Assisting Clients

Frequently Asked Questions

Wealth Management can be complicated and we understand you may have questions. Our team is here to answer your questions and tailor an approach that is right for you. 

What services does WindRock provide?

WindRock is a registered investment advisor (RIA) and wealth management firm that offers a broad array of investment management services.  Our investment management services are available at minimums starting at $500,000.  For clients with wealth of $10 million or more, we offer a holistic investment approach under our family office solutions. We coordinate their investment strategy with their team of advisors including their tax accountant, estate planning attorney and other professionals.

Who are WindRock’s clients?

We work with a select group of corporate executives, business owners, divorcees, family offices & heirs, retirees, and athletic professionals

How do you describe your investment philosophy?

Our investment philosophy is rooted in the belief that an effective process needs to combine the best elements of a Macroeconomic “Big Picture” with an Entrepreneurial-Minded Research Process to uncover unique investment opportunities for the environment ahead.  Our philosophy has been shaped by our experiences in the industry and two key insights:

 

  • The mainstream industry is largely incapable of identifying the macroeconomic “big picture” and looming financial bubbles, resulting in devastating losses for their clients as these bubbles burst.

 

  • The best results are achieved by thinking differently and straying from the mainstream advice which is still driven by a Wall Street sales culture.
What is the process for building client portfolios?

Today, investors are overwhelmed by too many investment views and offerings to consider.  WindRock serves to filter all of these top-down macroeconomic views with bottom-up investment choices to bring clients our top recommendations.  We work with each client to determine a strategy that fits their risk tolerance and objectives.  Assets are allocated amongst three major categories:  Hard Assets, Financial Assets (Global Equities and Bonds, including Tactical Strategies) and Unique Private Opportunities. Unique Private Opportunities are offered through our strategic alliance with Iridius Capital as through other private investment firms and family offices.  For taxable clients, we ensure that client portfolios are built with tax-minimization in mind and are constructed in synergy with their broader financial plan.

How do you identify and adapt to changing market environments?

In addition to considering our clients’ risk profiles, objectives, tax situations, etc., our investment allocations are based on expectations about future economic and market conditions.  Using economic theory, we determine expectations of economic growth and inflation over the next six-to-24 months.  This economic forecast, combined with our assessment of stock and bond market conditions, allows us to position clients ahead of pronounced market moves.  In addition, our adherence to strict rebalancing targets allows WindRock clients the opportunity to realize gains while minimizing risk.

What economic school of thought drives WindRock’s views?

We believe in a free-market economic philosophy popularized by the Austrian school.  In short, we do not believe in the Keynesian philosophy that government, through significant regulation, spending, and the printing of money, can steer economies towards prosperity while minimizing economic downturns.

What are the credentials of the team at WindRock?

At WindRock, we believe strongly is thought-leadership and continuing education.  Several of our key designations include CFA, MBA, CPA, and CAIA.  In addition, as business owners, we share an enterprising view of economics and investing.  The combination of these skills gives us an edge in the uncertain world ahead.


CFA®:  Chartered Financial Analyst Charterholder
The CFA Program is a globally recognized, graduate level curriculum that provides a strong foundation of real-world investment analysis and portfolio management skills.  It also emphasizes the highest ethical and professional standards.

MBA:  Masters in Business Administration
A Masters in Business Administration is an advanced graduate degree covering multiple aspects of business management.

CPA:  Certified Public Accountant
A Certified Public Accountant certification is obtained through extensive education, experience and an examination. Individuals seeking to qualify as a Certified Public Accountant must undergo extensive study and the passing the Uniform CPA Examination.

CAIA®:  Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Charterholder
The Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst charter is a designation providing deeper knowledge in the area of “alternative investment strategies” outside of the conventional stock and bond arena.  These strategies may include hard assets (including real estate), private equity, hedge funds, and tactical trading strategies among others.

How do you ensure the safety and custody of investments?

WindRock takes the security of client assets very seriously.  WindRock does not take possession or custody of any client assets.  For a typical client, most of their investable assets will be held in the safe-keeping of a third-party custodian, such as Charles Schwab’s Institutional Division.  Some private investments will be held directly in limited partnership vehicles.  Other assets such as precious metals may be held in non-bank vaults around the world, but in the name of the client.

What resources does WindRock bring clients outside of investing?

We offer many preferred relationships with outside third-party firms ranging from lending institutions (e.g. mortgages, bill payment services; secured lending against an illiquid private business interests etc.) to connections to leading attorneys and accountants.

What Internet-based information or reporting capabilities do you offer?

WindRock has invested heavily in technology solutions to provide clients with cutting-edge reporting and portfolio-tracking tools.  Online reporting offers daily updated values, performance tracking and asset allocation reports, all in real time.  We cater to clients who value real time data to access their portfolio positions in this fast changing world.

Why should investors consider WindRock?

WindRock is not for all investors.  However, investors looking for trusted guidance, insight, and opportunity in today’s uncertain world are a perfect fit.  We offer thoughtful analysis backed by decades of experience serving as a trusted guide for investors through the investment landscape. Our unique insight of the risks posed by governmental interference in the economy serves to protect our clients’ wealth.  As entrepreneurial-minded advisors, we emphasize independent and creative thought to boldly seize opportunities while minimizing key risks.  

What does the name “WindRock” mean?

WindRock’s name is inspired by a majestic rock off the coast in the Pacific Ocean. A timeless anchor of stability, it symbolizes WindRock’s role in navigating a windy and uncertain world.

How do I learn more?

For additional information, to sign up for our periodic research and analysis, or to speak with a member of the WindRock team, please contact us at: (312) 650-9602 or assistant@windrockwealth.com

our team of experts are here for you

Our Economic Views

We are economic thought leaders following the free-market oriented Austrian economics, whereas most advisors follow Keynsian Economics and tout the merits of money printing and government intervention. Global central banks have printed tens of trillions of dollars out of thin air as global debts exploded. Yet most advisory firms act like this is just another “normal” investment environment and allocate capital the way they’ve always done so. In our opinion, this is not a normal environment and requires an acute understanding that the pillars of the world are now built on a mirage of bubbles with serious consequences for growing and protecting wealth.

In an attempt to offset continued economic weakness, governments are reacting with spending, debt issuance, and intervention in the economy on a scale without precedent in modern history. Although these policies may buy time, they cannot solve the underlying issues. Ultimately, governments will repay debt with their last remaining option – printing more money. As money floods the system, this will drive inflation higher despite continued weakness in the economy.

Under these circumstances, the current conventional model of a static bond and stock mix will fail. It will fail investors in realizing reasonable returns. It will fail investors in preserving their purchasing power after inflation. And it will fail investors in protecting their capital and securing their retirement.

The conventional experts do not foresee such risks. But these same experts missed the prior 2000 tech bubble and 2008 housing and stock bubble.  Today they are missing the bubble in government debt and the ramifications of unbridled money creation. WindRock understands these issues and positions clients to not only minimize their risk associated with these dangers, but to profit from them.