Press Release

Honored as One of Nation’s 100 Best Wealth Advisors Salient Changes Name

San Rafael Firm Founded in 1983 Adds Staff and Technology

Created in 1983, Salient has nearly $400 million in funds under management for a client base comprised primarily of C-level executives and other affluent families throughout Northern California. Stone is chief executive officer and president of the firm.

“By adding Wealth Management to our name,” Stone said, “we are more accurately describing our services.  These days there are a variety of individuals and organizations that provide various forms of tactical legal and investment advice.

“In contrast, the ‘wealth management’ services that we provide involve the coordination of our clients’ relationships with legal and financial advisors to ensure that their assets are truly being managed strategically.

“We provide counsel across the spectrum from retirement to stock options to deferred compensation to charitable trusts,” he said.   “Employing a technique that we call a ‘Financial Fingerprint™,’ we create a comprehensive long term strategy that specifically reflects the clients’ situation and objectives.” 

Stone, one of the original 23 Certified Financial Planners chartered in the United States in 1973, has been recognized by Worth Magazine, a national publication devoted to wealth management, five times as one of the Top 100 wealth advisors.

He said in 2006 that Salient had expanded its staff and adopted state-of-the-art technology to provide a systems base for current clients and for additional growth. 

“Having created the firm more than two decades ago,” he said, “I recognize that we have to continually refresh our resources and expand our expertise in order to provide the very client-focused personal services that our clients expect.”

During the past two years, Salient also moved to new offices at 750 Lindaro in San Rafael, revamped its website and instituted management succession plans.

“I expect to be running the firm for many more years,” Stone said, “but I also recognize that we need to reassure clients that we have a strong management team. We began looking at management and systems development several years ago and have gradually introduced new staff and technology as we have grown our assets under management.”

Among other activities undertaken in 2006, the firm promoted Susan Duvall-Dickson to chief operating officer, began a relationship with the Marin Community Foundation and started a scholarship program aimed at assisting students pursuing an education in the field of finance.

“We are an important part of our clients’ financial lives and understand that it is important to reflect their interests.  Recent surveys have reinforced the notion that C-level executives and other high net worth individuals and families are extremely interested in charitable giving,” Stone said, “and we want to participate more extensively in that area, also.”

Salient Wealth Management was formerly known as Salient Financial Corp.

About Salient Wealth Management

Salient Wealth Management (www.salientwealth.com) is one of the oldest privately-held wealth management firms in the Bay Area.  Founded by Richard Stone, a 38-year veteran of the investment business, Stone established the company in Marin County in 1983.  Salient currently has nearly $400 million in assets under management and serves a clientele of affluent Northern California investors with a minimum of $2 million to invest.  For information, contact Jonathan Leidy at 415-526-2900.