RIA Edge

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong speaks with Randy Morris, founder and CEO of Summit Wealth Group, about the firm’s transition from a long-standing broker/dealer affiliate to launch its own independent RIA platform. He explains how the decision was shaped by a desire for greater autonomy, improved client experience and long-term growth potential. Randy also shares how leadership structure, internal ownership and a minority capital partnership are helping guide the firm forward, along with how digital marketing, acquisitions, expanded services and technology are each playing a role in building the next phase of the business. Key takeaways: What drove the firm’s leaders to leave a 20-year tenure as a hybrid affiliate of an independent broker/dealer to launch “Summit 2.0” as a fully independent RIA The succession calculations that fueled many of the structural changes Summit made in recent years The importance of organic growth and how Summit has landed some of its largest clients via SEO and Google What drives the firm’s M&A strategy, and the types of firms it is looking to add to the mix in the future How Summit executives decided on an executive organizational structure to formalize and streamline decision-making processes, and how they deliberately created internal career pathways for employees The reasons the firm accepted an investment from Constellation Wealth, beyond simply access to operating capital How the firm feels about balancing unified branding with localized identities for its geographically diverse advisors Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on Wealth Management Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: Wealth Management LinkedIn: Wealth Management LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Randy Morris: LinkedIn: Randy Morris LinkedIn: Summit Wealth Group Website: Summit Wealth Group About Our Guest: Randy Morris’ early career helped prepare him as a financial planning pioneer. After graduating from the University of Colorado in 1982 with a degree in business and organizational management, he worked for two years as Vice President of Executive Economic Services, Inc., in Denver, Colorado. In 1985, Randy founded Executive Financial Planning, Inc. (EFP), one of Mississippi’s first financial planning firms. In 2002, he created Summit Wealth Group (SWG) out of a desire to provide additional wealth management services for clients. Randy serves as the firm’s CEO. In March 2025, Summit Wealth Group, LLC, registered with the SEC as a registered Investment Advisor and filed notice with six states.  Peers in the financial industry have recognized Randy’s skills and accomplishments by electing him as a past President of the Mississippi Chapter of the Financial Planning Association (FPA). Randy is a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC-1985), and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Practitioner (1987). He is also a Registered Representative, an Investment Adviser Representative, and a Registered Securities Principal. Additionally, he has assisted the CFP® Board of Examiners as an exam reviewer.  Randy has served on numerous boards, including Barge Timberlands International, Camp Lake Forest Ranch, Southeast Regional Committee for Young Life, Military Community Youth Ministries (MCYM), and the World Vision Leadership Council. Randy lives with his wife, Nancy, in Scottsdale, Arizona, where they attend Scottsdale Bible Church. They have six children: Joy, Jesse, Hannah, Scott, Randy, and Ryan, as well as 12 grandchildren. Randy’s accolades include being recognized by Forbes Magazine in each of the past 8 years, making its “Best-In-State Wealth Advisors” list for the state of Arizona. 

In this episode of the RIA Edge podcast, host David Armstrong speaks with Phil Fiore, co-founder and CEO of Procyon, about how he and his team transitioned from a wirehouse environment to build a fast-growing independent firm. He shares how that growth has been driven by a commitment to delivering fully integrated client services, a disciplined approach to scaling resources to enhance the client experience and a focus on combining organic growth with selective acquisitions that align culturally and strategically. Key takeaways: How breaking from wirehouses opened the door to fully customized, client-first service models Why scale allows firms to expand services and improve the overall client experience meaningfully How integrating services like tax, insurance and M&A builds a true family office approach The importance of a unified brand and culture when pursuing growth through acquisitions How AI is being used to increase advisor efficiency while keeping client relationships central Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on Wealth Management Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: Wealth Management LinkedIn: Wealth Management LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Phil Fiore: LinkedIn: Phil Fiore LinkedIn: Procyon Website: Procyon About Our Guest: Phil is a highly experienced individual with over 30 years of expertise in providing investment consulting services to institutions and high-net-worth families. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Procyon, he brings his extensive financial knowledge to the firm, focusing on firm-wide management, leadership & Nationwide expansion. Before co-founding Procyon, Phil held the position of Senior Vice President of Wealth Management at UBS. During his time there, he led the FDG Group, which was a prominent Institutional Consulting and Private Wealth Team. He also served as a member of the Institutional Consulting Group, Advisory Council, Senior Institutional Consultant, and a Senior Retirement Plan Consultant at UBS. In addition, Phil held the role of Co-Chair of the UBS Corporate Development Advisory Board and its Retirement Advisory Council. Phil has received several accolades for his accomplishments in the financial industry. While at UBS, the Financial Times named him one of their Top 400 US Advisors in 2014, and he was also listed as one of Barron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors in 2015. Due to his success and expertise, Phil is often invited to speak at national retirement conferences and media interviews, where he shares his knowledge on RIA M&A (Registered Investment Advisor mergers and acquisitions). Phil has a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Political Science from the University of Hartford. He has also earned the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) and Certified Retirement Plans Counselor (CRPC®) certifications from the College for Financial Planning. These certifications were obtained through the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. Outside of work, Phil resides in Westport, CT, with his wife and their two sons. He enjoys golfing, working out, and participating in exotic car rallies and shows.

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong speaks with Oliver Cross, founding partner, senior advisor and head of growth at Verum Partners, about the firm’s path from a breakaway team to a rapidly growing independent RIA managing over $1 billion. He shares how early growth was driven by focusing on a core group of founding clients, building a strong internal structure through systems like EOS and creating a team-based client service model. Oliver also explains how hiring, technology decisions and a long-term ownership mindset continue to shape the firm’s direction as it scales. Key takeaways: How a failed succession plan became the catalyst for launching a new independent RIA firm Why focusing deeply on founding clients created strong referrals and early growth momentum How implementing EOS improved structure, accountability, and long-term planning alignment The importance of hiring for values and building a long-term talent pipeline from scratch How AI, data control, and workflow systems are shaping the future client experience  Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on Wealth Management Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: Wealth Management LinkedIn: Wealth Management LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Oliver Cross: LinkedIn: Oliver Cross LinkedIn: Verum Partners Website: Verum Partners About Our Guest: Oliver is a Founding Partner of Verum where he currently serves as a Senior Adviser and Head of Growth while also playing an active role in both the investment and financial planning committees. His penchant for prudent financial decision-making dates back to his early childhood lessons from his grandfather who often reminded him “a penny saved is a penny earned.” Oliver took this to heart and it became hardwired into his DNA, ultimately leading to career in wealth management. As an adviser, Oliver caters to families who understand the importance of patience and discipline in building wealth and value the benefits of an independent firm structure that centers around problem-solving, thoughtful financial planning, tax-efficient and sophisticated investment solutions, and team-based client service. He and Verum promote the importance of alignment of interests which continue to plague the industry. Prior to Verum, Oliver was an Investment Consultant and Director of Research at Carolinas Investment Consulting where he worked for nine years. Before pursuing his MBA in investment management at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, Oliver was a Vice President at Trusco Capital Management in Atlanta for six years, where he served as an Investment Manager for endowments, foundations, and retirement plans across the Southeast. Oliver is a native of Winston-Salem where he attended R.J. Reynolds high school before heading to Davidson College where he was a member of the golf team. While still an avid golfer, Oliver spends most of his free time with his wife and two children finding any way to keep active outdoors. With a passion for mentoring youth, Oliver coaches basketball through the YMCA and soccer through Charlotte Junior soccer and taught Sunday School with his wife at Myers Park United Methodist Church.

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong speaks with Stephen Rigali, executive managing director at Kayne Anderson Rudnick, about the firm’s evolution from a family office into a $55 billion platform and how it has approached growth with intention over four decades. He shares how the firm prioritizes organic expansion, structured advisor development and long-term client relationships, along with how it balances high-touch service with scalability, uses specialized partners to extend capabilities, and evaluates the role of AI in improving efficiency without replacing human decision-making. Key takeaways: How the firm grew from founder capital into a $55 billion platform through steady, organic expansion Why advisor capacity is managed through defined lifecycle stages and proactive resource planning How long-term client relationships are built on trust, alignment and consistent human interaction Why combining in-house expertise with outside specialists strengthens the client experience How AI is being tested to improve research, workflows and operational efficiency across the firm Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on Wealth Management Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: Wealth Management LinkedIn: Wealth Management LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Stephen Rigali: LinkedIn: Stephen Rigali LinkedIn: Kayne Anderson Rudnick Website: Kayne Anderson Rudnick About Our Guest: Stephen Rigali is the Executive Managing Director and a member of the Executive Management Committee at Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management, a Los Angeles–based investment and wealth management firm founded in 1984. He oversees business development across the firm’s institutional, retail, and wealth management platforms and works closely with the firm’s Chief Investment Officer and Chief Operating Officer to help shape the firm’s long-term investment and business strategy. He also serves on the firm’s Risk and Compliance Committee, ESG Steering Committee, and the Investment Committee for the Wealth Advisory division. Stephen has more than four decades of experience in the investment management industry and has been with Kayne Anderson Rudnick since 1991, playing a key role in the firm’s growth and evolution. Earlier in his career, he was a Vice President at Shearson Lehman Brothers. Stephen holds a B.S. in Business and Economics from Loyola Marymount University and is a CFA charterholder.

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong interviews Peter Mallouk, president and CEO of Creative Planning, about his journey from leading a small company with 30 clients to becoming one of the largest independent wealth management firms in the United States.  He talks about how that growth was fueled by a focus on consistent, repeatable workplace processes, turning clients into vocal advocates for the firm, and how his acquisition strategy is largely guided by where he sees unmet demand for fiduciary advice growing quickly.  Peter, who will be a keynote speaker at Wealth Management EDGE in June, also explores his unique leadership decisions, what he has learned from hosting his own podcast interviewing financial service executives, and how developments in artificial intelligence will “rattle our space in a way that I don’t think anybody’s ready for, including us.” Key takeaways: How he grew Creative Planning to $40 billion in AUM within 15 years—entirely organically—and how those years established the foundation for future success in the M&A market. Why he still spends 75% of his time working directly with clients and prospects. The single most critical metric he uses to assess the quality of an RIA. The rationale behind last year’s acquisition of SageView Advisory Group and his perspective on the convergence of workplace retirement plans and wealth management. How Creative Planning’s international expansion strategy mirrors its domestic one: target regions where there is unmet demand for fiduciary advice. How AI may soon manage over half of the operational tasks within an RIA. Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on Wealth Management Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: Wealth Management LinkedIn: Wealth Management LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Peter Mallouk: LinkedIn: Peter Mallouk LinkedIn: Creative Planning Website: Creative Planning About Our Guest: Peter Mallouk is the President of Creative Planning and its affiliated companies. Peter’s companies provide comprehensive wealth management services to their clients, including investment management, financial planning, charitable planning, retirement plan consulting, tax planning and estate planning services.  Peter graduated from the University of Kansas in 1993 with four majors, including degrees in business administration and economics. He went on to earn a law degree and a Master of Business Administration degree in 1996, also at the University of Kansas. Peter is a recipient of the University of Kansas School of Business Distinguished Alumni Award, becoming the second-youngest recipient to receive the award.  Peter is the founder, a current executive board member and a former five-year Chairman of KC CAN!, an organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the quality of life for children in Kansas City. He’s also the founder and a current executive board member of Pathway Financial Education, an organization dedicated to providing teenagers, adults and business owners in under-resourced communities with actionable financial education.  Peter and his wife Veronica, are recipients of the Giving the Basics Human Dignity Award for their contributions toward helping those less fortunate meet basic needs. They’re also recipients of the Variety Presidential Citation Award for their work supporting those with special needs. The Mallouks funded the Kansas chapter of Give Back, a program that identifies high-achieving high school students who have faced challenges and provides them with not only college tuition but also coaching, counseling and volunteer mentors. To date, 300 Kansas students have been awarded scholarships. Peter and Veronica have three children — Michael, JP, and Gabby.

What does it really take to grow an advisory firm without losing control of culture or client experience? Growth can look attractive from the outside, but building something sustainable requires discipline, structure and long-term thinking. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong interviews JC Abusaid, president and CEO of Halbert Hargrove, about building a $4.2 billion RIA through disciplined organic growth. He shares how centralized operations, a well-structured internship pipeline and flexible minimums fuel sustainable expansion. JC also explains his employee-ownership model, his perspective on private equity pressure and how AI and technology investments are shaping the firm’s next phase. Key takeaways: Why centralized operations create scale, consistency and firm-wide efficiency How lowering minimums for younger advisors drives long-term client growth Building a structured internship program that becomes a hiring pipeline Managing teams without advisor-led management to protect culture Using AI and technology as productivity accelerators, not cost controls Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on Wealth Management Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: Wealth Management LinkedIn: Wealth Management LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With JC Abusaid: LinkedIn: JC Abusaid LinkedIn: Halbert Hargrove Website: Halbert Hargrove About Our Guest: JC Abusaid is the CEO and President of Halbert Hargrove, a wealth advisory firm founded in 1989. JC earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Finance emphasis from the Colegio de Estudios Superiores de Administracion in Bogota, Colombia, and his MBA from the University of Redlands School of Business. He was awarded the ACCREDITED INVESTMENT FIDUCIARY designation by the University of Pittsburgh-affiliated Center for Fiduciary Studies. In 2016, JC earned a LEAD Certificate in Corporate Innovation from Stanford Graduate School of Business, and in 2021, he took part in BlackRock’s first Emerging Leader Lab.

