Fulfilling Lives

Scott Wood, along with Co-founder Mark Gehlbach, launched True North Advisors in 2000, with the single goal of eliminating conflicts of interest in the client-advisor relationship. As True North’s CEO, Scott is the architect of the firm’s vision, strategy and culture and is a voting member of the firm’s Investment Policy Committee. He also shares responsibility for shaping the growth, profitability, and marketing of the firm.

Scott holds the distinction of being a Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA), awarded by the Wharton School of Business, and a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA).

The firm’s mission is Fulfilling Lives™, and Scott supports this by helping shape a team of advisors to understand what is most important to each client and what they’re trying to accomplish, to build a holistic plan to meet those goals, and then to deliver on that promise.

Scott serves on many boards and organizations in Dallas, including serving as the 104th President of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, Chairman of the Momentous Institute Board, Treasurer of the Tom Landry FCA Foundation, and Park Cities Baptist Church’s Long-Term Planning Committee. He’s also an active member of the YPO Gold-Dallas, YPO Gold-Maverick and the Salesmanship Club of Dallas.

Scott attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration. Scott values faith, family, and relationships; everything else is filtered through those priorities. When not working, he most enjoys time with his wife and three daughters, particularly spending time outdoors, snow skiing, cycling, running, golfing, surfing, boating or just about any other recreational pursuit.

Mark Gehlbach is President and Co-founder of True North Advisors. Responsible for the leadership of True North’s Managing Directors, Mark also provides strategic and cultural direction for the firm’s future and advises many of the firm’s largest families and institutions. Mark oversees the Investment and Wealth Planning divisions and is a voting member of True North’s Investment Committee. Mark’s 25+ years of experience guiding high net worth families in the stewardship of their resources serves as the foundation of the True North client experience.

Mark began his career at the Salomon Smith Barney Consulting Group. There, he was responsible for providing both investment and wealth management services to private investors, and consulting and trading services to institutional investors. Well-regarded in the investment industry, Mark was one of the first thirteen wealth advisors in the nation to hold the designation of Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA), awarded at University of Chicago Booth School of Business. An active member in the local and national wealth management industry, Mark is often quoted and sought after as a source by professional publications such as Private Asset Management and Bloomberg Wealth Manager.

Integral in crafting the firm’s core purpose: Fulfilling Lives™, Mark purposefully encourages all colleagues to think about their daily efforts with client relationships, vendors relationships and their co-workers to ensure that every interaction is intentionally working towards this goal.

Fulfilling Lives™ includes giving back to the community which is demonstrated through Mark’s involvement in many boards and organizations throughout North Texas. His committee and board leadership includes the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, the Parkland Health and Hospital System, and the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas Foundation. In 2022, Mark was selected by DCEO as a finalist for the Corporate Leadership Excellence Award for his service supporting a North Texas-based non-profit that works with refugees.

Mark is a Phi Beta Kappa, cum laude graduate of Baylor University and a lifelong learner. In his spare time, Mark and his family enjoy being outdoors, travelling the world, and serving those less fortunate throughout North Texas.