Advisor Edge: The GVA Way

In Episode 29 of our podcast “Advisor Edge: The GVA Way,” James J. Spinelli, ChFC®, sits down with Paul Morrone Owner and Wealth Manager of Nexa Financial Group and Ross McGoodwin Sr. Regional Vice President, Enterprise at DPL Financial Partners for a discussion on making the Hybrid-to-RIA only move without leaving annuity clients behind.

Paul summed it up well: going RIA-only with the right partner can give you a better suite of solutions than you had on the commission side. If annuities are the only thing keeping you tied to a BD, it may be time to take another look.

Key Takeaways:

Advisory annuities have changed significantly. Early fee-based products were mostly low-cost, investment-only contracts. Today, many offer income riders and enhanced death benefits, which gives fee-only planners real tools to solve client problems.

Every contract gets a path forward. Where a client’s outcome can be improved, the contract moves to an advisory solution through a 1035 exchange. Where it can’t, DPL takes over as agent of record, so the advisor keeps visibility, can still call the carrier, and can earn a management fee.

Technology keeps it all in one place. DPL’s portal consolidates contract data, from beneficiaries to income bases to tax information, and feeds platforms like Orion. That means no more logging into 15 carrier sites, and no product training or appointments to manage.

In Episode 28 of our podcast “Advisor Edge: The GVA Way,” James J. Spinelli, ChFC®, sits down with our six summer interns (tags below) to discuss what they learned, what surprised them, and how their perspective on the independent RIA industry evolved over the summer.

One of the biggest takeaways from the conversation was how much happens beyond the advisor-client relationship. They discovered the depth and breadth of GVA and how our team helps advisors grow, scale and better serve their clients.

It was great to hear directly from the interns about how their experience expanded their understanding of the industry, introduced them to the different career paths within wealth management, and gave them a new appreciation for the independent RIA model.

In Episode 27 of our podcast “Advisor Edge: The GVA Way,” James J. Spinelli, ChFC®, sits down with advisors under GVA, Tim Weigel, CFP®, RICP®, CHFC®, CLU® - https://pursuit-wealth.com/#team, Michael Englund, CLU, ChFC - https://willowriverwealth.com/#team, and Chuck Block, CHFC, CLU - https://tworiverswealthmgmt.com/#team, for a discussion on how independent advisor brands can thrive under one shared office while benefiting from the collaborative support of Great Valley Advisor Group.

Together, they share how maintaining independent identities while leveraging shared resources, operational efficiencies, and peer collaboration has created a scalable model for growth—without sacrificing the entrepreneurial freedom that drives their businesses.

Key Takeaways:

Independent brands, shared success: Advisors can preserve their unique identities while benefiting from a collaborative office environment that fosters knowledge sharing, succession planning, and a stronger client experience.

Shared resources create meaningful efficiencies: From office space and technology infrastructure to staffing and operational expenses, pooling resources reduces costs and allows advisors to focus more time on serving clients and growing their practices.

Collaboration fuels long-term growth: Regular strategy meetings, shared expertise, and access to a broader advisor network help create a culture of continuous learning, smarter decision-making, and scalable business growth.

In Episode 26 of our podcast “Advisor Edge: The GVA Way,” James sits down with Paul and Peter Tourville, founders of Next Level Planning & Wealth Management, to discuss how Financial Wellness Done Right has become a powerful growth engine for their firm.

Welcome to Advisor Edge: The GVA Way, a podcast series created for financial advisors navigating the complexities of transitioning from a traditional firm or considering branching out independently for the first time. We are attuned to the anxieties and hesitation that accompany transitioning to independence. This podcast will deliver clarity and expertise by answering common questions and guiding you through the services and support GVA provides during the transition process. From establishing your brand to building a client base and managing compliance, we'll provide the insights and resources you need to thrive in your new venture.

In Episode 25 of our podcast “Advisor Edge: The GVA Way,” James J. Spinelli, ChFC®, sits down Ryan Patrick, Chief Technology Officer at Razor Technology, for a discussion on tech driving advisor growth.

Key Takeaways:

Technology is a growth driver enabler Firms that scale efficiently treat technology as core infrastructure and a strategic asset. Those that view IT as an expense or afterthought are far more likely to hit operational bottlenecks as they grow.

Strategic IT partnerships enable scalable, repeatable growth Proactive planning, standardized systems, and ongoing collaboration allow firms to add clients, advisors, or acquisitions seamlessly—rather than rebuilding each time.

AI delivers value through efficiency Real impact comes from focused use cases that improve productivity and workflows.

