RIA Edge

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 RIA...

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 clie...

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...

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...

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 strategie...

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...

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 We...

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 imple...

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 in...

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 i...

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 highlight...

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...

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 m...

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 Alp...

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, an...

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...

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 maintain...

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 annua...

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...

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 Seat...

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 levera...

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...

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 trajec...

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 su...

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 ra...