Most individual investors never gain access to the sophisticated investment strategies typically reserved for ultra-high-net-worth families. Levi Pettit aims to change that through his work at Dornick Wealth Management.
Drawing from his experience managing private equity and venture capital investments at a family office, Pettit brings institutional-level expertise to a broader client base. His background provides unique insights into alternative investments and wealth management strategies that most advisors simply don’t possess.
“Working at a family office, you really get to have a front row seat to high-net-worth individuals,” Pettit explains. “How they view their finances, their portfolios, their priorities in life—that was an extremely invaluable experience.”
The family office model traditionally serves single wealthy families, creating intimate client relationships and customized investment approaches. Pettit has adapted these principles for his own practice, maintaining the personalized attention while extending access to more clients.
His approach differs markedly from traditional wealth management firms that often prioritize asset gathering over relationship building. Instead, Pettit limits the number of client households each advisor can serve, ensuring the quality of service remains consistently high.
“Unfortunately, I think that a lot of advisors in the financial advisory space are really just salesmen,” he observes. “They’re motivated by a commission structure that encourages them to go acquire as many clients as possible.”
This institutional perspective also influences Dornick’s investment philosophy. The firm offers both traditional and alternative investment opportunities, allowing clients to diversify beyond typical stock and bond portfolios when appropriate.
“If my clients are interested in private deals, I want to make sure that they have that opportunity,” Pettit states. “I’m presenting them unique opportunities that they may not be able to find on their own.”
The CFA charterholder applies rigorous due diligence processes learned in the family office environment to evaluate investment opportunities for his clients. This systematic approach helps separate viable opportunities from speculative ventures.
For clients of Dornick Wealth Management, this background means access to investment strategies and relationship quality typically available only to the wealthiest families. Pettit’s goal is democratizing sophisticated wealth management while maintaining the personalized service that defines the family office model.
Connect with Levi to learn more about bringing institutional-level investment expertise to your financial planning.