In episode 11 of The Modcast, hosts Jason Gordo and Gary Roth host our first guests and dive into:

• Real Stories from Real Offices
  • Guests Dean Barber and Mark King shared how their teams experienced meaningful career growth after joining Modern Wealth. From investment platform roles to office leadership, their stories illustrate the human impact of strategic decisions.
• Selling a Business Is More Than a Financial Transaction
  • The decision to sell or merge a firm impacts more than just ownership, it reshapes the career trajectories of the entire team. Advisors must consider how their team will be supported, challenged, and elevated post-transaction.
• Career Pathing Is a Strategic Priority
  • Firms like Modern Wealth prioritize career development, offering team members the chance to grow into national roles, leadership positions, and specialized departments. Employees can stay in their current roles or explore new ones across the organization.
• Rebranding Requires Courage and Clarity
  • Transitioning from a legacy brand to a unified national identity can be emotionally challenging, but it reinforces consistency, scalability, and long-term vision. Clients care more about relationships than logos.
• Operational Relief Unlocks Growth
  • Centralized compliance, marketing, and investment support free up advisors and staff to focus on client service and business development. This operational lift is often a key motivator for joining a larger platform.

Episode 010: https://youtu.be/qWw9hQZS_IQ

Connect with Us: Modcast.show

In episode 10 of The Modcast, hosts Jason Gordo and Gary Roth discuss what the workplace of the future might look like. From shifting real estate needs to evolving hiring practices, the post-COVID world has rewritten the rules on where and how we work. In this episode, Jason and Gary dive into:

• Work-from-home policies and how they've reshaped office space
• The rise of remote work and its impact on hiring
• Hybrid models—and whether they're here to stay

Remote Work Poll: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7366099553327980544/

Episode 009: https://youtu.be/XpKBalA-Kn4

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In episode nine of The Modcast, hosted by Gary Roth and Jason Gordo, they discuss the how private equity has changed the RIA industry over the last decade or so.

Episode Highlights:

• Private Equity's Role in RIA Space
• Impact on Valuation and Transactions
• Professionalization and Operational Excellence
• Scalability and Stability
• Industry Growth and Opportunities

Episode 005: https://youtu.be/LIx-CtFSA0g

Fidelity Source: https://clearingcustody.fidelity.com/app/literature/view?itemCode=9919281&renditionType=PDF

DeVoe & Co Source: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5410ec1be4b0b9bdbd0cc342/t/67647b5a16b360607c495b19/1734638426541/Press+Release+-+December+Deal+Activity+Alert+FINAL+FINAL+12+19+24.pdf

S&P Global Source: https://www.spglobal.com/market-intelligence/en/news-insights/articles/2025/2/private-equity-deals-in-asset-management-sector-hit-3year-high-87617815

Echelon Partners Source: https://7475083.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7475083/ECHELON%202024%20RIA%20M%26A%20Deal%20Report.pdf

American Investment Council Source: https://www.investmentcouncil.org/new-ey-report-shows-private-equity-strengthens-u-s-economy-with-more-jobs-higher-pay-and-increased-investment/#:~:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20D.C.%20%E2%80%93%20Private%20equity%20continues,percent%20of%20total%20U.S.%20GDP.

In episode eight of The Modcast, hosted by Gary Roth and Jason Gordo, they discuss the elements of a deal.

Episode Highlights:

• Understanding the Letter of Intent and its role in deal-making.
• The significance of due diligence as an element of the deal and what it entails.
• How private equity is influencing the RIA & A space.
• The transition and integration process for new partners.
• The importance of cultural fit and team dynamics in successful mergers.

Episode 006: https://youtu.be/2uK-wZgYLh0

Connect: https://modcast.show

In episode seven of The Modcast, hosted by Gary Roth and Jason Gordo, they discuss 10 reason they said no to a deal, a buyer's perspective.

Episode Highlights:

• Client Demographics: Recognizing the impact of client concentration risk.
• Systems and Tech Stack: How technology influences business value and sustainability.
• Team Strength: The significance of having a strong, cohesive team.
• Transferability: Ensuring business processes are easily transferable.
• Sustainability: Evaluating the long-term viability of business practices.
• Ego in Business: Understanding how ego can affect decision-making.
• And more

Episode 001: https://youtu.be/yJuil2Iu2FU Episode 002: https://youtu.be/kaczbeteoeA Episode 003: https://youtu.be/ToN_dx4P1FI Episode 006: https://youtu.be/2uK-wZgYLh0 Connect: https://modcast.show

In episode six of The Modcast, hosted by Gary Roth and Jason Gordo, they discuss 10 reason they said yes to a deal, a buyer's perspective. Episode Highlights:

• Cultural Fit: The importance of aligning values and the "dinner test" for assessing compatibility.
• Business Model Alignment: Ensuring the business model fits with financial planning, tax engagement, and investment management.
• Control Sharing: The necessity of a shared control experience between buyers and sellers.
• Brand and Platform Adoption: The significance of adopting a unified brand and integrating into the existing platform.
• Equitizing the Next Generation: The need to incentivize and involve the next generation in the business.
• Focus on Core Strengths: Reducing noise by eliminating non-core activities and focusing on client engagement and problem-solving.

• And more

Episode 004: https://youtu.be/CHQLa2IQJ98

Episode 005: https://youtu.be/LIx-CtFSA0g

Connect: https://modcast.show

In episode five of The Modcast, hosted by Gary Roth and Jason Gordo, they discuss the acceleration of M&A activity in wealth management.

Episode Highlights:

• The RIA space has seen significant growth in M&A activity over the past decade
• In 2014, there were only 41 known transactions in the RIA space, which has increased to 272 in 2024
• The first quarter of 2025 set a record with 75 transactions, indicating a strong market
• New firms are being established at a higher rate than those exiting the market
• The average age of financial advisors is in the late 50s, prompting many to consider succession planning
• Growth is the primary reason for RIAs to seek partnerships or sell their firms

Connect: https://modcast.show

Sources:

https://custom.cvent.com/A9B1F74A6E5441D6AC53435C52AEAD1D/files/event/c01553b9053043518561c7fbdd264a71/4e99e576ba8c448a8f691be8fe03988a.pdf

https://custom.cvent.com/A9B1F74A6E5441D6AC53435C52AEAD1D/files/event/c01553b9053043518561c7fbdd264a71/0f7cbc33ad3548899770ed1a1e2fda04.pdf

Gary and Gordo discuss how M&A (mergers and acquisitions) in the RIA world have accelerated over the last 20 years.

Episode Highlights:

• A breakdown of how the RIA space has evolved over the past 25 years.
• Why the future of the RIA space includes more M&A activity and innovation.
• Understanding how the shift from commissions to fees has transformed financial planning.

Catch up with us and connect with Casey Harrison at https://modcast.show

In episode three of The Modcast, hosted by Gary Roth and Jason Gordo, they continue digging into Gary's article series in CityWire on why organic growth matters so much in the RIA space.

Read Gary's article here: https://citywire.com/ria/news/opinion-slow-organic-growth-should-worry-you-even-if-all-s-rosy-now/a2447044

Catch up with us and connect with Casey Harrison at https://modcast.show

In episode two of The Modcast, hosted by Gary Roth and Jason Gordo, the duo discusses Gary's first in a series of CityWire articles surrounding organic growth in the RIA industry.

Read Gary's article here: https://citywire.com/ria/news/opinion-the-dirty-little-secret-about-ria-organic-growth/a2443471

Catch up with us and connect with Casey Harrison at Modcast.show