Last month, we dedicated an issue of the journal to Odds On. As we were putting that together, I had a realization. The reason I’m actually here at Hill is because of this book I read years ago.

Before Hill, I worked at Dimensional Fund Advisors. That’s how I met Matt Hall, through a study group we were putting together of advisors who had an aptitude for media and marketing. In advance of that meeting, I read Odds On. What initially stuck out to me is how the book reads. It’s not a typical finance book. There’s no jargon. There are no equations. It’s simply a story about someone finding a better way to invest and building a firm that treats clients right.

Hill is a really special place. What is apparent to me now is that the values and the things that drew me into the firm years ago still ring true. The intentionality we put into every interaction. The hospitality we try to show our clients every step along the way.

Making the switch ultimately gave me the ability to use my CFP in a much more meaningful way. Rather than just focusing on investments, now I get to help and guide clients through some of the most important financial decisions of their lives.

Looking back, reading Odds On and meeting Matt felt relatively small at the time. Today it feels more monumental. It led me to where I am now, and it shaped the way I show up for this work and the way we want to treat clients every day here at Hill.

As many of you know, each year at Hill Investment Group we present the Rick Hill Award.

It has quickly become one of the most meaningful traditions inside our firm. Importantly, it is not an award for the loudest voice, the biggest title, or the most visible contributor.

This year, during our team’s 20 year celebration, we had the special privilege of announcing the award with Rick himself in the room. That made the moment even more meaningful for all of us. Rick has always believed the true strength of our firm lives somewhere quieter. In the people who take ownership without being asked. Who care deeply about others. Who show up the same way whether anyone is watching or not.

We are grateful to the clients and teammates who submitted such thoughtful and generous nominations. The letters reflected something we feel every day. Hill is filled with people who take their responsibility to clients seriously. We do not take that lightly.

As we read through the nominations, a clear pattern began to emerge. Different writers. Different perspectives. Yet the same name kept appearing, along with the same themes.

One nominator described this person as “an old soul in a young man’s body.”

Another wrote about someone who stays calm under pressure, steps in to help outside his lane, and does it all without seeking recognition.

We also heard about the way Jack naturally takes interns and new hires under his wing, helping them understand not just what to do, but why it matters. That resonated deeply with us because Jack himself began his Hill journey as an intern.

The story that stayed with us most involved a client phone call.

The client was facing something far bigger than money. Instead of quickly handing the call off, Jack stayed present. He listened carefully. He connected. He shared honestly from his own life and reassured the client that Hill would be fully there in that moment.

As the nominator wrote, it would have been easy to say, “I’m so sorry to hear that… here’s Nell.” But that is not how Jack operates.

That kind of behavior is not found in a job description. It is a choice. And it reflects exactly the spirit Rick modeled when he helped build this firm.

By the time we finished reading the nominations, the choice was unmistakable.

We are proud to share that the 2025 Rick Hill Award recipient is Jack Gardner.

Jack, thank you for how you show up for clients, for teammates, and for Hill. You make the firm better in ways both visible and invisible.

And to our clients, thank you for the trust you place in our team every day. Moments like this remind us that Hill has never been stronger, and people like Jack are a big reason why.

Take the long view,

Matt

When Rick Hill officially retired in 2023, our team wanted to continue celebrating his incredible legacy with the Rick Hill Award. As you may recall from an earlier post, I am the proud first recipient.

This annual award, paired with financial recognition, is presented to the team member who best exemplifies living our firm’s values (see below for the list) throughout the prior year. We’ve been paying close attention to those moments in 2025 when teammates have gone above and beyond, and we want to include our clients in the “voting” process. 

So, please consider taking the time to nominate someone you believe deserves this honor! If you’ve had a meaningful interaction with a team member that reflects Rick’s and our firm’s values, please email Matt Hall directly. Please include the individual’s name and one or two examples of why you are nominating this person. We value your insight and are grateful for your help in recognizing the teammates who make our firm extraordinary.

The nomination window closes soon, so don’t wait! 

We’ll share the news about this year’s winner right here in the February 2026 issue! If you need a refresher on the Hill Investment Group Values, revisit this article, otherwise nominate someone below. 

Nominate a Team Member