Dan Skiles, SSG’s Tech Guru: The 2014 IA 25 Extended Profile

Dan Skiles’ profile in the advisory world was raised last December when he was named president of Shareholders Service Group, the San Diego-based RIA custodian that he joined in 2009. But for many advisors, Skiles was already well-known from his work at two other custodians Jack White & Co., and Charles Schwab & Co. He’s also among that elite coterie of advisor partners who thoroughly understand advisor technology and how it can best be used to improve an advisory firm’s business operations (Disclosure: He writes on that topic in Investment Advisor’s monthly Technology Coach column).

What many advisors may not know is that Skiles also has an entrepreneurial streak: In his youth, he owned a rock-climbing gym, but as he said in an April interview, he realized it was not for him. “I wasn’t passionate about it,” and realizing that “you have to be passionate to be successful,” he began to search around for another profession. That’s when he used an approach he’s honed ever since: He put his network of contacts to work. A “friend of mine, a mentor” told him that whatever he chose to do, he should “surround yourself with smart, honest, passionate people; I’ve done that ever since and that’s made all the difference.”

When he was considering leaving Schwab’s custodian unit where he was a vice president of advisor technology, Skiles said he asked several advisor friends for their advice. They recommended, he said in an interview last December, that he “get involved with all aspects of the business,” not just technology. He has done just that.

Skiles is passionate about employee-owned SSG, which was founded by Chairman and CEO Peter Mangan and Robert Reed and has grown rapidly since Skiles joined the firm in 2009 from less than 400 RIAs on its platform to more than 1,200. Part of his passion for the firm, he said, revolves around working with RIAs. “It’s rewarding to help advisors achieve their goals,” but it also presented an “opportunity to get back to my entrepreneurial roots.”

SSG’s advisors are mostly smaller RIA firms, but Skiles argues that “size doesn’t matter anymore” for small firms, including those “transitioning” from another business model. “It used to be different,” he recalled, because larger firms had access to investment products and technology that smaller firms couldn’t get. However, “with the world of outsourcing, cloud-based systems” and the competition among technology and investment product manufacturers, he said that “in some cases, firms with only $50 million in AUM can run and leverage better technology than even much bigger firms,” partly because those larger firms must use “legacy platforms, which they have to maintain.”

He doesn’t downplay the challenges that “newer, younger firms” face. “Yes, there’s a lot of work to get established,” but if you begin as a true partnership without silos from the beginning, “you have more consistency; you minimize the variables.” That can benefit a smaller firm not just in technology, but in compliance as well, whereas an “older firm’s [compliance operations] might be based on compliance rules put into place 15 to 20 years ago.”

When asked about two topics that are top of mind for many advisor firm partners like SSG—the demographics of the advisor universe and the possible threat posed by ‘robo-advisors’—Skiles has a unique take on both based on his technology and business chops. “Succession planning will change” in the near future, he suggested. “Many advisors say, ‘I still love the business, still want to be in the profession,’” but as new technology is constantly rolled out that is accepted—or even demanded—by clients, the older advisor may be able to stay in the business for a much longer time without sacrificing clients’ needs.

Leaving out those advisors who want a “liquidity event,” Skiles used the traditional office conference room as an example of how client needs and aging advisor needs might coalesce. The need for an advisory firm to have “a conference room is diminishing every year” because of how clients want to communicate with their advisors. “It doesn’t take much time to learn how to use FaceTime,” Skiles pointed out, and as broadband access increases, “those clients may well say, ‘Why do I need to come down to your office to talk to you?’”

So what about robo-advisors: challenge or opportunity? Skiles began by speaking about “the consistency of the service experience and how personal it is” for end clients. Most of them have complex lives, he said. “Life is not consistent; questions come up throughout the year that you never anticipated.” Human advisors “are there for those questions,” especially for delegator clients, which Skiles thinks “there will be more of.” By contrast, the robo-advisors “revolve around investing. There’s nothing personal about it, and the consistency only relates to the technology used.”

