RPJ’s Non-Profit Work
Did you know RPJ also utilizes our planning and portfolio expertise to support non-profit organizations? Les Irby, CFP®, AIF® has been working with non-profits for over 18 years. He is joined by Jeff Canavan, CFA, who brings over 20 years of expertise with portfolio construction and investment solutions. Payton Rembert recently joined the team, providing skilled operational and technological support.
Les was recently featured in a McLean Community Foundation member newsletter. Below is an excerpt if your organization is interested in learning more about our services!
Les Irby, MCF's Investment Advisor
Leslie (Les) Irby has been providing financial support and guidance to MCF for nearly 20 years. Les is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF) at RPJ Advisors in Tysons. Les joined RPJ as Vice President of Institutional Development in 2007 and became a principal of the firm in 2013. Mr. Irby provides financial planning and investment advisory services to non-profit organizations, individuals, families, and small business 401K plans. Prior to joining the firm Mr. Irby spent 35 years working in the computer technology industry.
For the non-profit sector, Mr. Irby focuses on guiding the Directors and Officers of tax exempt organizations on their vital fiduciary responsibilities in the proper management of their investable fund assets. He provides guidance on the rules that define the standard of conduct for governing boards regarding best investment practices.
His experience includes the development of cash management and reserve fund policies, Investment Policy Statements, and other financial governance documents. He also conducts detailed analyses of an individual organization’s investment allocation, investment selection criteria, performance results, and benchmarking approaches. He advocates the application of Modern and Post-Modern Portfolio Theory investment processes in support of institutional investment goals.
For individual and family clients, Mr. Irby works with their unique situation to assess and plan for cash management/budgeting, retirement, education funding, estate planning, investment management, and financial risk areas (i.e., insurance). Additionally, he works with small business 401K plans by evaluating costs, investment options, and providing guidance to both business owners (plan sponsors) and their employees (participants).
Mr. Irby earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science from the University of Texas in Austin in 1972. He earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) professional designation from the Center of Fiduciary Studies in 2007. Mr. Irby received his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation in June 2010 from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.
Les and his wife, Cheryl, reside in McLean, Virginia. They have three adult children and five grandchildren. He is a regular runner and enjoys playing golf and handball.
We asked Les a few questions about his involvement with MCF:
Q: How did you get involved with MCF and when?
A: Our firm responded to a Request for Proposal from the McLean Community foundation trustees in early 2008. After reviewing our written response and a face-to-face interview with the trustees, our firm was selected to become the fiduciary investment advisor for the Foundation. I was the lead advisor in formulating the formal Investment Policy Statement and implementing the initial investment account structure and strategy.
Q: What do you do for MCF annually?
A: Each year we provide four quarterly investment performance reports that show values, holdings, individual investment performance, and allocation. We also provide market commentary and recommendations for portfolio changes that we believe are in the best interests of the organization. I generally attend at least one trustee meeting per year to review the investment strategy with new trustees and provide a reminder of the fiduciary duty that each trustee carries in that role. There is also a separate report generated each year for use by the trustees in determining the grant dollars to be made available in each new fiscal year.
Q: What has surprised you the most about working with MCF?
A: Over the past 18 years, there have been many new trustees and new members assuming the key roles of President, Treasurer, and Investment Committee. All have been long-time McLean residents that have had a keen desire to apply the Foundation resources to the benefit of the greater McLean community. The quality and dedication of the trustees has never waivered. I believe that is a remarkable testament to how a volunteer organization can continue to operate very efficiently and effectively.
Q: What do you find most rewarding about volunteering your time and expertise?
A: I have had the great pleasure to work with many fellow McLean residents that I otherwise would never have crossed paths with. Each one brings a different level of passion, expertise, and experience to the table. I feel quite fortunate that my contributions toward a solid financial base has allowed the Foundation to steadily increase its annual grants and increase its corpus.
Q: Anything else you'd want to offer?
A: I have been a long-time believer that if you love what you do and the clients you serve, then the job is never work and never gets old.
We are very grateful for the time, dedication, and expertise that Les offers MCF on a recurring and long-standing basis. Thank you, Les!
SSB Wealth Management, Inc., d/b/a Rembert Pendleton Jackson (“RPJ”) offers investment advisory services and is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC nor does it indicate that the firm has attained a particular level of skill or ability. You should carefully read and review all information provided by RPJ, including Form ADV Part 1A, Part 2A brochure and all supplements, and Form CRS.