ABOUT
HOW WE STARTED
AdvisorShare was founded in 2020 by a team who wanted more transparency on how compensation, overrides, and revenue was allocated from the carriers they did business with. They wanted to earn and understand how equity within the company they worked for was assigned. Over the course of three years, they searched far and wide for such a partner only to find out that the partner they sought out did not actually exist. They set out to build an organization that would be guided and established by three pillars:
- Client First – Best Interest Standards
- Transparency on Carrier Product Pricing
- Ownership Opportunities for All Revenue-Generating Partner Advisors and Firms
HOW WE WERE FOUNDED
AdvisorShare began with a simple but revolutionary idea—give financial advisors real ownership in the IMO they help build. That idea came to life through the partnership of Daniel McDonald and Roccy DeFrancesco, two industry leaders who shared the same frustration with traditional models and the same vision for something better.
Daniel, a seasoned Co-Managing Member with deep experience in FIA products and advisor success strategies, recognized that advisors deserved more than transactional support—they deserved long-term value. Roccy, one of the most respected educators and thought leaders in the industry, brought unmatched expertise, structure, and credibility to the mission.
Together, Daniel and Roccy created an IMO model unlike anything the industry had seen. From day one, they committed 50% of the company’s ownership to producing advisors, ensuring that those who contribute to AdvisorShare’s growth also share in its long-term rewards—not just short-term incentives.
Their founding vision still drives AdvisorShare today: a company built with advisors, for advisors, where every relationship is a partnership and every success is shared.
OUR LEADERSHIP: EXPERTISE THAT BUILDS ADVISORS UP
AdvisorShare is led by a team of principals whose combined experience spans every major area of modern financial planning. Together, they bring a rare balance of strategic insight, technical mastery, and advisor-focused support that fuels the strength of each division within the AdvisorShare family.
Our leadership team represents deep expertise across:
- Annuities
- Wealth Management
- Asset Protection
- Life Insurance
- Medicare
Each principal plays a critical role in shaping the AdvisorShare ecosystem. Their complementary strengths form a cohesive foundation—ensuring advisors receive comprehensive, best-in-class support no matter their focus or client base. United by a shared mission and diverse expertise, the principals of AdvisorShare have built more than a company—they’ve built a platform where advisors can grow, differentiate, and thrive.
MEET THE PRINCIPALS
Roccy DeFrancesco
JD, CAPP, CMP
Daniel W. McDonald
Doug McDonald
James D. McDonald
MBA
Mike Dressander
Steve DeJohn
Joe Maas
CFA, CFP, CLU, ChFC, MSFS, CCIM, CVA, ABAR, CM&AA
Blair Schadler
CAPP
Craig Taylor
MA, CLF, CLTC, CSA, DIA
Jason Mackey
Share in long-term
value, not just
short-term incentives. Partner with us.
True partnership means sharing in the future you help build. Our model empowers advisors with long-term equity and a seat at the table—not just short-term rewards.
