financial, Inc. alongside my father. In 2012, my father announced his retirement plans, giving me two years to plan. I explored every option — from acquiring smaller firms, hiring someone from a wirehouse, to even being acquired.

Unexpectedly, a mutual connection introduced me to Steve Cheifetz. Steve joined me in 2014, initially as an employee, and soon after we formalized our partnership.

Facing industry headwinds

When my father and I started our firm, RIAs offering mutual funds were just emerging, and companies like Schwab and Fidelity were eager to support us. Over time, the industry shifted. Custodians began favoring larger firms, making it difficult for smaller firms to access the same benefits.

During the pandemic, we lost critical staff and moved to a remote model. Steve and I were doing everything, and it wasn’t sustainable. We faced two options: ride it out until the business naturally declined or find a strategic partner to help secure the future.

After a thorough search process meeting with more than 10 firms, it became clear that Mercer Advisors was the standout choice.

Finding the right partner

Finding the right partner wasn’t just about business — it was personal. Many clients have been with me for decades, spanning multiple generations.

At Mercer Advisors, there is an emphasis on supporting women investors, including widows and divorcees. This resonated deeply. I felt confident that my wife, Meredith, and our children would be cared for by Mercer Advisors if I were no longer here. That gave me confidence and validated my decision for my clients.

While we’re still in the transition phase, I already see the benefits. I won’t miss the long hours of busy work or the burden of due diligence, and I take comfort knowing Mercer Advisors brings high quality resources to the table.

What made Mercer Advisors different during our search was their approach. They wanted Steve and me, not just our client assets. Other firms talked about assets. Mercer Advisors talked about people, relationships, and integrations — a critical distinction.

Expanding what I can offer clients

Joining Mercer Advisors allows me to offer clients a broader, more sophisticated suite of services: financial planning, estate strategies, tax planning, trust services, and insurance — all delivered in a cost-effective, coordinated manner.

Technology is another leap forward. Clients who embrace technology will find the experience smoother, more efficient, and more comprehensive.

Looking forward, the growth opportunities are tremendous. With the support of marketing and sales behind me, I can serve more clients and offer an even higher level of service.

A decision that exceeded expectations

Steve and I positioned this transition to clients by emphasizing our commitment to do more and do better for them. From my first dinner meeting with Dave Welling, Don Calcagni, and Daniel Gourvitch, to every interaction since, Mercer Advisors has consistently exceeded my expectations. I’m proud to have made the right choice for my clients, my family, and my future.

I decided to change career paths when a friend introduced me to John Middleton, who had recently purchased a local financial planning firm in our town. That was 16 years ago, and John and I have been working together ever since.

Even though I wasn’t an owner, I was deeply involved in the firm. When John started considering a merger, he made it clear that it would only work if I came along for the journey. That level of trust and partnership has always been at the core of how we serve our clients.

When the personal becomes professional

Like many others, the COVID-19 pandemic gave us time to pause and reflect. Fortunately, we had already embraced technology, so working remotely didn’t disrupt our service at all. But it also made us think more seriously about what would happen if one of us could no longer work.

When a close friend of John’s became seriously ill, it drove the point home. We realized it was time to think about succession, not just for ourselves but for the long-term well-being of our clients. We explored local options and even entertained the idea that maybe one of our children would step into the business someday, but that wasn’t in the cards.

What we truly needed was a partner who could provide the kind of deep bench and infrastructure our clients deserved.

Searching for the right fit

During a two-and-a-half-year journey to find the right fit, we met with several firms. None offered what we needed, especially when it came to technology, service breadth, and client experience. We wanted to maintain our personalized approach but with more horsepower behind us. We needed a firm that could elevate the work we were already doing.

When Mercer Advisors came into the picture, everything began to click. The firm was already offering the holistic services we were trying to piece together, including estate planning, tax strategies, and investment management, all in-house. That kind of integration was what we had been dreaming of, and the culture felt like a match right away.

Making the move

Once the conversation with Mercer Advisors began, the process moved quickly. Because we had already gone through due diligence with other firms, we were clear about what we wanted and what we didn’t. We entered an NDA in June and notified our clients by September. By December 1, 2023, we officially joined Mercer Advisors.

We were able to retain our client relationships, our office, and even our phone numbers.. That continuity made a big difference. Our clients, some of whom had been with the firm for over 20 years, appreciated the familiarity. They were still working with John and me, and now they were gaining access to an even wider array of services and professionals.

Delivering more value immediately

The benefits of joining Mercer Advisors became apparent immediately. One client had a concentrated stock position with a very low-cost basis and was facing a significant tax event if she sold. Thanks to the planning and investment teams at Mercer Advisors, we were able to design a creative strategy involving an Opportunity Zone fund. This approach helped our client defer capital gains and provided a clear path forward.

We also helped the same client transition a corporate charitable fund into a Schwab donor-advised fund, where she could continue her philanthropic goals in a more flexible, tax-efficient way. These were solutions we never would have been able to execute on our own. The expanded capabilities have made a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of our clients.

A culture of generosity and shared purpose

Now that we’ve fully integrated with Mercer Advisors, I have more time to think strategically, something that was hard to do when John and I were operating with limited resources. I’ve been collaborating with the marketing team on expansion opportunities and creative ideas. One recent event was inspired by a long-term client who has a young adult child with special needs. I invited a colleague from one of our Texas locations to share insights with my clients and families facing similar situations.

Attending the Advisor Symposium in January was a game-changer. It made me realize just how many resources John and I now have at our fingertips. Whether it’s a complex client case, a tax question, or an emotional family situation, I can reach out through Teams and get thoughtful, experienced answers in minutes.

The collaboration across Mercer Advisors is real. When I had a client diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s, the advice I received from colleagues, some of whom had personal experience, was incredibly helpful. It’s a culture of generosity and shared purpose that reinforces our mission to empower clients and help them achieve economic freedom.

Growing as a professional and supporting others

Since joining Mercer Advisors, I’ve also been able to pursue new certifications, including the CDFA® designation. I’ve joined specialty advisor groups and am helping launch new internal communities so that advisors can support one another.

From brainstorming with other female advisors to leading initiatives that bring together diverse perspectives, I feel energized and inspired. Having national reach and local presence means I can serve clients better and contribute to the firm in new ways.

The right partner at the right time

Today, I feel confident that we made the right decision, not just for us but for our clients. We’ve gained high-caliber resources while preserving the relationships and values that have always defined our work.

Partnering with Mercer Advisors has been a natural evolution of our commitment to planning and people. And it’s only just the beginning.