Monday, October 21, 2019 will be marked as one of the most difficult days in the 30+ year history of United Planners. The Executive Management Team had to deliver to the entire organization the news that Dave Shindel, their beloved Chief Executive Officer & General Partner, had tragically and unexpectedly passed away over the weekend during a hunting expedition in Colorado. 

Mike Baker, President & General Partner said, “Dave was full of life and touched so many lives personally as well as professionally.  He has been an authentic patriarch embedded within the culture of United Planners since its inception in 1987.” 

Everyone who knew Dave knew him not only as the CEO but also as a cowboy, a family man and a man of faith.  Dave often referred to the book Cowboy Ethics, the principles of which he applied to his life and decision making. He was actively involved in charitable events and took great pride in giving back to the community.  

Sheila Cuffari-Agasi, Executive Vice President said, “He always had time for a conversation and was genuinely interested in getting to know those around him.  He took special interest to guide and shape future generations and was a role model for so many.” 

Dave enjoyed hunting and being in the wilderness.  He passed away while enjoying one of these very trips in Colorado on October 19^th.  The family is currently awaiting the autopsy report, but we do know he went peacefully and without pain based on accounts from the hunting crew he was with at the time.  

Dave often reminded the leadership team of United Planners that the best legacy you can leave is to ensure the company can go on without you.

“Although our hearts will ache, we have comfort in knowing that our departed CEO has left us in great hands with clear plans for the future,” said  Billy Oliverio, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer. “Dave and Mike periodically and openly discussed their business continuity and succession plan in various forums.  We have a solid management team in place and have confidence that we will keep Dave’s legacy alive through the continued success of the business.” 

United Planners will continue to operate and be managed pursuant to their business continuity and succession plan.

“Dave may be gone, but he will not be forgotten – we will keep our strong momentum moving forward,” said Baker. 

The ownership structure of the United Planners will remain the same because it is the core differentiator that preserves its unique culture in an industry that is plagued with consolidations. 

Joel Bruckenstein, producer of the T3 conferences and the T3 Technology Hub adds: “We extend our deepest sympathies to the Shindel family and assure them that Dave’s spirit will forever be a part of United Planners.” 

ABOUT UNITED PLANNERS

United Planners is a national wealth management firm that provides financial planning, investment management and insurance services. Established in 1987, United Planners is vocal about its stance of being “adamantly not for sale” because it is majority-owned by its advisors. United Planners is uniquely structured as a limited partnership that offers ownership opportunities and profit sharing to its financial advisors and embraces a culture, passion and strategy that caters to the fiercely independent financial advisor community. United Planners service model is to provide back-office support to independent financial advisors, who then help investors manage their wealth to achieve a variety of goals and objectives. United Planners is an open-architecture model that offers flexible, efficient and scalable solutions that positions its financial advisors to build and manage profitable businesses. To learn more go to www.UnitedPlanners.com.