This retired advisor became an Honorary Colonel after being rescued from a helicopter crash

In this ongoing series, Onward, advisors discuss their succession plans and transitions to retirement.

Diane McCurdy started her practice in 1976 when she was just 20 years old. She took on any client with a pulse, as the industry saying goes.

“That’s not what you do now. Today, you target more,” she says.

Her company, McCurdy Financial Planning Inc. in Vancouver, started with a focus on life insurance – specifically, ensuring businesses and families had solid risk management strategies. But she soon introduced financial planning. In 2000, she published a bestselling book whose title was based on several clients’ biggest question about retirement savings: How Much is Enough?

The hunt for a successor

In 2005, one of Ms. McCurdy’s longtime friends volunteered on Vancouver’s Board of Trade with Brandon Epp, who was looking to get into wealth management. The friend referred Mr. Epp to a hesitant Ms. McCurdy. Previous hires hadn’t matched her work ethic and client-first philosophy, which she brought to her 600 client households.

But after meeting Mr. Epp, she was impressed with his can-do approach and hired him.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better partner,” she says.

In 2021, Mr. Epp became the company’s president.

When Ms. McCurdy made a decision to sell in 2024, Mr. Epp chose not to pursue the purchase of the entire company. He valued the collaborative environment and the opportunity to work as part of a team rather than take on sole ownership, she explains.

So, Ms. McCurdy hired a brokerage firm to help with the sale. She eventually chose Vela Wealth Management Inc., an independent Vancouver firm that she says focuses on wealth accumulation, preservation and legacy for a high-end clientele.

“You’re trying to align everything and find the right buyers, who are aligned in thinking, philosophy and how they treat clients, staff and the team,” she says.

Negotiations took about a year.

The transition

Vela kept the name and branding for McCurdy Financial Planning. Mr. Epp continues to serve as company president. He also became an owner of Vela, continuing in his entrepreneurial journey in a partnership environment, Ms. McCurdy says.

Ms. McCurdy hasn’t visited since the transition took place in October, 2025.

“It’s for them to manage the way they see fit,” she says. “I know they’ll do it well.”

Still, Vela kept her on a 90-day contract as part of the deal, in case they needed to consult her. They never did.

“It just shows that the company was well set up and I was not required,” she says.

Advice for retiring advisors

Ms. McCurdy’s priorities when leaving her business were to walk out the door but know that her clients and staff were well served. She says some retiring advisors struggle with letting go.

Advisors planning to sell should examine their practices objectively by asking whether they would buy back their own business, she says. If the answer is no, assess why.

She says advisors may first need to invest some time in hiring the right people, fixing systems and understanding newer technology, for example.

“It’s easy to get complacent because everything is working well, but in reality, you need to be changing constantly,” Ms. McCurdy says.

Life after advice

About 15 years ago, Ms. McCurdy’s husband chartered a helicopter to take them for a picnic at the top of a mountain as a surprise birthday gift. He was a geologist and had previously hiked to the spot; he wanted to share it with Ms. McCurdy. But the helicopter crashed in the B.C. interior.

The search and rescue effort introduced Ms. McCurdy to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and she became more involved with the military in the years that followed. After her recovery from the crash, she was invited to tour various bases and now serves as an Honorary Colonel in the RCAF.

In this volunteer role, she acts as a liaison between the military and the broader community. Ms. McCurdy says she helps build awareness and appreciation of the military and its people, while supporting 442 Search and Rescue Squadron and 19 Wing Comox through a variety of initiatives.

Ms. McCurdy also serves on the board of the National Art Centre.

Retirees need to be careful to not overfill their schedules so they have time for friends and family, Ms. McCurdy says.

“As you get older, more things come your way,” she says. “You’re on committees, boards, your life gets more full. You only have 24 hours in a day and you have to [prioritize] what you are going to do.”

Are you a retired financial advisor or financial planner who recently sold your book of business? Globe Advisor would love to speak with you about your experience. Candour, especially around the finances, is appreciated, and your name and photo will be used for the column. Please e-mail dgage@globeandmail.com and include a brief synopsis of your situation.