Joe Breslin is a dedicated financial professional with Armstrong Dixon in Baltimore, MD, and a loyal member of NAIFA since 2018. His journey into the financial services industry is marked by a strong drive to help others achieve financial success. Reflecting on his early days, Joe remembers making thousands of cold calls to small business owners to build his client base. At the time, he worked for a large insurance company and was fortunate to have a few clients who helped him grow his network through referrals.

Joe's affinity for numbers made financial services a natural fit. “Numbers always came easy to me in a way that it was clear that they didn’t for others. I believe I was given a talent that could be used to help others who may not have this particular skill but who may excel in other areas,” he shares. His ability to make complex financial concepts easier to understand for his clients has been one of the cornerstones of his success.

Joe’s connection with NAIFA started after a frustrating experience at a Capital Hill event hosted by another financial advisor trade association in 2017. That organization’s leader expressed political views that didn’t resonate with Joe’s values. In Joe’s opinion, when the organization itself takes a partisan stance, it loses credibility. Seeking a more balanced and impactful organization, he was introduced to NAIFA by his personal financial advisor and friend, Alan Kines. After attending a few local events, Joe found a home at NAIFA and quickly became hooked by the association's mission, advocacy, and commitment to the financial services industry.

Joe’s career is focused on providing financial advice to affluent families, small business owners, and corporate executives. He specializes in multi-generational wealth planning, helping clients organize and optimize their financial affairs so they can focus on what truly matters to them. “It’s a great vocation of serving others, which creates a profitable business,” Joe says. His work is a blend of personal satisfaction and professional success, and it’s clear that making a positive difference in people’s lives is what motivates him every day.

A passionate advocate for NAIFA’s political efforts, Joe is an active contributor to IFAPAC and regularly attends events in Annapolis, MD, and Washington D.C. He emphasizes the importance of NAIFA's advocacy in protecting the financial services industry and its clients. “If we don’t clean up the bad actors within our industry ourselves, our governments are going to do it for us,” he states. Joe sees political engagement as critical, particularly at a time when many government organizations lack financial literacy. He believes financial professionals are essential in demonstrating the value of free markets and advocating for the well-being of their clients.

Joe’s advocacy extends to policy work as well. He contributed to a bipartisan effort in Maryland to pass a law protecting access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for residents, a law signed into action by Governor Larry Hogan in 2018. This success highlights Joe’s commitment to shaping public policy and protecting the interests of both his clients and the financial services industry.

As a CFP® professional, Joe strongly believes in the fiduciary standard but is opposed to government-mandated definitions of it. His concern grew when the first Department of Labor (DOL) fiduciary rule was introduced in 2016, which, according to his broker/dealer, made some of his family’s personal accounts non-compliant with the new regulations. “How could this make sense? Was I ripping myself off?” he reflects. Joe questions the logic behind such rules, which he believes raise compliance costs and liability risks, ultimately making financial advice more difficult for those who need it most.

Joe credits NAIFA with playing a significant role in his career. The organization has provided him with a community of like-minded professionals, political advocacy, and valuable benefits, all of which have helped him succeed. “NAIFA has contributed to my success by offering a platform for professional development and advocating for the future of our industry,” he says. The support he’s received through NAIFA has been instrumental to both his business and personal growth.

When recommending a career in financial services, Joe emphasizes its profound impact. “Money is a 21st-century survival skill,” he says, pointing out that people who seek financial advice should have access to trusted advisors. He quotes Proverbs, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed,” highlighting the power financial advisors have to change lives by guiding people toward financial security.

Joe also encourages other financial professionals to join NAIFA, praising the organization’s invaluable resources, advocacy, and professional community. He believes that every advisor can benefit from being part of NAIFA to enhance both their personal and professional growth.

Looking ahead, although Joe was nominated to serve on the Department of Labor’s ERISA Advisory Board in 2024, he was not selected. Nonetheless, he remains open to future opportunities to serve in similar roles. His unwavering commitment to the profession and advocating for the financial well-being of clients and professionals alike reflects his dedication to making a meaningful difference.

Joe Breslin’s story is a testament to perseverance, service, and a dedication to helping others. He embodies how NAIFA membership can support financial professionals’ success and how political engagement can shape the future of the industry. We are proud to have Joe as a member of NAIFA and look forward to his continued contributions to the financial services profession.