Robert Comfort Email & Phone Number

Nashville, Tn, Us

United States

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Columbus, Ohio, United States

Nationwide

-Grew broker dealer and RIA to $40 billion in AUM, 500 plus financial advisors and approximately 300 credit union clients in first five years (2017-2021)• Created a culture, structure and value proposition that dramatically accelerated the growth of the company in all major metrics. It took the company 30 years to get to $20 billion in AUM and from 2017-2021 the firm doubled that to $40 billion.• Pioneered a highly unusual alliance with our largest competitor to acquire a world class technology/capability platform and dramatically reduce the overall risk of the firm.• Instrumental in acquiring both the second largest credit union in the country and one of most successful large credit union wealth management programs as new clients.-Guided the firm through one of the largest and complex BD/RIA conversions in industry history - which now positions the firm and its clients for long term success.• Implemented a Life skill development process through Focus3 called the RFactor that had a profoundly meaningful impact on the culture and lives of employees, partners, and clients.• Created a client strategic planning process called “Blueprint for Success” that transformed the businesses of existing clients and attracted several new clients.• Turned the covid crisis into an opportunity for the firm to shine for it’s clients during a tough time - Posting two of the biggest years in the firm’s history in 2020 and 2021.re

Charlotte, North Carolina

In response to market dynamics, sought to expand services – focused on smaller banks and credit unions – creating new opportunity for firm to attract significantly larger banking client by moving up market. Educated staff on details of plan, maximizing deal prospects and moving quickly/effectively towards acquisition and integration. Worked across firm to enable substantial focus on improvements for serving large banks. Played key role in helping LPL acquire $60 billion large regional bank holding company – largest banking client in history of company – also generating numerous serious large bank prospects. Challenged industry’s “status quo” – about how large banks run broker dealer and RIA businesses – for first time in history. Through actions and innovations, prompted large banks and industry consultants to consider moving to new model under LPL. Formulated and executed firm’s large bank acquisition strategy – initially producing marketplace awareness of offering and subsequently generating leads and potential acquisition targets. Developed high-impact sales process for winning large bank deals, helping organization prioritize gaps in platform and offering that could prevent winning business.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Headed LPL Financial’s entire business consulting and relationship management team serving more than 740 banks and credit unions. Accountable for P&L spanning $750 million in revenues and 35 employees, drove organization to improve performance while maximizing retention of client portfolio.- Devised new, fully aligned and highly engaged employee culture which stimulated production and efficiencies while streamlining operations. Drafted and implemented overall vision, strategy and mission for LPL’s industry-leading bank and credit union business.- Designed innovative consulting structure and offering which improved client and employee satisfaction while halting attrition. Resulted in record high 99% client retention and 86% employee engagement rates.- Led firm changes positioned to better serve large client segment. Upgraded level of talent, expertise and experience of team, collaborating with executive team to address support required to optimally serve meaningful LPL client segment.- Formulated series of cutting-edge strategies to overcome client satisfaction deficiencies. Included devising new client communication protocols, introducing enhanced emergency response and communication plans, and launching expanded conference strategy to create more face-to-face connections with most profitable clients.- Integrated award-winning business planning tool – which helped banks and credit unions grow significantly – into operations. Also introduced “six core financial needs” tool, which examined and optimized client relationships.- Established new client segmentation system – which prioritized focusing on most profitable clients without minimizing less profitable relationships. Originated another system to assess client attrition risk to detect and address issues early on.- Started firm-wide client advisory board to provide LPL senior management guidance on key strategic decisions and client satisfaction priorities.

Columbus, Ohio

Led entirety of firm’s wealth management businesses – including personal trust, private banking, broker dealer, RIA and retail insurance – consisting of portfolio of large business with 700+ employees spread across seven states. Drove consistent financial growth, collaborating across bank to establish and solidify strong internal partnerships as part of creating, disseminating and implementing organization’s vision, mission and strategic financial plans.- Produced more than $270 million in revenues and $120+ million in pretax net income – through combined businesses – during difficult economic period.- Formulated and expanded unified wealth management organization – created from businesses competing against one another – resulting in highly productive and profitable culture supported by several hundred staff.- Attained highest employee engagement scores in company for large business, by facilitating team-oriented culture that resulted in exceptional performances in each business.- Created and implemented compelling client value proposition and sales process. Drove competitive profit margins across all wealth businesses by improving management and oversight of expenses and bottom line.- Generated strong growth, optimal client experiences and exceptional teamwork, by designing and implementing new compensation plans. Developed demanding sales activity plans and pipeline management processes to maximize productivity and accountability.- Produced results by running highly effective annual sales campaigns – that created competitive and rewarding environment built upon synergistic culture – and championing development of new series of marketing materials which communicated wealth management story in fresh and compelling manner.- Obtained successful regulatory results in all wealth businesses – including SEC, FINRA, OCC and Federal Reserve exams. Developed effective referral pipeline by instituting strong partnerships across retail and commercial banking.

Columbus, Ohio

Served as President of Huntington Bank’s broker dealer, charged with directing brokerage, RIA and retail insurance business for Huntington Bancshares, with 175 Financial Advisors and over 1,000 licensed bank employees. Accountable for organization’s growth and P&L performance; established strong partnerships across industry and bank to drive business referrals, acquiring requisite support, investments and resources.- Grew small broker dealer from $5 million to over $90 million in revenues, becoming 9th largest bank broker dealer within 24th largest bank in United States.- Due to exceptional leadership and entrepreneurial accomplishments, named “Executive of the Year” for 2009 and was featured on cover of three industry magazines.- Posted top industry quartile profit margins – of 32% pretax or higher consistently – by creating innovative team and franchise compensation approach, consistently achieving top decile performances across major industry metrics.- Recognized as “Investment Program of the Year” by Bank Insurance & Securities Association, becoming firm that competing banks and industry consultants studied and referred to as best practices leader.- Led company to record levels of performance – during 2008 and 2009 recession, which proved to be extremely challenging time for financial firms – facilitating execution of intentional approach to building dynamic culture which yielded highest employee engagement scores in company.- Implemented creative team structure and partnering approach – recognized as best in industry – originating Huntington Consulting business to educate other banks across industry on best practices, innovations and successes.- Introduced and integrated Focus3 R-Factor and Lead Now programs into corporate culture, extending consistent leadership process across organization while developing key employee life skills.

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Finance, General

Graduation Plaques, Organizational Leadership