David Blisk

	DAVID BLISK Chief Executive Officer 703.748.5800 888.737.8907 david.blisk@spireip.com David Blisk, CEO of Spire Investment Partners, LLC, has made his mark on the leading edge of the financial services industry – especially the independent financial advisor channel. Describing himself as a “large break-away broker,” David made news when he left one of the major wire-houses in February of 1997 and established Spire Investment Partners, LLC, in McLean, Virginia. David’s vision is that Spire is a home for financial advisors who want to be independent in their investment choices but do not want to worry about the daily administrative and management chores. At Spire, advisors own their respective practices. David and his team work to provide state of the art access to a number of leading vendor partners and the back-office support necessary to function in today's highly regulated environment. Since Spire’s inception in 1997, with $90 million under management, Spire now consults to excess of $1.5 billion for high net worth individuals. Spire operates with over 30 consulting teams, which include 50+ individual licensed consultants working in numerous locations around the country. Wealth Manager Magazine ranked the firm as one of its top financial advisory firms six consecutive years from 2004 through 2009. Spire is a boutique firm that is built on the hybrid model. Spire is first a SEC Registered Investment Advisor and secondarily a FINRA broker/dealer, not the other way around. Under David’s leadership, Spire is unique in that it established relationships with three of the industry’s leading clearing firms. David believes that technology is an integral part of business that can help advisors reach their goals and improve process efficiency. Cloud computing, data survivability and a document imaging system are examples of the innovative technology available at Spire. David firmly believes that consultants should be supported to develop their own brand identity and advertise their individual strengths. As such, Spire was first to establish an in-house marketing and creative design group to differentiate its consultants from their competitors. Under his leadership, Spire has launched a major expansion program in 2009. David envisions developing new relationships and enhancing Spire’s exposure across the country. Spire was recently featured in a national advertising campaign by a major custodian that bestowed on him the title of “Mr. Hybrid.” This year Spire will also be exhibiting at two major national conferences -- IMCA & FPA. With more than 20 years of combined experience as a wire-house broker and leading an independent firm, David is a frequent speaker on industry trends, and in particular: “going independent” for wire-house representatives. He is periodically featured in publications such as: in Financial Advisor magazine, Investment News, Registered Rep magazine, and Financial-Planning.com. David is a Distinguished Graduate of the US Air Force Academy, has a MBA from Wright State University, and a JD from Duke University’s School of Law. A former USAF Judge Advocate, David served 13 years of active duty and retired from the USAF Reserve in 2003. Prior to founding Spire, David rose to the level of Sr.VP and Sr.IMC at Smith Barney in McLean, VA. David is active in numerous alumni, civic, social and church activities: Steering Committee Member of the ’78 Challenge funding the new Indoor Training Facility at the US Air Force Academy Chaired the Pipe Organ installation effort for his Lutheran Church where he also serves as an Elder. An 8 year participant in Dan Sullivan’s The Strategic Coach Program Member of both FSI and IMCA

DAVID BLISK

Chief Executive Officer
703.748.5800
888.737.8907
david.blisk@spireip.com

David Blisk, CEO of Spire Investment Partners, LLC, has made his mark on the leading edge of the financial services industry – especially the independent financial advisor channel. Describing himself as a “large break-away broker,” David made news when he left one of the major wire-houses in February of 1997 and established Spire Investment Partners, LLC, in McLean, Virginia.

David’s vision is that Spire is a home for financial advisors who want to be independent in their investment choices but do not want to worry about the daily administrative and management chores. At Spire, advisors own their respective practices. David and his team work to provide state of the art access to a number of leading vendor partners and the back-office support necessary to function in today's highly regulated environment.

Since Spire’s inception in 1997, with $90 million under management, Spire now consults to excess of $1.5 billion for high net worth individuals. Spire operates with over 30 consulting teams, which include 50+ individual licensed consultants working in numerous locations around the country. Wealth Manager Magazine ranked the firm as one of its top financial advisory firms six consecutive years from 2004 through 2009.

Spire is a boutique firm that is built on the hybrid model. Spire is first a SEC Registered Investment Advisor and secondarily a FINRA broker/dealer, not the other way around. Under David’s leadership, Spire is unique in that it established relationships with three of the industry’s leading clearing firms. David believes that technology is an integral part of business that can help advisors reach their goals and improve process efficiency. Cloud computing, data survivability and a document imaging system are examples of the innovative technology available at Spire.

David firmly believes that consultants should be supported to develop their own brand identity and advertise their individual strengths. As such, Spire was first to establish an in-house marketing and creative design group to differentiate its consultants from their competitors.

Under his leadership, Spire has launched a major expansion program in 2009. David envisions developing new relationships and enhancing Spire’s exposure across the country. Spire was recently featured in a national advertising campaign by a major custodian that bestowed on him the title of “Mr. Hybrid.” This year Spire will also be exhibiting at two major national conferences -- IMCA & FPA.

With more than 20 years of combined experience as a wire-house broker and leading an independent firm, David is a frequent speaker on industry trends, and in particular: “going independent” for wire-house representatives. He is periodically featured in publications such as: in Financial Advisor magazine, Investment News, Registered Rep magazine, and Financial-Planning.com.

David is a Distinguished Graduate of the US Air Force Academy, has a MBA from Wright State University, and a JD from Duke University’s School of Law. A former USAF Judge Advocate, David served 13 years of active duty and retired from the USAF Reserve in 2003. Prior to founding Spire, David rose to the level of Sr.VP and Sr.IMC at Smith Barney in McLean, VA.

David is active in numerous alumni, civic, social and church activities:

Steering Committee Member of the ’78 Challenge funding the new Indoor Training Facility at the US Air Force Academy
Chaired the Pipe Organ installation effort for his Lutheran Church where he also serves as an Elder.
An 8 year participant in Dan Sullivan’s The Strategic Coach Program
Member of both FSI and IMCA