Cleves Delp is an owner and a Founder of TFO Wealth Partners, with a distinguished career in the wealth and family office sector spanning over three decades. Sharing over 30 years of marriage with Kathy Delp, the couple is blessed with five children, all of whom, like Cleves, are proud alumni of Hillsdale College. Further deepening his ties to the institution, Cleves serves on the Board of Trustees at Hillsdale College. Throughout his career, he has championed the ethos of creating client-driven businesses, enabling a distinctive approach and collaboration. Beyond the realm of business, the Delp family’s philanthropic spirit shines through the Luminous Foundation, dedicated to supporting Catholic and free enterprise-based charities.
What path led you to wealth management?
Like most positions in my career, it was client driven. Clients asked for my advice on discrete areas of wealth management like investment advisory. Therefore, if clients asked for that service, I thought we ought to think about delivering it and figuring out how to do it in a best-in-class way, different from others.
On a personal note, what began the interest into the investment advisory space, was our own family and our own wealth. We looked at stock picking, we looked at indexing, and we looked at the all star team of mutual fund management. The conclusion we came to for our own family was to use the evidence based philosophy to wealth management. Therefore, if we thought it was the right decision for our own family, we think it’s the right answer for our clients as well.
Why did you join TFO Wealth Partners?
I graduated from Hillsdale College in 1986 and interviewed with six different companies, of which five made an offer. I was convinced I wouldn’t go into the family business, and my advisor in college asked me what I wanted to do after college. I said I wanted to go into the financial services industry and he asked me why I wasn’t considering going into the family business, to which I replied, “because it’s the family business.” He responded by telling me, “It’s as wrong to go into the family business because it’s the family business as it is not to go into the family business because it’s the family business.” And taking this advice, I let my father make me an offer and have been with TFO ever since.
What most excites you about your work?
This has evolved over the last 35 years. Today what excites me most is seeing and witnessing the evolution of plans put in place 10, 15, 20 and even 30 years ago come to fruition. Whether it’s working with a client who just sold the business he started 30 years ago, or helping a widow navigate her finances recently after her husband passed, or watching the next generation of talent take over the business and grow it in ways that I might not have imagined.
What has been your most rewarding career experience?
Although it’s difficult to choose one, generally speaking, it is the unique ability to watch our business grow in a way where we can help more and more families connect their wealth and purpose.
What personal accomplishments are you most proud of?
Personally, my greatest accomplishment is the marriage to my wife Kathy and the success of my five children.
What are some of your life's biggest influences?
Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t immediately recognize, professionally and personally, the influence my dad had on my life – the founder of our company. Second, my wife Kathy, both personally and spiritually has probably been the biggest influence on me. And third, my experience at Hillsdale College, while I was there as a student, now that I’m a member of the board, and as a parent of my five children (four have graduated, and one is currently a student)
Education
Hillsdale College ‘86
B.A. Political Economy
Hobbies and Interests
- Spending quality time with those most important to me
- Golf
- Tennis
Awards/Recognitions/Designations
Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