Modern advisory firms are being reshaped by technology, changing client expectations and the need for deeper personalization. How do firms scale while keeping the advisor-client relationship at the center? What role does technology really play in growth without replacing the human element? In this episode, host David Armstrong speaks with Alex Farman-Farmaian, CEO of Compound Planning, about building an all-digital, integrated RIA—with human advisors at the center—that provides clients with a unified experience across multiple service offerings—including tax preparation.  Alex explains how AI-powered workflows and integrations enable advisors to serve clients more efficiently as the human touchpoint, while providing a better experience for clients. He also shares how Compound recruits next-generation advisors, integrates tax services and drives growth by focusing on equity- and option-compensated executives of fast-growing tech firms approaching liquidity events. Key takeaways: How internal technology reduces advisor workload and increases client capacity Why proactive advice across a client’s full balance sheet drives stronger relationships and accelerates organic growth How the firm uses AI to support advisor work without replacing human judgment How modern tech helps recruit growth-minded,  younger advisors. How it partners with firms to educate execs with equity-based compensation plans on navigating liquidity events.  Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on Wealth Management Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: Wealth Management LinkedIn: Wealth Management LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Alex Farman-Farmaian: LinkedIn: Alex Farman-Farmaian LinkedIn: Compound Planning Website: Compound Planning About Our Guest: Alex Farman-Farmaian is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Compound Planning, responsible for growing the firm to 50+ advisors and over $4 billion in AUM since 2022, and guiding the strategic direction of the firm’s robust wealth management technology and advisory service offerings. Previously, Alex was the 20th employee at Carta, where he built numerous sales teams across the country as Carta scaled to 1,000 employees and a $7B+ valuation from Silver Lake. Alex is an expert in equity compensation and is passionate about tax-efficient equity strategies.

Growth can mean very different things depending on how a firm is built and who it is built for. What does it really take to evolve from a small advisory practice into a professionally managed firm without losing culture, client focus or identity? In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong speaks with Tom Orecchio, CFA, CFP, ChFC, AIF, chief executive officer, wealth manager and principal at Modera Wealth Management, about building an employee-owned RIA designed for long-term growth. He shares how leadership, ownership alignment and disciplined M&A shape Modera’s growth approach.  Tom also explains how service expansion, technology investments and organic growth planning support advisors while keeping clients at the center. Key takeaways: Identifying the growth trajectory inflection point where advisor principals need to become, or hire, professional managers His firm’s experience with employee equity ownership What Modera looks for in acquisition partners (beyond location or size) Why a technology revamp set the firm up to support future growth, retain operational consistency and the client experience His firm’s approach to organic growth Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on Wealth Management Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: Wealth Management LinkedIn: Wealth Management LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Tom Orecchio: LinkedIn: Tom Orecchio LinkedIn: Modera Wealth Management Website: Modera Wealth Management About Our Guest: Tom’s career began at Heritage Financial where he worked as a financial planner. In 1995, he joined the firm Greenbaum and Associates where he later became a partner. His role as a principal and wealth manager continued as the firm grew and evolved into Greenbaum and Orecchio and then into its current entity, Modera Wealth Management, LLC. Tom received his B.A. in government and law from Lafayette College and went on to earn some of the most recognized credentials in the industry. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional. He is also a Chartered Financial Consultant, a Chartered Life Underwriter® and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary. Tom is a National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) registered financial advisor. He has demonstrated his leadership and commitment to fiduciary standards in the industry by serving as NAPFA Chairman (2007-08) and as a national board member (2004-08). In 2013, Tom was the recipient of the NAFPA Robert J. Underwood Distinguished Service Award. He is an active member of the CFA® Institute, the National CEO Study Group, and the 20/20 National Study Group. Tom is actively involved in the community as director of the Modera Wealth Management Scholarship Fund and is on the board of directors for the Modera Charitable Foundation. He also sits on the Northeast Advisory Board for Lafayette College. Tom has served as a board member of the finance committee for the Cathedral of Saint John the Theologian and also Northvale PAL, Inc. In addition, he has served as NV Eagles Youth Football president, Bergen County Junior Football League treasurer, and has sat on the board of directors for the youth baseball league in his town. Tom loves spending time with his family and three sons and often can be found on the football or baseball field coaching his sons’ teams.

How do advisory firms continue growing once scale introduces complexity? What does it take to build a structure that supports independence, client experience, and long-term flexibility? In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong speaks with Jordan Raniszeski, CFP, CPA,  senior managing partner at Carnegie Private Wealth, about the strategic decisions behind the firm’s rapid growth after its transition to independence. He talks about early investments in human capital and junior advisors, an evolving executive management structure, and how flexible marketing strategies all resulted in expanded capacity and growth, and prepared the firm for its next phase. Key takeaways: The decision to leave a bank model in order to build brand control and internal flexibility How associate advisors expanded capacity without sacrificing client experience Why early investments in people created momentum for organic growth The role of management structure in supporting long-term scale How marketing, referrals, and community presence contributed to new client flow Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on Wealth Management Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: Wealth Management LinkedIn: Wealth Management LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter/X: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Jordan Raniszeski: LinkedIn: Jordan Raniszeski LinkedIn: Carnegie Private Wealth Website: Carnegie Private Wealth About Our Guest: Jordan Raniszeski is a leader in the Wealth Management industry and Senior Managing Partner at Carnegie Private Wealth where he’s helped build a team of well-regarded and experienced advisors. The advisors of Carnegie Private Wealth collectively serve more than 519 households with over $2,000,000,000 in brokerage assets as of August 29, 2025. In his more than 20 years of experience as an advisor working with high-net-worth individuals and families, Jordan developed expertise in helping corporate executives, professionals and business owners. As a business owner and organizational leader himself, Jordan intimately understands the time constraints and complexities facing these clients and helps them build a plan to pursue their goals while balancing many different priorities. Jordan’s career path showcases his leadership and commitment to client service. He began at Deloitte’s individual tax practice, honing his skills in tax and estate planning strategies. Later, at Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo), Jordan helped build the Executive Financial Planning practice. Partnering with Angie Ostendarp, he then grew one of Wells Fargo Advisors’ largest brokerage practices. Throughout his journey, Jordan has remained a devoted student of the industry, constantly seeking innovative ways to serve clients. Leadership has been a constant theme in Jordan’s life. From roles in student government and charitable organizations to positions on sports teams, he has consistently stepped up to guide others. Jordan’s experience made him a natural fit to lead Carnegie’s formation. He now guides the Carnegie team, focusing on a shared vision for wealth management’s future.

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong speaks with Arthur Ambarik, CEO of Perigon Wealth Management, about the firm’s growth from a small Bay Area RIA into a multi-state, $12 billion firm with a partnership-driven model and large ambitions for the future. Ambarik shares how cultural alignment shapes mergers, why specialization within firms is becoming a critical growth driver and how long-term thinking around talent and capital structure is redefining the future of wealth management firms. Key takeaways: How Ambarik has led Perigon’s journey toward becoming a national RIA, starting with $150 million in assets when he joined the firm, to a $12 billion enterprise today, supporting teams across 16 states How intentional growth plans and a partnership-driven model have fueled the success How Perigon’s first equity-based acquisition in 2020 became a springboard for the future How he sees the role of the niche advisor driving future growth How the influx of private equity has impacted firms and the larger industry How Perigon sees technology as a tool for better segmenting client accounts profitably How he envisions RIAs becoming the go-to career choice for young talent, with firms driving talent generation and mentorship Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Arthur Ambarik: Company: Perigon Wealth Management LinkedIn: Perigon Wealth Management LinkedIn: Arthur Ambarik About Our Guest: Arthur Ambarik, CFP, is Chief Executive Officer of Perigon Wealth Management. Under his leadership, Perigon has grown to over $10.2 billion* in assets under management and expanded its national footprint through strategic acquisitions and organic growth. Named CEO of the Year in 2024 by WealthManagement.com, Arthur has played a pivotal role in Perigon’s rapid ascent in the industry. He was also recognized on the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors 2024 list for California. Thanks to his leadership, Perigon has earned national recognition, including: Forbes America’s Top RIA Firms Newsweek America’s Top Financial Advisory Firms USA Today Best Financial Advisory Firms Financial Advisor Magazine’s: Fastest-Growing RIAs Top RIAs RIA Discretionary and Non-Discretionary AUM Rankings San Francisco Business Times: Bay Area’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies Arthur brings more than 20 years of experience to the role, with a career spanning advisory and operational leadership at Ameriprise and LPL. He is also a member of the Financial Advisor IQ Leadership Council. Arthur holds a B.A. in Economics from Williams College.

How do leaders of wealth management firms balance advisor independence with the need for centralized efficiency? What does it take to build a platform that serves both traditional RIAs and advisors seeking a more integrated model? In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong interviews Larry Restieri, CEO of Hightower Advisors, about Hightower’s evolution from a wirehouse lift-out platform to a comprehensive wealth management firm managing over $300 billion in assets.  He discusses the launch of Hightower Signature Wealth, a new direct-to-consumer offering designed to leverage the Hightower brand while maintaining support for independent advisory practices. Key Points: How Larry’s 25-year Goldman Sachs background shaped his approach to wealth management and his leadership at Hightower Why Hightower Signature Wealth was launched as a firm within a firm, and how Restieri thinks the model strengthens both brand reach and advisor support How he views the balance between advisor independence and an efficiently centralized middle- and back-office, while maintaining a personalized client experience The influence of private equity, the long growth runway that remains for RIAs, and his thinking around future consolidation in the space The challenge of an aging advisor population and the need to attract new and diverse talent into the profession Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong:  WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Larry Restieri: Website: Hightower Advisors LinkedIn: Hightower Advisors LinkedIn: Larry Restieri About Our Guest: Larry Restieri is Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors at Hightower, a national wealth management firm that empowers financial advisors to deliver sophisticated investment and financial services to clients. He joined the firm in June 2025, bringing with him decades of experience in wealth management and a history of scaling businesses and driving growth. Prior to Hightower, Larry was a partner at Goldman Sachs and served as CEO of its AYCO business, which specializes in workplace financial planning and private wealth advisory services. During his tenure, he led efforts to modernize AYCO’s operations, deepen client relationships, and accelerate business expansion. Larry spent 25 years at Goldman Sachs in a variety of leadership roles across its wealth and asset management divisions. Before joining Goldman Sachs in 2000, he practiced law at Finn Dixon & Herling LLP in Stamford, Connecticut, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in New York City. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and a Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law, where he served as an editor of the Fordham Law Review. Outside of work, Larry is a lifelong musician and plays lead guitar in a classic rock cover band.

Cresset’s rise from a family-led vision to one of the nation’s leading multifamily offices shows how purpose and culture can shape enduring organizations. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong speaks with Eric Becker, co-founder and co-chairman of Cresset, about the firm’s mission to build a 100-year wealth management business focused on families, not just finances. Eric shares how Cresset was designed by clients, for clients, to combine investment excellence with family governance, education and community. David and Eric explore how RIA principals and executives can avoid short-term thinking, especially amid the frenzy of day-to-day operational planning and the quest for the elusive “personalization with scale” client service model. Eric suggests lessons other RIA leaders can learn from his study of the world’s longest-surviving companies, which he captured in his recently published book The Long Game: A Playbook of the World’s Most Enduring Companies.  David and Eric discuss: How Becker and his co-founder started Cresset because they couldn’t find a wealth management platform that met their own family’s needs, making them their own first two clients and fundamentally shaping their client-centric approach The goal to put the “family back into family office,” moving beyond investment management to include governance, education, health resources, concierge services and community Becker’s belief in pursuing “just the right amount of growth” and his four-pillar framework for managing expansion without sacrificing service quality or burning out teams—that includes culture, people, numbers and business model. Cresset’s unique employee-ownership model (60% employee-owned, 30% client-owned, 10% strategic investor) and how this structure aligns incentives for long-term thinking 100-Year Business Thinking: Drawing from his book The Long Game, Becker explains why building for longevity actually creates more valuable, attractive businesses and better serves clients who are also thinking generationally about their wealth. Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Book: The Long Game: A Playbook of the World’s Most Enduring Companies by Eric Becker & Avy Stein Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com  LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Eric Becker: Cresset Capital LinkedIn: Cresset LinkedIn: Eric Becker About Our Guest: Eric Becker is the Founder and Co-Chairman of Cresset, an award-winning multi-family office with more than $70 billion in assets under management. Alongside Founder and Co-Chairman, Avy Stein, Eric was one of Cresset’s first two clients. He and his team designed the firm to meet a specific need, and also for growth and sustainability; His desire to build a “100-year-old” firm led him to study some of the longest-running companies across different industries, and recently published The Long Game: A Playbook of the World’s Most Enduring Companies, which captures his observations on what they all have in common. 