What will remain consistent is that to “be successful in this business,” you need to provide personal service as “an advisor or someone who serves advisors.” Technology, Skiles said, “is a commodity, so as you go through your life stages, having that consistent personal experience increases the value of that relationship.” Robo-advisors may well serve as a transition stage for the self-directed client whose financial life becomes more complex, but as he ticked off some issues that advisors help solve for their clients—staying knowledgeable about cost-basis legislation, or how to pay for health care, or whether the timing is right to do a Roth IRA rollover—he concluded, “Can a robo-advisor answer those?”

Yes, if an advisor’s practice is “all about investments, maybe you should be concerned,” he said about robo-advisors. However, having a cost-effective way to serve clients who may not meet your firm’s minimums is a valuable strategy. “I’d encourage advisors who’ve been raising their minimums year after year to think about a different offering that allows them to serve people with less money,” Skiles said. “I’ve seen a lot of our clients getting into that. Those younger people have simpler lives, so you have to do less for them” now, but getting experience in serving less affluent clients will yield another benefit. “When mom and dad die, how often do you retain a relationship with the beneficiaries? The more experience you have with people like that, the better chance you’ll have to show [those beneficiaries of your current clients] that you’re not only familiar with their needs, but that you already have a channel that serves” such clients.

(Check out Investment Advisor's full IA 25 for 2014 list on ThinkAdvisor.)

Hot Machinery Companies To Watch For 2015

Popular Posts: 8 Pharmaceutical Stocks to Buy Now4 Pharmaceutical Stocks to Buy Now12 Oil and Gas Stocks to Sell Now Recent Posts: 4 Internet and Web Service Stocks to Sell Now 7 Internet and Web Service Stocks to Buy Now 4 Machinery Stocks to Sell Now View All Posts

This week, seven internet and web service stocks are improving their overall rating on Portfolio Grader. Each of these rates an “A” (“strong buy”) or “B” overall (“buy”).

This week, Net Element, Inc. () is showing significant improvement as the company’s rating hops from a C (“hold”) to a B (“buy”). Net Element is a technology group in mobile commerce and payment processing, as well as in entertainment and culture Internet destinations in Russia and other emerging markets. In Portfolio Grader’s specific subcategory of Sales Growth, NETE also gets an A. .

Hot Machinery Companies To Watch For 2015: MSC Industrial Direct Co Inc (MSM)

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (MSC), incorporated on October 25, 1995, is direct marketers and distributors of a range of metalworking and maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products to customers throughout the United States. The Company operates primarily in the United States, with customers in all 50 states, through a network of five customer fulfillment centers (four customer fulfillment centers are located within the United States and one is located in the United Kingdom and 106 branch offices (104 branches are located within the United States, one is located in the United Kingdom and the other is located in Mexico). The Company offers approximately 600,000 stock-keeping units (SKUs) through its master catalogs, weekly, monthly and quarterly specialty and promotional catalogs, brochures and the Internet, including its Websites, mscdirect.com, mscmetalworking.com and use-enco.com (MSC Websites). In April 2013, the Company announced that it has completed the acquisition of the North American distribution business (BDNA or the Business) of Barnes Group Inc.

The Company's customers include a range of purchasers of industrial supply products, from individual machine shops to Fortune 1000 companies, to government agencies, such as the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Department of Defense. The Company uses its database of companies and contacts, and the Company also purchases information on prospective customers in the form of databases, mailing lists, and email lists to target the distribution of these various publications and other marketing vehicles to specific individuals within an organization whose purchasing history or other criteria suggest receptiveness to specific publication titles and promotions. The Company also provides electronic ordering capabilities (EDI and XML) to support its customers' purchase order processing.

