Columbia Threadneedle, IRI Chief Executives Announce Retirements

Columbia Threadneedle Investments, the global asset management group of Ameriprise Financial, announced that William Davies, global chief investment officer, is retiring after 33 years.

Davies’ retirement will be effective on June 30, 2026.

William F. “Ted” Truscott, chief executive officer of Columbia Threadneedle, will act as interim global chief investment officer from July 1, 2026, until the appointment of a successor to Davies, providing leadership and oversight of the investment function.

Davies joined a Columbia Threadneedle predecessor firm in 1994 as a European equities portfolio manager. Over the course of his career, he has held several leadership roles at the firm, including head of European equities, global head of equities, chief investment officer EMEA and, since 2022, global chief investment officer.

“It has been a privilege to lead our team of talented and experienced investors who are dedicated to delivering consistent, competitive investment performance for our clients. We have a strong team of investment leaders in place, and I am grateful for the meaningful partnerships we have built with clients and for the confidence they have placed in Columbia Threadneedle,” said Davies.

Truscott has served as the firm’s chief investment officer for seven years, prior to his appointment as chief executive officer in 2010.

IRI Government and Political Affairs Officer Retires

The Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) announced that Paul Richman, chief government and political affairs officer, will retire effective December 31, 2026, following more than 11 years of service to the organization and the insured retirement industry.   

IRI has launched a national search for Richman’s successor and plans to have the new executive by the fourth quarter of 2026 to ensure a smooth leadership transition.  

IRI credits Richman for elevating the institute’s voice and influence on Capitol Hill, at the White House, and across executive agencies, including during the enactment of the SECURE Act of 2019 and the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. He also spearheaded IRI’s challenges to the Obama and Biden Department of Labor fiduciary rules, both of which were ultimately vacated by federal courts. 

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve IRI and its members during the past 11 years,” said Richman. “I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together to help millions of workers and retirees achieve a more financially secure retirement. I will especially miss working day-to-day with my colleagues at IRI and across the industry. Everything we achieved was the result of a true team effort, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.”  

“Paul’s leadership, strategic vision, and tireless advocacy efforts have had a profound impact on IRI, our members, and the retirement security debate in Washington,” said Wayne Chopus, President and CEO of IRI. “The many recognitions he achieved for that work are well-deserved. Beyond that, he has been a trusted colleague and advisor, providing invaluable guidance about the nuances of Washington policy and politics. His insights and dedication will be missed by all of us. We wish him a long, healthy, joyful, and secure retirement.”  

Edelman Announces Senior Leadership Appointments

Edelman Financial Engines (EFE) announced today a series of senior leadership appointments across its corporate and wealth planning organizations.

Steve Gaven will join the EFE executive team as chief financial officer, effective June 1, bringing more than 25 years of leadership experience across wealth management and financial services. Throughout his career, he has helped lead organizations through periods of expansion and transformation, including senior leadership roles at both public and privately backed firms. Most recently, Gaven served as chief growth officer at SageView Advisory.

Ro Mehrotra joins the firm as senior vice president, Wealth Client, bringing more than two decades of experience leading planning organizations and serving clients directly. Mehrotra will oversee EFE’s wealth planning organization, helping to strengthen client experience while supporting the continued development of its planning teams.

EFE has also named Jason Karmelek senior vice president and head of Planner Growth, where he will focus on expanding the firm’s ability to attract, develop, and support planners and planning teams nationwide.

In addition, Amin Dabit will move into the newly created role of senior vice president, Wealth Strategy. After helping lead the firm’s wealth planning team through a period of growth and evolution, Dabit will now focus on strategic initiatives critical to EFE’s future — including planner support and growth infrastructure, planning capabilities, and the integration of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Wealth.com Partners with AcquireUp

Wealth.com, an estate and tax planning platform, announced a partnership with AcquireUp, a seminar marketing company for financial professionals.

As part of the engagement, advisors who leverage AcquireUp’s Estate Planning seminar campaign package will receive access to Wealth.com. The partnership is said to provide advisors with seminar content, presentation materials, marketing enablement and acquisition strategy.

“Advisors are looking for more effective ways to differentiate and create meaningful client conversations, but too often those conversations don’t translate into action,” said Tim White, co-founder and chief growth officer at Wealth.com. “Estate planning is one of the few areas of planning that resonates with nearly every client and naturally leads to deeper client relationships. This partnership gives advisors a proven framework to not only lead with estate planning, but to deliver on it consistently and turn that engagement into long-term client relationships.”

“We’ve seen firsthand that the right seminar content drives real results,” said Greg Bogich, chief executive officer at AcquireUp. “This partnership equips advisors with content that performs and a proven approach to lead with estate planning and engage the next generation of clients in a more structured and effective way. Ultimately driving strong return on investment and reliable organic growth.”

