Interview with Jason Nickerson, CFP®, EA – President & COO, John G. Ullman & Associates, Inc.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Q: As we head into the end of Q3 and approach Q4, how is the firm preparing clients for year-end planning conversations? Things like taxes, retirement distributions, charitable giving—all the many pieces that go into this season.
Jason Nickerson:
The year-end planning season—really beginning around September—is probably our second busiest time of year, right behind tax season in Q1. And as you mentioned, it involves a lot: tax planning, required minimum distributions from retirement accounts, charitable giving, and more.
This year is particularly active because of the new tax law changes. We’ve always prided ourselves on being proactive rather than reactive, but this year those conversations are happening even earlier and running deeper. With the new legislation in place, it’s definitely not business as usual. There are more layers to the planning and more items that must be implemented before year-end.
It makes for a very busy stretch through mid-December, but we view it as one of the most valuable times of the year for clients. This is when careful, proactive planning can really make a meaningful difference.
Q: Looking back at Q3, we’ve seen continued volatility—but also some strong performance and opportunities in certain sectors. How would you describe the current investing and planning environment as the quarter wraps up?
Jason Nickerson:
I’d describe it as a mix of strength and caution. On one hand, we’ve seen a very strong stock market with corporate earnings generally exceeding expectations, driven largely by technology and the ongoing AI trend. On the other hand, the signing of the new tax bill on July 4th provided a sense of stability and planning certainty for at least the next few years.
So, while volatility will always be part of the landscape, we actually saw less of it this quarter because markets were trending steadily upward. That said, there’s a growing sense that things may be getting a little frothy—there are even comparisons being made to the dot-com era.
As we look ahead, the key question becomes: how much higher can the market realistically push? We’re watching closely for potential volatility returning as we move into Q4 and beyond.
Q: Building on that, what themes or challenges do you expect to define the end of 2025 and the transition into 2026?
Jason Nickerson:
Well, as we’re talking right now, we’re actually in the middle of a government shutdown. And if you’d asked me just a few weeks ago, I would’ve said, “They’ll get a deal done at the eleventh hour like they usually do.” I would’ve been wrong.
This situation is highlighting the level of gridlock we’re seeing in Washington. It doesn’t matter what side of the political aisle you’re on—most people would like to see it resolved, because it creates a lot of uncertainty. If it drags on, people will start wondering which government services might be paused and how that could affect them.
Our role in this environment is to bring calm and reassurance. We plan and invest not only to pursue growth, but also to protect our clients when things get difficult—whether that’s market volatility or income disruption. That’s where our value really shows through: helping clients stay grounded and confident even when external circumstances are uncertain.
Q: Shifting gears a bit—JGUA has recently welcomed several new advisors to the team. Can you tell us about them and the value they bring to the firm?
Jason Nickerson:
Yes, we’ve been fortunate to add three new advisors recently, representing a really nice range of experience levels—from someone just out of university, to a highly credentialed advisor with many years in financial services, and one in between.
That range speaks volumes about who we are as a firm and what we offer. We’re able to attract talented individuals at all stages of their careers—even in a smaller geographic area that isn’t a major metropolitan market. And our clients benefit tremendously from that.
When we recruit, our focus is always the same: finding people who live by our core priorities—ethics and values first, clients second, our team third, growth fourth, and change fifth. We look for people who share our belief in a culture of service, hard work, and continuous improvement.
These new team members embody that, and they’re joining an already strong advisory group. It reminds me of when John Ullman founded the firm—he built it by surrounding himself with outstanding people early on. Continuing that tradition is essential. These new hires represent the next generation of leaders who will help guide both our clients and our firm into the future.
Q: Thanks, Jason. We’ll see you again for the Q4 update.
Jason Nickerson:
Looking forward to it.
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.