Interview with Jason Nickerson, CFP®, EA – President & COO, John G. Ullman & Associates, Inc.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: We’ve officially made it into 2026. Looking back, what is your biggest takeaway from 2025?
Jason Nickerson:
From a general financial standpoint, 2025 was a very volatile year in the markets—though what most people will remember is the strong investment performance. We’re extremely pleased with what we were able to accomplish for client portfolios.
What tends to get forgotten is the volatility that came along with it. Another major takeaway was gaining more certainty around the tax code for the next few years. Leading into 2025, a lot of our conversations with clients revolved around uncertainty—whether certain provisions would be extended or made permanent. By the end of the year, having that clarity was a big positive and filtered directly into people’s financial plans.
That said, as we closed out the year, markets moved somewhat sideways, which has created new questions. Is the economy very strong, or is it weakening? The messaging has been polarized, and that uncertainty has caused concern for clients—especially when they’re making decisions around retirement timing, Social Security, or other major planning steps.
That’s where our role really comes into focus. Today, comprehensive financial advice involves a lot of client psychology—often even more than the technical aspects of investments, taxes, and planning. Helping clients navigate uncertainty and anxiety is a major part of what we do.
Q: As we move further into 2026, what key economic and planning themes are you watching most closely?
Jason Nickerson:
The big question is whether we see a continuation of what looked like a strong economy and strong markets in 2025, or whether we need a pause or pullback. We’re receiving mixed signals around inflation, unemployment, and interest rates. There’s still discussion around tariffs, and we continue to operate within a very polarized political environment.
All of that trickles down into how—and whether—clients execute their plans. We hear questions like, “I was planning to retire in 2026—should I wait another year?” And the reality is, if people are waiting for certainty, it’s never going to come.
The key is building a solid plan with room for error. That flexibility allows clients to move forward confidently, knowing they can handle outcomes on either side of expectations. In a world that feels increasingly uncertain, planning for a range of possibilities is essential.
Q: Can you talk about the ethics and values that guide our approach to financial planning and advice?
Jason Nickerson:
That’s a great question—because in uncertain times, having something solid to lean on really matters. I often describe it as a warm blanket. One of the reasons I’ve committed my career to John G. Ullman & Associates is that I can walk in every day knowing the identity and character of this organization will never change.
Those ethics and values are embedded in the advice we give clients. In financial services, there’s a constant push toward what’s “new” or “shiny”—products, strategies, or ideas that promise growth but may not always be what they appear to be. That environment can create a lot of confusion.
Having a strong, values-based foundation brings clarity and comfort—not just for clients, but for our team as well. It allows us to filter out the noise and stay grounded in what truly serves people’s long-term interests.
Q: The firm added several new advisors in 2025. Looking back now, how has that strengthened the firm as we enter a new year?
Jason Nickerson:
Recruiting has always been a core part of our culture. We’re constantly looking to bring great, like-minded people into the firm—people who believe in our ethics, values, and culture, and who want to contribute to client success.
Adding new advisors strengthens the firm in several ways. It supports long-term continuity for clients, especially as advisors eventually retire or transition. It ensures succession planning and continuity of care—not just for individual clients, but for multiple generations within families.
It also expands our collective skill set. New team members bring different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences that benefit both our clients and our internal team. Whether they’re advisors or in other roles across the organization, adding people who push our mission, vision, and values forward is incredibly energizing and important for the future of the firm.
About John G. Ullman & Associates, Inc.
John G. Ullman & Associates, Inc., was founded in Corning, N.Y., in 1978. The firm is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) registered federally with the Securities & Exchange Commission*. As an independent, fee-based investment management firm, JGUA provides comprehensive wealth management strategies and services to clients. The firm manages over $1 billion in client assets, with a staff of more than 70 employees across four locations: Horseheads, N.Y., Rhinebeck, N.Y., Charlotte, N.C., and Corning, N.Y.
If you are interested in learning more about how JGUA could help you, visit our website here, or call 1 (800) 936-3785. You can follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and The JGUA Blog.
*Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.