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2015 Trusted Advisers Wealth Manager: Robert DeVore

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Following seven years as a financial adviser with Baron Financial Group LLC, Robert DeVore says on Sept. 8 he launched his own financial advisory firm via broker/dealer Royal Alliance Associates Inc., a division of American International Group (NYSE: AIG).

His firm is still unnamed and pending regulatory approvals.

The Neosho native says he had an opportunity to buy a book of business from a 37-year industry veteran from his hometown and couldn’t resist the chance to break out on his own.

“I’m a Neosho kid, and he’s a Neosho guy who came to me about a month ago and asked if I’d like to buy out his office,” DeVore says. “It was just a deal that anybody would say was a no-brainer.” DeVore says he plans to operate two offices – one in Neosho and one in Springfield.   

DeVore had worked for 10 years in a range of jobs in restaurant management across the country before making the jump in 2008 into financial services. Highlights include a year stint as a kitchen manager at Logan’s Roadhouse in Springfield. He also was the service manager for California Pizza Kitchen from 2000 to 2003, where he assisted fledgling and underperforming stores. “I just felt the financial world was more my calling,” he says.

Baron Financial Group was a good fit, DeVore says, because of its holistic approach to financial management. He saw his niche as being the adviser who could really communicate well with clients. DeVore served around 80 clients before launching his own firm.

“I kept hearing over and over again how financial advisers lacked the communication skills that clients wanted and needed,” DeVore says. “I identified this critical need and created my business model around communication. My clients don’t have to wait for monthly, quarterly or annual statements to learn how their accounts are performing. I personally send updates as the market fluctuates.”

Key to his role is figuring out what is important to each client.

“Every client is different in what they dream about and want for their future. While one client dreams of nothing more than the security to live on the lake and do nothing but read, you have others who want to put their children through Harvard, and even others that plan to travel to every part of the world once they are done working,” DeVore says. “My role is to try to assist in making those dreams happen.”

DeVore also stays busy outside of the office. He serves on the board for the Gynecologic Cancer Alliance, was named the Rotarian of the Year in 2014, is a member of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and serves as chairman of the Council of Churches golf tournament.

In 2010, he helped launch Ozarks Entertainment LLC, a full-service mobile-casino equipment rental company for which he serves as managing member and founding partner.

In what spare time he has left, he also teaches a class at Missouri State University on budgeting and financial planning.

“I’m a true believer in giving back to the community through volunteerism and support,” he says.

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