Our Mission
Planning that Remembers Who You Are
When the worry of outliving your savings or missing the retirement you imagined makes the future feel uncertain, Columbia Associates becomes the steady partner who turns that anxiety into clarity. We pair seasoned wisdom with modern tools so that your advisor truly knows your story, anticipates life’s turns, and shapes a living plan that fits your family, business and values. The result is not a template but calm, confident stewardship—proactive guidance and seamless transitions that let you focus on living peacefully while your financial life stays on course.
How We Began — and What We’re Here For
from an advisor’s simple idea to a practice built for generations
Columbia Associates was built much the same way we serve our clients today: through relationships, trust, and a shared commitment to caring for people. After years in the financial industry, Doug MacLardy established Columbia Associates’ Vancouver office, and Tim Smith joined him shortly after as he began his own career as an advisor. A few years later, Tim began sharing resources and best practices with Rob Musante in Portland, and another trusted relationship took shape. Over time, the three recognized that they shared an approach to financial advice and a vision for the kind of practice they wanted to build. That partnership became the foundation for Columbia Associates as we know it today.
Since then, Columbia Associates has grown to eight advisors across three offices, supported by a dedicated operations team and even a few family members along the way. We’ve grown and evolved, but the heart of the firm hasn’t changed. Columbia Associates is a family, and we bring that same sense of care, responsibility, and commitment to the families we’re privileged to serve.
Our Promise to You
Three commitments we stand behind — every day
Continuity you can rely on
More than one advisor knows your plan, so transitions are smooth and advice stays consistent. That protects your priorities from staff changes, life events, or market surprises.
Proactive care, human and practical
We look for opportunities and risks before they become problems, and we explain them in plain language so you can act with confidence — not confusion.
Plans shaped around your life
We coordinate retirement, tax, estate and business decisions into one coherent strategy tailored to your goals — not a product checklist. The result is clearer choices and fewer regrets.