RIA Edge

David Armstrong
  • 4.9 (9)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

RIA Edge is the only podcast that focuses on how the wealth management industry’s top RIAs are growing their businesses through M&A and strategic organic growth plans. Hosted by David Armstrong, RIA Edge provides leaders of advisory firms with research, best practices and recommendations that are designed to drive intentional growth. Guests of RIA Edge will share how they have grown through acquisition, strategic partnerships, improved marketing or client acquisition strategies – and ultimately, how they became one of the industry’s most influential players.

  1. 1D AGO

    RIA Edge Podcast: Building a $700B RIA with Peter Mallouk

    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.

    35 min

  2. FEB 24

    RIA Edge Podcast: How a Focus on Process, Service and Scale Built a $4.2B AUM RIA

    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.

    35 min

  3. FEB 9

    RIA Edge Podcast: How an Integrated, All-Digital RIA Looks at Growth with Alex Farman-Farmaian

    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.

    34 min

  4. JAN 29

    RIA Edge Podcast: Scaling an RIA Through Talent and Ownership with Tom Orecchio

    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.

    35 min

  5. JAN 20

    RIA Edge Podcast: Carnegie’s Jordan Raniszeski on Managing for Future Growth

    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.

    41 min

  6. 12/23/2025

    RIA Edge Podcast: Culture and Partnership in RIA Growth with Arthur Ambarik

    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.

    39 min

  7. 12/02/2025

    RIA Edge Podcast: Hightower’s Evolution and the Launch of Signature Wealth with CEO Larry Restieri

    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.

    43 min

  8. 11/18/2025

    RIA Edge Podcast: Cresset’s Eric Becker on the Power of Purpose-Driven Growth

    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.

    40 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

RIA Edge is the only podcast that focuses on how the wealth management industry’s top RIAs are growing their businesses through M&A and strategic organic growth plans. Hosted by David Armstrong, RIA Edge provides leaders of advisory firms with research, best practices and recommendations that are designed to drive intentional growth. Guests of RIA Edge will share how they have grown through acquisition, strategic partnerships, improved marketing or client acquisition strategies – and ultimately, how they became one of the industry’s most influential players.

Information

  • Creator
    David Armstrong
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    109
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © 2024 RIA Edge All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    RIA Edge

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