Accolades & Credentials
Industry awards and hard-earned professional certifications.
Accolades & Credentials
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams 2024
For the second year in a row, Legacy Wealth Management is proud to be named to the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams (2024 & 2023). 2024 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2024; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/22 - 3/31/23 (Source: Forbes.com). 2023 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/21 - 3/31/22 (Source: Forbes.com). Fee paid for use of marketing materials. The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.
Barron’s Top 1,200 State By State Advisors
Ken Fruehauf, Partner was named to Barron's list of the Top 1,200 Advisors in the country in 2019-2022. 2022 Barron’s Top 1,200 State By State Advisors: Awarded March 2022; Data Compiled by Barron's based on the time period from Oct. 2020 - Sept. 2021 (Source: Barrons.com). The Barron’s Top 1,200 Advisors ratings are based on the previous year’s assets under management, revenue generated for the advisors’ firms, and the quality of the advisors’ practices. Investment performance isn’t an explicit factor because clients have varied goals and risk tolerances. Self-completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 2021 Barron’s Top 1,200 State By State Advisors: Awarded March 2021; Data Compiled by Barron's based on the time period from Oct. 2019 - Sept. 2020 (Source: Barrons.com). 2020 Barron’s Top 1,200 State By State Advisors: Awarded March 2020; Data Compiled by Barron's based on the time period from Oct. 2018.- Sept. 2019 (Source: Barrons.com). 2019 Barron’s Top 1,200 State By State Advisors: Awarded March 2019; Data Compiled by Barron's based on the time period from Oct. 2017 - Sept. 2018 (Source: Barrons.com).
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Ken Fruehauf, Partner and Tom Buhl, Partner are proud to be named to the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors for 2020, 2022, and 2023. 2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded April 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/21 - 6/30/22 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.. 2022 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded April 2022; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/20 - 6/30/21 (Source: Forbes.com). 2020 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded January 2020; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/18 - 6/30/19 (Source: Forbes.com).
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNNER™ (CFP®)
Phillip Brancato, First Vice President, Investment Officer, Mike DiGrazia, Director, Senior Institutional Consultant and Tom Tenney, Senior Vice President, Senior Institutional Consultant have earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification. To earn their CFP® credential, they completed hundreds of hours of rigorous courses and examinations. These courses are then followed by a 10-hour comprehensive examination administered according to the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. The qualification process is comprehensive array of advice and skill-based approach that distinguishes CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioners from other professional advisors, who typically focus on only one area of a client's financial life.
Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)
Morey Perlmutter, Senior Vice President and Mike DiGrazia, Director, Senior Institutional Consultant have earned the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) certification. They are among a select group of professionals who have earned this internationally recognized credential. To earn their CIMA® certification, they completed an intensive educational program and final examination covering Modern Portfolio Theory, Asset Allocation, Manager Search and Selection, Investment Policy, and Performance Measurement.
Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®)
Tom Tenney is a CFA® charterholder. The CFA® is one of the investment industry's most renowned and difficult designations to achieve for investment professionals. It is considered a highly regarded designation for measuring competence in the fields of portfolio management and investment analysis.
Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ (CRPC®)
Kerri Chase, Branch Administrator, has earned their CRPC® designation which focuses on building an in-depth knowledge of clients' needs both before and after retirement. As a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor®, Kerri focuses on client centric problem solving as they assist clients planning for the entire retirement planning process, including planning for multiple financial objectives, identifying sources of retirement income, building personal savings, taking advantage of employer-sponsored retirement plans, planning for tax efficient investing, projecting and meeting retirement cash flow needs, asset management and estate investment planning.
Senior Fundamental Choice Portfolio Manager
Kenneth Fruehauf, Partner, Thomas Buhl, Partner; Douglas Wood, Partner; Christopher Zich, Partner, and Nicholas Pizii, Partner are Senior Fundamental Choice Portfolio Managers. Their in-depth training allow them to manage client portfolios in a discretionary manner, guided closely by the research recommendations and collective insights of Wells Fargo Securities and external research firms whose services we subscribe to. Each portfolio follows an investment plan customized to the client's needs and may represent a blend of stocks, cash alternatives, exchange-traded funds, select closed-end funds, and allowable mutual funds. The Fundamental Choice program is not designed for excessively traded or inactive accounts and is not appropriate for all investors. Please carefully review the Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network advisory disclosure document for a full description of our services. The minimum account size for this program is $50,000.
Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network Platinum Council
Ken Fruehauf, Tom Buhl, Doug Wood, and Chris Zich have been named to the Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network Platinum Council (previously known as Premier Advisor). Ken Fruehauf was named from 2011-2023, Tom Buhl was named from 2015-2023, Doug Wood was named from 2011-2023, and Chris Zich was named from 2016-2020. The Platinum Council distinction is held by a select group of Financial Advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network as measured by completion of educational components, business production based on the past year, and professionalism. Additional criteria, best practices, and team structure may also be used to determine recipients.