Exit Planning Institute - Find a CEPA

With over 22 years of experience as a Financial Advisor, David Millington is dedicated to simplifying the complex world of finance for his clients. His goal is to reduce financial stress and provide clarity, allowing clients to focus on what matters most—spending time with loved ones, growing their businesses, and pursuing their passions.

David’s approach is both strategic and practical. Acting as a project manager, he ensures every financial decision aligns with his clients' unique goals. His expertise spans investments, financial planning, cash flow modeling, estate planning, executive compensation, liability management, business exit strategies, gifting, and philanthropy.

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ David enjoys being able to offer sound advice within the advisory relationships he maintains with his clients. His experience with mergers and acquisitions makes him a vital asset to business owners as a Certified Exit Planning Advisor®.

A lifelong passion for investing began when David built his first stock portfolio in 7th grade. His strong work ethic took root even earlier—his first paycheck at age 8, earned as a newspaper delivery boy, still hangs on his wall as a reminder of his entrepreneurial spirit.

David’s methodology includes a disciplined approach to sustainable portfolio withdrawal rates, targeting 4% at age 60, 5% at age 70, and 7% at age 80. Through Puzzle Wealth’s 7-step Puzzle Checklist, he ensures efficiency across investments, cash flow, estate planning, taxes, liabilities, and gifting—leaving no detail overlooked.

He is honored to be recognized as AdvisorHub’s #56 Advisor to Watch in the USA (under $1B) and as a FORBES Best-in-State Wealth Advisor for North Texas (2025, 2024) and Illinois (2021). (See LINK: Professional Financial Advisors | Puzzle Wealth)

Since joining the team in 2003, David has led the Business Development committee and served as a Senior Portfolio Manager on the Investment Committee. He earned his B.S. in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1999.

David resides in Southlake, TX with his family. Outside of work, he enjoys watching his sons compete in sports, cheering on both Chicago and Dallas teams, and (unsuccessfully) working on lowering his golf handicap.

* The Forbes Best-in-State wealth advisor ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on in-person telephone due diligence meetings, and a ranking algorithm that includes: Client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objections and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK Research receives a fee in exchange for rankings.

Securities offered through, LPL Financial, Member FINRA / SIPC. Investment advice offered through Gladstone Institutional Advisory, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Gladstone Wealth Partners is a separate entity from LPL Financial. Gladstone Institutional Advisory, LLC and Puzzle Wealth Solutions are separate entities from LPL Financial.

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Issue One: The Annual Exit Magazine

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Know Your Gaps

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2022 Colorado State of Owner Readiness Report

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2023 National State of Owner Readiness Report

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2024 Webinar Series

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2025 Webinar Series

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5-4-3-2-1 Whitepaper

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5-4-3-2-1 Whitepaper

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A Look Inside The Unique World of - Value Creation Whitepaper

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Access My Courses

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Best-In-Class Whitepaper

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Case Study: Human Capital, The Exit Planning Institute

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Case Study: The Value of Transitioning a Business to its Employees

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Case Study: Value Acceleration

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CEPA Development Scorecard

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Decentralizing the Business Owner

Do you know the risks in with a business that is completely dependent on th..

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Decentralizing the Business Owner

Do you know the risks in with a business that is completely dependent on th..

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Email Marketing Templates

Sample templated emails to begin to educate owners and advisors and build y..

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EPI Chapter President Circle Meeting Notes

Meeting minutes from previous Chapter President Circle Meetings can be foun..

Case Study

Exit as a Business Strategy: A Collection of Case Studies from Advisors and Owners

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First Steps

The first steps after earning your CEPA designation.

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Five Stages of Value Maturity Infographic

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Five Stages of Value Maturity Infographic

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Infographic: Beyond CEPA Path

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Infographic: Decentralizing the Business Owner

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Infographic: Five Stages of Value Maturity

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Infographic: The 5 D's

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