The future of RIAs is being shaped by technology, talent, and a renewed focus on client-centric leadership. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong talks with Jon Beatty, head of advisor services at Charles Schwab, on the eve of Schwab Impact, about how the industry is adapting to the accelerating pace of technological change and what qualities differentiate the most successful advisory firms.  In the conversation, you’ll hear: What Beatty looks forward to the most at Schwab Impact, the firm’s annual conference for advisors and industry executives—and it’s not only what’s happening on the stage. The takeaways from Schwab’s most recent Independent Advisor Outlook Study that Beatty found most revealing. How some firms are maintaining, or even growing,  profitability even as they add new client services on top of a fixed revenue base. How the most successful advisors are evolving in their use of technology, including artificial intelligence. The key to balancing scale and efficiency without sacrificing personalized client service. The most critical metric RIAs have to track meaningful growth. Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Schwab Advisor Services’ 2025 Independent Advisor Outlook Study  Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Jon Beatty: Website: Charles Schwab LinkedIn: Charles Schwab LinkedIn: Jon Beatty About Our Guest: Jon Beatty is a member of Charles Schwab’s Executive Council. As Managing Director and Head of Schwab Advisor Services, he oversees the business that serves over 16,000 independent advisory firms that trust Schwab with $4.7 trillion in assets under management.  Schwab Advisor Services provides RIAs with everything they need for custody and beyond, including innovative technology, the latest wealth management solutions, and an unmatched breadth of solutions to help advisors take their businesses further, all powered by more than 3,000 dedicated Advisor Services employees.  You likely won’t meet anyone more passionate about helping independent advisors succeed than Jon. He joined Schwab 28 years ago and has been a member of the Advisor Services leadership team for 16 years. Jon has dedicated his career to working with RIAs and loves to hear from clients and prospects on how Schwab can best meet their needs. Jon has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Wittenberg University. He is registered with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and holds Series 7 and 9/10 registrations.

Balefire Wealth’s transformation from two thriving RIAs into a unified enterprise business with national ambitions showcases the strength of shared vision and cultural alignment. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong talks with Jason Hester and John Hoffman, co-CEOs of Balefire Wealth, a new RIA born earlier this year from the merger of their two established firms. The episode explores how the duo combined their complementary businesses—one focused on ultra-high-net-worth clients and the other serving the mass affluent/HNW market with a strong corporate retirement plan business—to create an integrated wealth management enterprise designed to be greater than the sum of the parts. The discussion reveals their strategic approach to building a comprehensive service platform while maintaining a collaborative leadership structure that prioritizes both client outcomes and advisor growth, and their plans to accelerate the firm’s growth trajectory in 2026. The three discuss: Why it took two years of discussions before the Hester and Hoffman formally combined their firms, followed by a “32 second” decision to serve as co-CEOs, and how they make the partnership work. How they built an infrastructure that brings advisors into a team-based practice designed to serve the diverse needs of clients, from mass affluent to UHNW, under one roof. This includes their unique approach to financial planning, how they developed their client segmentation strategy and how they envision client services evolving to sustain and manage family wealth.   How they launched the firm with 16 advisor-owners, a pathway to ownership for recruits and—as of yet—no outside capital. Why they feel the future belongs to hybrid advisors who don’t focus only on AUM as a measure of success, and how that approach reshapes client relationships for the better. What their plans are to transition from recruiting like-minded advisors to approaching the M&A market as acquirers in 2026, and their thoughts on potentially working with the “smart money” investors who have entered the RIA space to support that growth. What their approach is for the firm’s corporate retirement plan business, with approximately 130 companies and around 45,000 participants, and how it sees the qualified and unqualified retirement plan market not as investment advisors but as strategic HR partners helping companies meet talent and retention challenges. Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Balefire Wealth: Website: Balefire Wealth LinkedIn: Balefire Wealth LinkedIn: Jason Hester About Jason Hester: As Managing Partner and Co-CEO of Balefire Wealth, Jason Hester leads the firm’s strategic vision and oversees its multi-division growth across a national footprint. With 25 years of experience in organic growth, strategic leadership, and private wealth frameworks, he guides the development of holistic planning solutions for affluent families and corporate clients. Jason is deeply involved in capital strategy, advisor acquisition, post-merger integration, and platform optimization, while mentoring leadership and cultivating a culture of clarity, accountability, and innovation. He works closely with the Executive and Organic Growth Teams to ensure Balefire continues to set a new standard for enterprise advisory firms. Jason and his wife, Brandy, have been married for 25 years and have three children—Henley, Hayes, and Bryce—who are each launching careers of their own. They live on a farm in Central Mississippi, where they enjoy gardening, outdoor sports, and traveling together. Jason also spends his free time reading, playing golf, riding motorcycles, working with his hands, and tackling home projects. About John Hoffman: With over 25 years in the financial industry, John Hoffman leads with a bold vision of growth and transformation. For 20 years at Principal Financial, he excelled as an Advisor, Managing Director, and ultimately Regional Managing Director—roles where he shaped strategy, developed high-performing teams, and attracted top talent. Now, as Managing Partner of Balefire, John is responsible for the firm’s inorganic growth and has built a “one-team” culture in an industry that often operates in silos. He has created team-based values aligned with a bold new vision, ensuring talent thrives in an authentic and collaborative environment. His leadership centers on finding the right team players, creating alignment, and scaling the organization as a unified company. Beyond Balefire, John is deeply engaged in his community. For over three years, he has served as a Board Member at Bolder Options, a nonprofit that provides wellness-based, activity-centered mentoring for youth. For the past 10 years, he has also chaired the Finance and Investments Committee at Portico Benefit Services, a nonprofit ministry of the ELCA that provides health, retirement, and investment benefits to faith-based organizations and their leaders. John currently lives in Dallas, Texas.

Wealthcare Capital Management’s evolution from a software pioneer to a national advisory platform reveals the power of strategic reinvention. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong speaks with Matt Regan, president and CEO of Wealthcare Capital Management, about Wealthcare’s journey from its roots in Richmond, Va., to its sale to Sammons Financial. Matt shares how the firm is blending technology, M&A strategy and advisor support to create growth opportunities for independent advisors nationwide. Matt and David also discuss the firm’s acquisition approach, the rise of supported independence and the ongoing transformation of the RIA space. Matt discusses: Wealthcare’s beginnings as an investment planning software firm and its evolution into a full-service wealth management enterprise with some 200 affiliated advisors and $10 billion in AUM. The recent transaction, which saw ownership of the firm move from private equity investors NewSpring Capital to employee-owned Sammons Financial, a mid-sized financial services firm, and the potential to set up an independent wealth management vertical inside that organization. Why Wealthcare still purposefully targets sub-$1 billion firms for acquisitions, and how the war for talent, particularly next-gen, is feeding into Wealthcare’s dealmaking roadmap. (In fact, Wealthcare’s advisors are, overall, younger than the industry average.)  Why the firm has a goal to move more affiliated advisors, largely 1099 employees, into Wealthcare’s W-2 channel. Regan’s view on most of the digital marketing platforms currently available to advisors, and how AI may be the answer to truly move the needle on organic growth via improved lead generation and prospect nurturing. Why Regan is looking for an AI-enhanced small account investment platform for advisors to offer younger prospects who don’t—yet—make profitable full-service clients.  Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Matt Regan: Wealthcare LinkedIn: Wealthcare LinkedIn: Matt Regan About Our Guest: Matt Regan serves as Wealthcare’s President. Most recently and prior to Wealthcare, Matt served as the Chief Operating Officer of Wescott Financial, a $2 billion RIA based in Philadelphia. With more than two decades in the financial services industry, Matt has been involved in a number of transformative business models and has remained focused on building world-class organizations with a focus on the client. As a founding partner of WR Hambrecht+Co, Matt launched the retail brokerage offering and helped to design and launch the auction-based OpenIPO system. As a consultant to Vanguard, Matt was involved in the technology and business transformation that created the infrastructure that underlies the firm’s Personal Advisor Services offering. Matt is a graduate of the University of Toronto and resides outside Philadelphia with his wife and three children.

In this episode of the RIA Edge podcast, host David Armstrong speaks with Kay Lynn Mayhue, president of Merit Financial, about the firm’s approach to growth as it reaches $24 billion in assets under management and celebrates its 50th acquisition. Mayhue discusses Merit’s recent capital partnership with Constellation Wealth and how the firm balances aggressive M&A activity with organic growth initiatives. Mayhue explains Merit’s three partnership models—succession, leadership, and growth—and how the firm has evolved to attract larger, more sophisticated advisory practices. She emphasizes Merit’s philosophy that organic growth responsibility belongs at the company level rather than with individual advisors, allowing advisors to focus on client relationships while the firm develops strategic alliances and referral programs to drive new business. Key insights: How Merit Financial maintains a unified brand across all 50+ offices, which Mayhue credits with creating operational efficiencies while still allowing advisors significant autonomy within established guardrails How the firm’s approach to advisor efficiency varies based on client demographics and advisor growth potential, with top producers receiving additional support to maintain growth capacity How strategic partnerships with CPAs, banks, and retirement plan advisors serve as critical organic growth channels for Merit advisors How Merit’s leadership team development has been crucial to its scaling strategy, with Mayhue advising firms to hire strategic leadership positions earlier than they think necessary Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com  LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Kay Lynn Mayhue: Merit Financial Advisors LinkedIn: Kay Lynn Mayhue, CFP®, AEP®, RFC®  LinkedIn: Merit Financial Advisors About Our Guest: Kay Lynn Mayhue, CFP®, AEP®, RFC®, has played many roles in the financial advisory industry: as a successor, partner, seller, and buyer. This unique and diverse background allows her to be able to relate to advisors in all phases of their careers and mergers and acquisitions. With a background in financial planning and leadership, her career spans several areas, including advising clients, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic growth. Kay Lynn worked her way up from an entry-level position to earn her seat at the C-Suites table as President of Merit, which oversees $15.96 billion* in RIA and Brokerage assets under management. She holds her CFP®, AEP®, and RFC® and has been a critical decision-maker for two firms over the past twenty years. Kay Lynn has overseen multiple mergers and acquisitions over the past four years and has been recognized for her position as a female leader in the financial services industry. She is passionate about helping people take their careers – and themselves – to exceptional levels. Kay Lynn’s influence in the industry and her drive for success a driving factors in Merit’s ongoing growth and appeal to growth-oriented advisors. 

Is true independence possible at scale? In this episode of the RIA Edge podcast, host David Armstrong talks with Concurrent CEO Nate Lenz about how his fast-growing RIA platform is helping advisors stay independent while accessing the scale, capital and talent needed to grow.  From multi-custodial flexibility to a unique minority partnership model, Lenz shares what is energizing younger advisors looking to remain independent, even as pressures to scale drive business strategy and soaring RIA valuations keep many from being able to afford the benefits of firm ownership.  Key takeaways: Why Concurrent launched a “minority, non-control” capital program backed by capital partner Merchant to take ownership stakes in RIAs, arguing the approach aligns incentives with advisors and avoids the roll-up model that often strips away autonomy. How the firm’s “Basecamp” platform creates efficiencies that advisors could not achieve alone, even as they retain their own brands and client relationships, and how a “powered by Concurrent” co-branding with partner firms can preserve local culture while signaling national strength. How his firm is addressing the “talent wars” by turning inward and building training programs for new advisors. Lenz has a goal to train 100 new advisors over five years through a structured apprenticeship model. How Concurrent is using its large 401(k) plan sponsor base and partnerships with firms like TIFIN to create new organic growth channels. How higher interest rates have compressed valuations and raised the cost of capital in the RIA M&A market, yet not all firms will respond in the same way. Some well-capitalized firms with equity to deploy still have a strong edge even as they steer clear of auction-style deals where buyers pay unsustainable multiples. Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Nate Lenz: Website: Concurrent LinkedIn: Concurrent LinkedIn: Nate Lenz About Our Guest: With more than a decade of financial industry experience, Nate Lenz is a leader for advisors looking to realize their potential as entrepreneurs. He is currently the CEO and Co-Founder of Concurrent, a $7 billion OSJ turned RIA that was named an InvestmentNews Best Place to Work in 2023. Concurrent is driven by partnering with advisors to help them grow their independent businesses. Nate’s career has focused on supporting financial advisors, empowering them to succeed without the backing of big financial services companies. Prior to his work at Concurrent, he was a Co-Founder and Managing Partner at I&A Consulting, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and recruiting experienced advisors. Before that, he was VP of Succession Planning & Acquisitions at Raymond James Financial Services, where he led the in-house consulting team that provided support to 4,000+ RJ independent financial advisors. His previous work helped shape his vision for Concurrent and deepen his investment in guiding independent financial advisors through all phases of the business life cycle. He graduated from Columbia University and was recognized in 2022 as an InvestmentNews 40 Under 40 honoree.