Defined Contribution Leader Joins StepStone

StepStone Group Inc. announced that Taylor Benson has joined as head of U.S. Defined Contribution. In this role, Benson will lead the expansion of StepStone’s retirement efforts, working closely with stakeholders across the retirement ecosystem.

Benson joins StepStone from BlackRock, where she spent more than seven years and most recently served as managing director and head of the East Coast Institutional Defined Contribution Team. Prior to BlackRock, she was a principal at Galliard Capital Management, where she led new business development and consultant relations.

Benson brings experience across recordkeeping, investment consulting, and asset management within the retirement industry. “Retirement challenges have become more acute, and fiduciaries are increasingly focused on solutions that improve outcomes, not just access,” said Benson. “Private markets can play a constructive role in retirement portfolios when implemented thoughtfully within a disciplined fiduciary framework. I am excited to join StepStone at a pivotal moment for the retirement industry.”

“We are delighted to welcome Taylor to StepStone,” said Brett Schlemovitz, partner and president of StepStone Private Wealth. “Recent advances in product design, operating infrastructure, and regulation have created a clearer path to integrating institutional private markets expertise into retirement programs. Our focus is not only on access, but on helping fiduciaries implement private markets in a way that supports governance standards and improves long-term participant outcomes.”

American Capital Management Names COO

American Capital Management, Inc. has appointed Ross Weissman as chief operating officer and chief financial officer.

In this role, Weissman will oversee ACM’s operations infrastructure and support the firm’s commitment to delivering services to clients, partners, and employees. He brings more than three decades of financial and operational leadership experience, including prior roles as chief financial officer at Chilton Trust, chief operating officer at Cardinal Capital Management, and chief financial officer at Larch Lane Advisors.

“Ross brings a rare combination of operational discipline, leadership experience, and deep familiarity with the needs of sophisticated investment organizations,” said David LaValle, president, chief executive officer, and chief investment officer of ACM. “His experience will be a tremendous asset as we continue to strengthen ACM’s Small Cap and SMID Cap Equity Growth platform and position the firm for long-term success.”

Weissman added, “I am excited to join ACM and work alongside such a talented team. ACM has a strong culture, a clear investment philosophy, and a long-term orientation that I greatly respect. I look forward to helping advance the firm’s operational capabilities.”

In addition to the senior leadership positions held at Chilton Trust, Cardinal Capital Management, and Larch Lane Advisors, Weissman also previously worked at Wexford Capital, KPMG, and Leslie Sufrin & Co.

Wealth Advisor Joins Crusonia

Crusonia Wealth Advisors LLC, an independent registered investment advisor, has welcomed Ryan Csrnko, CFP to its team of wealth advisors. Csrnko joins the firm following several years at independent advisory practices across Colorado.

Founded in 2023, Crusonia Wealth Advisors delivers integrated wealth management to high-net-worth individuals and families, with capabilities spanning investment management, financial planning, and tax-aware strategy.

Csrnko’s areas of focus includes portfolio management, comprehensive planning, and business exit planning. His career has been spent exclusively in independent advisory environments.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Crusonia Wealth Advisors. My practice has always been built on independence and doing right by the families I serve. Crusonia delivers on this and more. They bring the resources and support to drive success for me and, more importantly, for my clients,” Csrnko said.

Csrnko earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Colorado State University, with a concentration in financial planning and a minor in economics.

AuguStar Retirement Introduces Variable Annuity

AuguStar Retirement has expanded its annuity lineup with the launch of StarStream Variable Annuity, a new solution designed to support retirement income planning for clients with varying goals and timelines.

“StarStream reflects our commitment to supporting our clients and financial professionals as a long-term retirement and income planning partner, with a comprehensive lineup and a streamlined, client-focused experience,” said Cliff Jack, president and CEO, AuguStar Retirement.

Designed to support confident retirement income planning, StarStream offers income approaches within one product framework.

“StarStream was developed to offer clients maximum flexibility and choice,” said Marc Socol, chief revenue officer, AuguStar Retirement. “By offering multiple income designs on one chassis, we’re giving clients and their financial professionals the ability to tailor solutions more efficiently while simplifying planning and implementation, all in one product set.”

The StarStream Variable Annuity offers four income benefits on a single chassis, allowing financial professionals to select one living benefit at issue. These include:

Daily: Looks back at daily step-ups to capture market gains, allowing a potentially greater benefit base

Level: Designed to provide steady, predictable lifetime income

Protector: Combines steady lifetime income with an enhanced protected death benefit to support legacy goals

Boost: Offers higher withdrawals earlier in retirement, with lower withdrawals later