Tom Balcom CFP®, CAIA, MBA
Tom began his career in the financial services industry in 1998, working at two of the nation’s largest brokerage firms. His passion for educating and protecting his clients’ wealth developed as he witnessed novice investors entrusting their life savings to “financial advisors” whose top priority was meeting their monthly sales quotas.
Tom aspired to differentiate himself from the crowd. He earned an MBA degree with a Specialization in Investments from the University of Miami in 2000 and became a fee-only, independent, registered investment advisor at a private wealth management firm in Miami. Tom earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation in 2003 and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation in 2005.
In 2010, after gaining over a decade of private wealth management experience, Tom took his passion for educating and protecting his clients’ wealth and founded 1650 Wealth Management. 1650 Wealth Management is a fee-only, independent, private wealth management investment advisor. Tom neither sells investment products nor does he receive sales commissions. Tom focuses on actively managing and creating custom investment management strategies with the goal of protecting and growing his clients’ wealth.
Tom has spent a majority of his career studying and investing in alternative investments. He has spoken at numerous industry conferences including: Structured Products Americas Conference, MTN-I Structured Products Conference, Super Bowl of Indexing Conference, Innovative Alternative Strategies Conference, North American Structured Products Conference, Forum on Alternative Investments, Retail Alternative Investments, Private Wealth Southeast Forum, and the Financial Planning Association of Miami.
He is a contributing guest contributor for the Structured Products Daily publication and has been interviewed by top news and financial publications including: Bloomberg Businessweek, New York Times, CNBC, Investment News, Daily Business Review, CNNMoney.com, Registered Rep, SmartMoney, Forbes, Robb Report, Worth, Structured Retail Products, NerdWallet.com, SunSentinel.com, Florida Trend Magazine and the South Florida Business Journal.
He previously was as an adjunct professor within Barry University’s Personal Financial Planning program and in 2014, Tom was asked to serve as an expert witness on behalf of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board).
Originally from Nashua, New Hampshire, Tom has made South Florida his home for nearly 30 years. Tom and his family reside in Lighthouse Point, Florida. On the weekends, you may find Tom golfing (or attending his daughter’s junior golf tournaments), traveling, spending time with his family and actively supporting the University of Miami’s football and basketball teams.
Certifications
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
- Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA)
Academic Background
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) – University of Miami
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) – University of Miami
- Specialization: Investments
Awards & Recognition
- 10 Year Service Award – Financial Planning Association (FPA) of Greater Fort Lauderdale
Community Involvement
- Financial Planning Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale
- 2011 President
- 2012 Chairman
- South Florida Financial Planning Association
- 2024 Board Member
- Lauderdale-by-the-Sea Chamber of Commerce
- 2018 Chairman
- 2021–2022 Treasurer
- Christ Church School
- Former Finance Committee Member
- Former School Board Member
- Barry University – Personal Financial Planning Program
- Former Adjunct Professor
- Men’s Golf Association Member – Coral Ridge Country Club
- Broward County Junior Golf Association
- 2023-2024 Board Member
- Gold Coast Junior Golf Foundation
- 2022-2024 Board Member