Derek Wittjohann serves as Chief Operating Officer for Premier Path Wealth Partners. Before joining Premier Path, Derek began his career at Merrill Lynch in 2010, where he focused on partnering with clients on issues that require careful preparation—from succession planning or the sale of a business to taking deferred compensation or planning for retirement.
Derek is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, a designation awarded by the Certified Financial Board of Standards Inc. Additionally, Derek holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) designation. He consistently seeks the most up-to-date information and techniques to address the sophisticated needs of ultra-high-net-worth clients.
Derek is a graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics and German Language Studies. He lives in Florham Park, NJ, with his wife, Caitlin, and daughter, Charlotte. In his leisure time, Derek enjoys remaining active through sports. He also enjoys traveling, listening to and playing music, and exploring new restaurants with family and friends.
Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®): Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) certification is an advanced professional certification for advisors who serve high-net-worth clients. It’s designed for seasoned professionals who seek the latest, most advanced knowledge and techniques to address the sophisticated needs of clients with a minimum net worth of $5 million. Unlike credentials that focus specifically on investing or financial planning, the CPWA® certification program takes a holistic and multidisciplinary approach.
Certified Financial Planner: The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM, CFP® and federally registered CFP® (with flame design) marks (collectively, the “CFP® marks”) are professional certification marks granted in the United States by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (“CFP Board”). The CFP® certification is a voluntary certification; no federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold CFP® certification. It is recognized in the United States and a number of other countries for its (1) high standard of professional education; (2) stringent code of conduct and standards of practice; and (3) ethical requirements that govern professional engagements with clients. Currently, more than 71,000 individuals have obtained CFP® certification in the United States.