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Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence at Fulton Financial Advisors

Pictured (from left) are Jim Isola, Paige McCreary, and Bud Fulton of Fulton Financial Advisors. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

The Journey of Fulton Financial Advisors

John Forney has always believed in the power of entrepreneurship, and the story of Fulton Financial Advisors reflects that belief. Founded by John and his wife, Sherry, in Altoona in 2001, the company is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2026. Initially known as Forney Financial Solutions, the firm has undergone significant transformations while maintaining an unwavering commitment to its clients.

Forney, who now resides in Ormond Beach, Florida, had previously worked for the Hancock Group. Reflecting on their venture, he states, “My wife, Sherry, and I wanted to control our business decisions. The best way to do that was to establish our own firm. Raymond James provided us with a top-quality product mix, excellent training, and the flexibility to do what we felt was best for our clients.”

From Humble Beginnings to Thriving Success

Starting in the Station Medical Center, the company relocated to the 3018 Pleasant Valley Blvd. location in 2002. After a long and fruitful career, Sherry retired in spring 2019, followed by John in September 2021. Prior to retiring, the couple made the strategic decision to sell their business to Fulton Bank, a Lancaster County-based institution.

“Fulton Bank already had a substantial Raymond James practice and was keen on establishing a presence in the Altoona market. Our clients experienced minimal disruption; the only noticeable change was Fulton’s name appearing alongside Raymond James on their statements. Importantly, they committed to retaining our staff and maintaining pay scales,” Forney explained.

Welcoming Bud Fulton and Building a Team

Bud Fulton, who joined the Forney team in 2016 after selling his own business, IS2 Technology, recognized the potential in what they were building. “Fulton Bank seemed like the best offer,” he shared. Today, Fulton Financial Advisors is a well-equipped team comprising financial advisors/vice presidents, including Fulton himself, Jim Isola, and Paige McCreary, alongside sales assistant Alicia Smith. The firm also operates an office in State College.

Focus Areas: Financial and Retirement Planning

Fulton Financial Advisors targets its services primarily on financial and retirement planning. With roughly 30 retirement plans under management and around 1,800 clients—including approximately 1,200 families—the firm boasts clientele from about 20 states, with 90% located in Blair and Centre counties.

Long-term client Jim Carrieri, who has been with the firm for over 20 years, is a testament to the firm’s commitment to individual client needs. “I chose John when I was retiring from McLanahan Corporation because he offered better returns and maintained open communication. They listen thoughtfully and prioritize understanding your goals, without pressuring you into decisions.”

A Seamless Transition and Growth

The transition to Fulton Financial Advisors has been smooth for clients, thanks largely to Bud Fulton’s similar approach to client relations as Forney. The staff has consistently worked alongside clients like Carrieri to clarify goals and evolve investment portfolios.

Under this dedicated management, Fulton Financial Advisors has seen growth reach over $300 million in assets. Forney remarked, “We anticipated significant growth as we transitioned into the market independently. Fulton shared our optimistic forecasts, and I am pleased to say the office has surpassed our expectations.”

Embracing Technology and AI

A notable factor behind their success has been the embrace of modern technology. “Technology has become essential, and AI is now an integral part of the landscape,” Fulton said. “It continually evolves and enhances the client experience, adding value to what we do. Clients not only seek financial growth but also desire quality treatment in their engagements. The core of our service philosophy is to treat customers as we would like to be treated ourselves.”

A Fiduciary Commitment

Forney underlined the essence of their operational philosophy: “The key to our success lies in not being solely revenue-driven. Our clients’ interests are paramount, and we operate as fiduciary advisors—our customers know they come first.”

Looking ahead, a succession plan is firmly in place, as Fulton is presently 62 and Isola is in his late 50s. The future appears bright and promising as they prepare to navigate the changing landscape.

A Responsive Approach to Changing Demographics

“There is a tremendous transition occurring as baby boomers retire—10,000 people a day are entering retirement. The transfer of wealth in the coming 10 to 20 years will be substantial. We are dedicated to staying current with technological advancements and leveraging available tools to facilitate smooth transitions for our clients,” Fulton noted.

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In conclusion, Fulton Financial Advisors is not just celebrating a milestone; they are constantly evolving to meet the needs of their diverse client base, ensuring that the growth trajectory continues well into the future. Reach out to them to witness how their values manifest in the form of personalized, fiduciary-driven support.

For further inquiries, please contact Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank at 814-946-7467.

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