The Ruggie Method: A Decade of Elite Recognition in Wealth Management

TAVARES, Fla. – May 15, 2026 – For the 14th time, Thomas Ruggie’s name has appeared on the prestigious Barron’s list of the nation’s top financial advisors. This year also marks his ninth consecutive appearance on the Forbes/SHOOK Research Best-in-State Wealth Advisors ranking—an honor he has received every year since the list's inception. While such accolades are significant in an industry crowded with talent, it is the sheer consistency of the recognition that tells a deeper story about the founder and CEO of Destiny Wealth Partners.

This year, Ruggie secured the No. 2 spot in North Florida on the Forbes list, maintaining a top-tier position after ranking No. 2 in 2025 and No. 1 in 2024. His inclusion in the Barron’s Top 1,500 for the 12th consecutive year places him in a rarefied group of advisors who have demonstrated sustained excellence over more than a decade. These are not fleeting achievements but the result of a deliberate, long-term strategy focused on client-centricity, operational excellence, and strategic evolution.

"We are honored to be recognized by respected industry leaders such as Barron's, Forbes and SHOOK Research alongside an exceptional group of peers and professional colleagues," said Ruggie. "Our continued presence among the nation's leading advisors reflects the dedication and commitment of our entire team, our focus on continuous improvement, and our unwavering commitment to putting our clients first in everything we do."

The Anatomy of Elite Recognition

Understanding what these awards represent is key to appreciating their significance. Both Barron's and the Forbes/SHOOK rankings employ rigorous, multi-faceted evaluation processes that go far beyond simple metrics. Crucially, neither ranking uses portfolio performance as a criterion, acknowledging that investment returns are often a reflection of an individual client's risk tolerance and specific goals, such as capital preservation, rather than a universal measure of advisor skill.

Instead, the methodologies focus on the qualitative and quantitative hallmarks of a high-quality practice. Barron's evaluates advisors on factors including assets under management (AUM), revenue generated for the firm, regulatory record, philanthropic work, and the overall quality of their practice. SHOOK Research, which develops the Forbes list, conducts extensive due diligence through in-person and virtual interviews, analyzing service models, industry experience, client retention, and compliance records. An advisor must have a clean regulatory history to even be considered.

Ruggie’s consistent high placement on these lists points to a practice that excels across these foundational pillars. It suggests a business built not on short-term market wins, but on long-term client trust, comprehensive service, and a spotless compliance record—a fact substantiated by checks of both FINRA and SEC databases, which show no disciplinary history for Ruggie or his firm, Destiny Wealth Partners, LLC.

From Advisor to Architect: The Strategic Evolution of a Firm

Thomas Ruggie's journey began in 1991, leading to the founding of Ruggie Wealth Management. However, the firm today is a far more complex and sophisticated organization. The creation of Destiny Wealth Partners represents a strategic evolution from a traditional advisory practice into a multi-disciplinary wealth management enterprise designed to meet the increasingly complex needs of its clientele.

A pivotal moment in this evolution was the 2017 launch of Destiny Family Office. This division was specifically created to deliver the high-impact, comprehensive services typically reserved for single-family offices to a broader base of ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) families. This move anticipated a major industry trend: the growing demand among the wealthy for a central, trusted entity to manage not just their investments, but their entire financial ecosystem—from estate and legacy planning to family governance and philanthropic strategy.

The firm's growth has also been inorganic. In 2023, Destiny Wealth Partners expanded its geographic footprint and talent pool by bringing Nichols Wealth Partners, a Boca Raton-based RIA, into its network. This strategic integration, along with existing offices in Tavares, The Villages, Winter Park, and Jacksonville, has solidified the firm's presence across key Florida wealth corridors. This expansion is reflected in its numbers; after reporting $1 billion in AUM in mid-2023, the firm grew to over $1.3 billion by the end of 2025 and has been recognized on lists like Forbes' 250 Fastest-Growing RIA Firms.

Beyond Stocks and Bonds: Specializing in Complex Wealth

What truly distinguishes Destiny Wealth Partners in a competitive marketplace is its deep specialization in complex and often overlooked areas of wealth. The firm's expertise extends far beyond traditional asset allocation, delving into sophisticated alternative investments and, most uniquely, the integration of passion assets into financial planning.

Ruggie has carved out a distinct niche helping collectors manage high-value collectibles—such as fine art, rare sports memorabilia, and classic cars—as a legitimate component of their net worth. Recognizing that these assets carry significant financial and emotional value, the firm has developed processes, including a proprietary "collectibles scorecard," to help clients address critical issues like appraisal, insurance, succession planning, and tax implications. This specialized service addresses a significant gap in traditional wealth management, where such non-financial assets are often ignored.

This focus on holistic, all-encompassing advice is central to the firm’s philosophy. "I believe our clients turn to us because of our dedication to placing their interests above ours, the strength of our processes, and the collective wisdom of our team," Ruggie added. "These recognitions reinforce that the work we do on behalf of our clients continues to bring meaningful value to their lives."

By providing access to direct and co-investment opportunities and building frameworks for managing unconventional assets, Destiny Wealth Partners demonstrates an alignment with the modern UHNW client, who demands a bespoke, comprehensive approach. As the firm looks ahead with initiatives like "GenNext" to engage younger client demographics, it continues to build upon a foundation of trust, strategic innovation, and an unwavering focus on the intricate details of their clients' financial lives. It is this combination that not only earns national awards but also builds a legacy of enduring client relationships.