David B. Armstrong, CFA
President & Co-Founder
“Change almost never fails because it’s too early, but because it may be too late.”
—Seth Godin
Dave discovered his passion for finance in his mid-20’s. Unable to spend money over several different deployments while serving in the Marine Corps, he became a self-taught investor. He proudly remembers his investing performance to be, “Along with a few bucks of cash income as a bouncer, good enough to pay for a graduate degree, a new car and two years of living expenses.”
After returning home from active duty for an MBA at his alma mater, the University of South Carolina, Dave became a CFA Charterholder and started working at a large Wall Street firm in New York City. After 8 years, it became abundantly clear to Dave that the financial services industry was drowning in a sea of sameness. He felt that true wealth planning either didn’t exist or was nothing more than a smokescreen to generate a generic asset allocation and sell products. Creativity was nonexistent, the culture was focused on shareholder profits first, and advisors were accountable to sales managers, not their clients.
He was unimpressed, to say the least—and very, very bored. So, fed up with it all, he co-founded Monument Wealth Management in May of 2008 and experienced a very real-life example of the difficulty in market timing.
Dave is a combat veteran and served as an officer in the United States Marines Corps on both active duty and in the reserves, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He proudly tackled his post-retirement, mid-life crisis head-on by journeying out on a solo, month-long backpacking trip along the Pacific Crest Trail which totaled over 200 miles through the California Sierra Mountains.
He currently hosts the OFF THE WALL podcast with co-host Jessica Gibbs, where they interview top experts on topics aimed at helping founders and high-earning execs build wealth with purpose.
He also currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation which stewards the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico Virginia, The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia and The Station Foundation which assists Special Operations warriors navigate the rough terrain of transition and reintegration back to civilian life.
His passions outside of work are fostering dogs for the Lab Rescue of Central Potomac, cheering on his beloved Gamecocks, quoting 80’s movies, and scoring under 100 on the golf course. His two current hobbies are hosting the Moments in Leadership podcast, where he conducts long-form interviews with senior military leaders, and Ham Radio but admits that could change at any moment because his wife Sara keeps calling him a dork.
Highlights
Co-Host of Monument’s “Off the Wall” Podcast
A podcast aimed at helping high-net-worth investors, executives, and business owners build wealth with purpose. Click here to check it out.
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder
Awarded designation of Chartered Financial Analyst by CFA Institute
Board Member for Community Foundation for Northern Virginia, The Station Foundation and Marine Corps Heritage Foundation
Serves on the board helping guide the work of these incredible Foundations
Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps (Retired)
Served on Active Duty for seven years, then in the reserves and now retired
Former Adjunct Professor
Former Adjunct Professor at the American University Kogod School of Business MBA program
Former member of the Board of Advisors
Former member of the Board of Advisors at the Moore School of Business at University of South Carolina
Frequent Conference & Podcast Speaker
Invited to speak on a variety of podcasts and industry events including those held by: Bloomberg, LPL Financial, Barron’s, Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association, Investment Management Consultants Association®, Top Advisor™, and more.
Features in the Press
Interviewed by and published in numerous publications including: The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, CNBC.com, Financial Advisor, InvestmentNews, Research Magazine, Financial Planning, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Bloomberg Radio, Washingtonian, Washington Business Journal, Barron’s Advisor Podcast, RVN TV and more
Goldman Sachs “10,000 Small Businesses” Scholar
Participated in invite-only class for successful entrepreneurs around the country
Named by Financial Advisor Magazine as a Top RIA in America 5 Years in a Row
Financial Advisor Magazine 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019,2018 (Based on year-end discretionary and non-discretionary AUM reported on ADV.)
Voted Top Wealth Managers in Northern Virginia 6 Years in a Row
Selected by Northern Virginia Magazine in 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018.
Named Forbes Best Wealth Advisors in Virginia 4 Years in a Row
Selected by Forbes in 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 (Based on on in-person interviews, compliance records, industry experience, assets under management, and revenue produced.)
#1 Top Ranked Barron’s Speaker
Ranked #1 Speaker by peers at Barron’s Top Advisory Teams Summit in 2015
A Top 100 Independent Advisor in America
Selected by Registered Rep. magazine (award based on assets under management, 2009 & 2010)
*Please see important rankings disclosure information https://monumentwealthmanagement.com/ranking-disclosure/