Morningstar Advisor - Summer 2007 - (Page 18)

Advisor Profile Best of Both Worlds Craig Reed created a research team that gives his firm the advantages of institutional research while keeping the decision-making in-house. by David Harrell Craig Reed, Director of Research, TrustCore In appearance and size, TrustCore doesn’t look particularly institutional. Occupying the top floor of a low-rise building in a suburban office park, the Nashvillearea financial planning firm is a midsized operation, with 23 planners, a support staff of 21, and approximately $850 million in “assets under advisement.” TrustCore favors a holistic approach and gives advice for all of a client’s assets, such as holdings in defined contribution plans. But looks can be deceiving. For the past five years, research director Craig Reed has plied a rather institutional approach to build and maintain the firm’s select list of investments. A Better Way How he caught our eye: Leads team that creates and monitors investment lists for TrustCore’s 23 financial planners. This researchteam approach is uncommon among small independent firms. Career path: Received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baylor University. Double majored in finance and international business. Started career as an assistant equity analyst, media and entertainment, at J.C. Bradford & Co. Joined TrustCore in 1998. Is one of five owners of TrustCore. Holds CFP, CFA, CIMA (Certified Investment Management Analyst), COA (Certified Option Advisor) designations. Personal: Age 34, married with three children. Some favorite funds: Jensen I JENIX, MainStay ICAP, Select Equity ICSLX, Rainer Sm/Mid Cap Equity RAISX, Keely Small Cap Value KSCVX, Harbor International HAINX, Bridgeway Aggressive Investors II BRAIX. In the past, each of TrustCore’s independent planners conducted his or her own investment research. Reed, who joined the firm as a planner after a stint as an equity analyst, thought this duplicated effort was incredibly inefficient. “Having every planner trying to go out and find the best large-cap growth manager—it just didn’t make sense,” he says. He sought to change the process. Reed approached the firm’s senior partners and proposed the creation of an internal group that would focus on investment research, security selection, and monitoring. The idea 18 Morningstar Advisor Summer 2007

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Morningstar Advisor - Summer 2007

Morningstar Advisor - Summer 2007 Contents Letter from the Publisher Get to Know the Bond “All-Stars” Research Briefs Our Stewardship Test Gets Tougher Save It for Later Too Many Oranges Best of Both Worlds No Two Clients Are Alike When It Comes to VAs, It’s Seller Beware Hands On: Finding the Suitable Fund Share Class for Your Client Fund Style Can Drift Off Course Sticking to Their Style, Through Thick and Thin Marathon Man Growth, With a Chaser A Menu of Ideas to Fill Five Market Baskets Funds: Finding Funds with Conviction Stocks: So You Say You Want Income? All Eyes on China Mutual Fund Analyst Picks Undervalued Stocks Most Popular Variable Annuities What’s New at Morningstar and on the Web The Advisor’s Economic Moat

Morningstar Advisor - Summer 2007

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