About the author

Chris Pollard

Christopher Pollard, CFP®, MBA, EA, is a U.S. Army veteran, West Point graduate, and trusted financial advisor with more than 15 years of experience helping individuals and families achieve clarity and confidence in their financial lives. As principal of Great Path Planning, he specializes in guiding high–net worth families through the critical transition from accumulating wealth to living well in retirement.<br>​​​​​​​<br>Drawing on his expertise in retirement income planning, tax strategy, and wealth management, Pollard blends the technical side of finance with an understanding of the personal, emotional, and family dynamics that shape financial decisions. He has a particular passion for supporting entrepreneurs and business owners, combining his own experience as an entrepreneur with proven strategies to help others succeed personally and professionally. His mission is to move clients beyond financial anxiety so they can enjoy security, purpose, and fulfillment.<br>​​​​​​​<br>Pollard began his financial career in 2008, just as the world reeled from the financial crisis, and met with his first client in 2009. Since then, he has served in advisory and private wealth-management roles, including as a wealth manager with USAA and chief operating officer of Regent Wealth Management Group. He launched his own firm in 2016 and previously ran an accounting and tax practice as an enrolled agent. In addition, he has taught finance and planning as an adjunct instructor at Berkeley College, leading courses in principles of financial planning, insurance planning, estate planning, entrepreneurship, and more.<br>​​​​​​​<br>Pollard holds a BS in electrical engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA with a major in personal financial planning from Georgia State University. He is a certified financial planner® practitioner, an enrolled agent with the Internal Revenue Service, and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he led an infantry platoon during a combat tour.<br>​​​​​​​<br>He lives in New York with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two sons, Nathan and Alex. Away from financial planning, he enjoys playing keyboards and synthesizers, woodworking, cooking, and spending time with their dogs, Goose and Ellie.<br>​​​​​​​<br>To learn more, visit https://greatpath.com or connect with Pollard on LinkedIn.<br>