We owe our exceptional growth to strong roots, clear vision — and a commitment to superior service.
Somewhere along the way during a post-graduate backpacking trip through Europe, Scott Cohen decided his future was in the financial industry. The thing is, he was supposed to go to law school.
Scott’s experiences at the University of Texas — where he honed his work ethic, business acumen and passion for service — pointed him toward entrepreneurship. His education in economics gave him a nudge toward business ownership.
He returned home, paused his plans for law school and took a job as a financial planner. Over the next two decades, Scott broadened his expertise in wealth management, expanded his clientele and developed the disciplined approach that is his calling card today.
On June 30, 2014, Scott went out on his own, opening the doors at CD Wealth Management.
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Scott’s vision for the company was clear: He wanted CD Wealth to focus entirely on wealth management — and on building a new standard for client service, one that is recognized nationally among its peers.
“Doing wealth management and planning — that part is the most rewarding because you are helping your clients achieve their goals and their visions,” said Andy Dropkin, CD Wealth’s Chief Investment Officer. “We do it with a high level of service, and I think our clients recognize that and appreciate it.”
Many of CD Wealth’s original team members worked together before, including Kelley Followwell (who has worked with Scott since 1996). Andy and Scott first worked together in 2004, and Alison Glasgow (2007) and Ilona Friedman (2009) also had a shared history. Crystal Wasta joined the firm in 2017, and Margaret Walker started in 2020 as the team continued to grow.
“Consistency is important when you are trusting someone to manage your money,” Ilona said. “When somebody knows all the ins and outs of your life, it’s not just finances. It’s literally everything that deals with your life.”
Among the traditions CD Wealth has maintained since its founding is a dedication to community service. Team members devote their time and talents together to a variety of causes, and the company donates to the charities that each individual chooses each year at the holidays.
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More than a decade after he founded CD Wealth, Scott stepped into the role of Executive Chairman in the first quarter of 2025, allowing him to dedicate even more time to deepening client relations and shaping the company’s culture. At the same time, Ilona was promoted to Chief Executive Officer.
“Ilona’s promotion is both a well-earned celebration of her leadership and a testament to her vision for the company’s future,” Scott said at the time. “She has exemplified integrity, dedication and a tireless pursuit of excellence in everything she does — qualities that will continue to drive the company forward.”
Along with annual industry recognitions from Forbes, Barron’s and others, CD Wealth is known as a best-in-class employer as well. The Dallas Business Journal has named CD Wealth in its Best Places to Work rankings three years in a row — a reflection of its commitment to its culture and its employees’ growth.
“We take good care of one another,” Ilona said. “I don’t think you’ll see another company that takes care of its employees the way that we do.”
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In 2022, Bluespring Wealth Partners, LLC, acquired CD Wealth Management to form a wealth management hub in North Texas that will help both companies grow through thoughtful investments.
Bluespring’s investment provides the team with access to resources and unparalleled expertise to fuel growth and continued innovation in client service; CD Wealth continues to do business under its own name, and its founder and partners maintain a significant equity interest in the partnership. Scott, Andy, Ilona and CD Wealth play a large role in the continuing growth of Bluespring and its affiliates, sharing best practices and insights to improve the industry’s level of service.
“I don’t compare our business to other wealth firms. I compare it to any business in the world, and I don’t want any other business to be doing a better job of delivering service to their clients than we do.” — Scott Cohen
In the fourth quarter of 2023, CD Wealth reached another significant milestone, surpassing $1 billion in assets under management — and $1.3 billion in the fall of 2024 — while maintaining the same commitment to white-glove service for its loyal clientele.
“No matter how well our business is doing or how fast it is growing, we are always striving for improvement,” Scott said. “We are entirely focused on delivering wealth planning that transforms our clients’ lives.”
