About Us
“Prudence focuses on the process for making fiduciary decisions. Therefore, it is wise to document decisions and the basis for those decisions.”
– Department of Labor
Why Choose Safe Harbor Partners?
We founded Safe Harbor Partners because we saw a significant void in the retirement-plan marketplace. To begin, we saw the difficulty Plan Sponsors face in selecting a financial advisor who could deliver the right services for their companies (the term ‘financial advisor’ is universal, though there is no universal definition for what it actually means). Second, Plan Sponsors have fiduciary responsibility for their employee retirement plans, though many aren’t fully aware of what that responsibility entails, or why they should seek an advisor who will share the complex responsibility (and put it in writing). Finally, managing a retirement plan can be quite complex, particularly with ever-evolving regulations and opportunities.
We understand that as a CEO, CFO or head of human resources, your focus may not be on the minutiae the regulatory bodies demand of Plan Sponsors; after all, Plan Sponsor is just one of many hats you wear.
Our goal is to help you understand your fiduciary responsibility so you can meet all of its requirements—and to ensure you have a prudent process in place for making investment decisions, as mandated by the DOL.
Who We Are
Our Team of employees and consultants consists of seasoned financial professionals and together they have earned and represent the major financial designations, including:
CFP® certification
The CFP® certification process, administered by the CFP Board, identifies to the public that those individuals who have been authorized to use the CFP® certification marks in the U.S. have met rigorous professional standards and have agreed to adhere to the principles of integrity, objectivity, competence, fairness, confidentiality, professionalism and diligence when dealing with clients.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
The CFA Program is a globally-recognized, graduate-level curriculum that provides a strong foundation of real-world investment analysis and portfolio management skills. It instills ethical and professional standareds to provide a strong foundation of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills.
Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst® (AIFA®)
This designation represents a thorough knowledge of the ability to apply the fiduciary practices. Through fi360’s AIF® Training programs, AIF® designees learn the practices and the legal and best practice framework they are built upon.
Professional Plan Consultant™ (PPC™)
Administered by Financial Service Standards, LLC, the Professional Plan Consultant (PPC) designation is awarded to those who successfully complete The 401(k) Service Training Program™. This designation signifies a commitment to education and service excellence in the qualified plan industry. The 401(k) Service Training Program is the only course that sets service standards in the retirement plan industry and imparts professionals not only with the knowledge, but the tools needed to meet (and exceed) those standards.
Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®)
A professional designation representing completion of a comprehensive course consisting of financial education, examinations and practical experience. Chartered Financial Consultant designations are granted by The American College upon completion of seven required courses and two elective courses.
Meet Our Team of Employees and Consultants
Kathleen Duffy, CFP® Professional, AIFA®, PPC™, ChFC®
President and Founder
Kathy Duffy founded Safe Harbor to insure that companies had the necessary knowledge, tools and conflict-free support to insure their employee’s retirement.
Martin A. Wildy, CFA
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Martin has over two decades of direct investment experience. Prior to co-founding IRP, Martin worked for Eventide Asset Management as a mutual fund manager overseeing income- and dividend-focused funds for Eventide.
Derek W. Varner, CFA
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Derek’s experience includes management of the endowment fund and excess working capital for Bucknell University as the Associate Director of Investments. This role included conducting research on financial markets,
Geoffrey P. Caber, AIF®
Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®)
Geoff has extensive experience in the areas of portfolio construction, qualified plan management, technical analysis, and in the structure and management of individual bond portfolios.
Brett Greenfield
CFP®, CSRIC™
Previously, Brett served as a Portfolio Manager focusing on ESG and sustainable investing at AssetMark, Inc. The role included due diligence, portfolio construction, portfolio management, marketing and sales responsibilities.
Ken Surratt
Director of IT
Ken has served as our Director of IT since 2002. With over 25 years of experience in the field, Ken is responsible for the overall planning, organization and execution of all IT functions. This includes directing all IT operations.
Our Commitment to You
The SEC’s 10 Q’s To Ask Your Investment Advisor
To help Plan Sponsors choose the right partner, the Securities Exchange Commission has created a list of 10 questions to ask an investment advisors every Plan Sponsor should ask any investment advisor under consideration to serve as a consultant to your retirement plan.
Below are the questions along with Safe Harbor Partners’ responses.
Are you registered with the SEC or a state securities regulator as an investment adviser?
Yes. Safe Harbor Partners is registered with the SEC as an Investment Advisor.
Do you or a related company have relationships with money managers that you recommend, consider for recommendation, or otherwise mention to the plan for our consideration? If so, describe those relationships?
Safe Harbor Partners does not have any relationships (we are not employed by, under contract with or receive compensation from) with any investment managers, broker, dealers, banks, custodians, trustees. Nor do we sell our services through these types of organizations.
Do you or a related company receive any payments from money managers you recommend, consider for recommendation, or otherwise mention to the plan for our consideration? If so, what is the extent of these payments in relation to your other income (revenue)?
Safe Harbor does not have any relationships with any investment managers, broker/dealers, banks, custodians, trustees. Nor do we sell our services through these types of organizations.
Do you have any policies or procedures to address conflicts of interest or to prevent these payments or relationships from being considered when you provide advice to your clients?
Yes. Every Safe Harbor Partners employee has a strict conflict of interest policy to prevent such payments and relationships. Every employee is trained on the policy, and we have procedures in place to ensure they adheres to it.
If you allow plans to pay your consulting fees using the plan’s brokerage commissions, do you monitor the amount of commissions paid and alert plans when consulting fees have been paid in full? If not, how can a plan make sure it does not over-pay its consulting fees?
Safe Harbor Partners does not allow plans to pay our consulting fees using the plan’s brokerage commission.
Do you have any arrangements with broker-dealers under which you or a related company will benefit if money managers place trades for their clients with such broker-dealers?
Absolutely not; Safe Harbor Partners has no arrangements or affiliations with any broker-dealers under which we benefit if trades are placed through a specific broker/dealer.
If you are hired, will you acknowledge in writing that you have a fiduciary obligation as an investment adviser to the plan while providing the consulting services we are seeking?
Yes, Safe Harbor Partners acknowledges this in writing as part of our consulting contract.
Do you consider yourself a fiduciary under ERISA with respect to the recommendations you provide the plan?
Yes, Safe Harbor Partners considers ourselves a fiduciary under ERISA.
What percentage of your plan clients utilize money managers, investment funds, brokerage services or other service providers from whom you receive fees?
Zero percent.
Contact Safe Harbor Partners
If you’d like to learn how Safe Harbor Partners can help you establish and maintain a process of prudence and provide a plan your employees can depend on, pick up the phone and dial 703.752.6007.
Contact Us