As Father's Day 2026 approaches, three father-son teams at Savant Wealth Management offered a rare glimpse into the professional and personal dynamics of working side by side in the advisory industry. The duos—spanning roles from managing partner to tax associate—highlighted both the rewards and the friction inherent in family-run practices.
Larry Heller, managing partner at Savant, collaborates with his son Ian Heller, a financial advisor. Larry described the best part as witnessing Ian's professional growth firsthand, particularly in client presentations and financial planning discussions. The toughest aspect, he noted, is maintaining professional boundaries to avoid any perception of favoritism. Ian echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the value of honest feedback from someone who knows his strengths and weaknesses intimately. He credited his father's mentorship with building his confidence and accountability.
Barry Frantz, regional director of Tax & Consulting at Savant, works with his son Alex Frantz, a tax associate. Barry highlighted the deep trust and communication that comes from knowing Alex since childhood, including lessons learned from coaching youth sports. The challenge, he said, is separating the parent and colleague roles—and resisting Alex's expectation that Barry will buy him lunch daily. Alex noted that understanding his father's workflow allows him to be proactive, though they often butt heads over different approaches to problem-solving.
Tim Courtney, senior investment strategist at Savant, partners with his son Ben Courtney, an investment research analyst. Tim relishes having a front-row seat to Ben's career progression, including the irony that high school math tools like regressions now feature in Ben's weekly work. The downside, Tim admitted, is that tough days at the office affect both of them, and work talk often spills into family dinners and vacations. Ben, who started as an intern, values his father's deep investment knowledge and willingness to answer questions anytime.
These family dynamics are not unique to Savant. The broader advisory industry has seen a rise in multigenerational practices, with firms like TritonPoint Partners adding a second father-son team and Merrill Lynch hiring a $450 million duo from Morgan Stanley. However, the challenges of balancing family and professional roles remain a common theme, as highlighted by a recent FINRA case involving an advisor's father's Ponzi scheme.
For advisors considering bringing a child into the business, the Savant teams offer practical advice: set clear boundaries, embrace honest feedback, and recognize that conflict can be productive. As Barry Frantz put it, the key is knowing when to mentor and when to let the next generation learn on their own.
