Former Envestnet CEO Launches Field, InspereX Names CCO
Envestnet’s co-founder and former CEO Bill Crager this week launched Field, a wealth management technology company for the advisory industry.
Crager notes how financial advisors have “been forced to become the integration layer” for the advisory industry, as workflows for portfolio management, financial planning, CRM, compliance, and billing have modernized in the past two decades.
“I spent my career watching this problem grow,” Crager said. “The tools got better every year. But the ground beneath them still hasn’t been properly built. Field exists to be that ground.”
Field uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology to integrate data from the systems a firm uses, translates it into a shared language, turns it into firm-level intelligence, and puts both to work where advisors and their teams operate.
“The advisor has been the one holding it all together, manually, every day,” Crager said. “Field puts the picture in one place. The firm sees itself whole. That changes what the advisor can do, what the firm is worth, and how it grows.”
The platform is further enhanced with two recent acquisitions. One is BridgeFT, a wealthtech API platform serving developers and institutions with multi-custodian data connectivity, normalization, and delivery. The other, Precept, uses integration technology to connect data across custodians, CRMs, planning tools, and alternative investment platforms.
Both acquisitions were made through iAltA, of which Crager is a founding partner of. iAltA was founded by Scott Ganeles and Laurence Tosi — co-founders of Ipreo, the capital markets data infrastructure firm — together with Bill Sherman. Tosi also founded iLEVEL, the private capital reporting platform.
InspereX Names CCO
InspereX, the tech-driven distributor of fixed income, structured products, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and alternative investments, announced that George Barbar has been appointed chief commercial officer.
Barbar, who will lead the firm’s commercial operations, will report to Scott Mitchell, chief executive officer of InspereX.
Speaking to Barbar’s appointment, Mitchell said, “George brings a rare combination of deep fixed income expertise and a proven ability to build and scale high-performing businesses. Following our parent company’s recent acquisition of Financial Northeastern Securities, LLC, this appointment further reinforces our commitment to fixed income markets and to the client service model that differentiates InspereX. We are excited to welcome George to the executive team.”
Barbar joins InspereX from Mesirow, where he began his tenure in 2010 and most recently served as senior managing director and head of Regional Development and Strategy. In that role, he led the firm’s expansion throughout the Southeast and oversaw key fixed income businesses, including rates, government agencies, supranationals, CDs, and structured products. Prior to Mesirow, Barbar held positions at BNY Pershing and LaSalle Bank.
“Beyond his professional accomplishments, George is widely respected across markets and within the South Florida community for his leadership and enduring relationships,” Mitchell added. Barbar is the founder and president of the South Florida Bond Traders Association, immediate past chair and current board member of the Bond Dealers of America, and chair of the Treasury Investment Council for the State of Florida.
He earned a bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College and a master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University. He will join the firm in mid-July and will be based in Delray Beach, FL.
Ultra-High-Net-Worth Advisor Joins Adams Street Partners’ Board
Jeff Colin has joined the board of directors of Adams Street Partners, LLC, a private markets investment management firm. Colin succeeds Jeffrey Diermeier, who is retiring from the Board after 15 years of dedicated service and leadership.
Colin brings more than three decades of experience advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families, with expertise in wealth planning, investment strategy, and asset allocation. He is the founder of Baker Street Advisors, a wealth management firm established in 2004, where he currently serves as partner emeritus and a member of the firm’s Management Committee.
“Jeff brings a thoughtful investor perspective and extensive experience advising sophisticated clients across market cycles,” said Jeffrey Diehl, managing partner and head of Investments at Adams Street. “His insights into wealth management and long-term portfolio construction will be invaluable as Adams Street continues expanding its global private markets platform. We are excited to welcome him to the Board.”
