Clearstead Announces Bradley Knapp will become President and Chief Executive Officer
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CLEVELAND, Dec. 12, 2024 ~ Clearstead Advisors, LLC, a leading financial advisory firm based in Cleveland, Ohio, has announced the appointment of Bradley D. Knapp, CFA, CAIA as its new President and Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2025. Knapp will succeed David C. Fulton, Jr., CFA who has been serving as the firm's Chief Executive since 2014 and will continue to serve on the Board of Directors.

With over $47 billion* in assets under advisement for private clients, institutions, and trust clients, Clearstead has experienced rapid growth in recent years. The firm currently has offices in nine cities and a team of 250 professionals. In 2022, Flexpoint Ford, a private equity firm specializing in investments in the financial services and healthcare industries, acquired a majority stake in Clearstead alongside more than 70 employees who still hold a significant portion of the firm.

Knapp will be taking over a larger and more complex organization compared to ten years ago when Fulton first assumed leadership. Under Fulton's guidance, Clearstead has seen significant growth in revenues and earnings while also expanding its employee base and assets under advisement multiple times. The firm has also diversified its services by adding tax compliance and financial planning capabilities and establishing Clearstead Trust, a non-depository trust company. Additionally, Clearstead has completed eleven acquisitions over the past decade.

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The appointment of Knapp as President and CEO is part of a long-term management succession plan at Clearstead. In his statement regarding Knapp's appointment, Fulton praised him as an exceptional leader who played an integral role in driving strategic initiatives at the firm such as expanding organic growth through new channels and service offerings, investing in technology to enhance client experience, and expanding their geographic reach through strategic acquisitions. Fulton also expressed his full support for Knapp's leadership.

Knapp brings with him extensive experience in wealth advisory and investment management spanning over 25 years. He holds the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designations and joined Clearstead in 2016. During his tenure, Knapp has held various positions in the private client and institutional groups and has been serving as President since 2023. He has also been responsible for overseeing the firm's Private Client and Trust practices since 2018. Prior to joining Clearstead, Knapp held positions at two major financial institutions.

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In his statement, Knapp expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead Clearstead and work with a dedicated team across the country to deliver value to clients and help them achieve their financial goals. He also emphasized Clearstead's commitment to providing the best solutions for clients while creating a supportive environment for employees and advisors to thrive. Knapp believes that Clearstead has a unique opportunity to build on its impressive track record of growth and innovation under Fulton's leadership.

The Board of Directors at Clearstead, including Daniel Edelman and Steve Begleiter who are also Managing Directors at Flexpoint Ford, thanked Fulton for his partnership as CEO and acknowledged his instrumental role in building and growing the firm into what it is today. They also expressed their confidence in Knapp's ability to continue driving Clearstead's vision forward.

With a strong leadership team in place, Clearstead is well-positioned for continued success in the future. The firm remains committed to providing exceptional service to its clients while also fostering a culture of growth and innovation under Knapp's leadership.
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