Dwight Investment Counsel

Registered Investment Advisor

Holderness, New Hampshire

About the company

Founded in 2019, Dwight Investment Counsel, LLC, based in Holderness, New Hampshire, proudly continues the legacy of Lance Dwight’s late father. Our firm is committed to the careful stewardship of clients’ investment portfolios, including families, individuals, trusts, and estates.

At Dwight Investment Counsel, we focus on the long-term preservation, management, and growth of wealth. We are not a bank, nor a private equity firm; we do not sell insurance or provide tax advice. Instead, we specialize in strategic investment management tailored to meet the unique goals and aspirations of each client.

This is an image of the owner and president, Lance Dwight.

About myself

I am Lawrence Edward Dwight III, but please call me Lance. Born in October 1990 in Kennebunk, Maine, to Lawrence "J" E. Dwight Jr. and Sandra Luce, I was raised alongside my sister in an environment abundant with heritage, duty, and responsibility.

As a third-generation investment advisor, I proudly uphold the legacy of trust and integrity that my father and grandfather instilled in this profession. At Dwight Investment Counsel, LLC, I manage the investment portfolios of family, friends, and valued clients, focusing primarily on publicly traded stocks. The unexpected loss of my father in 2012 at our family farm was a pivotal moment in my life. In the years that followed, I sought solace and direction in his collection of financial texts, notably Benjamin Graham’s "The Intelligent Investor" and "The Interpretation of Financial Statements." The wisdom of Charlie Munger and Warren Buffett, investors my father admired, deeply influenced my financial education and fueled my passion for investing.

I spent several summers in a modest shack—affectionately known as "Pat's House"—attached to my grandparents' garage in Kennebunk. There, I divided my time between tending the garden beds of the Colony Hotel in Kennebunkport and diving deep into the complexities of the investment world through my father’s favorite books and various exam manuals. This period of introspection and study, which began as a curiosity about my father's and grandfather's wisdom, transformed into a drive that fueled my ambition to master the art and science of investing and to establish my own advisory firm.

After passing my licensing exam, I realized my dream by founding Dwight Investment Counsel, LLC in 2019, modeled after my father's firm. Built on the principles of diligence, education, and a profound commitment to our clients, our firm does more than manage assets. We nurture legacies, build trust, and empower our clients with investment strategies that have stood the test of time.

Today, I reside in Holderness, New Hampshire with my beloved wife, Aberdine, our two-year-old son, Lawrence IV, and our daughter, Charlotte.

Investment Philosophy and Strategy

Philosophy

My investment approach is centered on positioning my clients' assets in quality businesses that offer sustainable, long-term value.

Investing is a blend of art and science. Successful investing requires rigorous quantitative analysis—analyzing financial statements, cash flow, and economic indicators—as well as the qualitative judgment that comes from understanding the business’s management quality, competitive position, and industry dynamics.

Sound investing goes beyond just numbers. It demands a rational framework, grounded in the fundamentals of a business, and the temperament to stay disciplined when markets are euphoric or fearful.

Investment Strategy

As an advisor and portfolio manager, I have distinct advantages that allow me to serve my clients exceptionally well:

  1. Time & Focus:
    With a small number of clients, I devote my time to deeply analyzing businesses and aligning each client’s portfolio with their specific needs and long-term goals. This personalized approach allows me to make well-considered decisions that support steady, reliable growth over time.
  2. Agility in Decision-Making:
    Being the sole decision-maker for my clients' portfolios means I can act swiftly when opportunities arise. My investment decisions aren’t delayed by internal debates or swayed by the biases of colleagues. This allows me to maintain focus, making decisions that are in the best interest of my clients with clarity and efficiency.
  3. Rationality & Discipline:
    I take pride in being rational and disciplined, steering clear of the common pitfalls that often ensnare investors. By staying detached from the emotional fads and fancies of Wall Street, I can make decisions with wisdom and patience. As Charlie Munger aptly puts it, "You don’t have to be brilliant, only a little bit wiser than the other guys, on average, for a long time." By consistently focusing on sound judgment and avoiding impulsive choices, I aim to achieve sustainable long-term success for my clients.

The Long-Term Advantage

Wall Street offers an abundance of companies to invest in, but finding truly exceptional businesses is rare. I focus on those few standout opportunities, knowing that even in bull markets where others might outperform, my rational and disciplined approach will lead to sustainable performance over time.

On the bookshelf beside my desk, I keep a vintage pin-back button from my grandfather that reads, "Don't confuse brains with a bull market." It serves as a constant reminder that while short-term gains can be exaggerated during market rallies, real success comes from achieving steady, above-average returns over the long term.

By focusing on rational decision-making and insightful analysis, I aim to deliver significant value and lasting financial security for my clients over the course of many decades as their portfolio manager.