From a single strategy to a full investment team.
We've built our business on the willingness to tackle portfolio details one household at a time. Each step came from an advisor asking a question we didn't yet have an answer for.
“We pride ourselves on relationships and attention to detail. At some point, you’ll connect with just about everyone here, so we hope you enjoy meeting the people who chop wood and carry water to support your efforts.”
JD GARDNER, CFA, CMT · FOUNDER & CIO
Firm founded
Built around risk-managed, option-based strategies for advisors who wanted to keep clients invested.
First ETF launch
The same mechanics, delivered in a transparent, tax-efficient wrapper.
Impact Series launched
Multi-manager, risk-based models — now available on a number of major platforms.
DRSK and ACIO launched
Key building blocks in the asset allocation framework.
Trading and Shared CIO support built out
The firm became infrastructure for advisors, not just a manager of strategies.
Buffered ETFs and custom option overlays
Buffered strategies launched, and the custom overlay business formalized as its own offering.
The team behind all of it.
Portfolio managers, traders, consultants, operations, compliance, and engineers — 45 people across six groups. Whatever you engage us for, you work with them directly.
Portfolio managers, analysts, options specialists
Consultants and enterprise partnerships
Trading, client service, tax, compliance
Design, digital strategy, software
Headquartered in Fairhope. Working where you are.
A team-based approach provides unique perspectives. Our investment, relationship, and operations people sit in 16 cities across the country — so wherever your practice is, someone who knows your book is within reach.
Three things we won't move on.
Focus on what you can control. Prepare for what you cannot.
Understand what's important, understand what you can actually control, and point your time and resources there. Everything else is noise you're paying attention to for free.
Protect against downturns while minimizing the sacrifice to upside.
Options are unique in their ability to defend against left tails — large drawdowns — while simultaneously letting an allocation hold more stocks. That shift should lead to higher compounded returns. Good for your clients, good for your business, and hopefully good for ours.
It isn't about taking less risk.
It's about taking the most optimal calculated risks — protecting the downside and getting the most out of the portfolio, rather than simply dialling exposure down and calling it prudence.
Who we work with
Independent RIAs
Firms that want institutional investment capability without building it in-house. The full range applies: models, overlays, Shared CIO, and operations support.
Institutions
Complex investment needs with robust research support paired with specific strategy deployment to help with specific income, growth, or risk management needs.
Wirehouse & broker-dealer advisors
Typically on a product-specific basis — access to the ETF lineup and models through your platform's approved list.
Individual investors
We do work directly with friends and family of the firm, but we typically leverage our advisor partners for direct individual investor needs.