skip to main content
Main Menu
The Forrest Group logo in color
  • Clients
  • Background
  • Team
  • Alliances
  • Values
  • Approach
  • Services
  • Get in Touch

Knowledge. Trust.

Relationships.


The Forrest Group, LLC provides estate planning in Houston, Texas, that primarily focuses on privately held business owners, high net worth individuals, and affluent families. Our firm specializes in wealth transfer and business succession planning. We address problems common to the transfer of wealth, lifestyles and financial security to future generations.

down arrow

Trusted Advisors


Most of your clients have life insurance. With the attrition rate in the life insurance industry being so high, there is a strong probability that the life insurance policy that your client has deployed is not being effectively monitored. We can help you review their existing coverage and give insight as to how the policy will perform and if any adjustments should be undertaken.

Working with other professionals

Business Owners


We are going to help you think about how you want your business to flow downstream. Do you want your children to inherit your business? Would you prefer to sell to a third party? Are there employees you trust to carry on the business that you can sell to? We will help you think through these issues and assist in determining the right solution that most effectively accomplishes your objective.

High Net Worth Individuals


For people who have been blessed with significant resources, cascading their wealth downstream can be a complicated matter. We will help you think through all the issues, both positive and negative, and assist in the deployment of a plan that is most reflective of your objectives. All of this, with a keen eye towards your legacy and your philanthropic desires.

Gib's Story


Our objective at The Forrest Group is to help our clients:

  • Pass on their hard earned assets (including their businesses) to their desired heirs in a manner that enables them to leave the legacy intended.

  • Protect their assets from excessive tax burdens and potential undesirable future creditors.

  • Ensure that the client’s desires for charitable giving are crystallized and enabled to be continued for future generations.

Please watch the video to the left to learn how and why Gib got started in the business.

Quotation marks for the start of a quote

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children…

Quotation marks for the end of a quote

Proverbs 13:22

Meet Our Team


Gib Surles Headshot

Gib Surles, CLU®, ChFC®, CFP®, AEP®, MSFS

Principal and Founder

Read About Gib
Melissa K. Dyches Headshot

Melissa K. Dyches, LSA

Director of Operations & Policy Services Manager

Read About Melissa
Marilyn T. Daniel Headshot

Marilyn T. Daniel

Financial Officer & Director of Client Service

Read About Marilyn
New Nautilus team
Read About Our Exclusive Planning Resource
Quotation marks for the start of a quote

Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.

Quotation marks for the end of a quote

Albert Einstein

Our Strategic Alliances


We are proud to partner with several organizations that provide us with support and resources. These strategic alliances were chosen because they allow us to best meet the needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complex they may be.

The Forrest Group logo in color

Click on the logos below to learn more about each organization.

Simple horizontal divider graphic with four evenly spaced vertical ticks, typically used for section separation in visual layouts or presentations.
The Nautilus Group® logo

The Nautilus Group®

Estate planning

Business planning

Insurance strategies

The Nautilus Group® logo

Nautilus Plus

Exclusive access to elite professionals

Client focused services

Specialists in taxes, estate law, and more

New York Life logo

New York Life

Life insurance

Fixed annuities

Long-term care insurance

Eagle Strategies LLC logo

Eagle Strategies LLC

Fee-based financial planning

Investment advisory services

Investment management programs

Quotation marks for the start of a quote

Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.

Quotation marks for the end of a quote

Benjamin Franklin

Our Values


At The Forrest Group, we honor building relationships with our clients and the people in our community. Watch the video on the right to hear how our relationship developed over the years with Former Chairman Kevin Brady, previously of the United States House of Representatives 8th Congressional District. In addition to valuing relationships with people, some of the other things we value as a company include:

Handshake icon

Open communication

Books icon

Commitment to continuing education

Shield icon

Trustworthiness and transparency

Heart Hands icon

Putting our clients’ interests first

Quotation marks for the start of a quote

The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.

Quotation marks for the end of a quote

Chinese Proverb

Our Approach


Our Approach graphic with the name of each step

One thing our clients appreciate about working with us is that we don’t believe in cookie-cutter financial services or a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we follow a meticulous process designed to help get to know each client’s situation, goals and level of risk tolerance so that we can make appropriate recommendations to meet their needs. Everyone is different and we may amend our approach to suit a specific client, but in general, we utilize the following process to help those we're privileged to serve.

