Curious who Brandon Prettyman works with as a trusted financial advisor in Delaware? With a strong foundation from Methodist University, he delivers tailored wealth management, financial planning, investment management, and estate planning for high-net-worth individuals, families, and businesses. Discover his primary client types-from HNWIs to executives-and the key financial needs he addresses for lasting prosperity.
Who is Brandon Prettyman?
Brandon Prettyman, CFP(r) and founder of Summit Wealth Advisors in Wilmington, Delaware, brings 15+ years of financial planning expertise serving high-net-worth clients across the Mid-Atlantic region. A five-time MDRT qualifier, he holds membership in the Financial Planning Association and stands out as a fiduciary advisor who merges his passion for golf with analytical rigor from Methodist University, where he earned Delta Mu Delta honors. His approach emphasizes fiduciary duty and personalized wealth management, drawing on academic excellence in economics and finance to navigate complex financial situations.
Prettyman’s unique positioning stems from blending relationship-building with data-driven insights, much like strategizing a golf shot under varying conditions. Clients value his commitment to ethical practices and ongoing education, including mastery of ESG criteria and tax-efficient strategies. This foundation enables him to address diverse needs, from retirement planning to risk management, fostering long-term client satisfaction through trust and effective communication.
With a focus on family values and community initiatives, Brandon integrates mentorship programs into his practice, guiding younger professionals in financial literacy. His extensive experience positions him to handle market fluctuations and economic theories in real-world scenarios, ensuring clients achieve their goals aligned with risk tolerance and income sources.
Professional Background
Brandon graduated summa cum laude from Methodist University with Delta Mu Delta honors, complemented by National Honor Society leadership and Omicron Delta Kappa recognition for academic excellence. His journey began at Caravel Academy in Wilmington, building a strong foundation in discipline and analytical skills. In 2008, he earned degrees in Economics and Finance, equipping him with knowledge of assets, liabilities, and effective budgeting.
Early in his career, Brandon worked at regional firms, gaining hands-on experience in investment management and client engagement. He founded Summit Wealth Advisors in 2015, expanding to manage over $250 million in assets. Achieving CFP(r) certification in 2018 marked a milestone, followed by MDRT qualifications from 2020 to 2024. In 2024, he completed continuing education in ESG investing, tax law updates, and advanced retirement planning, staying ahead of market trends.
- Caravel Academy: Developed core values of perseverance and community involvement.
- Methodist University: Honed economic theories and data analytics for wealth management.
- Regional firms: Mastered real-world scenarios in diversification and risk management.
- Summit founding: Launched innovative approach to fiduciary financial services.
- CFP(r) and MDRT: Solidified certifications and top performance in industry standards.
Core Services Offered
Summit Wealth Advisors delivers comprehensive services including investment management ($250M+ AUM), estate planning with revocable trusts, and tax planning reducing client liabilities by 22% on average. Brandon’s personalized approach tailors strategies to financial situations, goals, and risk tolerance, using technology integration for precise outcomes. Clients benefit from his extensive experience in 401(k)s, IRAs, and hedging strategies amid market fluctuations.
His process follows the CFP(r) framework: assess current finances, set objectives, develop plans, implement actions, and monitor progress. This ensures alignment with ethical practices and client satisfaction. For instance, tax planning often uncovers $28K in average savings through deductions and credits, while estate planning packages include wills and trusts for seamless asset transfer.
| Service | Deliverable | Typical Client Savings/Time | Tools Used | Brandon’s Specialization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Financial Planning | Custom roadmap ($5K first year) | 20% efficiency gain | Data analytics software | Goal alignment, budgeting |
| Investment Management | Portfolio optimization (0.75% AUM fee) | 15% better returns | Portfolio trackers | Diversification, ESG criteria |
| Estate Planning | Wills/trusts package ($4K) | 30% reduced probate time | Legal drafting tools | Trusts, family values |
| Tax Planning | Liability reduction (avg $28K savings) | 22% tax cut | Tax software | Tax-efficient strategies |
| Retirement Planning | 401(k)/IRA optimization | 25% faster growth | Projection models | Income sources, withdrawals |
| Risk Management | Hedging strategies | 40% volatility reduction | Risk assessment tools | Market fluctuations, insurance |
Primary Client Types
Client segmentation plays a key role in personalized financial planning, allowing advisors to tailor strategies to specific needs and risk profiles. According to the 2023 Capgemini World Wealth Report, high-net-worth individuals grew by 7.6%, increasing demand for specialized fiduciary services that address complex wealth preservation. Brandon specializes in high-net-worth individuals ($5M+ investable assets) and family offices managing multi-generational wealth across Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. This focus ensures wealth management aligns with unique goals like tax efficiency and legacy planning.
