Meet Chad Smith
With over two decades of hands on experience as a former financial advisor, Chad built a career helping individuals and families navigate the full arc of wealth management — from planning for college to celebrating graduations, from preparing for retirement to living a secure and fulfilling retirement.
Chad achieved success at respected firms such as Edward Jones and later as a Senior Vice President of Wealth Management at UBS, working closely with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families. He became known for delivering strategic, practical advice, and for helping his clients achieve and protect their goals — even through turbulent markets and uncertain times.
Through this journey, Chad gained deep insight into the traditional financial advisory world. He saw where the system can break down, especially for athletes:
Conflicts of interest hidden behind complicated products
Firms profiting more from client control than from client clarity
Pressure to "trust the system" without full transparency
Loyalty being exploited instead of honored
Careers with short earning windows made athletes vulnerable
Recognizing these risks, Chad expanded his expertise beyond traditional financial advice. He developed skills in family governance — the structures, habits, and values that help successful families sustain their wealth, relationships, and purpose across generations.
While "family governance" may sound complex, at its core it's about something every athlete can understand: Protecting what you've earned, building a strong team around you, and making decisions that keep your future in your own hands — not someone else's.
Today, Chad focuses solely on financial education to empower athletes. Talking to athletes, their families and the institutions that support them about the tools and knowledge needed to make confident and informed decisions on the money they have earned.
Chad no longer offers any individual investment advice, nor does he give tax or legal advice.
His work is educational in nature and intended to support financial literacy and personal understanding
Chad brings that same full-cycle, independent approach to helping athletes understand how to protect their own wealth. His goal:
Confidence that what you earn is protected.
Clarity about who’s on your team and why.
Control over your financial future — for life, not just for now.
About APG
Chad Smith is the founder and CEO of APG, Athlete Partners Group, a groundbreaking company specializing in financial education for athletes.
Chad embodies a strategic visionary and an innovative spirit within the sports and wealth management industries. Chad has a passion for driving positive change and fostering growth. Driven by his steadfast commitment to instigate positive change, Chad has left an indelible mark across diverse industries. Chad blends his history as a high-level basketball coach and trainer with his 20+ year career in wealth management.
Shaped by his tenure as the director for Social Development through Sports at Central Area Youth Association (CAYA), and pioneering the first select basketball program at the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club, situated within the Rainier Vista public housing project in Seattle, WA, Chad's journey reflects a profound dedication to community empowerment.
Education
Chad holds a degree in American Ethnic Studies from the University of Washington and has a Master's Degree in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership from the University of Washington. His academic foundation, coupled with years of hands-on experience in wealth management, has equipped him with the knowledge and insight crucial for navigating the financial intricacies of the sports industry.
Professional Background
As a Senior Vice President in Wealth Management at UBS located in downtown Seattle, Chad Smith has been at the forefront of providing strategic financial advice to high-profile clients. His expertise in crafting tailored wealth management solutions has earned him recognition as a trusted partner for clients navigating the complexities of financial planning. Chad’s commitment to empowering athletes with financial knowledge has established him as a trusted voice in athlete financial education and oversight.
Key Achievements
Driven by a passion to make a lasting impact on the financial well-being of athletes, Chad has recently founded his own consulting group, The Athlete Partners Group. This venture is dedicated to delivering specialized financial education designed to address the unique needs and challenges faced by both professional and college athletes.
Throughout his career, Chad has achieved notable success, earning the trust of athletes and industry peers alike. His ability to translate complex financial concepts into actionable plans has resulted in significant financial milestones for his clients.
Ready to find out more?
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