Sequoia Financial Group is a comprehensive financial services firm dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals and families by helping them achieve their financial goals. Founded in 1991 by Thomas Haught, the firm has grown significantly over the years, expanding its services and geographic reach to better serve its clients.

Founding and History:

• 1991: Thomas Haught established Sequoia Financial Group with a vision to provide personalized financial planning and wealth management services.
• 2001: The firm expanded its services to include asset management, offering clients a more integrated approach to managing their wealth.
• 2010: Sequoia opened additional offices in Akron, Ohio, and Tampa, Florida, extending its reach to serve a broader client base.
• 2015: The firm launched Sequoia Sentinel, its Family Office Services division, to cater to families of exceptional means with comprehensive planning and robust investment capabilities.
• 2020: Sequoia further expanded its presence by opening an office in Cleveland, Ohio, reinforcing its commitment to serving clients across the wealth continuum.

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Mission and Philosophy:

Sequoia articulates its mission as serving clients across the wealth continuum, enriching lives by helping individuals and families advance their chosen future. The firm emphasizes a personalized approach, building futures with resources tailored to clients' needs, both now and in the future.

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Sequoia Financial Group articulates its retail marketing position through a client-centric approach that emphasizes personalized, comprehensive financial services designed to meet the unique needs of individuals and families. Their marketing strategy highlights several key elements:

1. Comprehensive Wealth Management Services:

• Family Office Services: Through Sequoia Sentinel, the firm offers long-term planning, comprehensive strategies, and robust investment capabilities aimed at preserving clients' legacies.
• Wealth Planning: Sequoia's in-house team delivers holistic financial analysis and personalized strategies, creating actionable wealth plans tailored to individual needs.
• Asset Management: Their investment experts employ a data-driven approach, continuously evaluating the investment landscape to achieve results aligned with clients' objectives.

2. Client-Centered Philosophy:

Sequoia emphasizes a personalized approach, building futures with resources tailored to client's needs, both now and in the future.

3. Experienced Leadership:

The firm's marketing efforts are led by experienced professionals who champion Sequoia's unique strengths, delivering on a vision where families receive seamless, customized solutions for wealth management, tax, estate, and financial planning.

4. Commitment to Growth and Excellence:

Sequoia's marketing strategy reflects its commitment to growth and excellence, as evidenced by its recognition as one of Barron's top RIA firms in 2023.

Through these strategic marketing positions, Sequoia Financial Group communicates its dedication to providing personalized, comprehensive, and client-focused financial services, aiming to enrich the lives of individuals and families by helping them achieve their financial goals.

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Sequoia Financial Group's investment management philosophy is grounded in evidence-based strategies and the science of capital markets. Their independent, open-architecture investment process ensures that all investment selections are made solely in the best interest of their clients.

Key Aspects of Their Investment Philosophy:

• Data-Driven Approach: Sequoia's Investment Research team continuously evaluates the investment landscape to identify practical, value-additive solutions. They focus on optimizing controllable variables such as fees, taxes, diversification, and risk management.
• Cost Efficiency in Competitive Markets: In markets where outperforming is challenging, Sequoia opts for lower-fee investments to enhance net returns for clients.
• Tax Efficiency: Aiming to maximize clients' after-tax wealth within defined risk constraints, tax efficiency is a core component of their portfolio management.
• Active Management in Inefficient  Markets: Sequoia seeks opportunities in less efficient market segments where active management can potentially yield excess performance.
• Smart Diversification: They diversify investments across various asset classes, countries, sectors, styles, liquidity profiles, and other factors to manage risk and optimize returns.

Investment Team and Capabilities:

Sequoia's investment team comprises experienced professionals dedicated to delivering tailored investment solutions. Notable members include:

• Jack Zhang, CFA: As Vice President and Chief Investment Strategist specializing in alternative investments, Jack focuses on asset allocation, portfolio construction, and investment research across equities, fixed income, and alternative assets.
• Ed Antoian, CFA, CPA, MBA: A Principal and Senior Strategic Advisor, Ed was a founding member of Chartwell Investment Partners, an institutional asset manager.
• Joe Bodnar: Serving as Director and Portfolio Manager, Joe plays a key role in managing client portfolios and investment strategies.
• David Choi, CFA: As Vice President and Portfolio Manager, David contributes to portfolio management and investment decision-making processes.

By adhering to a disciplined, client-focused investment philosophy and leveraging the expertise of their seasoned investment professionals, Sequoia aims to deliver results that align with their clients' financial goals.

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