2014 Trusted Advisers Wealth Manager: Jack Thurman

When Jack Thurman took over BKD Wealth Advisors LLC in 2000, the BKD LLP subsidiary managed assets of $200 million.

Now, the 55-employee group oversees more than $2.7 billion in assets for some 1,100 families and corporations nationwide, as well as more than 300 401(k) and employee stock ownership plans. After crossing the $1 billion threshold in May 2005, the Thurman-led wealth management firm hit the $2 billion benchmark in October 2012.

“Overall, my role as trusted adviser has evolved from day-to-day management of millions of dollars of client assets to leading a firm of professionals managing billions of dollars for wealthy families and corporations in Springfield and the United States,” Thurman says.

Prior to joining BKD, Thurman worked 14 years as a vice president for Merrill Lynch, overseeing a team that managed $200 million in assets. His career spanning nearly three decades has included a 100 percent clean compliance record, an annual client retention rate of 97 percent for the past four years at BKD and an independent client satisfaction ranking of 4.7 out of 5 in the last three surveys conducted by the firm.

“I have provided the structure and day-to-day management of growing and protecting the financial wealth of small- and midsize businesses over the last 28 years by managing cash flow, retirement plans and assets of the owners of the businesses,” Thurman says.

“I continue to maintain a lead relationship for a large family in excess of $100 million for whom we provide family office services that include the coordination and integration of the family’s investments, risk management and estate planning.”

In addition to sharing his expertise with employees and clients, Thurman has been utilized as an expert source for a number of publications, including the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and Missouri newspapers Springfield Business Journal and Kansas City Business Journal.

He’s been a member of the Investment Management Consultants Association since 2000, serving on its ethics committee since 2004 and its professional review board since 2013.

In 2001, he earned the Certified Investment Management Analyst designation presented by the IMCA and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The certification recognizes professionals with a vast amount of investment knowledge, as well as understanding and implementation of ethical guidelines.

Thurman also has demonstrated his value to the Springfield community.

He’s a current member and former chairman of the city of Springfield’s Citizens’ Sales Tax Oversight Committee, which reviews and monitors such taxes as the 3/4-cent Police-Fire Pension Sales Tax; he’s also the current executive baron for the American Cancer Society’s Cattle Baron’s Ball; a member of the 14th class of Leadership Springfield; a former board member and president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ozarks; and a founding and former board member of the Rotary Club of Springfield Sunrise.[[In-content Ad]]