I started in the securities business almost 25 years ago as a registered representative working for what was one of the first independent broker-dealers. Frustrated by the lack of support I was receiving, I decided in 1983 to form an independent broker-dealer created for, and run by, registered representatives. That firm - JWGenesis Securities - grew to over 550 financial advisors until it was acquired by First Union (now Wachovia) in 2001.

In 2002, I was presented with an opportunity to acquire Summit. Although our industry has changed much since that time, what has not changed is our commitment to maintain a culture among our employees to provide the highest standard in personalized service to each of our financial advisors and their clients, as illustrated by Summit being honored by InvestmentNews as one of the Top 50 Independent Broker-Dealers. What also has not changed is our commitment to:

• recognize that you, the advisor, are our client;
• build a firm based on honesty and candor;
• provide our advisors with the best available training; and
• build each advisor's equity in the Firm.

Providing the best possible service to our advisors is the core of what we do, and the reason why Summit's advisor retention rate is among the highest in the industry. Our goal, quite simply, is to provide the support our advisors need and deserve to service their clients without limitation, and to do so in such a way that makes them proud to call Summit their home.