Leadership Profile: Paul Markowich, CFP®, AIF®
Partner & Executive Vice President, Firstrust Financial Resources
Leading with Clarity, Integrity, and a Long-Term Perspective
For Paul, effective leadership in today’s financial advisory environment begins with discipline—discipline to build trust, calm uncertainty, uphold ethics, and invest in people, all while guiding clients toward long-term success in a short-term world.
In an industry often driven by market noise and performance headlines, Paul believes leadership requires more than just technical expertise. It requires emotional intelligence, a clear philosophy, and the ability to remain steady when others react. Trust, in his view, is FFR’s most valuable asset, one that must be earned consistently through transparency, accountability, and principled decision-making.
A Client-First Philosophy in Practice
Paul defines a true client-first approach as making decisions from the same side of the table—financially, emotionally, and ethically. Even when a decision may be inconvenient for the firm or the advisor, he believes that if it does not pass that test, it simply should not be done.
Beyond investment performance, Paul sees value in the confidence and clarity clients gain through thoughtful planning. Financial complexity can be overwhelming, and he believes real value shows up when clients understand what they own, why they own it, and how their decisions today shape their long-term outcomes. From tax-efficient asset location to proactive tax-loss harvesting and thoughtful timing decisions, his focus remains on improving his clients’ quality of life, not just their portfolio results.
A Career Built from the Ground Up
Paul was drawn to the financial planning profession by the opportunity to build something meaningful: an entrepreneurial career centered on helping people while engaging in the evolving world of investments. Throughout his 23-year career, all spent with the same firm, he has played a meaningful role in shaping the organization into what it is today.
Having entered the industry with no prior financial experience, Paul brings a unique perspective to leadership. He leads by example and remains approachable and relatable, grounded in the belief that he should never ask an advisor to do something he has not done himself. That shared experience fosters credibility, trust, and a culture of mutual respect across the firm.
Building Strong Teams Through Connection and Mentorship
Paul believes strong advisory firms are built on communication, trust, and a team-first mindset. While advisors wear many hats and manage demanding schedules, he emphasizes that exceptional client service can only be delivered through collaboration. In a world where technology continues to replace tasks, Paul sees human connection as the firm’s most irreplaceable advantage.
Mentorship plays a central role in that philosophy. Through dedicated leadership and structured development efforts, the firm has achieved advisor retention rates far exceeding industry norms, demonstrating the power of intentional coaching, shared purpose, and a supportive culture. Paul views this commitment as essential not only to the firm’s growth, but to meeting the increasing demand for quality financial advice.
Values That Shape Leadership
Paul’s leadership is anchored by five core values:
• Integrity — saying what you mean, meaning what you say, and owning mistakes
• Accountability — taking responsibility for outcomes, both good and bad
• Clarity — setting clear expectations and direction, because confusion is exhausting and clarity is energizing
• Humility — remaining coachable, welcoming better ideas, and giving credit freely
• Respect — treating every individual with dignity, regardless of role or opinion
These values define not only how Paul leads, but how he hopes the firm impacts others.
Making a Difference
For Paul, the firm’s impact extends well beyond financial outcomes. Internally, it is reflected in a family-oriented culture that prioritizes showing up for one another during both milestones and moments of hardship. Externally, it is seen in the lives of clients: retirees living the futures they planned for, families protected through thoughtful insurance planning, and individuals guided through complex decisions with confidence and clarity.
These moments, Paul believes, define the true purpose of financial planning. They are reminders that leadership, at its core, is not about titles or performance metrics, it is about making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
To learn more about Paul – click here for his bio.
