Who We Are
Meet Our Team
Our team works as a unit to comprehensively support your financial wellbeing. We collaborate constantly, so that every team member, at any moment, can provide insight and guidance about your financial plan. We strive to exceed expectations. Through soliciting client feedback, adopting new industry best practices, and employing professional coaching, our service to you improves with each interaction.
Why Us?
We offer a highly sophisticated approach to wealth management delivered with personal attention and care. Our service model allows us to be generous with our time while offering every client a comprehensive experience. Our mission is to bridge the gap between your personal values and your financial resources. We’re here to help guide you to the intersection of your finances and heart’s desires—a place of true wealth.
Our Affiliations
We’ve strategically aligned our practice with industry organizations, enabling us to provide fully comprehensive
service and sophisticated resources that enhance your wealth management experience. Through our employment with Steward Partners,
we have access to an extended network to offer solutions and support for even the most complex planning cases.
Protecting Your Privacy and Your Accounts
Managing your wealth is no minor responsibility. We’re honored to serve in such a singular role, which is why we’re diligent about protecting your privacy and safeguarding the assets under our care.
After graduating from The Colorado College in 1984, founding partner Chris Detmer reported to his first job ready to learn about life insurance. Unfortunately, the hiring manager had departed for another company, leaving Chris with an uncertain future. Undeterred, Chris greeted each day with enthusiasm and spent time studying and learning the business. Little did Chris know that he was cultivating the seeds that became what the Washington Wealth Group is today.
Before long, clients began asking Chris about investing and other topics within financial planning and wealth management. Recognizing the need for comprehensive and holistic financial advice, Chris studied and completed his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 1991. He went on to earn a Chartered Financial Consultant designation in 1998 and became a Chartered Life Underwriter in 2000.
Today, Chris is an advisor for a select group of individuals, families, and institutions and spearheads the team’s efforts to deliver an exceptional client experience. In addition to architecting and refining custom family office services, Chris leads Family Summits which create opportunities for clients to explore, discuss, nurture, and transmit values across generations.
Away from the office, Chris cherishes time with his wife and two sons, as well as the family’s golden retrievers. Chris is an avid fisherman who spends time on Nantucket each year. He is passionate about the preservation of natural resources, particularly marine life. Chris and his wife can be found rooting for the Washington Capitals.
Chris is a volunteer mentor for students at Year Up, a nonprofit that provides education, mentoring, and internship opportunities to at-risk youth. He and partner Aaron Brachman received Year Up’s Urban Empowerment Award for their continuous stewardship and community-based support within Year Up’s National Capitol Region.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Aaron's Role
Aaron's primary role is to create client portfolios and generally oversee investing for the practice. He researches new investment opportunities, determines which options best suit clients' objectives, and monitors investment activity to ensure everything operates according to their financial plans. He continually looks for innovative ways to further his clients' goals, and he especially loves the challenge of examining unique and cutting-edge developments in the investment world. He also sits on the firm's New Product Committee, reviewing the practice's new products.
Aaron directs Washington Wealth Group's pro-bono efforts and founded their Next Generation Initiative, which focuses on teaching finance basics to emerging professionals and clients' children.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Source: Forbes.com SHOOK considered advisors born in 1981 or later with a minimum 4 years as an advisor. Advisors have: built their own practices and lead their teams; joined teams and are viewed as future leadership; or a combination of both. Ranking algorithm is based on qualitative measures: telephone and in-person interviews, client retention, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC, and are not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client's experience. Neither Steward Partners Investment Solutions, LLC nor its Welath Managers pay a fee to Forbes or SHOOK Research in exchange for the ranking. For more information, see www.SHOOKresearch.com.
Vas Vlcek joined the Washington Wealth Group in 2014 and has been helping the next generation of investors to achieve their financial goals since then. He enjoys working closely with clients to address their ongoing needs and changing life circumstances within their financial plans. Vas currently holds Series 7, 66, and 31 securities licenses. In 2019, he earned the Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS®) certification obtained through the College for Financial Planning.
Vas was born and raised in the Czech Republic and moved to the United States in 2004. He graduated with highest honors in Economics and Political Science from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, and started his career at the International Monetary Fund where he was a research and staff assistant from 2011 to 2012. Vas later joined RBC Wealth Management and subsequently received the “RBC Wealth Management Award of Excellence” for outstanding client service.
Outside of the office, Vas spends most of his free time with his wife and two young daughters. He also enjoys skiing, soccer, tennis, mountain biking, and hiking.
Andrew works closely with Managing Directors Chris Detmer and Aaron Brachman to deliver an exceptional client experience. In addition to spearheading the creation and implementation of advanced financial plans, Andrew performs due diligence and monitors all alternative investment strategies. He particularly enjoys finding solutions for client’s financial needs, and proactively developing strategies to take advantage of opportunities in the investment marketplace.
Born and raised in Washington D.C., Andrew followed his passion for rowing to the University of California, Davis, where he competed as a member of the Aggie rowing team. Andrew served as president and captain of the team. While working for the student-run bus company, he drove authentic London double-decker buses, mastering the art of driving with the steering wheel on the right side of the vehicle. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, Andrew joined the Washington Wealth Group in 2016. Andrew holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification and is Series 7 and 66 securities licensed.
Andrew enjoys rowing, reading, and listening to macro-trend podcasts. When not in the office, he is likely found in Scotland visiting his wife’s family. He is passionate about youth development and is currently Head Coach of the Walter Johnson High School rowing team. Under his leadership, the team has medaled multiple times at the Scholastic Rowing Association of America National Championships.
Aziz joined Washington Wealth Group in September 2022 as a Vice-president, Client Administrative Manager. Aziz provides operational support to the team’s Financial Advisors and specializes in building personalized client experiences using efficient communication tactics and complex problem-solving skills. Prior to joining the firm, Aziz worked on consulting projects in international trade at the World Bank, focusing on policy analysis and providing recommendations for Malaysia and Kazakhstan.
Born and raised in Kyrgyzstan, Aziz witnessed the collapse of the Soviet Union and the painful transition to the market economy and opening up of post-communist countries to the world. Aziz received his BA in Business Administration from the American University in Bulgaria and MA in Political Science from the Central European University in Hungary. After returning to Central Asia, he worked for 9+ years in various roles for international financial institutions including HSBC, ABN AMRO, and RBS. Throughout his banking career he has focused on creating value for retail and high-net worth individuals, business development, process improvement and enhancing customer experience.
Aziz married his college sweetheart Madina and live with their three sons in Falls Church, VA. They enjoy traveling, cooking, and spending time outdoors. He is fluent in English, Russian, Turkish, Kyrgyz and Kazakh.
Bill's Role
Bill has dedicated over 35 years of his life to the financial services industry as a Financial Advisor and Wealth Manager. He acts as his client’s CFO, overseeing the big picture of their financial worlds to ensure they are continually on track for their goals. He takes care of everything behind the scenes—their investments, trusts, insurance programs, and more—so they can spend more time on what they care about most. His mission is to alleviate stress for his clients, help them gain peace about their financial objectives, and give them confidence that they’ll have the means to achieve a joyful, fulfilling life.