Scaling growth isn’t just about getting bigger; it’s about vision, discipline and striking the right balance between legacy and innovation. So how does a $30 billion-plus RIA navigate the complexities of rapid acquisitions, evolving culture and the disruptive promise of AI? In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong sits down with John Bunch, CEO of Allworth Financial, to unpack how he’s guiding a founder-led firm into a professionally managed enterprise. From people and strategy to the smart use of technology, John shares what it takes to shape the future of advisory services at scale. John discusses: The evolution of Allworth from a founder-led practice to a $30 billion-plus RIA with a national footprint His leadership philosophy in transitioning firms from founder-driven to professionally managed organizations How acquisitions, large and small, fit into Allworth’s growth strategy and culture Why investment management, tax planning and estate services are central to serving today’s high-net-worth clients How the firm is using AI and why it is being employee-driven Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With John Bunch: Allworth Financial LinkedIn: Allworth Financial LinkedIn: John Bunch About Our Guest: John Bunch is the Chief Executive Officer at Allworth Financial. Universally recognized within the wealth management industry, he has accumulated an extensive 30-year history of successfully leading and expanding award-winning organizations that serve both retail and institutional clients. Before coming to Allworth, John spent over three years as the Chief Financial Services Director at Evelyn Partners (formerly Tilney Smith & Williamson), a leading integrated wealth management and professional services firm headquartered in the United Kingdom. Prior to that, he was the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Edelman Financial Engines – where he oversaw 130 branch offices – and the Chief Executive Officer of The Mutual Fund Store. Before that, he held several key institutional sector leadership positions, including Executive Vice President at TD Ameritrade and Divisional Senior Vice President at Charles Schwab & Co.

Explosive growth doesn’t happen by accident. It’s fueled by intentional partnerships, strategic resources, and cultural alignment. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong sits down with Stan Gregor, CEO of Summit Financial, who shares how his firm has grown from $3 billion to nearly $25 billion in assets since 2020.  He reveals the minority investment model that prioritizes partnership over control, the resources Summit provides to help advisors grow organically and through acquisitions, and the importance of cultural fit. Stan also offers his perspective on private equity’s role in the industry and emerging service trends for RIAs. Keypoints: Summit Financial’s minority investment partnership model and how it differs from roll-up and aggregator structures The selective approach to onboarding partners, focusing on cultural fit, aspiration, and willingness to leverage resources In-house resources, from legal and estate planning to marketing via Chapman Communications, that drive above-market organic growth Industry shifts toward private equity, private credit and alternative investments, and how Summit vets boutique opportunities Views on competition, partnership pitfalls and future monetization strategies while maintaining focus on growth and enterprise value Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify  Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter/X: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Stan Gregor: Website: Summit Financial LinkedIn: Summit Financial LinkedIn: Stan Gregor About Our Guest: Stan Gregor is the CEO of Summit Financial LLC. As a senior executive with over 30 years of experience, Stan has operated in banking, private wealth management, investment management, fiduciary trust services, fixed income trading, investment banking, retirement services, insurance, financial planning, and public finance. He has also been involved in acquiring and integrating some of the largest and most complicated banking, wealth management, insurance, and capital markets businesses and cultures with a demonstrated track record of increasing productivity, profitability, and shareholder value. Most recently, Stan was the founder and co-CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald Wealth Partners (CFWP). Under his leadership, CFWP grew to over $5 billion in assets in less than two years through several strategic acquisitions of RIAs, independent advisors, and wirehouse teams. Prior to joining Cantor Fitzgerald, Stan was the Head of Wells Fargo Wealth Management -Eastern US Markets and President of Wachovia Wealth Markets. He provided executive leadership to the Eastern U.S. Markets and headed up the Wealth Insurance Division, overseeing the private bank, wealth brokerage, investment management, fiduciary trust services, financial planning, and insurance. Stan was responsible for leading nearly 5,000 team members, generating revenues of $2.5 billion with $69 billion of investment fee-based AUM, $19 billion of deposit balances, and $16 billion of loans. Prior to Wachovia, Stan was CEO of Commerce Capital Markets, where he directed private wealth management, brokerage, asset management, fixed income trading, derivatives, investment banking, retirement services, insurance, and public finance. Subsequently, Stan was CEO of Quick and Reilly (Q&R) as one of the visionaries who transformed Q&R from a transactional discount broker to a full-service advisory company. When Q&R was acquired by Bank of America, Stan stayed on as co-CEO of Bank of America Investment Services until 2005. Over nearly a decade at Citigroup, Stan had several senior executive-level roles leading different divisions, including consumer banking, private wealth management, and Citigroup as Northeast Group Executive Vice President.

James Bogart, founder of Bogart Wealth, has created an organic growth machine, going from $526 million to $3 billion in assets in less than 10 years—client by client, no M&A.  His story shows the benefits of putting in place a strategic, repeatable and intentional growth program (especially for smaller entrepreneurial advisors) and focusing on a distinct niche where those efforts are more easily amplified. But at $3 billion, and with 40 employees, the growth path starts to look a little different.  In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, James describes to host David Armstrong what he is doing now to continue the trajectory—from letting go of some operational oversight to a trusted management executive, to building internal training programs and tapping institutional funding to support the business—all while eyeing his first acquisition. James and David discuss:  His early start as a new advisor focused on ExxonMobil executives, hosting education-only retirement planning lunches and dinners—and the metrics he tracked to fine-tune the strategy. How COVID-inspired digital seminars dramatically accelerated the firm’s growth When, and how, he started to adapt the organization, including departmentalization and multi-point client servicing models.  Solving the human capital problem with home-grown internal training programs  The decision to hire Jeffrey Fuhrman, formerly head of Focus Financial firm Coastal Bridge Advisors, as president Taking on outside capital for the first time with Constellation Partners Why he’s beginning to eye M&A for the first time to continue the growth trajectory.  Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With James Bogart: Website: Bogart Wealth LinkedIn: Bogart Wealth LinkedIn: James Bogart About Our Guest: As CEO of Bogart Wealth, James Bogart focuses on maintaining the highest level of customer service possible and seeking to deliver the most effective technology, reporting tools, and analysis to every Bogart Wealth client. A charismatic visionary and next-gen founder with seemingly endless energy, he surrounds himself with people who complement his skills. James promotes a collaborative environment, leading by example and always exemplifying Bogart Wealth’s core values. He sets a high bar for himself and his employees, encouraging everyone to acquire designations that will help them advance their careers and better serve clients.  A seasoned wealth advisor and visionary leader, James takes personal pride in assisting executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals in pursuing their dreams through highly customized financial planning strategies. James’s practice spans wealth plan design, investment management, estate planning, family legacy planning, business succession, charitable giving, asset protection, and retirement concerns, with a special insight and focus on multi-generational strategies. He regularly addresses audiences of industry professionals and senior corporate executives on new and upcoming developments in this field. Educated at the University of Virginia and Georgetown University, James is an Investment Adviser Representative, a Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®). James and his wife, Ashley, enjoy spending time with their children, Makenna, Peyton, and Landon. He serves on the board of directors for local non-profit The Hopkins Society. He is also a proud Eagle Scout, remaining active with the Boy Scouts of America. He enjoys golf, travel, reading, and cooking. 

It’s not surprising that tech-native firms see the wealth management industry’s high margins and sticky revenue, even with its notoriously disjointed and sometimes subpar tech stacks, and think, “Good business. But it could be better.”  At the recent WealthManagement EDGE conference in Boca Raton, Fla., David Armstrong, director of editorial strategy and operations for the Wealth Management Group at Informa Connect, spoke with Taylor Matthews, co-founder and CEO of Farther, to explore how the firm is seeking to improve the advisor experience and increase the operational efficiency of wealth management firms with home-built technology.  Backed by a handful of well-known venture capitalists, Farther is a “tech-forward” RIA where the user experience improvements are as much for the advisor’s benefit as it is for the client: The goal was to create workflow efficiencies for advisors that translate into increased time spent with more clients than is found at a typical RIA.  Taylor outlines how Farther also supports advisors with built-in marketing, lead generation and operational support. The conversation touches on the firm’s philosophy, use of AI, Taylor’s thoughts on the business investment environment for RIAs, and what the future may hold for his team’s firm. David and Taylor discuss: How Farther’s technology was built from the ground up to solve daily inefficiencies that advisors face with disconnected tech stacks Why returning time to advisors is central to Farther’s strategy, enabling them to focus more on client work and growth The four-part growth engine at Farther, including done-for-you marketing and lead generation How Farther’s internal teams support advisors in areas like estate planning, tax consulting and financial planning The firm’s long-term approach to growth without the constraints of private equity and why consolidation is reshaping the industry. Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Taylor Matthews: Website: Farther Finance LinkedIn: Farther Finance LinkedIn: Taylor Matthews About Our Guest: Taylor leads Farther’s executive team and shapes the overarching strategy for the firm. Prior to founding Farther, Taylor was a member of the leadership team at ForUsAll, where he helped build the fintech retirement advisory firm from $25 million in assets under management to just under $1 billion in his two years there. Taylor previously co-founded Essmart, a social enterprise distributing tech-for-development products in India, and was an investment banker and management consultant in his early career. He graduated from MIT Sloan with an MBA and Yale with degrees in philosophy and political science. Taylor lives in San Francisco with his wife, three children, and a very excitable dog. As Victor Hugo wrote, “There is nothing like a dream to create the future.”

Join host David Armstrong, fresh off the Wealth Management Edge Conference in Boca Raton, Fla., as he interviews Michael Henley, founder and chief executive officer of Brandywine Oak Private Wealth. Michael talks about the firm’s rapid growth since leaving Merrill Lynch in 2018 with the help of Dynasty Financial Partners and the focus that helped the firm double its AUM to $1.5 billion since breaking away.  Like many serving HNW and UHNW clients, Henley’s firm takes a tax-centric approach to planning; unlike many similarly sized firms, Brandywine has brought tax preparation in-house, a service enthusiastically embraced by their clients. Henley talks about the conference panel he saw that led him and his firm to dive deep into crypto, educating clients on the technology and, for those who want it, adding a small sleeve to their portfolios.  A culturally young firm of advisors mostly in their 30s and 40s, Henley and his team believe growing the business is important not just for the principals, but for the clients, arguing scale is needed to bring HNW and UHNW families the range of services they will come to expect. The team is grappling with the best way to make that happen and whether or not to look for a partner or a source of capital to fuel their next chapter.  David and Michael discuss: Why he and his team left the wirehouse, and how opening their own firm unlocked an ability to serve clients with fewer conflicts and more opportunities. How the firm is “obsessed” with taxes, arguing proper tax planning moves the needle for HNW and UHNW clients like few other strategies. Why bringing tax preparation in-house (unique for a firm of their size) ensures advisors maintain control of the financial plan’s implementation. How the barriers have fallen around alternatives and structured products, and the role illiquid investments can play for clients. The decision to add a sleeve of cryptocurrency to their portfolios, and how clients reacted. He and his partner’s thinking around M&A, “acquihires,” and the possibility of bringing on a capital partner to accelerate the next phase of growth.  Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Michael Henley: Brandywine Oak Private Wealth LinkedIn: Brandywine Oak Private Wealth LinkedIn: Michael Henley About Our Guest: Michael Henley is the Founder and CEO of Brandywine Oak Private Wealth, a distinguished private wealth management firm headquartered in Kennett Square, Pa. Over the course of his 20-year career, Michael has partnered with wealthy individuals and families to help streamline the complexity associated with significant wealth. Michael built his team with a singular purpose: to provide a preeminent private wealth management experience to executives, retirees, and their family members, founded on exceptional service, transparency, and consistency. A skilled leader, he surrounds each client with a dedicated team of credentialed professionals who are sensitive to that family’s unique needs, values, and goals. Michael resides in Chadds Ford, PA, with his two children and their dogs. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification, the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) designation, the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM (CRPC®) designation, and the Retirement Management Advisor® (RMA®) designation.

Economic uncertainty, heightened volatility and on-again, off-again trade policies are challenging for investors. But similar to the Great Financial Crisis of 2008, fiduciary advisors can use this opportunity to assert their value and give clients confidence that their broader financial plans aren’t as negatively impacted as they may think, given the daily doom-and-gloom market headlines. Some RIAs can turn volatility into a growth engine. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, Jalina Kerr of Charles Schwab shares how the most adaptive firms are expanding beyond portfolio management, into areas like estate and tax planning, which have far more profound impacts on client outcomes than marginal tweaks to an allocation model or changes in asset managers and investment funds. Top-tier RIAs are also using technology to scale more personalized client experiences, communicating to clients that their personal plans remain resilient, despite the daily ups and downs in the markets. Kerr discusses: The resilience of RIAs during down markets and how bear markets can be an opportunity for growth The increasing demand for comprehensive wealth management beyond portfolio construction, including estate and tax planning Integration of technology to deliver personalization at scale and the benefits of all-in-one platforms The rising interest in alternative investments and how they’re being integrated into many RIAs practices If the wealth management industry is any closer to solving the talent shortage, and how RIAs are doing in forging career development tracks within firms. Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Jalina Kerr: Charles Schwab LinkedIn: Jalina Kerr LinkedIn: Charles Schwab About Our Guest: Jalina Kerr is the Managing Director, Head of Advisor Experience for Schwab Advisor Services. Kerr’s team shapes the constantly evolving client experience with progressive technical and human resources designed to support the custody needs of a diverse advisor base. Kerr began her career at Schwab in 1994 on the Advisor Services trading desk. During her tenure at Schwab, Kerr has held roles in client service delivery, operations, advisors in transition, strategy, and technology. In 2016, AZ Business Magazine recognized Kerr as one of Arizona’s Most Influential Women. Kerr also serves on the Board of the Arizona Women’s Leadership Forum. Kerr holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and her Series 7, 9, 10, 24, and 63 registrations.