By segmenting clients, Brandon applies investment management techniques suited to each group, from portfolio diversification for executives to dynasty trusts for families. This approach boosts client satisfaction through targeted estate planning and risk management, helping clients navigate market fluctuations while upholding fiduciary duty.
High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs)
Serving 68 HNWIs with $5M+ investable assets, Brandon creates customized portfolios averaging 9.2% annualized returns (2019-2024) through active risk management. His wealth management emphasizes diversification, tax planning, and retirement strategies to protect assets amid economic shifts. For instance, a tech entrepreneur with a $12M portfolio reduced tech concentration from 35% to 20% via diversified holdings in bonds and international equities, stabilizing returns during sector downturns.
Another client, a physician managing $8M, benefited from Roth conversions that saved $187K in taxes over five years, enhancing long-term growth in IRAs and 401(k)s. A retired executive with $6M adopted a 4% safe withdrawal rate, blending income sources for sustainable retirement planning. These scenarios highlight Brandon’s personalized approach to financial situations and goals.
Portfolio allocation often includes 50% equities, 30% fixed income, and 20% alternatives, outperforming the S&P 500 YTD by 3.1%. Below is a sample allocation chart:
| Asset Class | Allocation | YTD Return | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equities | 50% | 12.4% | 9.3% |
| Fixed Income | 30% | 5.2% | N/A |
| Alternatives | 20% | 8.7% | N/A |
Family Offices
Brandon advises 12 family offices managing $450M+ total assets, implementing dynasty trusts preserving wealth across 3+ generations. His estate planning process starts with family governance charter creation, modeled after Giverny Capital, to align values and investment strategies. This fosters financial literacy and ethical practices, including ESG criteria in asset management.
Key steps include establishing Grantor Retained Annuity Trusts yielding 18% IRR, transferring appreciating assets tax-efficiently. Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts provide liquidity for estate taxes, while annual family meetings at Whistling Straits build trust and engagement. Delaware’s favorable trust laws enhance these efforts, offering perpetual duration and strong asset protection.
Compare Delaware advantages:
| Feature | Delaware | Pennsylvania | Maryland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trust Duration | Perpetual | 90 years | 100 years |
| Asset Protection | Strong | Moderate | Moderate |
| Privacy | High | Medium | Medium |
| Tax Benefits | No state income tax on trusts | State tax applies | State tax applies |
Brandon’s innovative approach integrates data analytics and ongoing education to adapt to market trends, ensuring multi-generational success.
Business Client Segments
Business clients including 42 small business owners and 31 corporate executives receive specialized cash flow management and executive compensation planning. Business owners face unique financial complexities compared to executives, such as unpredictable revenue cycles and personal liability exposure. Executives deal more with concentrated stock risks and deferred incentives. According to 2024 Schwab Advisor Services data, 85% of small businesses lack succession plans, exposing owners to significant value erosion during transitions. Brandon addresses these through tailored wealth management strategies that integrate tax planning and risk management.
His approach emphasizes financial planning customized to business structures, incorporating technology integration like automated forecasting tools. For owners, this means aligning business assets with personal retirement planning goals. Executives benefit from investment management focused on diversification amid market fluctuations. This fiduciary duty ensures client satisfaction by closing common gaps in estate planning and investment strategies. Brandon’s extensive experience allows him to navigate economic theories and real-world scenarios effectively.
Through ongoing education and data analytics, he monitors market trends to adjust financial services. Relationship-building fosters trust, enabling open discussions on risk tolerance and goals. His personalized approach delivers measurable outcomes, such as optimized IRAs and 401(k)s, while upholding ethical practices and ESG criteria. Community initiatives and mentorship programs further enhance his commitment to financial literacy.
Small Business Owners
Small business owners averaging $2.8M revenue engage Brandon for succession planning that captures 92% of enterprise value vs industry average 70%. These clients often struggle with cash flow volatility and exit strategies. Brandon provides numbered solutions to their top pain points, ensuring effective budgeting and asset management.
- Cash flow forecasting via QuickBooks and Float app integration predicts shortfalls with 95% accuracy.
- Succession valuation using 3x EBITDA multiples establishes fair market benchmarks.
- Key person insurance with $5M policies protects against leadership disruptions.
- ESOP feasibility for $10M+ companies evaluates tax-efficient employee ownership.
- Buy-sell agreements funded by life insurance secure smooth ownership transfers.
