20

1
Suite
t
e
e
r
t
lum S

204
Y 13

se, N
Syracu

507 P

1 (800) 982-0421 www.PinnacleInvestments.com

Find us on Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn.
facebook.com/pinnacleinvestments

@pinnacleholding

PINNACLE INVESTMENTS, LLC is a proud member of the Pinnacle Family of Companies,

an organization designed to provide a full range of financial solutions to individuals, businesses and institutions.
For more information on our member companies visit www.Pinnacle-LLC.com

your future.

sts

A Personal Message
From Our Founder
The last 25 years have seen many changes in
the Securities Industry that I can safely say were
unimaginable. Some of the most prestigious firms
such as Lehman Brothers and Bear Sterns no
longer exist. If not for government bailouts, many
other large firms would have suffered the same fate.
One thing that has remained constant through these
volatile years has been the importance of a strong
relationship between clients and their advisors.
At Pinnacle, we understand this because our
management team has lived it both personally and
professionally. This important distinction has helped
us create a culture where clients, advisors and all
members of the Pinnacle Team are treated with
respect because they are all equally important to
our business. As you look further at our firm and
culture, Im confident you will see that our 20 years
of dedicated work have positioned Pinnacle to
continue its impressive growth into the future.
I thank you for your interest and look forward
to having you join our growing family.

Gregg Kidd,
Managing Partner, Founder

your interests

notes

its all about

your next steps.
Youve got it made! The Pinnacle Investments Transition Team is
here to provide true concierge service making your business move
as easy as 1-2-3. Hit the ground running with our experienced staff
members, live online transition reporting, technology and facilities!

Step #1: Get the information YOU need.

Spend the time to talk and get to know Pinnacle Investments associates.

Ask the tough questions, we are ready!

its all about you.

Join us and youll experience
the freedom and flexibility you
have always dreamed of.
Times have changed for Financial Advisors. Chances are you spend

Step #2: Complete your compensation analysis.

a great deal of time protecting your clients from your firm and you

With our comprehensive compensation analysis, youll see where

are compelled day in and day out to push the company agenda

you stand and where you can go. Well help you identify all the products

and initiatives. Have you seen cuts to your compensation while your

you are not currently being paid on but will be at Pinnacle Investments.

clients fees continue to rise? Professionals like you feel their hands
are tied by Corporate Managers who dont know you, your clients or

Step #3: Make the best decision for your career

your community. To make matters even worse, they have never

join Pinnacle Investments.

walked in your shoes. The practice you have developed is eroding as

Serve your clients better, offer the best management and advice

decisions are made for you without your involvement. Tired of your

you can give and become a part of the Pinnacle family.

firms institutional mentality and frustrated by your lack of control?

!
t
i
s

t
Thlacome Aboard.
We

njoy
dy to e
a
e
r
t
e
sg
r!
tulation of your caree
a
r
g
n
o
C
t
s
e
r
the

There is a way out. Find out why successful Financial Advisors just
like you have made the move to Pinnacle Investments.
Youll discover the bright future that awaits you.

its all about

your time.
You can live the life you want
and work the way you want.

its all about

your answers.
Take just a few minutes to go through this simple self-assessment.
The future of your business depends on the answers.

Just Ask Yourself...

Has your o

utlook on y

firm change
d?
u are curren
tly working
Do you fee
?
l youre res
pected and
appreciated
Does your
?
manager su
pport your
business?
Do you fee
l your opinio
n is valued?
Are new ac
count minim
ums negati
vely impacti
Are your cli
ng your bu
ents frustra
siness?
ted with inc
reases and
Are your cli
/o
r
additional fe
ents transfe
es?
rring to oth
er firms?
Are your cli
ents disapp
ointed with
diminishing
Are you forc
services?
ed to estab
lish a team
?
Are you forc
ed to work
with delega
ted support
Would you
staff?
like to trans
ition your b
usiness to
Do you hav
a family me
e the flexib
mber?
ility to work
from variou
Does comp
s locations
liance at yo
?
ur firm hind
er your bus
Is your com
iness?
pensation b
eing reduce
d each yea
Are you hit
r?
with new c
o
m
p
e
Do you und
nsation pla
erstand the
ns every ye
m?
ar?
Are changin
g business
structures le
aving you u
Are you wo
nsettled?
rried about
w
hat the futu
at your curr
re holds for
ent firm?
you if you s
tay
Do you enjo

How long have you been a Financial Professional? How many more
years do you plan on working? Are you in the middle of your career?
Are you looking to grow your business? Are you looking to wind
down but not ready to sell your 20 or 30+ year practice for what
would likely amount to a years salary? Would you like a flexible
schedule? We get it. Weve been there.
Youve worked hard with long hours day after day to get where
you are. Youve earned the right to grow and to keep earning
income from your practice. Youve also earned the right to relax
a bit and enjoy the fruits of your labor! Many of our experienced
financial professionals enjoy spending time away from the office,
working from home or on the road. This is the kind of flexibility you
could enjoy too.
At Pinnacle Investments you wont waste your valuable time waiting
for approvals. Our management team is always available to you.
You wont have to wait, so your clients will get the answers they
need right away. Work the way you want, where you want and when
you want. Join Pinnacle Investments today.

our present

y where yo

Yes

No

es

m
mo eti

its all about

your share.
The strength of Pinnacle Investments is in its people and its management abilities. Our employees
are not only a dedicated team of professionals they are the shareholders of the firm.

its all about

your business.
Let us help you take it to the
next level and beyond.

