Industry: 1993
KAR: 2004
#3 Independent Advisor in 2024
(#1 in 2017-2020, 2022)
(#1 in 2017-2020, 2022)
Best-In-State
Wealth Advisors
(2018-2024)
Wealth Advisors
(2018-2024)
Ranked #7 on
Forbes Top RIA List
(2024)
Forbes Top RIA List
(2024)
Leaders of Influence, Wealth Management (2022)
Spuds Powell, CPWA®
Managing Director
Start Date
Education
B.S., Industrial and Labor Relations,
Cornell University
Prior Work Experience
- National Mid-Plan Sales Manager – Financial Engines
- Retirement Plan Consultant – Retirement Plan Strategies
- Franklin Templeton Funds
Certifications and Credentials
Certified Private Wealth Advisor®
Recognition:
- 2024 Ranked #3 on Barron’s Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors list
-
- Barron’s Hall of Fame Advisor (inducted 2022)
-
- 2012-2024 Five Star Wealth Manager by Five Star Professionals
- 2022-2024 L.A. Times B2B Publishing Banking & Finance Visionary
- Formerly served on the Fidelity Wealth Advisor Solutions® Client Advisory Council
- Frequent public speaker and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Forbes, Investment News, Investors’ Business Daily, Wealthmanagement.com, and ThinkAdvisor
#3 Independent Advisor in 2024
(#1 in 2017-2020, 2022)
(#1 in 2017-2020, 2022)
Best-In-State
Wealth Advisors
(2018-2024)
Wealth Advisors
(2018-2024)
Ranked #7 on
Forbes Top RIA List
(2024)
Forbes Top RIA List
(2024)
Leaders of Influence, Wealth Management (2022)
What Do You Enjoy Most About Your Job?
I feel very lucky to do what I do and there’s a lot about it that I enjoy. The most rewarding aspect of my job is developing very close, personal, and trusting relationships with my clients. I love putting in the time and effort necessary to truly understand what they’re trying to accomplish with their wealth and developing a customized investment strategy that aims to help them achieve the financial peace of mind that they’re looking for.
What Do You Enjoy Most About Working at KARWA?
I love working with so many amazing people! Our firm prides itself on having a corporate culture built on integrity, honesty and trustworthiness and the people here walk that walk. They’re very smart, experienced, friendly, warm, and willing to help each other and our clients. I feel grateful to be able to work with them.
How Does KARWA Approach Wealth Management Differently?
We seek to play great defense and protect our clients’ wealth during difficult markets. One of the ways I believe we have had success in this area is through the utilization of different asset classes including alternatives. One of the few guarantees in our industry is that there will always be periods when the stock market does poorly; however, by allocating a portion of our clients’ wealth to asset classes that may provide better downside protection during those periods when equities struggle, I believe we create more opportunities to generate better performance with less risk. Another thing that I appreciate about KAR is that we manage the wealth of our senior investment professionals and principals. I’m always very proud to tell prospective clients and existing clients that we are a classic example of a firm that “eats its own cooking” by investing alongside clients in the same portfolios.
What Do You Hope to Achieve for Your Clients?
I strive to provide my clients with financial peace of mind, the notion that they can continue to have confidence in the investment strategy that we’ve implemented for them.
What Are You Involved in Outside of Work?
I strive to have a balanced life and spend as much time as possible with my family. I married my high school sweetheart, Ann and we have four children: Emmet, Mary Clare, Finn and Margot. We support Providence TrinityKids Care, Homes of Hope, Moira’s Mission, Manhattan Beach Education Foundation, and American Martyrs Catholic Church, among other organizations. I enjoy playing sports and cooking and am a loyal fan of the San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Notre Dame Football.
News
If you have any questions regarding a particular professional’s credentials or for more information regarding each credential’s requirements and qualifications, please contact KAR to receive a copy of your professional’s Form ADV Part 2B.
Barron’s “Top 100 Independent Advisors”: The Barron’s “Top 100 Independent Advisors 2024” was given in September 2024 and covers the year 2024. KAR has not paid a fee to participate in the rankings but has paid fees for a license to reprint and distribute the results of the rankings.
Forbes 2024 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: The Forbes 2024 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors ranking was issued in April 2024 and covers the year 2024. KAR has not paid a fee to participate in the rankings and has not paid fees for a license to reprint and distribute the results of the rankings.
Forbes “Top RIA Firms”: The Forbes Top RIA Firms 2024 ranking was issued in October 2024 and covers the year 2024. KAR has not paid a fee to participate in the rankings but has paid fees for a license to reprint and distribute the results of the rankings.
Los Angeles Business Journal’s “Leaders of Influence”: The 2022 LA Business Journal Leaders of Influence award was given in April 2022 and covers the year 2022. KAR has not paid fees to the award sponsor to obtain the award and does not anticipate that it will pay fees to re-license the award. KAR sponsored an ad in the 2022 Los Angeles Business Journal Leaders of Influence: Wealth Management publication but doing so was not a prerequisite to winning the award.
Barron’s 2022 “Hall of Fame Advisor Award”: The Barron’s Hall of Fame Advisor Award was issued in October 2022. KAR has not paid a fee to participate in the award or to reprint and distribute the result of the award.
Five Star Wealth Manager 2024: The Five Star Wealth Manager Award was given in May 2024 and covers the year 2024. KAR has not paid fees to the award sponsor to obtain or participate in the award.
LA Times 2024 Visionaries: The LA Times B2B Publishing 2024 Visionaries honor was given in March 2024 and covers the year 2024. KAR has not paid fees to the award sponsor to obtain the award and does not anticipate that it will pay fees to re-license the award.
This information is being provided by KAR for illustrative purposes only. Information contained on this site is not intended by KAR to be interpreted as investment advice, a recommendation or solicitation to purchase securities, or a recommendation of a particular course of action and has not been updated since the date of the material, and KAR does not undertake to update the information presented should it change. This information is based on KAR’s opinions at the time of the publication of this material and are subject to change based on market activity. There is no guarantee that any forecasts made will come to pass. KAR makes no warranty as to the accuracy or reliability of the information contained herein. The information provided here should not be considered to be insurance, legal, or tax advice and all investors should consult their insurance, legal, and tax professionals about the specifics of their own insurance, estate, and tax situations to determine any proper course of action for them. KAR does not provide insurance, legal, or tax advice, and information presented here may not be true or applicable for all investor situations. Additional information about KAR’s services and fees may be found in KAR’s Part 2A of Form ADV, which is available upon request or can be found at https://kayne.com/wp-content/uploads/ADV-Part-2A.pdf.