Dave knows what it takes to create a thoroughly optimal financial life.
Just behind protecting the environment, Dave’s primary cause is also his profession. He believes people should be able to expect that all financial advisors are held to the high ethical fiduciary standard. He currently serves on the Commission on Sanctions and Fitness of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards and from 2019-20 was Chair of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors Board (NAPFA). He has years of experience advocating for regulation and legislation to protect consumers. He chaired the NAPFA Public Policy committee for five years, served on NAPFA’s South Region Board, and numerous NAPFA working groups, and was President and Chair FPA of Central Virginia from 2011-12. He has served on several CFP Board committees and continues to work on consumer protections, retirement readiness, and advancing the financial planning profession.
He’s got the goods. He’s a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional (CFP®) with a BA and an MBA from the University of Richmond, and a Certificate in Financial Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University. But he also has the personality and passion to back it up. He’s a perfectionist and a problem solver. His true love is working on a financial puzzle until he finds the most elegant solution. His clients appreciate when he geeks out about finding the best answer to help them in a tangible way (like saving thousands in tax dollars.)
After 18 successful years with several GE businesses, he developed expertise in business and financial management on a global basis. This motivated him to take a stand and start a Fee-Only financial planning firm in 2006. Dave launched O’Brien Financial Planning, a Fee-Only Registered Investment Advisory and Financial Planning firm that became EVOadvisers in 2016.
Dave takes a strong You-Only approach to financial planning. He puts in the time to really “get” his clients. They become friends. They trust and confide in him, and he trusts them. His focus is helping people succeed in meeting their very own personal financial goals. He believes his clients should be able to have the financial freedom to “live like today’s your last day, but plan like you’ll live to 110.”.
Dave’s expert advice has appeared in The New York Times, Bloomberg, InvestmentNews, Kiplinger’s, MarketPlace Radio, and other publications. He’s also been a frequent speaker at professional conferences.
When he’s not working, he’s often still working, he believes “If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.” But when he does have time, he loves to cook, garden, and play with his dogs, both Brittanys. He’s often seen visiting breweries and fun restaurants with his wife, and son and daughter, both of whom are Virginia Tech Hokies. Life’s too short not to enjoy it.