The Company's products represent a range of MRO products that include cutting tools; measuring instruments; tooling component! s; metalworking products; fasteners; flat stock; raw materials; abrasives; machinery hand and power tools; safety and janitorial supplies; plumbing supplies; materials handling products; power transmission components; and electrical supplies. The Company provides product information and ordering capabilities on the Internet. The Company also maintains a hardware and software platform in support of its VMI program, which allows customers to integrate scanner-accumulated orders directly into its Sales Order Entry system.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Demitrios Kalogeropoulos]

  Meanwhile, stocks on the move this morning include Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ  ) and MSC Industrial (NYSE: MSM  ) , which both reported quarterly earnings results before the opening bell.�

• [By Dan Caplinger]

  Worse than that news is the fact that some of Fastenal's competitors have held up somewhat better. MSC Industrial (NYSE: MSM  ) encountered much of the same sales weakness from the metalworking industry that Fastenal saw in its overall results, and both stocks have performed in line with each other over the past quarter. But W.W. Grainger (NYSE: GWW  ) soared after its earnings in April, as it saw its earnings rise more than 14% and boosted its guidance for full-year 2013 revenue and earnings.

• [By Lawrence Meyers]

  WFM stock trades around $52, with just under $3 per share in cash. At estimates of $1.68 in earnings per share for FY14 and projections for 17% in long-term growth, and perhaps a 20% premium for its cash flow, I would assign it a fair value around $34. If WFM stock is unfortunate enough to fall that low, I’d absolutely buy around there.

  Stocks to Buy After a Crash: MSC Industrial Direct (MSM)

  MSC Industrial Direct (MSM) is a very boring company, which in an of itself is a good reason it belongs in a list of stocks to buy.

Hot Machinery Companies To Watch For 2015: Cleantech Transit Inc (CLNO)

Cleantech Transit, Inc., incorporated on June 28, 2006, is a development-stage company. The Company focuses to explore opportunities in the development and production of hybrid, electric, alternative fuel and diesel heavy duty transit buses, luxury motor coaches and tour buses. On July 11, 2011, the Company formed Cleantech Energy, Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary. In February 2013, the Company announced that acquired from Crown Equity Holdings Inc., Crown Buy Rite.

On July 25, 2011, the Company formed Cleantech Exploration Corp. as a wholly owned subsidiary. On October 31, 2011, the Company acquired a 40% interest in Ortigalita Power Systems, LLC a waste power generating project in California.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By CRWE]

  Cleantech Transit, Inc. (OTCMKTS:CLNO) (www.cleantechtransit.net) through its Discovery Carbon subsidiary, develops emissions offset strategies for companies, municipalities, and countries. Last Friday CLNO had surged (+14.07%) up +0.037 at $.300 with 2,443,164 shares in play at the close (ref. google finance June 28, 2013 ��Close). Earlier that same morning (June 28, 2013), this company hit as low as $.21 and as high as $.349. The fact that their is over a million shares in play for the last 3 weeks only ignites the excitement that CLNO brings to the table.

  Last Friday (June 28) CLNO�� daily range was at ($.349 – $.21) currently at $.300 would be considered a (+27172.72%) gain above the 52 wk low of $.0011. Eventhough CLNO has surged (+14.07%) up +0.037 at $.300 with 2,443,164 shares in play at the close (ref. google finance June 28, 2013 ��Close), the stock is up +15689.47% since the concerning dates of December 31, 2013 ��June 28, 2013. +15689.47% is the 6 month high and rightly so.

  Earlier this month (June 3), CLNO acquired control of Discovery Carbon Environmental Securities Corporation (��iscovery��. The acquisition advances the strategy of developing significant market share in the alternative clean energy sector. Discovery�� proprietary GreenTrees��for renewable energy, and EvoCert��environmental credits for offsetting business and individual carbon foot prints are some of the exciting products Discovery provides to clients throughout the world.

• [By CRWE]

  Cleantech Transit, Inc. (OTCMKTS:CLNO) (www.cleantechtransit.net ) through its Discovery Carbon subsidiary, develops emissions offset strategies for companies, municipalities, and countries. Today, CLNO has surged (+5.13%) up + 0.010 at $.205 with 73,116 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 12:39PM EDT July 26, 2013).

  CLNO�� daily range is at ($.215 – $.19) thus far and currently at $.205 would be considered a (+18536.36%) gain above the 52 wk low of $.0011. The stock is up +0.20 ( +8441.67%) since the concerning dates of January 28, 2013 ��July 26, 2013. +8441.67% is the 6 month high and rightly so.

