Chad has found that despite stressful circumstances, there’s always an opportunity to give back to others. That was true during the 2008 financial crisis and he says it also rings true during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to supporting his clients through this difficult time, he’s also started an “Invested in Community Charitable Program” that provides an opportunity for clients to give back to people in need as well as supporting local businesses. For 2020, the program is planning to “Pay it Forward” to over 20 local businesses and deserving community members.

Chad’s commitment to helping his community was further brought to life when he and his wife – also the firm’s CFO – developed an educational course to teach families about analyzing their retirement readiness at a local community college. The course helps the families get set up with financial planning software so they can begin to understand how to make smart money decisions. “It ends up being more empowering because they learn to understand what the numbers mean and how to control their finances, versus someone telling them what to do,” says Chad. He and his wife have volunteered their time to teach the class each quarter for nearly a decade, with all the proceeds going directly to the college.

Chad also partnered with his local Habitat for Humanity chapter to offer a series of financial workshops for new homeowners. Chad shares: “Becoming a homeowner is just one of many first steps to becoming financially independent. We know that often these new homeowners need help thinking about saving, paying down debt, and planning for the future.” That’s where Chad and his team come in. They help provide financial education on insurance, budgeting, property taxes, planning for retirement, and how to make ends meet. “It’s an incredible opportunity to make a lasting difference in someone’s life. And we don’t take that for granted.”

Chad appreciates his unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives through holistic financial planning. He recalls that his most moving success story was working with two individuals who had lost their spouses and who found each other later in life. They were both preparing for retirement separately while going through this emotional shift in their personal lives, and they weren’t sure what their financial states looked like. Chad worked with them every step of the way, and after developing a comprehensive plan, the wife burst into tears because she couldn’t believe they were going to be okay. Chad recalls: “It was a success for me because it really solidified that we are doing the right thing for others.”