Advisers who serve have a double duty — to Uncle Sam and their clients

Anyone who thinks they have busy days should listen to Chris Pollard's tale. This Regent Wealth Management Group financial adviser spent a year activated in the Army National Guard as a budget analyst by day — while serving his 100 advisory clients at night and over the weekends.
OCT 31, 2013
Anyone who thinks they have busy days should listen to Chris Pollard's tale. This Regent Wealth Management Group financial adviser spent a year activated in the Army National Guard as a budget analyst by day — while serving his 100 advisory clients at night and over the weekends. The former Army infantry platoon leader in Iraq and West Point graduate also was pursuing a master's in business administration during this period, between mid-2011 and mid-2012. And he and his wife have two sons, who were 3 and 5 at the time. “It was one of the crazier times in my life,” said Mr. Pollard, who is 32. “I wouldn't recommend it.” Despite the long hours and time away from his practice, he did not lose any clients, he said. He was an adviser with First Command Financial Services at that time, and he had assistants who could help with paperwork and other tasks that were difficult to do remotely. Those assistants and some technology that allowed him to work from anywhere made it possible for him to maintain his practice, he said. While the rest of his unit was in Afghanistan, he spent most of the time in either Atlanta or at Fort Benning, Ga. He ended his time in the National Guard after his year-long activation. He joined Regent Wealth late last year because he wanted to be part of a fee-only firm, and he moved his family from Georgia to Connecticut, where Regent Wealth is based. Mr. Pollard doesn't ever plan to join back up with the National Guard, but said any adviser who knows they could be deployed should prepare their practice for such an event. “Make it a priority to have someone who works with you maintain a relationship with clients in case you get called up for a year, or even a month or two,” he advised. Do you know any other financial advisers who have had to figure out how to run their advisory practices while being deployed? I would appreciate hearing about anyone else who has faced such a situation for an upcoming cover story I'm working on for InvestmentNews. Let me know.

Latest News

SEC Says Game Service Roblox Part of ‘Active Investigation’
SEC Says Game Service Roblox Part of ‘Active Investigation’

Short sellers previously said the company was under investigation, though Roblox denied allegations.

Musk’s DOGE descends on CFPB with intention to shut it down
Musk’s DOGE descends on CFPB with intention to shut it down

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is in the crosshairs of the Republican group that is widely attempting to dismantle government agencies.

Advisor fighting Finra banishment loses $17.7 million dispute with old firm
Advisor fighting Finra banishment loses $17.7 million dispute with old firm

National Securities Corp. sued the advisor in 2020, alleging breach of contract and unjust enrichment.

Job numbers, inflation leaving room for Fed to hold rates
Job numbers, inflation leaving room for Fed to hold rates

Recent data support a measured pace by the Federal Reserve for the year ahead.

Private assets remain hot despite surging stock market
Private assets remain hot despite surging stock market

Financial advisors are still adding alternatives despite the surge in publicly traded stock prices

SPONSORED Taylor Matthews on what's behind Farther's rapid growth

From 'no clients' to reshaping wealth management, Farther blends tech and trust to deliver family-office experience at scale.

SPONSORED Why wealth advisors should care about the future of federal tax policy

Blue Vault features expert strategies to harness for maximum client advantage.