Michael S. Top Executive

Business Development Director in Franklin Templeton’s DCIO business, driving asset growth and winning investment placements across the defined contribution market. I partner with advisors and platform partners to position target date solutions, core menu options and stable value products. Known for a consultative, relationship-first sales mindset with key decision-makers, I help convert complex opportunities into results that strengthen retirement outcomes.

Previous roles at Raymond James Investment Management, Scout Investments and T. Rowe Price further refined competencies in advisor relationship management, sales enablement, and impactful presentations. Collaborating with advisors to drive client growth, I remain committed to advancing the retirement and asset management industries. Supported by CAIA, AIF, and CPFA credentials, I prioritize fiduciary excellence and innovative approaches to enhance advisor success with their participants. Currently pursuing the CFA designation and a Level 3 candidate, this will deepen my investment acumen and better serve the evolving needs of my clients.

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The views expressed are my own and not of Franklin Templeton.
 
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Connections

Industry: Financial Services
Headquarters: Greater Tampa Bay Area
Title: Business Development Director - DCIO Southeast
Company: Franklin Templeton
Company Website: https://franklinresources.com
Company Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/franklin-templeton/
Company Founded In: 1947
Company Size: 5001-10000
Current Job Duration: 7 mos
Country: United States
License And Certifications: Name: Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor Authority: National Association of Plan Advisors Company ID: None Date: Unknown URL: https://linkedin.com/company/72371116 Name: AIF Authority: Fi360 (now Broadridge) Company ID: None Date: Unknown URL: https://linkedin.com/company/229772 Name: CAIA Authority: CAIA Association Company ID: None Date: Unknown URL: https://linkedin.com/company/98491
Work Experience: Title: Business Development Director - DCIO Southeast Company: Franklin Templeton Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/franklin-templeton/ Industry: Financial Services Company Size: 5001-10000 Location: Greater Tampa Bay Area Country: None Employment Type: Full-time Start At: 12-2025 Ends At: Present Description: None Title: Regional Vice President - DCIO Company: Raymond James Investment Management Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/carillontower/ Industry: None Company Size: None Location: None Country: None Employment Type: Full-time Start At: 11-2017 Ends At: 05-2025 Description: • Worked with Retirement Advisors selling Raymond James Investment Mgmt & affiliated asset managers’ products. • Managed DCIO/Sub-Advised relationships on the East Coast and at industry conferences. • Achieved 180% of sales goal in FY2021, 100% of sales goal FY2022 and 103% of sales goal FY2023. • Achieved 116% of meeting metrics FY2021, 143% of meeting metrics FY2022 and 112% of meeting metrics FY2023. Title: Regional Director Company: Scout Investments Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scout-investments/ Industry: Investment Management Company Size: 51-200 Location: Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area Country: None Employment Type: None Start At: 04-2014 Ends At: 11-2017 Description: • Contributed to the development of a new sales team at Scout, engaging clients in the retirement space. • Part of a team that grew a single mandate from $440 million to over $1.4 billion for a 150% increase within two years. • Responsible for the Southeast territory generating $10 million in individual sales. • Ranked first in client meetings and average sales ticket in 2016. Title: VA/DCIO Intermediary Sales Consultant Company: T. Rowe Price Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/t--rowe-price/ Industry: Financial Services Company Size: 5001-10000 Location: Washington DC-Baltimore Area Country: None Employment Type: None Start At: 07-2012 Ends At: 04-2014 Description: • Assisted advisors at all production levels in growing their practice through unique ideas, industry and plan due diligence, and closing business. • Conducted informative branch/home office meetings and seminars on mutual funds through sub-advised accounts and 401(k) plans. • Traveled extensively to identify and manage relationships in the VA/DCIO market. • Responsible for the West Coast and Great Lakes territory supporting wholesalers and advisors in the field generating over $225 million in DCIO assets in FY 2013. Title: Investment Counselor Company: T. Rowe Price Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/t--rowe-price/ Industry: Financial Services Company Size: 5001-10000 Location: None Country: None Employment Type: None Start At: 08-2008 Ends At: 07-2012 Description: • Serve as single point of contact for clients from initial inquiry through acquisition of assets and achieved $6.25M per month, surpassing goal from January 2011 through December 2011 and in November 2011, had 48.9% new account conversion, which ranked 1st nationally Title: Investment Specialist Company: T. Rowe Price Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/t--rowe-price/ Industry: Financial Services Company Size: 5001-10000 Location: None Country: None Employment Type: None Start At: 10-2007 Ends At: 07-2008 Description: • Generated $5M+ per month in gross sales and 10+ Business Referrals in Q1, 2008, by selling T. Rowe retail products, including IRAs, taxable and custodial accounts, 529, and small business plans, exceeding department goals for associates ($5M per month, 8 Business Referrals per month) Title: PSC Specialist Company: T. Rowe Price Company URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/t--rowe-price/ Industry: Financial Services Company Size: 5001-10000 Location: None Country: None Employment Type: None Start At: 07-2006 Ends At: 09-2007 Description: None
Education: School: University of Tampa - John H. Sykes College of Business Degree: Master of Business Administration, International Business Activities: None School: Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Degree: Bachelors, Communications/GeoEnvironmental Activities: None
Headline: Business Development Director (DCIO)
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