Carson Group Founder Steps Down as CEO, Appoints Burt White to Helm $35.5 Billion RIA
Ron Carson
Registered investment adviser Carson Group announced that its founder and chief executive officer is stepping down after over 40 years at the helm. Ron Carson will remain the RIA’s majority owner and transition to the role of chairman, said the company, and has selected Burt White to be Carson Group’s next CEO.
Carson has been a prominent voice in the financial services industry. What started with him selling insurance out of his college dorm room in 1983, grew into one of the fastest growing RIAs in the country with $35.5 billion in assets under management and serving 50,000 families through its advisory network of 150 partner-affiliated practices.
Once one of independent broker-dealer LPL Financial’s largest individual affiliates, Omaha, Neb.-based Carson Group aligned with Cetera Financial in 2016.
White, the former LPL Financial chief investment officer who joined Carson Group in 2022, is transitioning from his current role as chief strategy officer and taking over as CEO immediately.
“I am proud of the legacy we’re building, the growth of our adviser community and the impact we’ve had on thousands of lives,” said Carson. “As we have advanced our mission, I realize that to continue to be a growth leader in the RIA space, we must adopt a bifocal ability to execute on what’s right in front of us while also innovating and anticipating the needs of our advisers – and clients – years and even decades from now.”
“Since joining Carson [Group] in 2022, Burt has exceeded my expectations. Under his leadership, he has transformed our investments platform and led our organization in one of our most successful growth years to date,” added Carson. “His strategic vision and innovative drive will be instrumental as we continue to navigate an ever-changing industry. I can’t think of a better person than Burt to carry the torch for our mission, advance our offering and attract thought leaders to elevate the business.”
As chairman of the board, Carson’s focus will shift to the longer-term future of the company while White will take the lead on executing the firm’s adviser-centric growth strategy. This transition, said Carson Group, will also allow Carson more time to further his family’s humanitarian impact and champion initiatives such as feeding the hungry, providing clean water, and supporting mental health.
Carson Group’s business has three core components: in-house RIA Carson Wealth, platform services business Carson Partners, and practice management coaching business Carson Coaching.
According to Carson Group, White has a proven track record of driving growth and serving as a staunch advocate for the adviser. Before joining Carson Group, White was managing director and chief investment officer at LPL Financial for 14 years. There he led the development and implementation of a digital and wealth management product organization focused on helping advisers generate growth and efficiency in their practice.
“I want to thank Ron for his trust and confidence and for his continued friendship and partnership,” said White. “It’s an honor to build on the foundation Ron has laid and to partner across Carson Group’s dynamic and talented leadership team to continue to expand and deepen our value proposition for advisers and investors. It’s exciting work and I’m incredibly energized by the opportunities ahead.”
Other Carson Group leadership also expressed enthusiasm regarding the transition.
“Anyone who has spent time with Burt knows the most important thing to him is an unwavering focus on serving our advisers at the highest level and ensuring they can add value to their clients in new ways. I look forward to continuing to build on all that we have accomplished so far,” said Teri Shepherd, president of Carson Group.
Private equity firm Bain Capital took a minority stake in Carson Group in 2021. The transaction valued the company at roughly $1 billion.
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