1980s
Neil McPeak Sr., President and Founding Partner, began his career in Atlantic City, a city experiencing its own financial transformation with the rise of casinos and tourism. The early 1980s brought a severe recession, sky-high interest rates, and economic uncertainty. Amidst the glitz and volatility of the local economy, Neil Sr. saw firsthand how hard-working families and business owners often lacked access to the same financial strategies used by larger institutions. As the decade progressed, the markets shifted. The economy recovered, interest rates fell, and the U.S. experienced one of the longest bull markets in history. Neil Sr. capitalized on this momentum, helping clients not only recover but grow, turning market challenges into long-term opportunities. By 1990, McPeak Wealth had evolved from a small Atlantic City practice into a respected firm known for its personal touch, disciplined strategies, and unwavering commitment to client success.
1990s
McPeak Wealth Management continued to grow as Neil McPeak Sr. expanded the practice’s services beyond investment management to include customized cash flow planning for business owners and families. Neil began building strategies that helped clients manage their income, expenses, and long-term financial goals with greater precision. McPeak Wealth Management became known for delivering institutional-level strategies with a personal, family-centered touch, providing clarity amidst the evolving financial landscape.
“Time in the market is more important than timing the market.”
-Neil McPeak Sr.
2000s
In the early 2000s, the McPeak Wealth Management Group joined the Private Investment Management (PIM) program — a discretionary platform designed to deliver customized portfolio management. Within this framework, we developed our own proprietary investment strategies, including the Alpha, ETF, and DSIP models. This marked a turning point as the team embraced its first fiduciary platform, aligning client and advisor interests through a fee-for-service model. Amidst a decade of market volatility, including the dot-com bust and the 2008 financial crisis, PIM provided the flexibility and discipline needed to navigate uncertain times. The shift to an advisory model deepened client relationships and positioned the firm for long- term, values-driven growth.
“To know and not act is not to know.”
-Neil McPeak Sr.
2010s
In 2010, Neil McPeak Jr., Managing Partner, joined the team, bringing fresh energy and leadership into the next generation. During this period, three advisors earned their CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certifications, and one advisor achieved the prestigious Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation, elevating the team’s planning and investment expertise. The team also launched its seminar and client event series, creating new ways to educate and engage with clients while strengthening relationships. This decade was a time of significant growth, as McPeak Wealth refined and expanded its investment planning processes, allowing for more personalized and strategic wealth management solutions.
2020s
The 2020s began during the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time that tested the team’s resilience and deepened its commitment to guiding clients through uncertainty. Amidst this challenging environment, an additional advisor earned their CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification, and four team members became Certified Exit Planning Advisors (CEPA®), marking a strategic shift toward serving business owners navigating succession and exit strategies. The CEPA designations equipped the team to lead clients through complex business transitions, ensuring their life’s work could be successfully passed to the next generation or monetized for personal wealth.
2024
In 2024, McPeak Wealth Management transitioned from Wells Fargo Advisors to an independent platform, Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, gaining full ownership of the business and the freedom to grow on its own terms. This move allowed the team to expand services, innovate for clients, and strengthen its family-centered approach. That same year, the practice purchased its own building, establishing a permanent home that reflects its legacy and future ambitions. With greater control and a foundation built for growth, McPeak Wealth Management is poised to serve business owners and families for generations to come.
