At the 2024 RPAG National Conference, Nick Della Vedova, President of RPAG, delivered an engaging session that mirrored the organization's journey to success over the last 20 years. Drawing inspiration from Tom Petty’s song "Running Down a Dream," Nick highlighted the growth, challenges, and achievements that have shaped RPAG into the advisor-centric platform it is today. Here are the key takeaways from Nick's impactful session.
Nick emphasized that RPAG’s strength lies in being a platform “built by advisors, for advisors.” This fundamental principle has driven RPAG's remarkable growth, now influencing over 152,000 retirement plans and $1.6 trillion in assets. The success stories of advisors like Todd Lohman, who grew from $200 million to $4 billion in assets, exemplify the impact of RPAG's advisor-driven approach.
One of the standout points in Nick’s session was the emphasis on RPAG’s exceptional customer service, led by Chief Relations Officer Veronica Lee. Since RPAG's inception, Veronica’s team has responded to over 8,000 emails and 5,000 phone calls annually, maintaining a 95% response rate to ERISA-related questions within 24 hours. This unwavering commitment to service is why RPAG is more than just a technology platform; it's a true partner for advisors.
To support ongoing training and development, RPAG University offers a comprehensive learning management system (LMS), while the Milestone Program ensures members fully utilize RPAG's platform capabilities.
Nick highlighted the importance of collaboration, encouraging members to engage in RPAG’s Regional Summits, the National Conference, the Advisory Council, and the new Partner Workshops. These events provide opportunities for advisors to share ideas, receive feedback, and contribute to the evolution of the RPAG platform.
Upcoming RPAG Summits in cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Charlotte, as well as the first Partner Workshop at Capital Group in Los Angeles, demonstrate RPAG's commitment to fostering an environment of continuous improvement.
As Nick stated, “We are a customer service organization that just happens to have great technology.” Over the years, RPAG has invested more than $45 million in developing and refining its technology, making the platform more efficient and user-friendly. With ongoing investments of over $2 million per year, RPAG continues to evolve its offerings based on advisor feedback, ensuring that the technology remains tailored to their needs.
Nick also mentioned the implementation of a 24-hour development cycle, enabling continuous enhancements to the platform by leveraging global partners.
Nick proudly shared flexPATH Strategies' recent legal victories, emphasizing how the judge’s favorable statements underscored the organization's fair and ethical business practices. flexPATH has grown from $36 billion in assets under management (AUM) in 2021 to an impressive $78 billion AUM today, with over 22,000 retirement plans utilizing their CITs.
Looking ahead, flexPATH Strategies is set to introduce two new income products, managed accounts, and more CITs, responding directly to feedback from RPAG’s Investment Council.
The Vision for Future Growth
Nick concluded his session by encouraging advisors to “dream big, think big.” He highlighted how flexPATH is aiming to reach $100 billion in AUM within the next two years and reiterated that RPAG’s success is a result of the collective efforts of its members. With new managed account services, co-manufactured products, and ongoing improvements, RPAG is poised to help advisors achieve even greater success in the future.
Nick Della Vedova’s session at the RPAG National Conference demonstrated how RPAG’s commitment to advisor success, exceptional customer service, collaboration, and technology investment continues to drive its growth. As RPAG enters its next chapter, it remains dedicated to being a true partner for advisors, helping them navigate the journey to success.
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