In episode 24 of our podcast “Advisor Edge: The GVA Way,” James J. Spinelli, ChFC sits down with Jared Krog, founder of Opulence Wealth Management, to discuss his journey from military service to building an independent advisory firm and why he chose to partner with Great Valley Advisor Group. The conversation explores how independence, supported by GVA’s infrastructure and advisor community, enables growth while keeping client service at the center of the practice. Key Takeaways:

• Transitioning from a more captive platform to the independent space gave Jared the flexibility to build a firm centered on fiduciary advice and deeper financial planning for his clients.
• Leveraging the infrastructure, support, and Asset Management capabilities of GVA enables the firm to scale efficiently by allowing the team to focus more time on clients and business growth.
• Being part of the GVA advisor community provides access to experienced peers and meaningful collaboration across the network.

In Episode 23 of our podcast “Advisor Edge: The GVA Way,” James J. Spinelli, ChFC®, sits down with Nick Murphy, Manager, Advisor Technology, to discuss Secure Office—Great Valley Advisor Group’s enterprise-level technology foundation designed to integrate seamlessly into day-to-day practice operations while supporting long-term growth.

Key takeaways:

• Cybersecurity done right protects client data, reduces advisor burden, and shifts responsibility off the advisor and onto the RIA
• Secure Office serves as the core technology infrastructure, including Microsoft E5 licenses, threat monitoring, MFA, Bookings, and 24/7 support
• Purpose-built solutions for both hybrid and RIA-only advisors, with channel-specific compliance and supervision features
• A one-tenant, mesh network environment enhances collaboration, communication, and efficiency across all GVA offices

In Episode 22 of our podcast "Advisor Edge: The GVA Way," James J. Spinelli, ChFC, sits down with Hannah Ellis from Jump AI to discuss how their partnership is redefining advisor efficiency through artificial intelligence. Together, they break down how tools like Jump help advisors scale their practices, strengthen client trust, and elevate overall practice management in an increasingly tech-driven landscape.

Key Takeaways

• AI-powered efficiency and compliance: Jump reduces administrative burden with integrated prep, automated note-taking, and structured follow-ups-improving accuracy, documentation, and compliance oversight.
• Enhanced client relationships and growth: By capturing key personal details and meeting signals, Jump helps advisors deepen client engagement and drive substantial increases in net new assets.
• Evolving capabilities for scaling practices: Emerging features such as expanded integrations, insights, and workflow automation aim to help advisors grow and scale while keeping the human advisor at the center of the process.

Welcome to Advisor Edge: The GVA Way, a podcast series created for financial advisors navigating the complexities of transitioning from a traditional firm or considering branching out independently for the first time. We are attuned to the anxieties and hesitation that accompany transitioning to independence. This podcast will deliver clarity and expertise by answering common questions and guiding you through the services and support GVA provides during the transition process. From establishing your brand to building a client base and managing compliance, we'll provide the insights and resources you need to thrive in your new venture.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advice offered through Great Valley Advisor Group, a Registered Investment Advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

Investment Advice offered through Great Valley Advisor Group, a Registered Investment Advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

The opinions voiced in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, consult the appropriate qualified professional before making a decision.

In Episode 21 of our podcast “Advisor Edge: The GVA Way,” James J. Spinelli, ChFC® [@tag], sits down with Paul Jervey, Founder and CEO of Jervey Genesis Solutions for a discussion on launching his own independent advisory practice with GVA. Paul shares how independence allowed him to build his brand, implement robust technology, and deliver deeper tax and financial planning value to clients.

Key Takeaways:

• Independence & Growth: Paul’s transition to GVA enabled him to build his business his way, resulting in a seven-figure advisory practice centered on efficiency, transparency, and client value.
• Tech-Driven Value: A comprehensive tech stack—featuring tools like Holistiplan, Orion, Salesforce, and Schwab—supports advanced tax planning, portfolio management, and scalable client service.
• GVA Partnership Impact: GVA’s flexibility, support, and commitment to advisor autonomy empowered Paul to create his own brand, implement new ideas, and deliver a higher level of service to his clients.

🎙️ Episode 20 of Advisor Edge: The GVA Way is live!

James J. Spinelli, ChFC® [@tag], sits down with Eric Hough, the newest member of the Great Valley Advisor Group Asset Management team.

Eric brings a wealth of institutional experience in alternative investments and private markets — and in this episode, we dive into how GVA is building an alternative investment solution for our advisors that reflects the continued growth and evolution of our Asset Management platform.

At GVA, we remain committed to delivering the tools, products, and support our advisors need to thrive.

🎧 Listen now and follow along: Advisor Edge: The GVA Way

Key highlights from the discussion:

• Bridging the Alternatives Gap - Many high-net-worth clients want access to private investments, yet barriers such as high minimums and complex structures often limit participation. Eric’s focus is on helping GVA bridge that gap.
• The GVA Private Fund Initiative - The goal is to provide exposure to private equity, credit, real estate, infrastructure, and hedge funds. This semi-liquid structure is designed to offer diversification while maintaining a long-term investment mindset.
• Evolving the 60/40 Portfolio - With markets shifting, traditional allocations are changing. Institutions are increasingly adopting 60/30/10 models, incorporating alternatives for diversification and inflation protection. GVA’s approach brings that same innovation to our advisor network.