Todd Brandstadt, CFP®, CIMA®

Executive Vice President, Director of Branches, Managing Director – Investments, Grand Rapids, MI

My Background

After graduating from Kalamazoo College in 1993, my interest in the financial services industry took me to Chicago to work for the Chicago Board of Trade in the Office of Investigations and Audits. In 1995, I started my career advising clients with A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. In 2014, I had the pleasure to open the Benjamin F. Edwards office in Grand Rapids as the Branch Manager. For 27 years, I most enjoyed the relationships I have developed with all my clients, and in some cases multiple generations. As a commitment to serving my clients, I satisfied the education, examination, experience, and ethics requirements for the CFP® certification in 2006 and the CIMA® certification in 2020. Recently my partner, Debbie Tallman, and I welcomed a third partner, Scott McPheeters. Sandy Williams, our Senior Registered Financial Client Associate, assists the entire team to fulfill our client goals and objectives.

I have been married to Bonnie for 28 years and we have five children, Nicholas (24), Jackson (21), Cameron (19), Mollie (16) and Ellie (14). Outside of the office, I spend most of my time centered around my family and all their exciting activities. I enjoy staying active with outdoor activities and we especially love spending time with our extended family at the family cottages in the summer.

WHAT IS A CFP^®? A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™, or CFP^®, certification means a financial advisor has successfully completed a rigorous training program followed by a comprehensive 6-hour exam administered in accordance with the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ Board of Standards. Professionals who are awarded this accreditation demonstrate skill in analyzing situations and developing personalized long-term financial strategies. CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP^® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ in the U.S.

WHAT IS A CIMA®? The CERTIFIED INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT ANALYST (CIMA®) certification program is designed for investment consultants with at least three years of experience in investment consulting. Offered through the Investment Management Consultants Association (IMCA) CIMA® designees have passed a background check, completed a thorough education and training program and passed a comprehensive exam. Once awarded, continuing education is also required to maintain the designee’s credentials.