Ryan M. Franks, CFP^®, ChFC^®, CLU^®

Ryan’s passion for financial planning began with a question: Why do some people achieve financial security, while others struggle to maintain their quality of life? At a young age, Ryan’s dad, John, gave him the advice to, “always pay yourself first.” John worked in a bank and had seen the power of saving a little each paycheck and the profound impact that could have on one’s life – those that saved had a greater sense of financial freedom while those that cashed-in their paycheck each week continued working well into their later years.

Seeing that financial planning could dramatically improve lives, Ryan knew that he wanted to make a career of helping others manage their money. When he later became the co-founder of DSF Wealth Management Group, he made the company’s mission, “enabling others to have a better tomorrow.” Today, Ryan continues to build a team of financial and support professionals who share in this belief.

Now that Ryan has been in the business for over 20 years, his desire to help others has never wavered. He considers it a great honor and privilege to be a trusted partner of his clients to help them work towards their financial goals. Whether it be welcoming a new baby into the world, celebrating retirement, or grieving with them at the loss of a loved one, Ryan wants to be by their side for all of life’s milestones.

Ryan specializes in working with retirees, business owners, and families. Communication is at the center of his approach with his proactive outreach and regularly-scheduled reviews to ensure their plan is evolving to meet their changing needs. Where some firms push particular products, the DSF approach develops a comprehensive financial plan based on the client’s financial goals, including tax, retirement and estate planning. As an independent firm and a fiduciary, Ryan’s clients’ needs are always put above all else.

Originally from Huntingdon, PA, Ryan attended Susquehanna University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance and was a member of the Varsity Golf Team. Ryan achieved his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Certification, and he’s added the Chartered Financial Consultant® Designation and the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) Designation.

Outside of work, Ryan and his wife, Valerie, maintain a busy household in Bethel Park, PA with their children, Dante (17) and Ella (14). Dante decided to hang up his ice hockey skates to get more involved with volleyball and hunting with Ryan and John. Ella enjoys skating with her girls’ SHAHA hockey team. They are members of the South Hills Bible Chapel. When not attending various sporting and school events, the Franks family love spending time with family, friends, and their Red Lab, Millie.

An avid competitive golfer, Ryan qualified and competed in the prestigious 102nd United States Amateur Championship in 2002, held at the South Course of Oakland Hills, Michigan. Ryan still enjoys competing in amateur golf events throughout the state. He is also involved with his alma mater, Susquehanna University, where he loves paying it forward by counseling the next generation of financial advisors.