MISSION AND EDUCATION

While our core responsibility is managing a superior investment process, we strive to help clients address the qualitative aspects of wealth. Our experience is that family wealth can enable, empower, and nurture current and future generations. Yet there is also the danger that family wealth can disable, destroy, and undermine individuals and their families. Minor differences in approach can result in either greed or gratitude.

We are dedicated to helping clients successfully manage their legacy of wealth. One of the most important steps is preparing and training the next generation, who need to develop the knowledge and skills to enable sound judgment. We strive to provide materials, workshops, and presentations that can facilitate their education. We tailor our educational efforts according to the different levels of understanding and interests of individuals. We often find that every age group welcomes the opportunity to find their role, however different, in preserving and enjoying the advantages of family assets.

We recognize that family values and principals need to trump the natural focus on tax structures, trust vehicles, or financial planning. We believe in the importance of a Family Mission Statement, which articulates these values and goals as wealth is passed from one generation to the next. While any mission statement needs to be flexible to avoid trying to control outcomes from the grave, it also needs to provide clear guidance.

An equally important part of the puzzle is the development of an effective Family Governance system that defines how family decisions are made in an efficient and effective manner that respects family values. Successful systems are not necessarily democratic, but they are transparent, accountable, and effective.

The challenge of maintaining the family wealth is a complex effort involving superior investment management, education and training, integrated family systems, and shared values and goals.