Long-time TD Ameritrade Institutional executive Skip Schweiss has left the company, according to a short note he posted on Twitter on Tuesday. He is also the current president of the Financial Planning Association and a respected advocate for advisors who believe in fiduciary responsibility.
Schweiss, who as president of TD Ameritrade Trust Company was responsible for TD Ameritrade Institutional's Retirement Plan Solutions platform, left a note that simply read, “Thank you for following me @TDA4Advisors. You can keep up with me now on my personal handle @SkpSchweiss."
The tweet garnered many will wishes. In a response to one of the well wishers, Schweiss responded, "Thank you … Mountains to climb … then back to the books.”
Schweiss is the custodian's latest high-profile departure in recent weeks. TD Ameritrade will be acquired later this year and the merger is expected to result in a continued realignment of top executives within the custodian world.
Dani Fava, former director of innovation at TD Ameritrade Institutional, left less than two weeks ago to join Envestnet as its head of strategic development.
In October, Schweiss was appointed by the Financial Planning Association as its president for a one-year term, which began on Jan. 1, 2020. Some people within the financial advisor community criticized that appointment.
Schweiss also was charged with overseeing TD Ameritrade Institutional's defined contribution business. When the Obama administration's Department of Labor proposed fiduciary rule was rolled out, Schweiss was viewed as a leading expert on the regulatory implications.
Prior to joining TD Ameritrade, Schweiss held senior roles at Fiserv Investment Support Services, including president of Fiserv Trust Company, which was acquired by TD Ameritrade in February 2008.