North Bay Biz BEST Feature article

B E S T W e a lt h M a n a g e m e n t C o m pa n y
When to
Get Tested
JDH Wealth
Management, LLC
By John Abbott
A
t the outset of the 2008 recession, Tim and Matt Delaney began calling their clients to check
in. They expected tough conversations about the plummeting market and
how it was affecting customer portfolios.
“What we heard instead from many of
them was, ‘You told us this day would
come, that there would be highs and lows.
We don’t like it, but we understand your
philosophy, so continue on,” says Tim Delaney, co-founder of JDH. “We realized we
had done such a good job preparing our
clients for the storm that they didn’t even
think to question our investment strategy.”
The creative brain trust behind
this year’s BEST Wealth Management
Company belongs to five individuals:
managing partner and wealth adviser Tim
Delaney; his son, Matt, partner and wealth Left to right: Matt Delaney, Dana Marty, Tim Delaney and Rebekah Pearson of JDH Wealth Management
[Duncan Garrett Photography]
adviser; John Jones, partner; Rebekah
Pearson, operations manager; and Dana
“We believe in helping each person find the path to achieve
Marty, administrative assistant. “It’s just the five of us taking over
the goals that are right for them,” Pearson says. “When a new
the world,” Pearson says with a smile.
client comes into our office, the first questions our advisers ask
World domination aside, JDH is a niche player compared to
are about their life, their family, their interests and their goals.
corporate monoliths, with $150 million in assets and 90 clients.
Once we’ve gotten to know the client, we can find the best
“This industry lacks transparency,” Tim Delaney says. “We want to approach to reach those goals. And it doesn’t stop there. We
help our clients ignore the noise that Wall Street pumps out. Our
continue to meet with clients, provide education and assess their
goal is to change each person’s experience and deliver freedom so
life situation so changes can be made when it’s called for.
people can focus on what’s most important in their life.”
“When it comes to 401k plans, we address the full spectrum
Unlike its mammoth competitors, JDH advisers don’t work
of needs regarding the administration and participation in the
on commission. Additionally, they invest in the same funds and
plan. We hold annual trustee meetings to review the plan and we
follow the same academically based investment approach they
have ongoing communication throughout the year with business
recommend to their clients.
owners. Our advisers also make a point to provide education
“Many people don’t understand their current investment
opportunities for participants and meet one on one. Matt, who’s
situation,” says Matt Delaney. “We ask about their need, ability
bilingual, even holds meetings in Spanish.”
and willingness to take risks. We also ask, ‘How does your
“Receiving this ‘BEST Of award is humbling,” says Tim
current stock broker get paid? If you invest in a higher expense
Delaney. “It’s wonderful that we can do what we love and what
fund, do they get paid more?’ Or, ‘Is your current broker invested we’ve set out to do as a business. We’re able to give back to the
in the same funds you hold?’ Many people don’t know the
community, make a difference and change people’s lives. This
answers to these questions and are surprised by the answers they award is recognition from the readers of NorthBay biz that we’re
get when they ask.”
doing these things.” u
www.jdhwealth.com
BEST Of the North Bay 2014
Northbaybiz 71