Kitces and Levine will also assist Buckingham’s existing leadership with strategy and business development. “Being two of the most knowledgeable students of the industry, Jeff and Michael will play an active role in contextualizing the changes in the landscape today so we can plan business strategy around them,” said Justin Ferri, chairman of Buckingham Strategic Wealth. “They’ll also help us with business development and determining how we can make sure we’re investing in the right areas, and are utilizing our scope and reach to expand the business with the ultimate goal to maximize the positive impact we can have in the industry and for our clients.”
Kitces’ relationships with his entrepreneurial efforts, including Nerd’s Eye View at kitces.com, will continue unchanged, he said.
The news of the move comes amid increased market volatility and investor pessimism due to the coronavirus outbreak. Kitces noted that his move to Pinnacle, in 2008, also occurred during a volatile period for markets.
“I don’t have the market timing of a Peter Mallouk, who sold his firm a week before the coronavirus breakout, but difficult times like this are part of what highlights the importance of good firms with the right people, the right culture and the right focus,” said Kitces.