Our equity model helps us attract top-notch Financial Advisors like you to join our organization.
This has helped Pinnacle Investments to be named the #1 Place to Work in the Region. And it has
helped us to become one of the largest independent full-service investment firms.

Our equity model

helps us attract
top-notch Financial
Advisors like you.

As you have learned, Pinnacle Investments is focused on

helping you manage and grow your relationship with your clients.
Helping to build and create long-term wealth is what we are all

Make no mistake about it. We think your practice is your business.

about. Not only for our clients but for Financial Advisors too.

Life is a bit different for experienced Financial Advisors here at

Pinnacle Investments. How so? Our professional team is here to

Join us and you can share in the long-term success of

our organization. That means you will reap long-term
dividends and real wealth not just a one-time bonus check
offered at the big wirehouses.

provide the support and care you need to make things better for
Pinnacles

you and your clients. We understand the urgency of your requests

people and

and the demands of your day.

experienced
management

If you are serious about doing what is in your best interest

are the core

and your clients best interest, take the next step and

reasons I

join our team.

agreed to join

Take control, make the move now and grow your business
your way. Want to advertise? Sponsor a local community
or charitable event? Be a guest speaker? Go ahead, we

the Pinnacle

encourage it. Want to send your clients a newsletter or

Board.

market yourself in a unique way? Do you want to build

a team or transition your business to family members?

Using our attractive equity model,

No problem. Its your decision and we are here to support

Pinnacle is poised to take advantage of

you as you take it to the next level. Even if that level is on a

the current market environment in

flexible or pre-retirement schedule. After all, youve earned

creating long-term wealth for its

employee shareholders.

Tom Smach, Pinnacle Board Member

Founding Partner, Riverwood Capital

that flexibility.

Susan Griffith, President

Susan Griffith began her financial career with a global
financial securities firm in 1992 where she held numerous
management positions over her 21 year tenure.
Most recently, she served as Senior Complex Service
Manager for over a dozen offices in Central New York and
Pennsylvania. Susan has over 21 years of management
experience in operations, sales, compliance and marketing.

its all about

your clients.

Direct Line: (315) 295-3806 susangriffith@Pinnacle-LLC.com

Kelly Giarrusso, Operations Manager
Kelly began her career in the financial industry in 2003.
She is a Series 99 Operations Professional and supervises
day-to-day interaction with our clearing firm. Over the years,
Kelly has been responsible for numerous office functions.
Managing back office operations today, Kelly provides
leadership in Pinnacle Investments operation activities,
which include trade reporting, cashiering, books and records
retention, audit support and data control.

Believe it or not, the client is still king.

Let Pinnacle Investments help put your
clients back where they belong. On top!

Direct Line: (315) 295-3813 kgiarrusso@Pinnacle-LLC.com

Susan Cashier, Director of Client Services
Susan Cashier has been in the financial industry for over
30 years. Throughout her tenure, Susan has worked on both
the retail and institutional sides of the business. As a Series 99
Operations Professional, Susan serves as Director of
Client Services, supervising Pinnacle Investments sales
support team to ensure superior client service is maintained.

Clients are the life of your business. Does your

firm realize that? Do they treat them like they are?
Do you find yourself at odds with your current firm
when it comes to the goals, needs and requests of

Direct Line: (315) 295-3817 scashier@Pinnacle-LLC.com

your clients? Your clients are often more like your

friends and most likely a big part of your life and
family. Yet, many of the new practices at wirehouses
put their own interests ahead of the clientshitting

Michael Gagliardi

Liz Bartlett

Anne Krouse

Bob Cuculich

Meeshan Reid

Daniel Mody

Senior Vice President,

Business Development

Director of
Human Resources

them with more fees while taking away various

Finance and
Compensation
Manager

complimentary services and drastically raising

account minimums and various fees.
At Pinnacle Investments, clients come first. This
allows you to build relationships with the clients
you want. Family accounts are welcomed and
encouraged. You are compensated on every bit
of business regardless of account value, allowing
you to offer your clients the most appropriate
solutions.

Director of
Fixed Income

Business Systems
Specialist

CFP, Director of
Financial Planning
Services

its all about

your success.

its all about

your future.

Meet some of your Pinnacle

Support Team Members.

Times are changing. Rapidly.

A move to Pinnacle Investments means
things are changing for the better.

Since its founding, Pinnacle Investments has grown to become one of the largest Broker Dealers and
Registered Investment Advisors in our Region. Our firm provides a full range of services including fee-based
advisory, financial planning, tax and wealth management, in addition to traditional securities brokerage and
employer sponsored retirement plans. Our management team is comprised of practicing Financial Advisors.
There are no Corporate Managers hidden away on Wall Street. We know the ups and down of your
profession because we live it. We know youll enjoy the respect and peace of mind that comes from working
with us. While some firms say We Hear You, we actually listen. After all, our success is your success.

