From left to right: Matthew B. Schechner, Christopher G. Frank, Traci Garnett-Froscheiser and John Harris. (Photo: Josh Wilson/Josh Wilson Photography).
Envestnet covers a lot of ground at its yearly Advisor Summit. Beyond asset management, it also presents several advisors with honors for their business acumen — via the Essential Advisor Awards — and with grants for their communities — through its Invest in Others partnership.
The Essential Advisor program recognizes professionals who embody values detailed in "The Essential Advisor," a book co-authored by Envestnet co-founder Bill Crager, who is now chief executive of Envestnet Wealth Solutions.
This year's winners are Christopher G. Frank of FTB Advisors in Chattanooga, Tennessee; Traci Garnett-Froscheiser of Garnett Investment Strategies in Beatrice, Nebraska; and Matthew B. Schechner of Essential Advisory Services in Westbury, New York.
"We're thrilled with the group this year. They've really made an impact in their clients' lives, and they're putting the Essential Advisor principles into practice," said John Harris, managing director and national sales manager for the independent broker-dealer and bank division of Envestnet.
According to Frank, "If you come into our office, the first thing you see is a tagline that says 'being essential,' and our whole focus with our clients is to be essential. That could mean helping them refinance their home, helping them through an automobile transaction or with retirement income. It's a … dynamic practice and one that we are passionate about."
Garnett-Froscheiser, who participated in Envestnet's Essential Advisor Certification program, explains that she "loved the theme this year of financial wellness, because that's that's really what we're trying to provide for our clients. We take a holistic look at a client's family and their full financial picture."
After that work is done, she adds, "We try to be the quarterback, making sure that they have the right will, estate plan and a trust if needed, and that they've got those beneficiaries listed."
