Our History

ERSI was founded by Jim Brubaker after gaining experience at several institutions and organizations, helping him to understand the right way to approach comprehensive wealth management was to put the needs of the client first – the second any decision is affected by outside influence, the work may no longer be in the best interest of the client.

Jim’s journey started in the financial services industry in 1972 while in college at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He was an agent for Connecticut Mutual Life working primarily with high school and college students. In 1976, Jim moved to Denver, CO and began working primarily with closely held business owners, accountants, and attorneys. The Colorado area would be the place Jim would call home and eventually raise his family.

In 1978, along with Ben Trujillo, Larimer Insurance Group, Inc. was formed with offices in Larimer Square and later in Centennial. This step allowed Jim to see the value of coordinating multiple services to provide better communication and results for clients.

In 1980, a Hicks Pension Services franchise was purchased. Don Brubaker managed the franchise and eventually purchased it. He built a successful career in the pension administration business.

In 1983, Ben and Jim decided to set up their own companies and pursue different markets. Jim set up Executive Benefit Solutions, Inc., and later, Exit Planning Solutions, Inc., and currently operates as Exit and Retirement Strategies, Inc. (ERSI).

In the late 1990’s, in addition to the executive benefit business, ERSI began offering business succession/exit planning consulting. We hired Business Enterprise Institute (BEI) as our backroom for our exit planning processes.

In 2005, we added wealth management. When Stephen Brubaker (Jim’s son) joined the company in 2007, we shifted our focus to operate as an independent wealth management firm offering investment services, financial and retirement income planning, insurance, executive benefits, and exit planning.

In 2011, we purchased Manning Financial Group, Inc. and in 2017 we purchased Life Transition Planners, Inc. Both acquisitions enabled us to grow and provide more services to our clients. We use a team approach to work with all clients. Advisors work as a team and do not have their own individual clients.