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, join host David Armstrong for an insightful conversation with Susie Cranston, president and COO of Cresset, as they explore how the firm rapidly scaled to $65 billion.  David and Susie discuss: How Cresset grew out of a family office for the founders, and how the firm defines “family office” services.  How the firm made the decision to source and offer clients private market investments via affiliate Cresset Capital Partners. How Cranston views the tension between growth via acquisitions and maintaining the integrity of the service model. “When you have to integrate multiple systems, when you have to be the one building those integrations, it really, really slows down your ability to grow and scale.” How crossing the $40B mark in AUM brings benefits to the firm and the clients by opening up “industrial scale” options for tech and service: “That is a real advantage when you can cross there because then you don’t have to change out your infrastructure, you can just scale on what you have.” Insights on evolving advisory models and the future of the RIA.  Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Susie Cranston: Cresset LinkedIn: Cresset LinkedIn: Susie Cranston About Our Guest: Susie Cranston is President and Chief Operating Officer of Cresset, an award-winning multi-family office and private investment firm. In this role, Susie oversees Cresset’s Wealth Advisors, Client Service, Operations, and Compliance. Susie most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer at First Republic Bank, where she was responsible for the sales, client service, operations, strategic planning, and administrative management of the First Republic Investment Management business. After the firm’s acquisition by JP Morgan Chase, Susie served as the COO and Head of Integration. Susie originally joined First Republic in 2013 as EVP of Private Wealth Management, moving on to build one of the most successful wealth management businesses in the industry. She started her career at McKinsey & Company, where she spent 12 years consulting in various roles of increasing seniority and focused on strategy, risk management, and transformational change for financial services companies. Active in the San Francisco business community, Susie is a “Forever Influential” honoree and three-time recipient of the San Francisco Business Times “Most Influential Women in Business” designation and a member of C200. Susie is also a board member of the Commonwealth Club. She has authored several published articles and a book on women and leadership, “How Remarkable Women Lead.” Susie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering and an MBA in business from Stanford University.

How can a firm truly put families first in wealth management? Join host David Armstrong as he interviews Chris Erblich, co-founder of TFO Family Office Partners. Chris shares the origin story and evolution of TFO’s three distinct but interconnected entities: a full-service multifamily office in Phoenix, a wealth management firm in Ohio and a South Dakota-based public trust company. He explains how each was built in response to real client needs rather than a grand business plan. It all started with a family office sparked by a gap in legal-client relationships, expanded into wealth management and ultimately the firm formed a trust company to address trustee challenges for ultra-high-net-worth families. Throughout the conversation, Chris emphasizes TFO’s purpose-driven mission: to help families, however and wherever they need it. David and Chris discuss: What prompted estate attorney Elbrich to first convince his law firm to back an in-house multi-family office, and why he and his partners eventually bought it outright. How an opportunistic meeting with a Genspring advisor looking for a new home led him to build a separate MFO in Phoenix. The firm’s approach to client services, tax preparation and estate planning. Building an in-house South Dakota Trust company that was, at first, seen as an accommodation, but soon became a profitable business service highly valued by clients.  Elbrich’s mission statement and the one question that helps him decide where to focus his efforts growing the business.  Future growth plans, and how he feels about mergers and acquisitions in the RIA space.  Resources: Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on WealthManagement.com Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify  Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Chris Erblich: TFO Wealth Partners TFO Family Office Partners LinkedIn: Chris Erblich LinkedIn: TFO Wealth Partners LinkedIn: TFO Family Office Partners Husch Blackwell https://www.huschblackwell.com/ About Our Guest: Chris is a nationally recognized estate planning attorney, business owner, and speaker focusing on helping individuals and families connect their wealth and purpose. His clients are those who have truly lived the American dream, and Chris values the opportunity to work with and learn from them. In addition to Chris’ role as Partner at Husch Blackwell, Chris is the CEO and Chairman of TFO Family Office Partners (based in Phoenix, Arizona), CEO of TFO Wealth Partners (based in Maumee, Ohio), and President and Director of TFO Trust Company (based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota). Chris also has multiple real estate investments. It is this experience that enables him to understand firsthand the challenges and complexities of managing both companies and properties, and he readily identifies with clients’ goals and desires for their own businesses. In addition to the services he provides to clients, Chris is a highly sought-after speaker in the world of high-net-worth estate planning and has delivered more than 200 presentations nationwide to attorneys, accountants, financial service professionals, and business owners.

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong chats with Andrew Leonard, founder and partner at Geometric Wealth Advisors, about how the firm has rapidly grown to over $1 billion in AUM since Leonard founded it by catering to a specific client niche: executives working inside large consulting firms like McKinsey, Bain, and BCG.  In fact, many of its advisors, as well as the firm’s chief operating officer, come from those same firms. Geometric Wealth’s advantage is a deep understanding of the internal resources, career paths and investment plans available to its clients, as well as the professional trajectories and personalities of those who work there. By focusing on such a narrow pool of prospects, the firm ironically brings in twice as many referrals as it can onboard annually—a capacity problem, not a growth problem.  Leonard talks about how the niche focus drives most strategic decisions at the firm. That includes a commitment to 100% remote work, the firm’s business development strategy (and how “marketing” looks very different when focusing on a specific niche) and the commitment to remaining an employee-owned partnership with no outside investor taking ownership. Leonard also discusses: The benefit of hiring career-changers from the same consulting firms where they prospect for clients, and the advantages that brings in terms of subject-matter expertise and new client referrals.  Why he made the decision five years ago, as a much smaller firm, to bring not just tax planning, but tax preparation in-house and the difference that has made for his clients (many with unique tax situations that come with the partnership arrangements of the consulting firms). Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Andrew Leonard: Geometric Wealth Advisors LinkedIn: Geometric Wealth Advisors LinkedIn: Andrew Leonard About Our Guest: Andrew founded Geometric Wealth Advisors in 2015.  He spent the prior eight years as a Partner with Classic Capital, where he served as a Wealth Advisor for high net worth families and individuals.  He sold his stake in Classic to build a firm devoted entirely to serving his peers. Andrew lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Shelley, and daughters, Eve and Brooke.

What makes a financial advisory firm truly sustainable in the competitive world of wealth management? Join David Armstrong as he engages with Mark DeLotto, partner and corporate development officer at Simon Quick Advisors, on the firm’s distinctive growth journey and his roadmap for future growth. Mark offers insights into cultivating a culture of broad ownership, team collaboration, and strategies for organic growth driven by deep expertise in trusts and estate planning, and his ambition for more dealmaking in the RIA space.  David and Mark discuss: The transformation of Simon Quick Advisors from an early focus as a family office, to advising a few institutions, to becoming a full-service wealth management firm for HNW and UHNW clients.   How broadening the number of next-gen employee owners has aligned the team around the firm’s goals and incentives, and the impact that decision has had on the firm’s growth trajectory.  Why the firm decided to bring estate planning intelligence in-house. The firm’s first three M&A deals, and how Mark and his partner believed in the mission to the point where they made personal guarantees to the bank to raise the capital to pursue a deal.  Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Mark DeLotto: Simon Quick Advisors LinkedIn: Simon Quick Advisors LinkedIn: Mark DeLotto Facebook: Simon Quick Advisors  Twitter: Simon Quick Advisors About Our Guest: Mr. DeLotto joined Simon Quick in April 2007 and currently serves as the Partner and Corporate Development Officer, with primary responsibility over the areas of finance and operations. He also oversees human resources, legal, compliance, technology, and infrastructure, and, as a member of the Management Committee, contributes to the firm’s strategic direction, business development, and business planning. He also sits on the firm’s Operating Committee. In early 2013, Mr. DeLotto became an equity partner of Simon Quick. Mr. DeLotto began his career with Fleet/Quick & Reilly as a Financial Advisor. At the Bank of America Investment Services, he managed and serviced client assets. He earned Series 7, Series 66, and New Jersey Life and Health Insurance Producer Licenses and was selected to partner with a successful team of advisors in 2005. Prior to joining Simon Quick, Mr. DeLotto supervised, mentored, and coached over forty financial advisors and sales assistants as a licensed market principal at Bank of America Investment Services, Inc. Mr. DeLotto has a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Villanova University School of Business. He is an active member in the Morris/Somerset Chapter of the Villanova Alumni Association and was an active member of The Villanova School of Business and served as a mentor in the Commerce and Finance Counselor program. A graduate of the Delbarton School in Morristown, NJ, he currently serves on the Board of the Alumni Association and is the Co-Chair of the school’s annual fundraising effort. Mark currently sits on the Technology Advisory Board for both Pershing LLC (an affiliate of BNY Mellon) and Fortigent LLC (an affiliate of LPL Financial). Mark sits on the Board of Directors for the ARC of Morris County, an organization dedicated to people affected by intellectual and related developmental disabilities and their families in Morris County.

Snowden Lane entered 2025 on a high note. The firm had an active recruiting year, expanding its national footprint and posting record profitability and revenue with approximately $12 billion in AUM.  Yet the highlight for CEO Robert Mooney was the decision to buy back a significant portion of the firm’s equity from its original financial backer, Estancia Capital. The firm also broadened ownership to more employees and managers while letting longer-tenured advisor partners cash in some vested chips at “an attractive valuation.”  Now, 75% of firm ownership is in the hands of managers and employees. Mooney sees the pivot away from outside capital as something to celebrate, particularly as more competitors run toward private equity.   In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong talks with Mooney about the recent changes at Snowden Lane and how his firm is navigating the shifting dynamics in wealth management.  Rob shares insights on: Why the wirehouses are still Snowden Lane’s best hunting grounds for talent, though he is starting to see serious opportunities to recruit from other RIAs; the firm recently added Charles Schwab as a custodian alongside its traditional partner Pershing. A new proprietary retirement transition plan that offers advisors eyeing the exits an early payout. The growing role of alternative investments, where the demand is coming from and how advisors are integrating them. Why firm executives are bringing more practicing advisors from the field offices into managing director roles to help with strategic growth decisions. The sustainability of current RIA valuations and what firms might be getting wrong.  The firm’s recent recapitalization and the benefits of broadening ownership in the firm to advisors and home-office employees.  Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Rob Mooney: Snowden Lane Partners LinkedIn: Snowden Lane Partners LinkedIn: Rob Mooney About Our Guest: Rob is the Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Snowden Lane. Rob spent 22 years at Merrill Lynch, in New York, Singapore, Hong Kong, and London. He was General Counsel and Chief Business Risk Officer of Global Wealth Management and a member of the GWM Executive and Operating Committees. He previously held senior executive positions in International Private Client and the Asia Pacific Region. Rob started at Merrill Lynch in London (Europe, Middle East, and Africa Region) and before that worked at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He has a BA from Franklin and Marshall College and a JD from George Washington University. He is Chairman of the Board of Centurion, the oldest organization in the U.S. dedicated to freeing the wrongly convicted, and a founding Board member of the Christina Seix Academy, a residential school for underprivileged inner-city children. He is a former Board Chairman and Board member of the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong interviews Grant Rawdin, founder and CEO of Wescott Financial Advisory Group, which manages $4 billion in AUM. Grant shares the story of founding his firm in 1987 as an offshoot of a law firm, his passion for client advocacy, and how the firm grew through strategic networking and a commitment to professional management. He emphasizes Wescott’s unique culture, including its B-Corp certification and involvement in the Net Positive Consortium for Wealth Management, as essential elements of its identity, and most important, talent retention. Key takeaways from this episode include: Rawdin’s belief that net organic growth starts with client retention, and how the firm achieves its high numbers with multi-generational clients. Beyond retention, the other activities that help the firm create “rivers of referrals,” the core of Wescott’s growth engine. The firm’s commitment to social justice and positive community involvement, including what its coveted “B-Corp” designation means, and why it became a founding member of the Net Positive Coalition for Wealth Management, a growing group of RIAs committed to sustainability. The mindful approach he takes to acquisitions, and the importance of integrating the right talented professionals into the firm culture to the benefit of employees and clients. What data Rawdin follows to make growth-oriented business decisions and track ROI The firm’s unique inclusion of an organizational psychologist to support clients and staff through transitions Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Net Positive Wealth Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Grant Rawdin: Website: Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC LinkedIn: Grant Rawdin LinkedIn: Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC Facebook: Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC About Our Guest: Grant Rawdin is the founder and CEO of Wescott.  Wescott grew from the tax, business and estate services he provided to clients at Duane Morris LLP, a venerable AMLaw 100 law firm; Wescott was founded in 1987.  Grant is an attorney, an accountant and a Certified Financial Planner® professional and has served as advisor to many businesses and families.  He is admitted to both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Bars. Grant is a graduate of Temple University Beasley School of Law and Temple University, where he received his B.A. in English Literature.  He is the very proud father of four children and resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with his wife, Laura Rawdin.

