Tom spent his first 25 years professionally building Ruggie Wealth Management, a Destiny Wealth Partners firm, into one of the premier firms in the country. The knowledge and wisdom gained from that led him to the founding of Destiny Family Office, also a Destiny Wealth Partners firm, to help people face head-on the increasing complexities inherent in their business and personal lives so they can enjoy more time embracing their unique potential, transforming their worlds, and achieving their own destiny.

Acknowledging that in an evolving environment his firm must also continually evolve, he has identified key areas where evolution has most keenly had a positive impact: presenting a compelling sphere of investments, including alternative, direct and co-investment opportunities, and strengthening the firm’s private trust capabilities.

Tom has become one of the most respected financial advisors in the industry, receiving national recognition as a top-performing investment advisor by organizations including:

• InvestmentNews Awards “RIA Team of the Year” – 2024


• 7X Forbes/Shook Research “Best-In-State Wealth Advisors” – 2024 (#1 N Florida)


• 12X Barron’s “Top 1200 Financial Advisors” – 2024


• Forbes “Top 250 RIA Firms” – 2023 (#7 Florida)


• InvestmentNews “Top 75 Fastest-Growing Fee-Only RIAS” – 2023


• 12X Financial Advisor Magazine “Top RIA’s/Fastest-Growing Firms” – 2024


• 3X Family Wealth Report Awards Finalist - 2024


• Forbes Finance Council Since 2016

He has also had his insights and thought leadership reflected in articles published in some of the financial-media giants including: Forbes.com, Crain Currency, and as a monthly contributor to Kiplinger.

The Florida native has served on numerous boards of directors serving for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and foundations. He was appointed by the Governor to the Florida Prepaid College Plan which manages more than $10 billion in assets and serves over 80,000 college students annually and served as its vice-chairman. In 2013, he and wife Kim created the Tom and Kim Ruggie Family Foundation to support projects that strengthen the bond of families, improve the quality of people’s lives and enhance opportunities for access to life-enriching services such as healthcare and education. In 2018, Tom was named to the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) Board, which is committed to helping children in Central Florida, especially those most at risk, realize their full potential.

Tom, his wife, son, daughter and son-in-law are ‘addicted’ to CrossFit and working-out in general. In 2020, Tom earned the CrossFit Level 1 Trainer designation. He also enjoys traveling with his family, red wine and has a significant sports’ memorabilia collection.

 

Neither rankings nor recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, publications, media, or other organizations,  nor the achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license, membership in any professional organization, or any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that the client will experience a certain level of results if the investment professional or the investment professional’s firm is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. A fee was not paid by either the investment professional or the investment professional’s firm to receive the ranking. The ranking is based upon specific criteria and methodology (see ranking criteria/methodology). No ranking or recognition should be construed as an endorsement by any past or current client of the investment professional or the investment professional’s firm.  Additional information at: https://www.nicholswealth.com//recognition/disclosures/

 

The achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license, recognition by publications, media, or other organizations, membership in any professional organization, or any amount of prior experience or success, should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results or satisfaction if Destiny Wealth Partners, LLC is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. Additional information at: https://www.nicholswealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-Professional-Designation-Disclosures.pdf