History

1979
Firm is founded by Alan R. Leist Jr. The Alan R. Leist Planning Group, Inc. is launched from a one room office in the old Mayro Building in downtown Utica, N.Y.

1986-1988
Firm expands and moves into a new office on Genesee Street. Judy Sweet joins the firm in 1988 to help launch and lead an investment management division to complement the planning group.

1998
The name Strategic Portfolios is changed to “Strategic Investment Advisors” to more clearly reflect the company’s services.

1999
As the landscape of the retirement plan universe was changing, Strategic saw an opportunity to bring a new service, offering 401(k) plan design, oversight and employee education services to clients’ businesses. In 1999, Strategic Retirement Plans, Inc. was formally launched. Strategic Investment Advisors, Alan R. Leist Planning Group and Strategic Retirement Plans consolidated to operate under umbrella “Strategic Financial Services”

2002
Strategic begins renovation of a 10,000 sq ft building in the Utica, N.Y. Business Park. The new layout consists of 13 individual offices, 18 work stations and 3 large conference rooms.

2005
Firm moves into their current headquarters located at 114 Business Park Drive, Utica, N.Y.
Alan R. Leist, III, CFA joins Strategic after a 10-year career on Wall Street.

2007
Alan R. Leist Jr. and Strategic is ranked #15 in Barron’s “Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors1” in the nation. Strategic has appeared in Barron’s annual rankings a total of six times.

2012
On March 16, 2012 Strategic released Volume 1, Edition 1 of Strategic Insights. This weekly commentary is the original work of the Strategic investment team and intended to keep our clients up-to-date on important developments shaping the economy and markets. Volume 5, Edition 1 sent in 2016 marketed the 185th week of distribution.

2013
Strategic selects Schwab Advisor Services, a division of Charles Schwab & Co., as the firm’s new custodian for client assets. Schwab is the leading custodian for independent investment advisors like Strategic.

2014
Judy Sweet named as a Top 25 Women Registered Investment Advisors2 by WealthManagement.com. She was also listed again in 2015.

2016
The Firm launches new website and fresh new brand. Strategic’s assets under management and advisement surpass $1.1 billion3 for the first time.

2018
Strategic named to the 2018 edition of the Financial Times 300 Top Registered Investment Advisers.

2019
Strategic celebrates 40th Anniversary.

2020 & 2021
Strategic recognized by InvestmentNews as Best Place to Work for Financial Advisors