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong interviews David Hefty, founder and CEO of $3.4 billion AUM Credent Wealth Management. Hefty narrowly escaped pursuing a career trading commodities on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade, and instead started an independent wealth management firm shortly after college. But it wasn’t until the past few years that he and his team implemented an aggressive growth strategy, doing over a dozen deals in short order and uniquely being fueled by a relationship with a private credit firm (keeping the undiluted equity in the hands of the advisors). Hefty and his team put the client experience at the forefront of all decisions, and for them, that means full assimilation of onboarded teams into the Credent brand and the workflows.  Top takeaways from this episode include: Credent’s assimilation strategy when it comes to M&A and what it means to be an “anti-aggregator.” Why most acquisitive RIAs are building out an “advisor-centric” model of a wealth management firm, and why that’s not always good for the client.  What motivated the decision to access private credit instead of equity funding to fuel Credent’s growth strategy, and the firm’s relationship with lending shop Crestline Investors. The detailed onboarding process that every one of Credent’s 13 recent acquisitions underwent when they joined the firm.  With a dozen more deals in various stages of pursuit, Hefty reveals his future ambitions for the firm and what it will take to become truly “unbuyable” by all but a few national firms.  Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With David Hefty: Credent Wealth Management LinkedIn: Credent Wealth Management LinkedIn: David Hefty About Our Guest: There are few people more passionate about changing financial lives than David Hefty. As Chief Executive Officer, his vision and leadership have built Credent into a firm dedicated to doing what’s best for hardworking Americans, all with the highest standards of transparency. Believing all Americans should have access to high-quality, independent advice, David is committed to fee-only financial partnerships. He co-founded Hefty Wealth Partners in 2000 and joined Oak Point Financial Group in 2018 to form Credent Wealth Management.

David Armstrong talks with Jim Gold, CEO of Steward Partners, about the firm’s growth trajectory. Steward Partners, originally founded by wirehouse breakaways, has cultivated a unique approach by tapping experienced advisors with the independence of RIAs. With over $40 billion in assets, Jim shares insights into their robust M&A strategy and the importance of succession planning in an aging industry. The main takeaways include: Steward Partners’ M&A philosophy and its pivotal role in addressing the “succession crisis.” The changing mix of advisor recruits and firm acquisitions as growth levers. How Steward designs equity and partnership structures to attract and retain advisors. Future growth ambitions and potential needs for additional capital. Strategies for organic growth and how they differentiate Steward. The importance of keeping advisors happy and well-resourced for their own success. Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Jim Gold: Steward Partners LinkedIn: Steward Partners LinkedIn: Jim Gold About Our Guest: Jim Gold serves as CEO, is a Founding Partner, a Board Member, and a member of the Executive leadership team at Steward Partners Global Advisory. He has extensive experience in the Financial Services industry, having held several senior-level roles, most recently as Executive Director at Morgan Stanley. Prior to assuming his current role, Mr. Gold ran the Southern Connecticut Complex, headquartered in Greenwich, Conn. Mr. Gold spent 18 years with Smith Barney, beginning in 1995 as a financial advisor. He went on to hold numerous management positions at the firm, including National Training Officer, Assistant Branch Manager, Branch Manager, and Complex Manager. Mr. Gold received numerous accolades from the firm during his tenure, most recently, he was recognized for his accomplishments in Diversity.

In this episode, host David Armstrong, managing director of editorial and content strategies for the Wealth Management Group at Informa, sits down with Michael Nathanson, CEO of Focus Financial Partners, to discuss Focus’ pulling out of the public markets in favor of private equity partners, their recent rebranding and the team’s hub consolidation strategy.  Michael reveals how Focus is evolving its approach from a consortium of 90 independent firms into efforts to bring at least some of them together under one roof, which, he bets, will pay off in greater efficiencies, a wider set of services for clients and accelerated organic growth.  Highlights include: The rationale behind Focus’ recent rebranding, its “hub” organization strategy and the continuing consolidation among firms What “interdependence” means for Focus advisors, and how Nathanson’s team thinks about balancing efficiencies against advisor autonomy Focus’ experience as a publicly traded company and the bet that the firm’s private equity backers are making. How the firm plans to drive organic growth. What he looks for when hiring executive leaders or partnering with RIAs. What to expect from Focus now when it comes to M&A.   Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter/X: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Michael Nathanson: Focus Financial LinkedIn: Focus Financial LinkedIn: Michael Nathanson About Our Guest: Michael is a highly respected and experienced leader in the wealth management industry. As Chief Executive Officer, he plays a pivotal role in driving organizational change and spearheading a range of firm-wide initiatives. He is relentlessly dedicated to bringing meaning and joy to the lives of clients, his team, and throughout the Focus Partnership, by fostering a culture that values lifelong learning, cultivates innovation, and offers opportunities to live lives full of passion and purpose. Michael’s passion is reflected in the recognition he has received, having been selected ten times by Barron’s magazine as one of the top 100 independent financial advisors in the nation, included in Worth magazine’s list of the country’s top 250 wealth advisors and recognized as one of ThinkAdvisor’s 2022 LUMINARIES winners for Executive Leadership. He also was selected six times as a “Super Lawyer,” as published in Massachusetts Super Lawyers. During his tenure as Chief Executive Officer and Chair of The Colony Group, he is most proud of the firm being named one of 50 firms as a Best Place To Work for Financial Advisors by InvestmentNews.

Live at the recent MarketCounsell Summit in Las Vegas, David Armstrong chats with Andree Mohr, president of Integrated Partners, a unique advisory platform assisting entrepreneurial advisors in scaling their businesses through strategic CPA partnerships.  Mohr covers Integrated’s origin story and the dynamics of integrating wealth management services into accounting firms. The discussion highlights the importance of putting the client’s needs first in the business partnerships Integrated pursues and how that can sometimes require humility and adaptability on the part of the advisor.   Mohr discusses the technology advancements fueling the “personalization at scale” goal that most growth-minded advisory firms strive for,  and the need for advisors to evolve into “expert coordinators of experts” leveraging partnerships to address complex client needs.  Highlights from this episode include: Integrated Partners’ strategy of partnering with CPAs.s What happens when advisors hit the “ceiling of complexity” when coordinating insurance, taxes, estate planning, and investment portfolios Why client retention is really the key to growth, and how advisors can use their own stories to turn those clients into “rabid fans” and natural referrals.   The importance of curating expert networks to bring more services to clients and the challenges some advisors have with outsourcing.   The impact AI will have in bringing higher degrees of specialization and personalization to financial services. Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect with Andree Mohr: Andree Mohr Integrated Partners About Our Guest: Andree supports growth on many levels as the President of Integrated. In this role, She oversees the day-to-day operations, manages budgets, and drives the firm’s key objectives to ensure the consistent and healthy growth of the organization. A particular passion of hers is helping entrepreneurial-minded financial advisors implement strategic operations that enhance efficiencies, foster practice growth, and bring their business visions to fruition. Through Integrated’s CPA Alliance program, she assists CPA partners in monetizing their most trusted advisor status while simultaneously aiding clients in their financial planning and tax needs. She is also the co-author of “Center Stage: How to Become the Star of Your Practice” along with Matt Ackermann. The book focuses on operational, team building, and business processing efficiencies to help empower advisors to streamline their practices. The end result: advisors will have a roadmap to grow their business, leave a lasting legacy, and ultimately provide a boutique, concierge, memorable experience for their clients. Her professional background includes graduating from Northeastern University, with an emphasis on experiential learning. She has been supporting advisors in various capacities for the last 13 years and truly enjoys helping them with their growth endeavors, facilitating business optimization, and ultimately watching them realize their goals. Rounding out her life involves spending time with her husband and twin daughters, passionately cheering on the New England Patriots, traveling, and supporting charitable causes that are important to her.

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director at Informa Connect’s Wealth Management Group, speaks with Jennifer des Groseilliers, CEO of The Mather Group. The conversation took place live during Schwab’s recent IMPACT Conference in San Francisco.  Jennifer was recently appointed head of the $14 billion AUM firm, though she is a veteran in financial services, having worked across advisory channels, first at Ameriprise and later at MetLife and MassMutual. She came to The Mather Group just a few years after the firm was acquired by private equity investor the Vistria Group.   She is leading a firm that has grown rapidly through a number of acquisitions in recent years, with Vistria’s financial backing. The firm currently has some 14 offices around the country, 175 employees and about 4,000 clients. It focuses on financial planning for affluent and HNW individuals, with a minimum account size of $1 million and a family office service model for clients with more than $25 million.  David and Jennifer discuss: The balanced approach to growth that includes scaling responsibly through both internal development and strategic acquisitions The Mather Group’s meticulous process that ensures new acquisitions align with their corporate values and culture How a recent acquisition brings an alternative investment specialist into the organization, and how alts are incorporated into client portfolios.  The firm’s strategy for attracting and retaining top talent in the competitive RIA space, including a popular employee equity plan and a “robust” summer internship program that feeds new talent into many of its offices.  Why “emotional intelligence” is a key focus for leadership at The Mather Group and how it benefits both client relations and team dynamics. Resources: RIA Edge Podcast  Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Jennifer des Groseilliers: The Mather Group LinkedIn: The Mather Group LinkedIn: Jennifer des Groseilliers About Our Guest: Jennifer des Groseilliers is the Chief Executive Officer of The Mather Group. Jen cultivates a collaborative culture through inclusive and supportive leadership. Her unwavering commitment to keeping clients at the center of all efforts drives her approach. Jen’s extensive professional experience includes joining the MetLife Premier Client Group as a Managing Partner in 2013, leading an advisor force of over 160 financial advisors. She later became the CEO of MassMutual Illinois in 2016, and in 2020, after a merger with WestPoint Financial Group, she assumed the role of Partner and Chief Experience Officer, leading various departments including Investments, Compliance, Practice Development, and Financial Planning.

Recorded live at the Schwab Impact Conference in San Francisco, David Armstrong, editorial director at Informa Connect’s Wealth Management Group, sits down with Michael Goodman, founder, and leader of RIA Wealthstream Advisors, an RIA Edge 100 firm, to explore how he thinks about sustainable growth and client service in wealth management.  They delve into Goodman’s philosophy and approach behind managing a successful wealth advisory firm and serving clients with meaningful wealth and complex financial needs. Goodman emphasizes the importance of tailored support, from working with full delegators to knowledgeable individuals within financial services. They discuss: What Goodman saw was missing from his accounting client relationships, which prompted him to take the leap and launch his own RIA. The process Wealthstream Advisors uses to decide to take on certain clients that may not always meet their minimum AUM requirement. How a deep understanding of certain corporate compensation plans helps Wealthstream turn executive clients at those companies into fans of the firm, fueling their referrals. Why Goodman encourages his advisors to dump the jargon around the sophisticated planning strategies the firm employs and simply ask the client one pertinent question.  How the 100% employee-owned firm approaches M&A Why Goodman believes that it’s important to sacrifice maximized firm profitability in order to keep some excess capacity in the organization—to accommodate future growth or cushion the inevitable sustained market downturn.  The key KPIs Goodman tracks to help make decisions on staffing and resources.   Resources: RIA Edge Podcast: Wealthstream’s Michael Goodman on Building a $1BN RIA  Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Michael Goodman: Wealthstream Advisors LinkedIn: Wealthstream Advisors LinkedIn: Michael Goodman About Our Guest: Michael Goodman, founder of Wealthstream Advisors, is dedicated to fostering lifelong partnerships and helping clients achieve greater financial clarity and peace of mind. Wealthstream Advisors, an independent boutique wealth management firm in New York City, operates as a Registered Investment Advisory firm, providing objective and personalized financial planning and evidence-based investment management while adhering to a fiduciary standard. Michael emphasizes the importance of tailored financial plans and investment strategies. Through collaboration with Wealthstream Advisors, clients gain enhanced financial knowledge and confidence, empowering them to make informed decisions about managing and growing their wealth.

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director at Informa Connect’s Wealth Management Group, sits down with Dick Pfister, founder of AlphaCore Wealth Advisory, to explore his firm’s investment approach that places alternatives at the core of the service offering. Dick discusses his early days bringing alternatives to advisors with his firm Altegris, the origins of AlphaCore, the organic growth journey of the firm, and how the sometimes cumbersome alt-investment process is integrated into the service for clients.   David and Dick explore: AlphaCore’s distinctive approach of integrating alternative strategies to provide diversification and risk management at the portfolio’s core How he approaches building a dedicated team and scalable technology to support both organic growth and acquisitions. The reasoning behind taking an investment from Karl Heckenberg’s Constellation Wealth Capital The firm’s seven core values, including No. 1: Do what’s best for the client. Practical strategies for achieving organic growth through client referrals, educational events, business development, and leveraging referral networks Resources: RIA Edge Podcast  Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Dick Pfister: AlphaCore Wealth Advisory LinkedIn: AlphaCore Wealth Advisory LinkedIn: Dick Pfister About Our Guest: Dick has over 25 years of experience in the wealth advisory and financial services industry with an emphasis on diversifying traditional portfolios with alternative strategies. In 2015, he founded AlphaCore, which has become a leading wealth advisory firm. He serves as AlphaCore’s CEO and is a managing member of the Investment Committee. Throughout his career, he has successfully navigated changing market conditions on behalf of hundreds of entrepreneurs and investment professionals.

