Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc.
Data sourced from SEC public records (and other sources when available). Refreshed weekly • Updated today.
About
Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc. (TEPI) serves retirement plan sponsors, trustees, and, more recently, individual investors through an internet-based platform that refers clients to a curated network of registered investment advisers. The firm provides a decision-assistance service called the Investment Choice Protective Review (ICPR) and related tools that let sponsors and trustees evaluate and compare mutual funds and ETFs offered in defined contribution plans.
TEPI’s methodology uses a patented decision-assistance application (licensed from Decision Technologies Corporation) to score and rank investment choices against broad peer sets rather than just benchmarks, and it structures engagements so that clients retain decision-making authority rather than granting TEPI investment discretion. TEPI matches clients to approved RIAs and IARs that are trained to perform the ICPR process and maintains ongoing referral arrangements with those advisers, while providing web-based training and access to its proprietary tools.
This firm differs from many peers by operating primarily as an internet adviser and referral platform within a corporate group that includes consulting and insurance affiliates and by being the first to commercialize the licensed decision‑support tool for plan review. Its brochure also discloses a disputed FINRA-related enforcement matter involving an affiliated brokerage and its principal that remains the subject of ongoing court proceedings, and TEPI emphasizes non‑discretionary, process‑driven reviews used by plan sponsors, CPA auditors, and law firms as a distinctive element of its offering.
Client services
Expertise
Occupation focus
Fee options
Flat annual fees: $4999 per year for retirement plans and $999 per year for individual investors.
Hourly fees may be charged for Investment Advisory Services to 1940 Act Companies and other investment advisory consultations when provided (none currently provided).
Fee-only: Flat fee of $4999 per year for retirement plans; flat fee of $999 per year for individual investors. Fees can be negotiated, discounted, and/or waived at the discretion of TEPI.
Main office
See office755 W. Big Beaver Road, Suite 101
Troy MI 48084
Advisors at this office
2
Offices (3)
Most active in
Michigan · New York · Texas
Also doing business as
Cssc Investment Advisory Services, Inc. · Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc.
Disclosures
Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.
Business activities & affiliations
Is active or affiliated with:
Insurance agent
They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.
Lawyer
They provide legal services, typically billed separately.
Other specialized services
They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.
Is not active or affiliated with:
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Broker-dealer / trader
They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.
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Bank
They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.
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Trust company
They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.
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Fund sponsor
They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.
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Accountant / CPA / tax prep
They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.
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Real estate agent
They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.
Quick links
Advisors at this firm
Eric S
Series 65
Troy, MI
Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc.
Eric Smith is a financial advisor with Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc. He holds a Series 65 designation and has 16 years of industry experience. He has been affiliated with CSSC Investment Advisory Services, Inc. and Consulting Services Support Corporation since 1998. Outside of his advisory work, Smith serves as Director and Executive Vice President of the Shaolin Do Association, Inc., a martial arts trade association. Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc. provides decision-assistance services for retirement plan sponsors and trustees through an internet-based platform that refers clients to a network of registered investment advisers. The firm uses a patented application to score and rank investment options and supports non-discretionary, process-driven plan reviews.
Thomas S
Series 66
Staten Island, NY
Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc.
Thomas Scotto is a financial advisor with Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc. He holds a Series 66 designation and has 16 years of industry experience. Scotto has operated Thomas Scotto Consultants, LLC since 2005, which focuses on third-party marketing and group health insurance for union clients. He also works in business development for a law firm specializing in securities litigation. Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc. serves retirement plan sponsors and trustees, as well as individual investors, through an internet-based platform that connects clients to a network of registered investment advisers. The firm uses a patented decision-assistance tool to help clients evaluate and compare investment options while maintaining client decision-making authority.
Gavin C
Series 66
The Woodlands, TX
Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc.
Gavin Clarkson is a financial advisor with Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc., holding a Series 66 designation and over 20 years of industry experience. He has worked with CSSC Investment Advisory Services, Inc. and Cssc Brokerage Services, Inc. since 2012. Outside of financial advising, he is president of a consulting firm, Clarkson and Sons Inc., and serves as a lecturer and associate professor at Rice University and New Mexico State University, respectively. Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc. serves retirement plan sponsors, trustees, and individual investors through an internet-based platform that connects clients with a curated network of registered investment advisers. The firm provides a decision-assistance service using a patented application to evaluate and rank investment options, emphasizing non-discretionary, process-driven reviews for plan sponsors and related professionals.
Jack F
Series 65
Troy, MI
Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc.
Jack Findley is a Series 65-licensed advisor at Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc. He has experience in related fields spanning over a decade, including roles as CEO/CRO of Decision Technologies Corp. and CEO of Sterling Signal, LLC, a commercial signage producer. His work at Decision Technologies involves licensing proprietary software to Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc. Trustee Empowerment & Protection, Inc. serves retirement plan sponsors, trustees, and individual investors through an internet-based platform that refers clients to a network of registered investment advisers. The firm provides a decision-assistance service using a patented application to evaluate and compare mutual funds and ETFs within defined contribution plans, focusing on non-discretionary, process-driven reviews.
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