• [By CRWE]

  Cleantech Transit, Inc. (OTCMKTS:CLNO) (www.cleantechtransit.net ) through its Discovery Carbon subsidiary, develops emissions offset strategies for companies, municipalities, and countries. Today, CLNO has shed (-14.29%) down -0.030 at $.180 with 513,798 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed: 3:18PM EDT July 11, 2013), but don�� let this get you down. Earlier this morning (July 11), this company hit as low as $.162 and as high as $.219.

• [By CRWE]

  Cleantech Transit, Inc. (OTCMKTS:CLNO) (www.cleantechtransit.net) through its Discovery Carbon subsidiary, develops emissions offset strategies for companies, municipalities, and countries. CLNO currently has surged (+15.31%) up +0.020 at $.150 with 436,269 shares in play thus far (ref. google finance Delayed:� 1:18PM June 24, 2013).�Earlier this�morning (June 24, 2013), this company hit as low as $.13 and as high as $15. The fact that their is�under a million shares in play thus far only ignites the excitement that CLNO brings to the table.

  Today�(June 24) CLNO�� daily range was at ($.15 – $.13) currently at $.150 would be considered a (+13536.36%) gain above the 52 wk low of $.0011. Eventhough CLNO has surged (+15.31%) up +0.020 at $.150 with 436,269 shares in play� thus far (ref. google finance Delayed:� 1:18PM June 24, 2013), the stock is up +9833.33% since the concerning dates of December 26, 2013 ��June 24, 2013. +9833.33% is the 6 month high and rightly so.

  Earlier this month (June 3), CLNO acquired control of Discovery Carbon Environmental Securities Corporation (��iscovery��. The acquisition advances the strategy of developing significant market share in the alternative clean energy sector. Discovery�� proprietary GreenTrees��for renewable energy, and EvoCert��environmental credits for offsetting business and individual carbon foot prints are some of the exciting products Discovery provides to clients throughout the world.

  CLNO reported last Friday (June 21), that it has acquired 81% of the issued and outstanding shares of Discovery Carbon Environmental Securities Corporation (��iscovery��, a Nevada corporation. The acquisition advances the strategy of developing significant market share in the alternative clean energy sector. Discovery�� proprietary GreenTrees��for renewable energy, and EvoCert��environmental credits for offsetting business and individual carbon foot prints are some of the exciti

Best Managed Healthcare Companies To Buy Right Now: API Technologies Corp (ATNY)

API Technologies Corp. (API), incorporated on February 2, 1999, designs, develops and manufactures systems, subsystems, radio frequency (RF) and secure communications products, as well as provides electronics manufacturing and engineering services. Its product lines include engineered products (including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), aiming systems and synthesizers), secure communications products (including TEMPEST and emanation security, encryption and secure networking products), subsystems and components (including custom hybrids, terminals, transistors and magnetics), RF and microwave products (including custom filters, amplifiers, connectors and antennas), sensors, and power systems. It operates in two segments: Systems & Subsystems, and Secure Systems & Information Assurance. In June 2013, API sold its Data Bus product line to Data Device Corporation.

The Company offers engineering services (including engineering and design for payloads, ground control systems and commercial product design) and electronics manufacturing services (EMS), such as new product introductions (NPI) and prototypes, turnkey manufacturing and printed circuit board (PCB) assembly. It operates in North America, the United Kingdom, Mexico and China.

Systems & Subsystems

The Systems & Subsystems segment includes the products and services of its operating subsidiaries Spectrum, API Defense Inc., API Defense USA Inc., API Systems Inc., SenDEC, National Hybrid Group, API Electronics, Inc., TM Systems, Keytronics, Filtran Limited and Microwave Technology, Inc. (CMT). Its products and services include RF /microwave solutions, Engineered Systems and Products, Subsystems and Hybrids, Electronics Manufacturing Services, Power Solutions, Sensors and Measurement and Engineering Services. It specializes in the development of custom Integrated Microwave Assemblies (IMAs). It develops and markets engineered systems and products, used for force protection, communication, surveillance and reconnai! ssance. Featured solutions include Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and systems, Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) systems, aiming systems and synthesizers.