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director at Informa Connect’s Wealth Management Group, sits down with Jalina Kerr, managing director of client experience for Schwab Advisor Services. Jalina talks about Schwab’s approach to enhancing the advisor experience, including the group’s work on technology integrations, changes made in the wake of the TDAI integration, and how the firm is trying to follow advisors’ lead when it comes to prioritizing the custodian’s approach to tech development.   David and Jalina discuss: How the firm is thinking about the “advisor experience” on the platform, and how they are working to improve it.  Schwab’s approach to gathering and acting on advisor feedback in close to real-time. Addressing the challenges and complexities of large-scale platform integration, particularly post-TD Ameritrade merger The growing demand for simplified technology ecosystems, including integrated bundles,  and how Schwab aims to meet those needs. Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Jalina Kerr: Charles Schwab LinkedIn: Charles Schwab LinkedIn: Jalina Kerr About Our Guest: Jalina Kerr is the Managing Director of Client Experience for Schwab Advisor Services. Kerr’s team shapes the constantly evolving client experience with progressive technical and human resources designed to support the custody needs of a diverse advisor base. Kerr began her career at Schwab in 1994 on the Advisor Services trading desk. During her tenure at Schwab, Kerr has held roles in client service delivery and operations, as well as advisors in transition, strategy, and technology.

Ken Stern’s journey with Lido Advisors started almost a decade ago with a chance meeting at a family office conference. His initial connection with Lido’s founders quickly evolved into a shared vision of providing unmatched client service and scaling a national brand. In some ways, the Lido story is a bit different among RIAs—instead of a firm starting with retail clients and moving upstream to high and ultra-high net worth, Lido started in the family office space and under Stern’s operational guidance has brought the family office-style suite of services to a broader base of clients and prospects.  In this episode, David Armstrong, managing director of editorial and content strategies for the Wealth Management Group at Informa, talks with Ken Stern, president of Lido Advisors, to delve into the approaches they’ve taken to scale, how he thinks about growth as almost a mandate to bring clients a top-tier experience, and how they’ve balanced organic growth and acquisitions.  David and Ken discuss: Lido Advisors’ impressive growth to over $20 billion in AUM and the strategies behind their rapid expansion. Why cracking the code on multi-generational planning has become a key driver in the firm’s overall growth strategy.   Why Lido Advisors chose to bring services like trust management and tax preparation in-house to provide better control and a seamless client experience One potential, highly valued client-service area that remains largely untapped by most RIAs and is on Lido’s strategic roadmap.  Lido’s approach to mergers and acquisitions and the role of partnerships with private equity firms like Charlesbank Capital Partners and Constellation Partners in fueling expansion Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Ken Stern: Lido Advisors LinkedIn: Lido Advisors LinkedIn: Ken Stern [email protected]  About Our Guest: Ken Stern is the President of Lido Advisors. Ken is focused on executing Lido’s vision of growing Lido Advisors into a nationally recognized leader in advanced wealth management and investment strategy. After working with and helping grow various financial institutions, Ken saw a need for a client-centric financial advisory firm focused on comprehensive planning and dynamic investment management. As a result, he founded both Asset Planning Solutions, Inc. and Ken Stern & Associates. Ken has authored seven personal finance books and appeared in or been quoted on several TV and radio shows including The Today Show, CNBC, and CNN.

Learn how independent financial advisors can drive growth and streamline operations while maintaining their autonomy as David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect’s Wealth Management Group, speaks with Nate Lenz, CEO & co-founder at Concurrent. They explore talent development, organic growth strategies and the unique model Concurrent uses to allow advisors to thrive while maintaining their brand identity.  David and Nate highlight the following: The evolution of Concurrent and its transition to a fully independent RIA Strategies for achieving organic growth and the critical role of talent development The significance of minority non-control stakes in building advisor partnerships Concurrent’s approach to expanding service offerings through strategic acquisitions Resources: RIA Edge Podcast  Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter: David Armstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Nate Lenz: Concurrent LinkedIn: Concurrent LinkedIn: Nate Lenz About Our Guest: At 25, Nate Lenz was the youngest vice president at Raymond James Financial Services, where he led the succession planning and acquisition team and helped recruit financial advisers from large, full-service brokers, providing them with the support they needed to grow their own businesses independently. That work helped shape his vision for Concurrent, which he co-founded in 2016 in Tampa, Florida, to build a better business model for advisers looking to go it alone. “Concurrent is a service provider to advisors that helps them make the jump to independence,” Lenz said.

Schwab’s Lisa Salvi shares insights from the firm’s annual benchmarking report, revealing how top-performing RIAs are driving significant organic growth amidst industry challenges.  In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect’s Wealth Management Group, talks with Lisa Salvi, managing director of advisor services at Schwab, about the firm’s annual advisor benchmarking report that reveals a strong rebound in 2023. While M&A remains prevalent, organic growth is increasingly prioritized as a key driver for top-performing firms. Finding the right talent continues to pose challenges as firms are urged to invest in career pathing and employee development programs. Specifically, David and Lisa discuss: How advisors are rebounding by defining ideal client personas and cultivating long-term relationships.  Using technology as a catalyst for driving efficiency and enhancing client experience. Attracting and retaining clients based on value proposition, independent of market fluctuations. The need for strategic hiring and employee development programs amidst an industry facing a critical talent shortage.   How M&A continues to be a strategic option for many advisory firms seeking to expand their reach and talent pool. Why succession planning is vital for firms to ensure long-term stability. Resources: RIA Edge Podcast   Connect With David Armstrong:  WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong  Twitter/X: @djamesarmstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Lisa Salvi: LinkedIn: Lisa Salvi Charles Schwab LinkedIn: Schwab About Our Guest:  Lisa Salvi is a member of the Advisor Services leadership team and is responsible for Schwab’s Business Consulting and Education offer. Her team develops and manages programs and one-on-one consulting engagements designed to help independent advisors make lasting and significant improvements within their firms by focusing on key business, technology, and cybersecurity issues. Salvi’s team leads the annual RIA Benchmarking Study, the Compensation Study, and programs that support the development of advisor talent through executive education and student initiatives. They also provide insights and tools that help the Advisor Services sales and support teams deliver outstanding client service to independent advisors. Salvi has worked with fee-based advisors since 2003. Since joining Schwab in 2007, she has held several positions, including Chief of Staff to Bernie Clark, head of Advisor Services. Salvi holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Series 7 and Series 24 registrations.  

Michael Conway shares how advisors at his firm, Conway Wealth, prioritize a deep understanding of each client’s values and puts health and well-being at the center of the planning conversation.  In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect’s Wealth Management Group, talks with Michael Conway, founder and CEO of Conway Wealth, about their bespoke approach to wealth management services for the high-net-worth market. The firm has a unique process for understanding a clients’ values and priorities beyond finance, and creating personalized plans that speak to their longer-term goals and values. Access to a vetted roster of professionals in the fields of health, nutrition, travel and family dynamics is part of the value proposition at Conway. Their customized emphasis on each client has fueled significant growth in recent years and allowed the firm to make a major investment in developing their own fintech with Seeds Investor, an investment platform that facilitates client conversations and gives advisors a path toward deeper and more meaningful portfolios and financial plans. Specifically, David and Michael discuss: How Conway Wealth puts a focus on discovering the motivations and priorities for each client and seeks to tailor a customized plan that moves beyond investments to speak to the their longer-term life goals. How the firm formalized its Life & Wealth Network, designed as an exclusive association of professionals and platforms to provide guidance for clients around health, nutrition, relationships, leisure, security, and charitable giving—and how Michael thinks about the economics of using a partner network versus bringing services in-house.  The metrics that Michael watches closely to ensure the firm is running efficiently and to flag capacity problems before they negatively impact the client experience.  The decision to build their own stand-alone investment platform, Seeds Investor, to bring client values and priorities into planning discussions and building bespoke portfolios. Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong  Twitter/X: @djamesarmstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Michael Conway: LinkedIn: Michael Conway Conway Wealth About Our Guest:  Michael Conway is founder and CEO of Conway Wealth Group, a premier, independent financial planning and advisory group. He is also a shareholder of Summit Financial, LLC. As a successful and well-respected financial advisor, Michael has spent more than 30 years building his practice and providing clients with specialized solutions that blend financial and estate planning strategies with open architecture investment management. Michael’s high net worth clients include successful entrepreneurs, corner office executives, CEOs, CFOs, Wall Street professionals, professional athletes, and others, all with significant wealth tied to their businesses or employers. Michael’s process focuses on leading clients toward Aligning Life & Wealth by focusing not just on investment gains, but the important parts of life that create lasting happiness for families. Michael is a member of the Financial Planning Association and has earned Certified Financial Planner® and Chartered Financial Consultant® credentials. In addition, Michael is frequently looked to as an expert in financial news media and has been featured in various publications, including Barron’s, the Wall Street Journal, Investment News, and Investor’s Business Daily, among others. He was also named one of the 100 Most Influential Advisors by Investopedia.

Helium founder and partner Howard Morin explains the benefits of bridging financial planning with deep tax expertise. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect’s Wealth Management Group, talks with Howard Morin, founder and partner at Helium Advisors, about integrating tax planning into the center of wealth management services. Located in Seattle and started in 2016, Helium has grown organically, with some M&A, to $270 million in assets currently. The focus on tax planning throughout the financial planning process ensures clients maximize after-tax returns, which are, after all, the only returns that count. While Helium leads with their tax and wealth management expertise, they also collaborate with a network of legal and accounting professionals for specialized support to meet the varying needs of each client.  Specifically, David and Howard discuss: How Helium Advisors stands out by prioritizing tax integration from the outset, ensuring a cohesive approach to financial planning. Why a tax-centric approach can significantly impact a client’s financial well-being and help clients minimize tax liabilities. Addressing the challenges of balancing personalized service with efficient growth by scaling processes and maintaining a strong employee-to-client ratio. The importance of utilizing the right technology to streamline processes and enhance client service. Keeping client focus by understanding each client’s unique goals and risk tolerance, and also offering guidance on complex issues like business decisions and estate planning. Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong  Twitter/X: @djamesarmstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Howard Morin: LinkedIn: Howard Morin Helium Advisors About Our Guest:  Howard Morin co-founded Helium Advisors with partner Gary Russell in 2016. Howard has over 20 years of financial services and organizational leadership experience. Most recently, he oversaw the Financial Services Group of Conover serving as CEO of both the Conover Securities Corporation and Conover Capital Management. Starting as a manager of the institutional trader business at TradeStation Group his success was recognized by the Intel Corporation who relocated him to the Pacific Northwest in 2000 where he was named Managing Director of Global Financial Services. At Intel, Howard was responsible for implementing technology at some of the largest financial institutions in the world. After a career at Intel he returned to Wall Street, joining Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) as a private financial advisor. Howard is passionate about advising clients on key decisions and working with employers to align their corporate retirement plan with their strategic goals. A native of South Florida, after almost 20 years in the Seattle area, he now calls Scottsdale, Arizona home.

President and CEO Phillip Hamman of Linscomb Wealth on how his firm outpaced market growth with a laser focus on client satisfaction. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect’s Wealth Management Group, talks with Phillip Hamman, president and CEO of Linscomb Wealth, about the firm’s comprehensive financial planning services, where they leverage a team-based approach and institutional knowledge to address clients’ diverse needs. Founded over 50 years ago, Linscomb Wealth transitioned to a fiduciary fee-only firm in the 1980s, doubling assets to $4.2 billion. With 1800 clients nationwide, they cater primarily to those with $1-10 million in liquid assets and believe prioritizing client well-being is a strong catalyst for driving organic growth. Specifically, David and Phillip discuss: How tracking detailed metrics guides their strategic decision-making.  Why the firm prioritizes cultural alignment with potential acquisitions to safeguard against diluting their core principles and maintaining a cohesive organizational structure. The challenges in talent acquisition and where they look to identify the right candidates who not only possess the necessary skills but, more importantly, align with the firm’s client-centric values. How their relationship with Cadence Bank has expanded their product portfolio while still allowing the firm to maintain its independence. What future services the firm is looking to offer to stay ahead of industry trends and client demands. Resource: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong  Twitter/X: @djamesarmstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Phillip Hamman: LinkedIn: Phillip Hamman  Linscomb Wealth About Our Guest: Joining Linscomb Wealth (LW) over a decade ago, Phillip currently serves as the president and CEO. He leads the team in the development and execution of the firm’s long-run vision, propelling its growth. His leadership extends to serving on the LW Board of Directors, chairing the Executive Team, and contributing as a voting member of the Investment Committee, reflecting his deep proficiencies in investment advisory, client service, and wealth planning. A graduate of Texas Tech University with a B.S. in Personal Financial Planning, Phillip’s professional journey encompasses significant experience with high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families. Phillip is passionate about the advancement of the wealth management field and is currently a member of the University of Houston Bauer MSF Wealth Advisory Board, CFA Institute, Investments & Wealth Institute, and Financial Planning Association. A family man and lifelong Texan, Phillip is married with three wonderful children and resides in West Houston.