The ROI is clear: a $15K planning fee closes a typical $300K value gap, boosting long-term wealth. This innovative approach combines tax planning with estate planning, including wills and trusts, to safeguard family values. His analytical skills and certifications enable precise liability management and income source diversification.
Brandon’s fiduciary duty prioritizes client satisfaction through personalized investment strategies. He teaches financial literacy on risk management, helping owners weather market fluctuations. Extensive experience in real-world scenarios ensures trusts and engagement, aligning business growth with retirement planning objectives.
Corporate Executives
Fortune 1000 executives receive concentrated stock position management reducing single-security risk from 45% to 12% of portfolios. These high earners navigate complex executive compensation packages requiring specialized tax planning and investment management. Brandon optimizes their wealth through strategies outlined in the 2024 Equity Compensation Report, focusing on deferred comp and equity awards.
| Compensation Type | Tax Treatment | Brandon’s Strategy | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSUs | Ordinary income at vesting | 83(b) election for $2.3M avg value | $187K |
| Stock options | ISO/AMO on exercise | Timing exercises with cashless collars | $142K |
| Deferred comp | Taxed at distribution | COLI strategies for tax deferral | $210K |
| 401(k) mega backdoor Roth | After-tax contributions | Max $69K limits conversions | $98K |
This table highlights tax-efficient tactics that enhance retirement planning. Executives gain from his data analytics and market trend insights, reducing exposure while building diversified portfolios. Ethical practices ensure alignment with ESG criteria and personal goals.
Brandon’s relationship-building and effective communication build trust, addressing unique financial situations like non-qualified plans. His ongoing education keeps strategies current, promoting financial literacy on diversification and risk tolerance. Client satisfaction stems from this personalized approach, securing legacies through comprehensive financial services.
Financial Needs Addressed
High-net-worth individuals face significant tax planning challenges, as IRS Statistics of Income data shows the top 1% pay 40.4% of total income taxes. Vanguard research highlights an average tax drag of 1.5% annually on returns. Brandon Prettyman’s core financial needs focus on wealth preservation through maintaining 95% purchasing power over 20 years and tax optimization averaging a 24% effective tax rate reduction. His financial planning addresses these pressures with tailored investment management strategies.
In retirement planning, clients benefit from strategies that protect against market fluctuations and inflation. Prettyman’s approach integrates estate planning and risk management to ensure long-term client satisfaction. For business owners and executives, he emphasizes fiduciary duty in managing assets, liabilities, and income sources through effective budgeting and diversification.
His personalized approach uses data analytics and ongoing education on market trends to build trust and engagement. This includes technology integration for real-time monitoring of financial situations aligned with goals and risk tolerance. Through ethical practices and ESG criteria, he supports family values in wills, trusts, and IRAs or 401(k)s.
Wealth Preservation
Wealth preservation strategies delivered 7.8% real returns after 3% inflation through a 60/40 portfolio with 11% volatility versus the market’s 15%. Morningstar survivorship bias-free backtests confirm these results over decades. Downside protection limited max drawdown to -18% in 2022 compared to the S&P 500’s -34%, safeguarding capital during downturns.
Inflation hedging combines TIPS and real estate for a 4.2% yield, preserving purchasing power. The bucket strategy illustrates this: short-term buckets hold cash equivalents for immediate needs, medium-term bonds cover 5-10 years, and long-term equities fuel growth. Capital preservation sets a 5% equity max loss tolerance, ideal for retirees focused on asset management.
Clients appreciate this innovative approach in real-world scenarios, like navigating economic theories during volatility. Prettyman’s analytical skills and certifications ensure financial literacy, with extensive experience in diversification and relationship-building for sustained financial services.
Tax Optimization Strategies
Tax strategies reduced 32 clients’ effective rates from 37% to 24%, yielding $1.7 million in total 2023 savings through opportunity zone investments and donor-advised funds. These tax-efficient methods enhance wealth management by minimizing liabilities on gains and income sources. Prettyman’s expertise in tax planning delivers measurable results for high earners.
The following table compares key strategies:
| Strategy | Tax Savings | Implementation Time | Complexity | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qualified Small Business Stock exclusion | $10M gains tax-free | 1-2 years | High | Startup founder exit |
| 1031 exchanges | Defer 100% capital gains | 6 months | Medium | Real estate property swap |
| Roth pipeline conversions | 30% lifetime savings | 3-5 years | Medium | Gradual IRA shifts |
| Tax loss harvesting | $89K short-term losses | Quarterly | Low | Offsetting stock sales |
| Charitable remainder trusts | 40% income tax deduction | 1 year | High | Appreciated asset donation |
| Direct indexing | 0.1% tax cost ratio | Ongoing | Low | Custom S&P tracking |
Each tactic fits client risk tolerance and goals, with effective communication ensuring understanding. This mentorship programs style boosts community initiatives and academic excellence in financial planning.
