Business Details
36 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Comprehensive Financial Planning in Austin, TX
Hightower Austin is a consulting group specializing in asset management, risk management, and tax planning strategies. Founded in 1990, we are driven by a commitment to excellence and a deep dedication to our clients and their families. Our approach focuses on integrated advice to manage each client's financial ecosystem, delivering a positive client experience through personalized solutions. We believe wealth is more than a numberit's the foundation for building life. Our team of experienced professionals works to clarify goals, coordinate investment strategies, and manage communication between all parties to create better financial outcomes.With access to extensive intellectual and technological resources, we develop, model, and implement tailored financial ecosystems. Recognized by Barron's and Inc., our firm prioritizes strategic coordination over transactional services, helping families and business owners solve real challenges and seize opportunities. We specialize in retirement planning, charitable giving, trusts, business succession planning, and comprehensive financial planning, supported by a client-centric philosophy that emphasizes transparency and trust.
Services
Asset Management
Retirement Planning
Risk Management
Estate Planning
Business Succession
Tax Strategies
Charitable Giving
Investment Advisory
Wealth Coordination
Financial Modeling
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- We offer integrated financial ecosystem management for holistic solutions.
- Our team includes CFPs and specialists with decades of combined experience.
- We prioritize strategic coordination over product-driven advice.
- Recognized by Barron's and Inc. for industry excellence.
- We deliver personalized client experiences with transparent communication.
Associations and certifications
- SEC registered investment adviser
- Member FINRA/SIPC
Services
Asset Management
We provide customized asset management solutions through separately managed accounts and investment advisory services. Our approach focuses on strategic coordination of taxable and tax-qualified investments across various vehicles to optimize growth and preservation of wealth. By leveraging third-party platforms and alternative investments, we create diversified portfolios aligned with individual financial ecosystems.
Retirement Planning
Our retirement planning services include cash flow modeling and expense analysis to determine sustainable withdrawal strategies. We specialize in qualified plan management and educational savings accounts, helping clients transition from accumulation to distribution phases while minimizing tax liabilities. Our solutions integrate with broader estate and business succession plans for comprehensive financial security.
Estate Planning
We offer trust management services and estate planning techniques including irrevocable life insurance trusts and living wills. Our team coordinates with legal professionals to implement security-based lines of credit and business succession strategies, ensuring smooth wealth transfer while addressing tax implications and family dynamics within the client's financial ecosystem.
Risk Management
Our risk management solutions encompass life, disability, and long-term care insurance products. We conduct comprehensive risk-based insurance analyses to protect assets against unforeseen events. The practice includes annuity solutions and executive benefit planning, integrated with overall financial strategies to safeguard clients' financial ecosystems against potential disruptions.
Business Succession
We develop business succession plans featuring buy/sell agreement funding strategies and concentrated position management. Our approach addresses ownership transition challenges while maintaining operational continuity. By coordinating with legal and accounting professionals, we ensure seamless transfers that align with personal financial goals and family legacy objectives.
People
Bryce Meares
Partner
Bryce Meares, BFA Partner at Hightower Austin, brings extensive experience in financial planning and investment management. He specializes in creating integrated solutions for high-net-worth clients, focusing on strategic wealth management and coordinated financial ecosystems.
Andrew K. Schwartz III
Partner
Andrew K. Schwartz III, CFP Partner, offers decades of expertise in retirement planning and estate strategies. He helps clients navigate complex financial decisions with personalized solutions that align with their long-term goals and values.
David Dunn
Partner
David Dunn, CFP, ChFC, CLU, FLMI/M Partner, specializes in risk management and business succession planning. His comprehensive approach ensures clients' financial ecosystems remain protected and strategically aligned with evolving needs.
Jimmy Barnard
Partner
Jimmy Barnard, CFP Partner, focuses on integrated financial planning and tax-efficient strategies. He works closely with families and business owners to develop coordinated solutions that address both immediate needs and future aspirations.
Lauren Peiffer
Portfolio Strategist and Trader
Lauren Peiffer, CFA Portfolio Strategist and Trader, manages investment strategies with a focus on market analysis and portfolio optimization. Her expertise ensures clients' asset allocations remain aligned with their financial goals and risk tolerance.
Questions
What services does Hightower Austin offer?
We provide asset management, retirement planning, risk management, estate planning, business succession strategies, and comprehensive financial planning tailored to individual financial ecosystems.
How does Hightower Austin approach financial planning?
We focus on integrated advice that coordinates all aspects of your financial ecosystem, including parts (investments), people (professionals), and plans (strategies) for holistic solutions.
Are Hightower Austin's advisors certified professionals?
Yes, our team includes Certified Financial Planners (CFP), Chartered Financial Consultants (ChFC), and other credentialed professionals with extensive industry experience.
How are investment decisions made for clients?
We use a coordinated approach that considers your specific goals, risk tolerance, and financial ecosystem, leveraging third-party platforms and alternative investments for diversified portfolios.
What makes Hightower Austin different from other firms?
We focus on strategic coordination rather than product sales, with a client-centric approach that integrates all aspects of wealth management for personalized outcomes.