The Company�� Custom designed and off-the-shelf subsystems from API support mission critical applications, such as communication equipment, aircraft subsystems systems, computer peripherals, process control equipment, and instrumentation. Featured products include custom hybrids, terminals, transistors and magnetics solutions. It deliver Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS), including: New Product Introductions (NPI) and prototypes, turnkey manufacturing, Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly, electro-mechanical assembly, systems integration, test engineering, turnkey box build and supply chain services. Its power products offer commercial and defense customer�� superior power and energy efficiency. Products span power systems management, distribution, and panels, and custom-designed power supplies for defense and aerospace applications.

The Company offers a range of precision sensors and control products, including position sensing solutions for precision guided munitions, gyros, accelerometers, and inertial measurement sensors for defense and aerospace applications, and position and temperature sensors for industrial and commercial applications. It offers a range of design and engineering services for both defense and commercial customers. Featured areas of expertise include payloads, ground control systems, RF, microwave and millimeterwave.

Secure Systems & Information Assurance

The Secure Systems & Information Assurance segment includes the products and services of its subsidiaries Cryptek, Emcon Emanation Control Inc., Secure Systems and Technologies and the Ion Networks division. API offers customers various secure network and hardware solutions, including Emanation Security, Tempest and secures network access, ruggedized systems and secure networking products. Its products are marketed u! nder the ! Cryptek, ION, Emcon, SST and Netgard brand names. These product offerings are sold to governments and other international organizations that require the level of security in the areas of identity validation, network access management, TEMPEST network intrusion prevention, and secure and encrypted fax, computers and telephones.

The Company�� products and services include Emanation Security and TEMPEST Products, Secure Networking Products, Encryption and Professional Services. The Company�� emanation security products include computing systems, network and communications systems and office systems. Its security appliances and software intelligently enables secure information sharing and systems management across organizations and technologies. Service providers, IT and communications equipment manufacturers, enterprises and government agencies rely on its secure networking products for secure systems for remote management, database guards for secure information sharing and secure virtual enclaves.

The Company�� encryption products and services enable Federal, State and Local governments, Department of Defense agencies, the Department of Homeland Security and the Armed Services to interoperate securely across organizational boundaries and untrusted systems. Its professional services include information assurance and secure networking architecture and design solutions, emanation security testing and engineering and security certification and validation.

The Company competes with Aeroflex, Incorporated, Anaren Inc., Data Devices Inc., Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., DRS.Finmeccanica, Ducommun Incorporated, Cobham plc, Comtech EF Data Corp. and M/A-COM Technology Solutions Inc.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Laura Brodbeck]

  Thursday

  Earnings Expected From: Lindsay Corporation (NYSE: LNN), Emmis Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: EMMS), API Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ: ATNY) Economic Releases Expected: Australian unemployment rate, Japanese consumer confidence, French industrial output, Italian industrial output, Bank of England interest rate decision, US initial and continuing jobless claims

  Friday

Hot Machinery Companies To Watch For 2015: Boewe Systec AG (BSY)

BOEWE SYSTEC AG is a Germany-based provider of paper management systems. The Company is primarily engaged in the production of inserting systems, for the secure distribution of printed documents and plastic cards. Its product portfolio also includes plastic card personalization and mailing solutions, software for the monitoring and interconnection of various mailroom systems, paper processing solutions, sorting and mail verification systems, and scanners. The Company developed reading technologies used for cutters, cut sheet feeders, enclosure feeders and inserting systems, which are integrated into its software solutions. BOEWE SYSTEC AG�� products are modular, allowing machinery from different manufacturers to be connected into a production line, offering solutions for the automated mailroom. In addition, the Company provides installation, commissioning and maintenance services, as well as spare parts for its products. Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Inyoung Hwang]

  BSkyB (BSY) sank 3.3 percent to 822 pence, the biggest slide since May 16, even as the U.K.�� largest pay-TV broadcaster reported sales that topped estimates. The company unveiled a box to link televisions to the Internet and said it will buy back 500 million pounds of shares.