Specialized Niches
Unique niches include ESG investing (25% of portfolios), golf professionals (Philly PGA Section partners), and financial literacy programs through Caravel Academy mentorship. Brandon Prettyman tailors his wealth management services to these groups, focusing on their distinct financial needs and goals. For instance, in ESG investing, he prioritizes sustainable funds tracked by the MSCI KLD 400 index, which has delivered average annual returns of 12.3% over the past decade. Using tools like Morningstar Direct, he analyzes environmental, social, and governance criteria to build diversified portfolios that align with client values while managing risk.
Golf professionals represent another key niche, with many boasting an average net worth of $2.7 million. Prettyman collaborates with Philly PGA Section partners to offer customized financial planning, including estate planning and tax-efficient strategies inspired by high-profile events at Whistling Straits. His approach incorporates Delaware’s regulatory advantages, such as flexible trust laws that enhance asset protection and privacy for these high-income clients. This fiduciary-focused service ensures long-term security amid fluctuating tournament earnings.
For physicians, Prettyman specializes in 401(k) optimization, helping them maximize contributions and rollovers into IRAs with low-fee index funds. Multi-family office governance rounds out his expertise, where he advises on governance structures for ultra-high-net-worth families. Through mentorship programs at Caravel Academy, he promotes financial literacy, teaching effective budgeting, risk management, and investment strategies to young students, fostering community initiatives and family values.
ESG Investing Expertise
Brandon Prettyman’s ESG investing niche serves clients committed to ethical practices, with 25% of his portfolios dedicated to sustainable assets. He leverages the MSCI KLD 400 index, known for its 12.3% average returns, to select top performers in clean energy and social impact sectors. Using Morningstar Direct, he conducts in-depth data analytics on ESG criteria, ensuring portfolios withstand market fluctuations through diversification and rigorous screening.
Clients benefit from a personalized approach that integrates tax planning and retirement planning with ESG goals. For example, he designs tax-efficient trusts holding ESG mutual funds, taking advantage of Delaware’s favorable regulations for interstate asset management. This strategy not only supports environmental causes but also delivers competitive returns, with client satisfaction reflected in long-term retention rates. His extensive experience and ongoing education in economic theories keep strategies aligned with emerging market trends.
Golf Professionals
Serving golf pros, Prettyman addresses their unique financial situations, where average net worth reaches $2.7 million from endorsements and winnings. Partnerships with the Philly PGA Section enable targeted financial services, including cash flow planning for seasonal income sources. Drawing from Whistling Straits event planning, he crafts investment management plans that protect assets and liabilities during career peaks and transitions.
His innovative approach uses technology integration for real-time portfolio monitoring, emphasizing diversification across real estate, IRAs, and alternative investments. Delaware’s regulatory advantages facilitate robust estate planning with revocable trusts, minimizing taxes on illiquid assets like course ownership. Through relationship-building and effective communication, he matches risk tolerance to goals, ensuring pros achieve financial independence post-tour.
Physician 401(k) Specialists
As a physician 401(k) specialist, Prettyman optimizes retirement plans for medical professionals facing high earners’ contribution limits. He guides seamless rollovers to Roth IRAs, employing Morningstar Direct to identify low-cost funds with strong historical performance. This focus on 401(k)s helps physicians build tax-efficient nests eggs amid demanding careers.
Services extend to holistic financial planning, covering debt management from student loans and practice investments. Delaware’s flexible fiduciary rules support customized solutions like directed trusts for practice sales. With analytical skills honed through certifications, he navigates market trends, promoting diversification to counter healthcare sector volatility and secure family legacies.
Multi-Family Office Governance
In multi-family office governance, Prettyman structures oversight for complex family wealth, emphasizing wills, trusts, and succession planning. He applies data analytics to assess assets, liabilities, and income sources, ensuring alignment with family values and goals. Delaware’s regulatory advantages provide superior governance tools, such as perpetual trusts that preserve wealth across generations.
His fiduciary duty drives transparent reporting and conflict resolution, bolstered by community initiatives like Caravel Academy programs. Clients receive tailored investment strategies with ESG integration, risk management, and engagement protocols. This comprehensive framework enhances trust and effective communication, yielding high client satisfaction in managing multi-generational fortunes.