Time keeps on ticking. There has never been a better

time for you to make the move to Pinnacle Investments
to secure the future you want and your family deserves.
We offer equity opportunities because helping build
long-term wealth is what we are all about.

Gregg Kidd, Managing Partner, Financial Advisor

Prior to founding Pinnacle Investments, Gregg served
as Vice President with a global financial services firm for
10 years. He serves in a dual role as Managing Partner
of Pinnacle Holding Company, LLC and Chairman of the
Board, where he continues to explore growth opportunities
for the Pinnacle brand along with ways of enhancing the
client experience.

Dont be lured by upfront money which forces you to

accept the same oppressive environment with the same
old frustrating problems.

Direct Line: (315) 295-3811 greggkidd@Pinnacle-LLC.com

Pinnacle was ranked the #1 Place to Work in the Region.

Eric Krouse, Chief Executive Officer, Financial Advisor

situation is going to improve without taking action?

Prior to his career in investments, Eric served in a number

of corporate management positions where he specialized
in financial and statistical analysis. After working as a
Financial Advisor for a global investment firm, Eric joined
Pinnacle Investments in 2005. Before becoming Pinnacle
Investments CEO, he served as Chief Compliance Officer
and Chief Operating Officer.

Join us and be part of the excitement and success of

Direct Line: (315) 295-3815 erickrouse@Pinnacle-LLC.com

What are you waiting for? Do you seriously believe your

Pinnacle Investments. Take control. Its All About You!

its all about

your decision.
Dont just take our word for it. Learn about
folks just like you who were ready to make
the move to Pinnacle Investments!
Jacqueline McCaffery, Financial Advisor
While I liked the fact that Pinnacle Investments is a
community-oriented firm, I was initially hesitant given that I am
a Connecticut advisor and Pinnacle Investments is based in
Syracuse, New York. I wondered whose community they
would be oriented toward and how distance would impact
my day-to-day business. My initial concerns about access to
products, services and support were immediately put at ease
once I joined. Pinnacles business practices and
state-of-the-art technology exceeded my expectations and my
questions and concerns are always answered promptly.
I now understand and appreciate Pinnacle Investments
culture and how the firm truly values their employees,
my clients and the community where I live and work.

Stephen Chow, Financial Advisor

The decision to come to Pinnacle Investments was easy for me.
I have always put my clients first, and found Pinnacle Investments
priorities in line with my own. After over 30 years at big Wall
Street firms, it was time to join a regional firm with a more
personal touch and better service for all of my clients.
From the start, Pinnacle Investments welcomed my clients
and me with open arms which made for a seamless transition.
The friendly culture and comfortable environment was a
perfect fit for me at this point in my career, and my clients no
longer feel lost with big overhead, expenses and high fees.
Building new relationships is at the center of my practice, and
Pinnacle Investments provides the flexibility and support to
accommodate that.

Michael Cuddy, First Vice President, Financial Advisor

In early January of 2009, our team, The Cuddy Group, made the decision
to leave our nationally branded wirehouse (which has subsequently
been merged with a national competitor). We spent the next 6 months
researching various firms. There were key qualities we were looking for
in a new firm Quality of leadership; Fair compensation;
Strong support staff; Commitment in helping us grow our business;
State-of-the-art-technology. As a result, in July of that year, we
decided to join Pinnacle Investments, LLC. In retrospect, this was
the best move we could have made.

Tom Thompson, Financial Advisor

Looking back, my decision to join Pinnacle Investments was quite perfect!
Pinnacle Investments provided me with the best opportunity to deliver
multiple investment products and managed account solutions to my clients
based on high-quality independent and unbiased research. Since I have
a diverse client base, I required a firm with a high level of client service
and solid technology to conduct my investment product due diligence.
The major wirehouse, one investment platform fit-all approach was
not what my clients required to attain their goals. Pinnacle Investments
allows me to recommend the most appropriate investment strategy to
meet clients needs.

Bridget Ball-Shaw, Financial Advisor

I joined Pinnacle Investments for three reasons: my family, my
clients, myself. My family benefits from the equitable compensation
structure (and the less stressed out mom)! My clients appreciate the
fact that they are now paying less in management fees than at
the wirehouse. Me? Im treated with respect. My ideas are listened
to with true interest. I have all the tools I need to do my job. I love
going to work in the morning.

Dean Dellas, Financial Advisor

Culture is one of the many reasons I joined Pinnacle Investments.
Here I am able to share ideas openly with other Financial Advisors
and impact the direction of the business, as I find my opinions are
actually valued. My success and that of the firm is ultimately tied
to the satisfaction of my clients. That success is achieved through
an unbiased approach to wealth management in conjunction with
superior client support. At Pinnacle Investments my abilities are
enhanced by the fact that employees in each office have strong ties
to their local communities. That was important to me here in
Central New York where I find community involvement is key to
growing my business. Naturally, the potential to grow my business is
unlimited with all the capabilities needed to stand out from the rest.