DELIVERING FINANCIAL ADVICE WITH PASSION & INTEGRITY
DARBY SIMMONS, CFP®, PRESIDENT
SENIOR PORTFOLIO MANAGER
In 1998, I started my advisory career with Legg Mason which was a great experience. I learned the tenets of value investing and the hallmarks of professionalism. It also taught me to focus on, “making clients the most money, after-taxes, without undue risk”. This experience then took two unexpected turns: 1. The sale of Legg Mason’s advisor division to Citi/Smith Barney, and 2. The ultimate rescue sale of Smith Barney to Morgan Stanley. These two, “mergers” were gut-wrenching and difficult for my staff and my clients. The silver lining was two-fold: 1. I got an inside look at how the large, NY wire-houses operate – which gave me intimate knowledge of my competition, and 2. It fueled a desire to open my own Independent RIA (Registered Investment Advisory) firm. In 2011, we did just that, forming The Simmons Partnership, LLC.
Part of the decision required when opening a firm is to pick a custodian to hold client assets, provide statements, and back-office support. We chose Charles Schwab to act in this capacity and have been happy with their service ever since. The partnership between Schwab and The Simmons Partnership affords our clients all the advantages that size provides without any hidden corporate agendas. Since we are not employees of Charles Schwab, we are free to interact with our clients as we see fit within the guidelines set forth by the SEC. We are also free to offer clients complete open-architecture when it comes to investment choices with no proprietary commitments. This gives us a much more direct relationship with our clients.
I guess I’m fortunate in a way to have guided clients through two of the biggest boom & bust sequences of the last 100 years. Although I would never choose to live through them again, the Internet Bubble of 2000 and the Global Credit Crisis of 2007 provided me a lifetime of experience. This gives my clients great piece of mind; especially when combined with the fact that I’m only 48 years old. It is very likely that I will be able to skillfully see them throughout all their retirement years.
In 2007, I earned my CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER designation. The rigorous curriculum covered by this title denotes that the holder is fully versed to help client holistically. This includes investments, taxes, insurance, and retirement/college/estate planning. Despite this strong base of knowledge, I believe in continuous study and that financial advising is a skill that can/should always be honed.
Work ethic and the ability to educate are two of my secrets to success. Work ethic shows commitment and education fosters trust. Both of these things are sought after by clients as they want to know that they have an advocate that is committed to working very hard toward their success.
I was born in Baltimore and graduated from Towson State University. I worked my way through college in the kitchen of the Crease and Peerce’s Plantation. I earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Pure Mathematics, founded my own fraternity, and served as the Vice-President of the Student Council. I grew up playing baseball and lacrosse and spent the last 30 years racing sailboats. I’m desperately trying to master golf which may turn out to be a life-long pursuit. My wife Meredith and I live in Glen Arm with our dogs Jackson and Putter, cat Reeces, and horse Will.
If you’re frustrated by your current advisor/firm and think that I can add some needed perspective, please give me a call or email me. 
DANI RYAN, CFP®, CRPC®, VICE-PRESIDENT
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
Dani takes pride in helping to develop effective personal and professional relationships with each of her clients by offering a personalized approach to professional investing. She received her Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor® designation in 2012. Her expertise includes investment and portfolio management, life goal planning and wealth planning. Dani believes that education is the key to helping clients keep their long-term focus. She takes her fiduciary responsibly seriously and her commitment to financial planning is at the heart of what she does.
Dani has been working in the financial services industry for 13 years. She received her Bachelors of Science in Finance from East Carolina University. Prior to starting The Simmons Partnership in 2011, Dani started her career in finance at Legg Mason. Upon the sale of Legg Mason’s advisor division to Citi/Smith Barney, Dani focused her career on the client-side of the business. After the ultimate sale of Smith Barney to Morgan Stanley, Dani and her partner, Darby Simmons, decided the best thing for their clients would be to start a Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm.
A Maryland native, Dani and her husband Andrew live in Cockeysville with their daughter Maddie, son Liam and dog Thumper. They recently moved to the county after spending 10 years in Baltimore City. An avid runner, Dani is currently training for another Ragnar. She would one day like to get back to racing sailboats in Baltimore. When she isn’t chasing around Maddie (2 years old) she volunteers with Susan G. Komen of MD and serves on their Race for the Cure committee. Email me
Check Dani’s background on FINRA BrokerCheck
KATIE FOX, CLIENT RELATIONS MANAGER
Katie joined The Simmons Partnership in October 2014. She has worked in the Marketing and Hospitality industry for over 12 years. Katie serves as our Client Relations Manager and receptionist. A Baltimore native, and Darby’s little sister, Katie has grown up playing Field Hockey and Lacrosse, racing sailboats and is a World Champion Irish Dancer. When she is not working in the office, she lives in Parkville with her husband Jim and their dogs Lucky and Piggy Tom Tom, or you can find her around town performing with her husband, in their Irish band The ShamRogues. Email me.
THE SIMMONS PARTNERSHIP FORM ADV & CLIENT RELATIONSHIP SUMMARY
PURSHE KAPLAN STERLING CLIENT RELATIONSHIP SUMMARY
Investments through Charles Schwab are: NOT FDIC INSURED. NOT BANK GUARANTEED. MAY LOSE VALUE, INCLUDING LOSS OF PRINCIPAL. NOT INSURED BY ANY STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY.
Clients should have received their statements directly from Charles Schwab. Clients are encouraged to compare the information, including any amount deducted for advisory fees payable to The Simmons Partnership, with any information provided by The Simmons Partnership and call us with any questions.
The Simmons Partnership, LLC may only conduct business with residents of the states and/or jurisdictions for which they are properly registered.
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