After over 15 years serving financial professionals at a smaller broker dealer in Knoxville, Tennessee, Dave Melendy found his firm in a situation many in the industry are all too familiar with. Following an acquisition by a large network of independent financial advisors, Melendy found the firm he knew and loved changed overnight.
As the mid-sized firm transitioned into a publicly owned corporation, he noticed changes in culture and expectations of service.
“I enjoyed being a part of an advisor-first service culture,” shared Melendy. “Service leadership is important to me, and unfortunately, was one area that didn’t transition with the acquisition.”
Melendy noticed the nuances of advisor services made a big impact on the way he viewed his role.
“I saw firsthand how advisors weren’t given the attention they needed in order to manage basic administrative tasks, like transitioning billing, reconciling data across technology platforms, and managing re-papering events. The frustrations were all too common, and I wanted to work in an environment where I had the ability to serve advisors in a more personal capacity.”
Joining Silver Oak as Vice President, Managing Director of Advisory Services & Recruiting Coordinator allowed Melendy to return to an advisor-first culture that places an emphasis on personalized service.
“At Silver Oak, financial professionals can pick up the phone and call someone they know can help them. I know our financial representatives personally and work with them on custom solutions to challenges they encounter. While it wasn’t my choice to join the larger firm, it was my decision to join a culture that puts people first.”
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