Reflections on the 2026 J.W. Cole Financial Symposium
I'm driving east on a dirt road in Wyoming, watching the sun rise over the horizon. There's something about the wide-open spaces of the West that gives you time to think. No airports, conference rooms, or crowded schedules. Just a quiet road, a beautiful sunrise, and a little time to reflect.
A couple of weeks ago, I was in a very different setting.
I traveled to Chicago with members of our Legacy Wealth Advisors of NY team for the 2026 J.W. Cole Financial Symposium. We joined hundreds of financial professionals from across the country to learn, exchange ideas, reconnect with colleagues, and discuss the future of our profession.
I attend several conferences each year, but there are only a few I genuinely look forward to. This is one of them, and the reason is simple: the people.
There's a culture at J.W. Cole that balances professionalism, friendship, and fun. From the home office team to fellow advisors and industry partners, people are willing to share ideas, challenge one another, and work together to improve.
This year's theme was Build Better.
For me, that means building better practices, stronger teams, and more meaningful relationships with the individuals, families, and businesses we serve.
One of J.W. Cole's core values is Always Do What's Right. It's a simple philosophy, but one that requires conscious effort. Our profession isn't just about managing investments or providing financial advice. It's about listening, counseling, and helping people make decisions that improve their lives. At its core, it's servant leadership.
Of course, the symposium covered markets, politics, economic trends, and plenty of discussion about artificial intelligence. AI presents tremendous opportunities to become more efficient and knowledgeable, but also challenges around privacy, security, and how we continue to add value when information is increasingly available to everyone.
I believe technology will be both one of our greatest opportunities and greatest challenges. But I don't believe it will ever replace the importance of human relationships.
Building Something That Lasts
Over the last several years, I've spent considerable time thinking about what it means to build a better team and, more importantly, a business that will continue long after I'm no longer leading it.
I believe one of the greatest measures of leadership is the ability to successfully pass a business from one generation to the next and see that next generation thrive.
At Legacy Wealth Advisors, we're working deliberately toward that goal.
Our team includes professionals in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. That diversity of age, experience, and perspective helps us relate to clients across generations while learning from one another.
Over the next 20 years, our practice will need to continue adapting and growing. Over the next 10 to 15 years, an important part of my responsibility is mentoring and developing the people who will take on greater leadership roles and ultimately help guide the firm's future.
Building better isn't just about what we accomplish today. It's about creating something that can continue to serve people tomorrow.
An Unexpected Honor
That brings me to a story from the final evening in Chicago.
We were enjoying the outdoor party, listening to music, and eating chicken sliders when my friend Matt suggested we walk over to the awards ceremony.
I told him, "Matt, I'm not winning an award. Let's just stay here, enjoy our sliders, and listen to the music."
He agreed, but a few minutes later encouraged me again. Eventually, I gave in.
As we walked over, my friend Jonathan was speaking about what makes a great advisory team. He mentioned that one measure of a strong team is when a senior leader can travel, spend time away from the office, and the organization continues to grow and thrive.
A few moments later, they announced Legacy Wealth Advisors of NY as J.W. Cole's Advisor Team of the Year.
I was genuinely shocked, surprised, and honored.
I'm not someone who spends much time thinking about awards these days. Earlier in my career, recognition motivated me more than it does today. And sometimes, even when you're recognized, you find yourself thinking about everything you could have done better.
But this one meant something special.
Because it truly wasn't my award. It was our award.
Jeff, Nicole, Keegan, Jessie, Ryan, Gerri, and Tommi have all contributed to building a practice with strong relationships, thoughtful processes, and a shared commitment to doing what's right. Each brings different strengths, experiences, and perspectives. Together, they're helping build an organization that can be relevant and impactful for generations.
That recognition was a wonderful reminder that we're moving in the right direction.
The Road Ahead
As I continue down this Wyoming dirt road, watching the morning sun rise, I keep coming back to the same thought.
Markets will change. Technology will evolve. Our profession will look very different 10 or 20 years from now. But the foundation of what we do shouldn't change. It's about people, relationships, trust, and doing what's right.
I feel truly blessed to be in a position to lead and develop a team of people while having the opportunity to serve so many individuals, families, and businesses.
I often think back to my first day, walking into Larry's office to begin my career as a financial advisor. I never could have imagined where that journey would take me or the people I would have the privilege of meeting and working alongside.
Today, I look back with both pride and humility. And I look forward with strength, passion, purpose, and, if I'm being truthful, probably a little anxiety about the responsibility of continuing to grow, improve, and prepare our practice for the next generation.
But what gives me peace, brings me joy, and occasionally puts a random smile on my face is the people I get to work with every day.
There's an old saying that a rising tide lifts all boats. I believe our responsibility is to help that tide rise, for our clients, our team, our profession, and the communities we serve.
Perhaps that's what Build Better really means to me.
Not simply building a bigger business, but building something better than any one of us could have built alone. Something that will continue to grow, serve, and make a difference long after we've passed the responsibility to the next generation.
And when I think about the people we're building it with, I can't help but smile.
Mark J. Modzeleski, CFS®, CLTC®, AIF®
President, Legacy Wealth Advisors of NY