Category: Financial Planning

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Building Spartan Shield: Lessons in Leadership, GovCon, and Growth with Jack Longanacre (Ep. 3)

Building Spartan Shield: Lessons in Leadership, GovCon, and Growth with Jack Longanacre (Ep. 3)

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From late nights fueled by Red Bull to building a 50+ person team, Jack Longanacre’s journey proves that growth is never a straight line.

In this episode, Gaffar Chowdhury, CAP®, sits down with Jack Longanacre, CPA, CGFM, MPA, President and CEO of Spartan Shield Solutions, to explore how a veteran’s discipline, a CPA’s precision, and an entrepreneur’s grit combined to create one of the fastest-growing outsourced CFO firms in the GovCon space.

Gaffar and Jack discuss:

  • Why grassroots companies shouldn’t copy Silicon Valley playbooks too early
  • The challenges of staffing and scaling in a specialized financial services firm
  • How government spending shifts and AI are reshaping GovCon
  • The lessons Jack carried from military service, mentorship, and early career experiences
  • And more!

Connect with Gaffar Chowdhury:

Connect with Jack Longanacre:

About Our Guest: 

Jack Longanacre is the President & CEO of Spartan Shield Solutions, a veteran-owned fractional CFO and outsourced accounting firm headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. With nearly two decades of experience in GovCon and accounting, Jack leads a 50+ person team helping companies nationwide navigate finance, compliance, and growth. A former military servicemember and CPA firm leader, he has guided Spartan Shield to three consecutive appearances on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies.

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The views and opinions expressed are those of the program participants and are not necessarily those of MML Investors Services LLC. The material is not intended as recommendations appropriate for you. You should strongly consider seeking advice from your own investment specialist.

Gaffar Chowdhury is a registered representative of and offers securities through MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. OSJ 530 Gaither Road, Suite 350, Rockville, MD 20850 (301) 355-5800.

District Wealth Strategies is not a subsidiary or affiliate of MML Investors Services, LLC.

CRN#: CRN202809-9611024

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From Civil Rights to Legal Leadership: A Conversation with Benjamin F. Wilson (Ep. 2)

From Civil Rights to Legal Leadership: A Conversation with Benjamin F. Wilson (Ep. 2)

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From the turbulent civil rights era in Mississippi to becoming Chairman of one of the nation’s leading environmental law firms, Benjamin F. Wilson’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

In this episode of Stories Behind the Wealth, host Gaffar Chowdhury, CAP®, sits down with Ben Wilson, the retired Chairman of Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.,  to uncover the turning points, mentors, and values that shaped his career, family, and legacy. From childhood experiences during the Civil Rights era in Mississippi to leading precedent-setting environmental cases, Wilson’s story is one of resilience, leadership, and lasting impact. Along the way, he reflects on the mentors who opened doors, the hard lessons of his early career, and why legacy and mentorship matter far more than titles or material wealth. This thoughtful conversation offers listeners not just a glimpse into one man’s remarkable career but also timeless insights on justice, leadership, and living a life of purpose.

In this episode, Gaffar and Ben discuss:

  • How growing up in the segregated South inspired Ben’s lifelong pursuit of justice
  • The mentors and legal trailblazers who influenced Ben’s path
  • Ben’s leadership philosophy while guiding Beveridge & Diamond to national prominence
  • Why legacy, mentorship, and impact mean more than material wealth
  • And more!

Connect with Gaffar Chowdhury:

Connect with Benjamin F. Wilson:

About Our Guest:

Benjamin F. Wilson is the retired Chairman of Beveridge & Diamond PC, the largest firm dedicated primarily to environmental law, where he became its first African American partner and later Chairman. Over his career, he has championed environmental justice, diversity in the legal profession, and pro bono service, while mentoring numerous attorneys. A proud Dartmouth and Harvard Law graduate, Wilson has also taught at Howard University School of Law for more than two decades and continues to shape future generations of leaders.

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The views and opinions expressed are those of the program participants and are not necessarily those of MML Investors Services LLC. The material is not intended as recommendations appropriate for you. You should strongly consider seeking advice from your own investment specialist.

Gaffar Chowdhury is a registered representative of and offers securities through MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. OSJ 530 Gaither Road, Suite 350, Rockville, MD 20850 (301) 355-5800.

District Wealth Strategies is not a subsidiary or affiliate of MML Investors Services, LLC.

CRN#:02808-9383539

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Meet Your Guide: The Voice Behind District Wealth Strategies (Ep. 1)

Meet Your Guide: The Voice Behind District Wealth Strategies (Ep. 1)

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What drives someone to start a financial firm after 17 years in the industry? 

In this debut episode of Stories Behind the Wealth, Gaffar Chowdhury, CAP®, shares his journey from a blue-collar upbringing to launching District Wealth Strategies. 

With sincerity and vision, he reflects on the lessons learned from his parents’ work ethic, the complexity of financial jargon, and the importance of simplifying money for everyday professionals.

This episode introduces Gaffar’s “why,” his approach to working with high-income earners and business owners, and how this podcast will uncover the personal stories behind success.

What to expect:

  • Gaffar’s journey from industry insider to entrepreneur
  • Why simplifying finances matters more than ever
  • A team-based approach to wealth strategy
  • How storytelling will shape this podcast’s future
  • And more!

Connect with Gaffar Chowdhury: 

About Gaffar Chowdhury

Gaffar Chowdhury has been in the financial services for the last 17 years working with high income earning individuals and closely held businesses. He spent his career sharpening and practicing his skill under three leading financial services firms. Gaffar launched District Wealth Strategies with a heightened focus on client service and an intention to disrupt the traditional approach to personal and business financial strategies. His team’s vision is to help clients mitigate taxes, build and protect generational wealth, and make financial conversations more approachable.

Gaffar was born in Bangladesh and has lived in the DC area for over 30 years. He is the current President of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors – Greater Washington DC chapter and a past board member/longstanding advocate of the Women’s Bar Association Foundation of DC. He received his undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business Since his undergraduate studies, Gaffar has developed a passion for charitable giving and helping others make a lasting impact through philanthropic planning. In 2021, he received the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy, CAP® Designation from the American College and now actively helps clients with planned giving strategies.

When he is not busy being an entrepreneur and helping clients fulfil their dreams, he enjoys traveling the globe with his wife, Brooke and spending time with family and close friends. When he is not in the office and not traveling, you can find him at a local group boxing and fitness studio!

The views and opinions expressed are those of the program participants and are not necessarily those of MML Investors Services LLC.  The material is not intended as recommendations appropriate for you. You should strongly consider seeking advice from your own investment specialist.

Gaffar Chowdhury is a registered representative of and offers securities through MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. OSJ 530 Gaither Road, Suite 350, Rockville, MD  20850 (301)355-5800.

District Wealth Strategies is not a subsidiary or affiliate of MML Investors Services, LLC.

CRN#: CRN202807-8961988

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