Colin began his career advising some of the nation’s wealthiest families in 1991. Prior to founding Baker Street Advisors, he held senior leadership positions at Deutsche Bank Alex. Brown and Robertson Stephens and previously worked in private wealth management at Goldman Sachs. He earned both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
“I’m honored to join the Adams Street Board of Directors,” said Colin. “Adams Street has built a highly respected global private markets platform and long-standing culture of partnership. I look forward to working alongside the Board and leadership team to support the firm’s continued growth and long-term success.”
The firm also announced the retirement of Jeffrey Diermeier from the Board of Directors. “It has been a privilege to work alongside Jeff Diermeier for more than four decades — through our shared history at First Chicago Investment Advisors, Brinson Partners, UBS Asset Management, and Adams Street Partners,” said Bon French, chairman of the Board, Adams Street. “Jeff has been an exceptional mentor and a deeply valued Board member, and his impact on our firm will endure. While his retirement is bittersweet, we have every confidence that Jeff Colin will build on that remarkable legacy and help guide Adams Street as we continue our disciplined, purposeful growth into the future.”
The Standard Promotes Employee Benefits Leaders
Standard Insurance Company announced Tracy Linney and Jason Kurz have been promoted to leadership roles within Employee Benefits that support continued growth, strategic alignment and strengthening of National Accounts capabilities across the company’s Sales and Client Management organization.
In her role as assistant vice president of National Accounts Client Management, Linney will oversee continued development of the organization, focusing on operational alignment, performance and collaboration within the Employee Benefits business.
Linney has been with The Standard for 20 years, primarily in client management leadership. She earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Sacramento.
In his role as assistant vice president of National Accounts Sales, Kurz will lead sales efforts to expand The Standard’s national growth strategy and relationships with brokers and clients.
Since joining The Standard in 2005, Kurz has held various roles in Employee Benefits and Specialty Market Sales. Most recently, Kurz served as regional vice president for the Western Region.
Kurz earned a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University.
“These leadership progressions demonstrate our commitment to investing in people who understand both strategy and application,” said Rick Johnstone, senior vice president of National Accounts Sales and Client Management at The Standard. “Tracy and Jason have deep experience, strong leadership skills and a collaborative mindset that will help us continue to strengthen our National Accounts capabilities and support our long-term growth.”
NIRS Launches Podcast on Retirement Security
The National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) launched a new podcast, Retirement in America: Conversations on the Future of Retirement Security, a monthly series exploring the challenges, ideas, and solutions shaping retirement security in the United States. The monthly podcast series will feature both video and audio episodes available on YouTube and major podcast platforms.
Hosted by NIRS Executive Director Dan Doonan, the podcast features conversations with policymakers, economists, retirement experts, journalists, advocates, and everyday Americans navigating retirement decisions. Episodes will examine the economic, workforce, and policy trends influencing retirement security — from Social Security and pensions to 401(k)s, savings challenges, and the changing nature of work.
“At a time when millions of Americans are struggling to prepare for retirement, we believe there is a real need for thoughtful conversations about the policies, economic trends, and personal realities shaping retirement in this country,” said Dan Doonan, NIRS executive director. “This podcast is designed to bring together diverse voices and perspectives to help listeners better understand both the challenges facing American workers and the solutions that can strengthen retirement security for future generations.”
The premiere episode features Debra Whitman, executive vice president and chief public policy officer at AARP and author of The Second Fifty: Answers to the 7 Big Questions of Midlife and Beyond. In the episode, Whitman and Doonan discuss how the retirement landscape in America has changed dramatically over recent decades, including the decline of pensions, the growing reliance on individual savings, and the financial pressures facing today’s workers and retirees.
“AARP has been an invaluable partner in advancing conversations around retirement security and aging policy for many years,” Doonan said. “We are especially grateful to Deb for joining us as our first guest and for sharing her deep expertise and thoughtful perspective on the future of retirement in America.”
Future episodes will feature discussions on retirement policy, Social Security, pensions, workplace retirement plans, demographic and workforce trends, and the lived experiences of Americans preparing for or living in retirement.