• [By Inyoung Hwang]

  U.K. stocks erased losses in the last half hour of trading, leaving the FTSE 100 Index (UKX) little changed, as a rally in British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc (BSY) and SABMiller Plc (SAB) offset Dagong Global Credit Rating Co.�� downgrade of U.S. sovereign debt.

Hot Machinery Companies To Watch For 2015: Katy Industries Inc (KATY)

Katy Industries, Inc. (Katy) is a manufacturer, importer and distributor of commercial cleaning and storage products. The Company�� commercial cleaning products are sold primarily to janitorial/sanitary and foodservice distributors that supply end users, such as restaurants, hotels, healthcare facilities and schools. The Company�� storage products are primarily sold through home improvement and mass market retail outlets. Continental Commercial Products, LLC (CCP) is its wholly owned subsidiary and includes as divisions all of its business units. The Company�� business units are Continental, Contico, Container, Gemtex, Glit and Wilen. On October 4, 2011, the Company sold all assets and certain liabilities related to the DISCO division of CCP to DISCO Acquisition Corp. In February 2014, Katy Industries Inc completed the acquisition of Fort Wayne Plastics, Inc.

The Continental business unit is a plastics manufacturer and an importer and distributor of products for the commercial janitorial/sanitary maintenance, industrial and food service markets. Continental products include commercial waste receptacles, buckets, mop wringers, janitorial carts, and other products designed for commercial cleaning and food service. Continental products are sold under the brand names, such as Continental, Kleen Aire, Huskee, SuperKan, King Kan, Unibody, Tilt-N-Wheel, Wall Hugger, Collossus, Corner��Round, Rountop, Swingline, Kleen Tech and Structo Tuff.

The Contico business unit is a plastics manufacturer and distributor of home and tool storage products, sold primarily through home improvement and mass market retail outlets. Contico products include plastic home storage units, such as domestic storage containers, tool boxes, shelving and hard plastic gun cases and are sold under the brand names Contico and Tuffbin. Contico is a registered trademark used under license from Contico Manufacturing Limited.

The Container business unit is a plastics manufacturer and distributor ! of industrial storage drums and pails for commercial and industrial use. Products are sold under the Contico and Contico Container brand names.

The Gemtex business unit is a manufacturer and distributor of resin fiber disks and other coated abrasives for the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), automotive, industrial and home improvement markets. Gemtex products are sold under the brand names Trim-Kut and Grind R.

The Glit business unit is a manufacturer and distributor of non-woven abrasive products for commercial and industrial use and also supplies materials to various OEMs. Glit non-woven products include floor maintenance pads, hand pads, scouring pads, specialty abrasives for cleaning and finishing, growth medium and roof ventilation products. These products are sold primarily in the commercial sanitary maintenance, food service, industrial and construction markets under the brand names, such as Glit, Kleenfast, Glit/Microtron, Fiber Naturals, Blue Ice, Brillo, Cyclone, Cyclone D, Sponge Pro, Wipe Clean Pro, Joey, Jackeroo, Buckaroo, Cocopad, Safire and WalnutPad. Brillo is a registered trademark used under license from Armaly Brands, Inc. and BAB-O is a registered trademark used under license from Fitzpatrick Bros., Inc.

The Wilen business unit is a manufacturer, importer and distributor of professional cleaning products that include mops, brooms, brushes and plastic cleaning accessories. Wilen products are sold primarily through commercial sanitary maintenance, industrial and food service markets, with some products sold through consumer retail outlets. Products are sold under the brand names, such as Wilen, Wax-o-matic, Rototech, ErgoWorx and Derma-Tek.

Advisors' Opinion:

• [By Chris Mydlo]

  The guru, Mario Gabelli, purchased 724,729 shares of Katy Industries (KATY). According to the 13D filed with the SEC on March 21, 2014, Gabelli is deemed to have beneficial ownership of the securities owned by Gabelli Funds, GAMCO, Teton Advisors and MJG Associates. The total amount of shares owned is 1,711,045, representing 21.52% of the shares outstanding. Katy engages in the manufacture, import and distribution of commercial cleaning and storage products for commercial janitorial/sanitary maintenance, industrial, foodservice, mass merchant retail and home improvement markets in the U.S., Canada and Europe.