WEG CEO Jeff Dekko shares his company’s approach to staffing models, strategic decision-making, and the significance of organic growth in the financial advisory industry. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect’s Wealth Management Group, talks with Jeff Dekko, CEO of Wealth Enhancement Group, about the firm’s history and active role in the M&A space. The company currently manages around $80 billion in assets, primarily in the RIA industry. With over two decades of experience at the company, Dekko emphasizes sustainable growth as a critical aspect of their strategy along with optimizing processes to enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. Specifically, David and Jeff discuss: How the firm is committed to organic growth but evolved over time to embrace M&A as well. The need to establish clear benchmarks for hiring and capacity utilization so the firm ensures efficient operations and maintains service quality without the need for ad hoc decision-making. What the changing landscape of M&A in the RIA space means and how it reflects the competitive nature of the market. The impact of private equity investments in the industry and the importance of assessing the compatibility of PE partners to achieve success in quality-driven growth. Why the firm targets both small and large companies for acquisition. They seek clarity and process maturity to drive efficient utilization of technology, particularly Salesforce, to streamline operations and support their client-centric approach. Wealth Enhancement Group’s long-term operational philosophy and strategic focus on building a resilient and enduring company with an expanding geographic reach. Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong Twitter/X:@djamesarmstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Jeff Dekko: LinkedIn: Jeff Dekko  Wealth Enhancement Group About Our Guest:  Jeff has more than 20 years of business experience in marketing, technology, operations, and finance. He is responsible for overall leadership, growth, and development of Wealth Enhancement Group. Jeff began his career with General Mills, Inc., where he served in a variety of marketing management positions. In 1994 he joined Recovery Engineering, Inc., where he was instrumental in the development and branding of the PUR water filtration system. Jeff was a key member of the team that successfully sold the company to Procter & Gamble for a 100% premium over market value. Through his work in technology and management consulting firms, Jeff has helped numerous organizations realize greater levels of success. Jeff provided consulting services to Wealth Enhancement Group before being asked to join the organization as CEO in 2003.

Marshberry’s director of financial advisory services on how advisors navigate their growth trajectories. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect’s Wealth Management Group, and John Orsini, director, of financial advisory services, at MarshBerry, discuss the recent RIA Edge research study detailing how firms are navigating their growth trajectories and approaching decisions around service expansion, fee compression and specialization. Specifically, David and John talk about: The services most RIAs say they are likely to add, which they aren’t, and why.  The financial metric firms should keep in mind when designing a sustainable growth strategy.  How smaller RIAs that strive to accommodate all client service requests eventually find that “stumbling forward” on the growth path can lead to more significant problems down the road. Where the convergence of private equity, insurance tax, and estate planning in M&A has gained momentum and where it has not. Some of the challenges “next-generation” advisors face as the industry evolves from a collection of practices to larger and professionally managed businesses. Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong  Twitter/X: @djamesarmstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With John Orsini: LinkedIn: John Orsini  MarshBerry About Our Guest:  John Orsini joined MarshBerry as a Director in 2021 for its Wealth Advisory division. In his role, he is responsible for being the client-facing lead on merger and acquisition projects, developing strategy and implementing client deliverables, and maintaining client relationships to ensure successful project execution. John has more than 15 years of experience in strategic finance, including product launches, technology investments, and the build-out of mutual fund distribution systems through wirehouses, banks and wealth advisors. In addition, he served in various finance leadership roles during stops at The Vanguard Group, Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and Nationwide Financial. Most recently, John was Associate Vice President of Business Development & Acquisitions for Nationwide Financial’s Investment Management Group. In this role, he led all aspects of acquisition strategy, deal execution, implementation, and strategic partnerships. He was the liaison between their leadership team and enterprise finance regarding all inorganic growth activities. John currently maintains the FINRA Securities Industry Essentials Exam and Series 7, 63 and 79 FINRA registrations through MarshBerry Capital, LLC, the affiliated FINRA-registered Broker/Dealer of Marsh, Berry & Co., LLC. John holds an MBA from Widener University and a BS from Temple University and achieved certification from Wharton Executive Education in Mergers & Acquisitions.

Brandon Kawal reflects on the RIA M&A shift from gold rush mentality to an institutional arms race. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect’s Wealth Management Group, talks with Brandon Kawal, partner at Advisor Growth Strategies, about remaining buoyant in the M&A market despite the challenges of 2022. According to Kawal, factors such as ongoing interest from external investors and demographic changes have helped sustain activity. He emphasizes the significance of meeting the needs of both sellers and buyers, particularly in terms of succession planning and potential partnerships. Specifically, David and Brandon discuss: How deal structures are shifting toward greater use of equity and why. The premium placed on firms that incentivize current next-generation advisors for long-term growth. The private equity equation, and the avenues toward liquidity.  What predicted growth means for private market investments. How partnerships emerge as a solution to mitigate affordability constraints in internal succession plans. Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: Website: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagent.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong  Twitter/X: @djamesarmstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Brandon Kawal: LinkedIn: Brandon Kawal  Website: Advisor Growth Strategies About Our Guest:  Brandon leads client engagements, thought leadership, and research. He is tasked with bringing insight, creativity, and analytical know-how to collaborate with and help our clients reach new heights. Brandon enjoys writing about industry challenges and trends, especially all things millennial.  He authors and leads the annual M&A research for “The RIA Deal Room” which was recognized as the Industry Research Initiative of the Year in the 2021 Wealth Management Industry Awards.  Brandon has contributed to major industry publishers such as Wealth Management, Barron’s, Citywire, and ThinkAdvisor. Brandon has been recognized as a ThinkAdvisor Luminary in Dealmaking and Growth. Brandon resides in Phoenix and, thus, always roots for the Sun Devils. Brandon will always be a Californian at heart. He enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Kristi, and chasing his two young daughters and young son. A former New York Mets baseball player, Brandon never misses watching a game. He also enjoys water sports, traveling with his family, and a well-crafted microbrew.

Foster’s firm, Angeles Wealth Management, has a 40% compound growth rate without tapping the M&A markets by fostering a “culture of storytellers.” In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect’s Wealth Management Group, talks with Jon Foster, president and CEO of Angeles Wealth, a firm that caters to individuals with investable assets ranging from $10 million to $100 million, bridging the gap between boutique advisory services and full-scale family offices.  Foster shares his approach to this class of clients, prioritizing an “open architecture” service model, structuring unique investment opportunities in the private markets that put the advisor on the same side as the client, and his concerns over trends on the broader RIA market around short-term capital funding and market fluctuations. And if you’re applying for a job with Angeles Wealth Management, the one question you do not want to ask.  Specifically, David and Jon discuss: How Angeles Wealth’s managed a 40% compounded growth rate over recent years without tapping the M&A market. Why his first filter for hiring employees is to look for people who are natural “storytellers,” genuinely enjoy meeting people and can showcase the firm’s capabilities and client outcomes. Why the firm prioritizes organic growth over mergers and acquisitions, recruiting advisors with knowledge of estate planning, philanthropy and generational family dynamics.  Using family discussions around philanthropy to unlock dynamics and spot potential red flags in multi-generational wealth.  How Angeles brings alternative investments to clients with either a fund-of-funds or as a co-investor and explains how he came to the unique decision to not charge management fees on client assets that get called into the strategies, in favor of a performance fee after the fund’s harvest period.  The benefits of retaining an “open architecture” when it comes to finding outside service providers—as opposed to bringing many of those services in-house—and why he never asks or expects a referral back from any outside estate attorney or service provider. How culture is key for recruiting talent, and the one question that job candidates ask that ensures they will not be hired. Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong  Twitter/X: @djamesarmstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Jon Foster: LinkedIn: Jonathan R. Foster  Angeles Wealth Management About Our Guest:  Jonathan is responsible for executive leadership of Angeles Wealth Management. Jonathan has over 30 years of experience in wealth management as both a client advisor and in senior management positions.  Prior to co-founding Angeles Wealth, Jonathan was President of two related companies, Carson Wealth Management Group, one of the nation’s premier full-service wealth management firms, and Peak Advisor Alliance, the largest independent coaching and consulting service focused on financial advisors. Jonathan is also the former Head of Wealth Management for E*Trade Financial, and CEO of Howard Capital Management.  Jonathan received an MBA in Finance from Northeastern University, and is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society. He received his BA in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was captain of the varsity squash team and an All-American.

Savant CEO and founder Brent Brodeski shares his playbook of success through M&A as a means to fill service gaps and to expand his service model across 15 states, with national ambitions.  In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect’s Wealth Management Group, talks with Brent Brodeski, CEO and founder of Savant, about laying a cornerstone to long-term success by drawing top talent and keeping relevant with clients’ changing expectations. Brodeski warns against the dangers of stagnation, advocating for a balance between client service and expansion. Specifically, David and Brent discuss: What many firms get wrong about “growth.” What 2023 meant for Savant as it acquired nine RIAs and two accounting firms, and what those deals say about the firm’s national ambitions. How he doesn’t view deals as “big fish swallowing smaller fish” but rather looks to partner with specialized firms that see the benefits of the scale while excited—and incentivized—to add to the firm’s growth story. How he balances a commitment to employee equity with the recent investment from private middle-market investors Kelso & Co. Why the firm made the recent investment in Australian fintech firm Lumiant, what it says about where he thinks the industry is headed and why he expects they will make more such investments in the future.  Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong  Twitter/X: @djamesarmstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Brent Brodeski: LinkedIn: Brent Brodeski Savant Wealth About Our Guest:  Brent is the CEO and founder of Savant. He has been involved in the financial services industry since 1988 and previously taught investment and finance courses at Rock Valley College, Rockford University, and Northern Illinois University. Brent earned a bachelor of science degree in finance and economics and a master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from NIU. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, and a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®). Brent is a co-founder and past president of Zero Alpha Group (ZAG), an industry association. He is also a co-founder of the Alliance for RIAs (aRIA), a prestigious industry group. Brent was a long-term participant in Vistage (previously known as TEC) and The Strategic Coach.  He is currently a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and serves on the boards of the Northern Illinois University Foundation and the Rock Valley College Foundation.

An early architect of Joe Duran’s United Capital, and a former Goldman Sachs PFM exec, Mike Capelle and his partners secured $200 million to build a national RIA with a vision of bringing all a client’s planning needs—tax, insurance, estate planning—under one roof. In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect’s Wealth Management Group, talks with Capelle, co-founder and co-CEO at Modern Wealth Management, about the firm’s goal to serve the mass affluent and the “millionaire-next-door” with a suite of holistic services, including financial planning, taxes, insurance and trusts.  Specifically, David and Mike discuss: What Modern Wealth’s trio of founders learned from helping grow United Capital to a $25 billion firm acquired by Goldman Sachs. The 2023 launch of the firm and how they rapidly identified and acquired the building blocks to set the stage for future growth. What pieces of the puzzle the firm’s principals are looking for now. Challenges in the RIA Industry when it comes to attracting talent, and why it is important to execute on an organic growth plan even amid a phase of rapid acquisition. The strategy behind acquiring a retirement plan advisory business. How acquired firms will adopt the Modern Wealth Management brand and platform while retaining key personnel as managing directors. A potential expansion of Modern Wealth Management’s offerings into banking services, focusing on lending and cash management through strategic partnerships. Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong  Twitter/X: @djamesarmstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Mike Capelle: LinkedIn: Mike Capelle Modern Wealth Management About Our Guest:  Mike Capelle is a co-founder and co-CEO at Modern Wealth Management. From his decades-long career in wealth management, Capelle has experience building advisor-client wealth management platforms to drive continuous growth. Prior to co-founding Modern Wealth, Capelle was a managing director at Goldman Sachs Personal Financial Management, where he was the Head of High-Net-Worth Product. In addition, Capelle was part of the team that co-founded, scaled, and sold United Capital, a $25 billion RIA with 90 locations, to Goldman Sachs for $750 million, where he served as Chief Platform Officer. Capelle was responsible for the company’s operating platform and technology and for driving enterprise innovation. He was also a member of the firm’s Investment Committee.

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect’s Wealth Management Group, talks with Craig Robson, founder of Regent Peak Wealth Advisors, about why, after 25 years at Merrill Lynch, he ventured into independent practice where, over the past five years, he’s built a growing practice catering to wealth creators by simply paying deeper attention and surrounding their families with advice.  Specifically, David and Craig discuss: The specific situations that drove him to leave Merrill Lynch after 25 years to start his own RIA.  Training his advisors to uncover useful insights into a family’s values and motivators through one-on-one interviews, family meetings and an exercise in philanthropic giving.  Deliberately structuring his practice to have a higher employee-to-client ratio than most other firms, ensuring clients are never out of contact with a known advisor.  Managing a high rate of organic growth without asking clients for referrals.  How clients often bring investment opportunities that can be shared with other Regent Peak families, and why he invests his own wealth in the same portfolios.  The strategy behind keeping a referral network for ancillary services, like estate planning, instead of bringing those in-house. Hint: It’s less conflicted and a competitive differentiator.  Resources: RIA Edge Podcast Connect With David Armstrong: WealthManagement.com LinkedIn: WealthManagment.com LinkedIn: David Armstrong  Twitter/X: @djamesarmstrong LinkedIn: Informa Connect With Craig Robson: LinkedIn: Craig Robson Regent Peak Wealth Advisors About Our Guest:  Craig is the founder of Regent Peak Wealth Advisors. During his 25 years at Merrill Lynch, Craig became the Founder and Managing Director of Robson & Associates, a high-net-worth wealth advisory practice within the firm. At Regent Peak, he serves as Managing Director and sets the firm’s overall vision and strategy. The creation of Regent Peak Wealth Advisors, an independent advisory firm, is a direct result of Craig’s desire to provide all relationships with objective advice free from the conflicts of interest that might come from large institutions. Craig has been recognized for his investment acuity and was recognized by Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list in 2019. Craig holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation and he is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® professional. Craig holds all the relevant general securities registrations and insurance licenses.