Step 1: Review

Review your individual situation and personal objectives. Every family's financial situation is unique. That's why it's so important to find out as much as we can about you and your financial goals. The more we know about you, the more precise recommendations we can make and the more we can help you. As a result, we may take some time to discuss your hopes, dreams and objectives, and the things that really matter to you. This is the basis for the first meeting with anyone we sit down with.

Step 2: Analyze

Analyze and review your needs. As needed, we will work with you to identify and prioritize your objectives, and then help establish benchmark goals. This is important because we live in a world of unlimited choices. People often fail to achieve objectives because they try to accomplish too much at once, or they don’t attach specific deadlines to their goals. By breaking down your goals to specific objectives, you can look at available resources and decide which goals are realistic, which need to be adjusted and scaled down, and which simply must be abandoned.

Step 3: Develop

Develop and implement a strategy to help you achieve your goals. Based on our conversation and analysis, we can recommend the steps that it will take to help you achieve your financial goals.

Step 4: Coordinate

Coordinate your financial activities. We regularly coordinate insurance and financial activities for clients with the other members of their team of financial, tax and legal advisors. We can do the same for you.

Step 5: Implement

We'll implement your strategy, and work closely with you and your other third party professionals to help ensure its success. We'll monitor progress and provide ongoing service as your needs and situation change over time.

Step 6: Monitor

Planning is not a one-shot deal. Strategies need to be adjusted periodically as your life and the economy changes. We will work with you over the years to help keep your program on track with your changing needs.

Quotation marks for the start of a quote

In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

Quotation marks for the end of a quote

Benjamin Franklin

Our Core Services


Certainly, high net worth individuals face many complex questions about how to optimize their financial wealth and ensure the security of their families’ futures. Gib Surles is a Member Agent of The Nautilus Group®, a service of New York Life Insurance Company. Through our affiliation with The Nautilus Group® and with New York Life we have access to an unmatched base of knowledge and experience. Together, we can work with you one-on-one to answer your questions and tailor solutions to fit your needs.

Business icon

Business Succession and Exit Planning

Bar chart icon

Estate and Legacy Planning

List icon

Annuities

User lock icon

Life Insurance

The Forrest Group logo in white

Our Location


2121 Sage Road, Suite 355
Houston, TX 77056

Connect With Us


Connect on LinkedIn
Client Login

Get In Touch


Office: (713) 572-0091
Fax: (713) 572-0109

Disclosure

F Surles is an agent licensed to sell insurance through New York Life Insurance Company and may be licensed with various other independent unaffiliated insurance companies in the states of CA (CA Insurance License #0F71305), CO, DC, GA, LA, MS, NY, PA, and TX. No insurance business may be conducted outside the states referenced.

As a New York Life Agent, F Surles is licensed and authorized to offer insurance in California, but THE FORREST GROUP, LLC may not be. For additional information on California licensure status, please click here.

F Surles is a Registered Representative of and offers securities products & services through NYLIFE Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, a licensed insurance agency, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company, 2121 Sage Rd Ste 355, Houston, TX, 77056, 713-572-0091. In this regard, this communication is strictly intended for individuals residing in the state of Texas. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside the specific state referenced.

F Surles is also a Financial Adviser with Eagle Strategies LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company, offering advisory services in the state of Texas. As such, these services are strictly intended for individuals residing in the state referenced.

F Surles is a Member Agent of The Nautilus Group®, a service of New York Life Insurance Company.

The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®, is recognized globally as the standard of excellence for life insurance sales performance in the insurance and financial services industry.

THE FORREST GROUP, LLC is not owned or operated by NYLIFE Securities LLC or its affiliates.

Neither THE FORREST GROUP, LLC nor its associates are in the business of offering tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, or accounting professional before making any decisions.

For more information about NYLIFE Securities LLC and its investment professionals.

Click here
  • Clients
  • Background
  • Team
  • Alliances
  • Values
  • Approach
  • Services
  • Get in Touch

Copyright 2026. New York Life Insurance Company. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy

NYLIFE Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.

For additional information, visit Customer Relationship Summary.pdf

Your Privacy Choices