Profile
“My age is actually a strength. I assure clients that I’ll be there for decades to come, guiding them through each stage of their financial journey”
Michael Lee,
Farther
It was a chance opportunity that brought Dan Routh, partner and senior advisor at Old Peak Finance, into the financial planning industry.
Beginning college as a marketing major, Routh quickly shifted his career ambitions after a friend convinced him to attend a financial planning event at Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business.
Though he had not imagined a career in financial planning, the role pairs Routh’s passion for numbers and the natural interpersonal skills needed to thrive in the wealth management industry. Once he obtained his business degree and CFP certification, the young advisor was able to cut his teeth as an associate advisor in Oklahoma City, focusing on equity compensation planning for pharma executives.
Now a partner at Old Peak Finance, Routh notes the firm’s focus on scalability while growing, implementing the diamond team system to improve advisor and client experiences, while also switching fintech providers to take advantage of top-class technological solutions.
Routh emphasizes efficiency in his day-to-day work, ensuring that he remains focused on the most pertinent issues tackled by Old Peak.
“It is easy to get in the weeds in financial planning or focus on small things when there is a major item that needs to be addressed. Great advisors can get clients to focus on the big decisions that will actually impact their situation,” he explains. “This has also translated to entrepreneurship as I take on more ownership duties, not getting caught up with the shiny object of the day.”
Being exposed to intricate planning scenarios early in his career has allowed Routh to thrive, as he was able to combine his intense work ethic with a keenness to learn from his leadership group.
“I took advice early on from a mentor that they were going to let me swim as long as I can, and they will throw me the ‘life preserver’ when I need it,” he notes. “In reality, this meant working in a team set me up for success, as I could lean on my senior colleagues when I needed to, but they trusted me to work hard and take as much responsibility as I could handle.”
While Routh is constantly looking to broaden his knowledge base, he simultaneously holds the humility to admit when he does not have an answer to a client’s question. This humility provides comfort to clients, who are then able to trust Routh on a more personal level.
“Clients appreciate the honesty and not trying to craft an answer. The other side of that is trying really hard to know the answer, so when another question comes up, you do know it,” he says.
Having benefited from excellent mentorship in his early years, Routh is now looking to educate the next generation of financial planners, a passion highlighted with presentation to his alma mater at Virginia Tech.
100 Europa Drive, Suite 410, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
919 459 8181
dan.routh@oldpeakfinance.com
linkedin.com/in/routhdaniel
oldpeakfinance.com
Dan Routh, CFP®
Partner and Senior Advisor
Old Peak Finance
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Milestones
“Watching others succeed and knowing I played a role in their growth has been a bigger achievement for me than any personal milestone”
Michael Lee,
Farther
2014–2015
2015–2017
2017-2019
2019–2023
2024
Client service associate/paraplanner
2014–2015
Associate advisor
2015–2017
Wealth advisor
Earned CFP® certification in 2017
2017-2019
Financial advisor
2019–2023
Partner at Old Peak Finance
2024
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
As a founding member of WOW! (Women. Opportunity. Winning.), an employee resource group created for all women of Ryan Specialty, Phillips Topping has long championed for women in the industry.
“It’s very important to set an example and to not only inspire but mentor other females,” she adds.
In addition to her sharp marketing eye, the key to Phillips Topping’s success lies in her high-energy approach and positive attitude.
“As the leader of a team, it’s important to motivate and encourage your team members. People work very hard and do their best and it’s important to recognize these efforts. For my career overall, my attitude has been one of curiosity. The more you can learn, the better you’ll understand the business, and then the deeper your knowledge will become, making you a better team member.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
With a focus on retirement planning, Lee is able to offer long-term planning solutions to clients nearing retirement.
“My age is actually a strength. Many advisors in the industry are close to retirement themselves, which can make clients nervous about starting a long-term relationship,” he notes.
“I assure clients that I’ll be there for decades to come, guiding them through each stage of their financial journey.”
To succeed in the leadership role he has undertaken at Farther, Lee was forced to learn management skills on the job, while remaining open to feedback from trusted peers around him.
Now with the chance to work as a mentor himself, he cherishes watching young advisors succeed. Leading Farther’s advisor boot camp, Lee highlights the accomplishments of two trainees who have gone on to be the top two producers at the firm.
“Watching others succeed and knowing I played a role in their growth has been a bigger achievement for me than any personal milestone,” he says.
The values learned in his first-generation immigrant household have deeply shaped Lee’s career. He often translated official documents for his family, a critical task that left no room for mistakes. Now, Lee approaches his clients with the same dedication and care.
“I approach every client and colleague with the care I would show my own family, and I think that genuine concern for their success has helped build trust and my reputation.”