Jon Patullo, a seasoned executive with a deep understanding of technology and product development within the independent advisor community, has joined CG Financial Services as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Information Officer (CIO). CG Financial Services, a hybrid registered investment advisor (RIA) managing approximately $5 billion in assets under management, announced the strategic appointment aimed at bolstering its operational efficiency and technological capabilities. Patullo’s move follows a significant tenure at TradePMR, where he served as Chief Product Officer, a role he assumed in 2024.
In his new capacity at CG Financial Services, Patullo will be instrumental in shaping the firm’s operational framework, enhancing its digital infrastructure, refining advisor workflows, and establishing scalable processes. His extensive experience in developing vendor relationships will be a critical asset as CG Financial Services continues its strategic investments in its technology platform, aiming to provide advisors with cutting-edge tools and seamless operational support. This appointment signifies a proactive approach by CG Financial Services to integrate robust technological leadership into its core operations, positioning the firm for continued growth and innovation in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.
Patullo’s career has been marked by a consistent focus on empowering independent advisors through advanced technology solutions. At TradePMR, he was tasked with the crucial responsibility of growing and enhancing the firm’s proprietary Fusion technology platform. This role underscored his expertise in product strategy and execution, particularly within the context of advisor-centric technology. His previous contributions at TradePMR were built upon a foundational understanding of custody platforms and the intricate technological needs of independent advisors.
Before his role at TradePMR, Patullo held the position of Chief Product Officer at Apex Fintech Solutions, a prominent fintech firm. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing product strategy and development, further cementing his reputation as a leader in financial technology innovation. Prior to his tenure at Apex, Patullo dedicated over 16 years to TD Ameritrade Institutional, where he spearheaded advisor technology development. During his extensive time with TD Ameritrade Institutional, he played a pivotal role in the successful rollouts of the widely adopted Veo and Veo Open Access platforms, which became cornerstones for many independent advisors seeking efficient practice management tools. This deep-seated experience in building and scaling technology infrastructure for financial advisors provides him with a unique perspective to drive CG Financial Services’ strategic objectives.
The departure of Patullo from TradePMR has prompted a response regarding leadership succession. A spokesperson for TradePMR highlighted the firm’s proactive approach to product leadership by referring to the May 2026 appointment of Kate Mapstone as Head of RIA Strategy. Mapstone, who previously served as a strategic advisor at Robinhood, has since been instrumental in overseeing key product initiatives. Her responsibilities have included the rollout of Robinhood Cortex for Advisors and Advisor IPO Access, and she is currently leading the strategic vision and roadmap development for the dual-custody platform. This indicates TradePMR’s commitment to maintaining a strong product vision and leadership team focused on serving the RIA segment.
The strategic hiring of Jon Patullo by CG Financial Services comes on the heels of other significant leadership appointments within the organization. Last year, CG Financial Services welcomed Eugene "Gino" DeRango as Director of CG Advisor Network, a key division of CG Financial Services. DeRango’s appointment was a strategic move to strengthen the firm’s advisor network, drawing on his extensive experience. He joined CG Financial Services from Axos Advisor Services, where he held the position of Senior Vice President and National Sales Manager, bringing with him a proven track record in sales leadership and business development within the advisory sector.
Further underscoring CG Financial Services’ commitment to expanding its service offerings and market presence, CG Advisory Services, the firm’s RIA unit, recently launched its first exchange-traded fund (ETF). This new venture, the CG Flagship Equity ETF, represents a significant step in broadening the firm’s investment product suite. The ETF is built upon the firm’s established equity selection process, which employs a rigorous top-down approach, fundamental research, a defined capitalization framework, and value analysis to identify a concentrated portfolio of approximately 100 to 125 companies. This initiative demonstrates CG Financial Services’ ambition to leverage its investment expertise and provide innovative solutions to a wider investor base.
CG Financial Services has a history rooted in supporting independent advisors. Founded in 1999 by CEO Anthony J. Mazzali and a group of captive advisors in Haslett, Michigan, the firm recognized a significant need among independent advisors for comprehensive practice management support. This realization led to the development of the CG Advisor Network, a platform designed to provide back-office support and strategic guidance, particularly for advisors transitioning from larger, corporate structures. In a significant strategic shift in 2023, the firm moved its custody and brokerage services to LPL Financial, a move that signaled a commitment to leveraging a leading independent broker-dealer platform to enhance its offerings to affiliated advisors. This transition likely provided enhanced capabilities and a broader range of resources for the advisors within the CG Advisor Network.
Voya Financial Faces Leadership Transition in Investment Division
In a separate but related development within the financial services industry, Voya Financial has announced the impending departure of its Chief Investment Officer (CIO), Eric Stein. Stein is slated to leave the company in November, a little over a year after his promotion to the CIO position. The news of his departure was confirmed by the firm through a regulatory filing.
Stein joined Voya Financial in 2024, initially serving as the Head of Investment and CIO for Fixed Income. His tenure saw him rise to the position of CIO in July 2025, where he assumed oversight of Voya’s diverse investment platforms. This included responsibility for public and private fixed income, alternatives, equities, income and growth strategies, and multi-asset strategies and solutions teams. His leadership played a role in shaping Voya’s investment approach across these critical asset classes.
A spokesperson for Voya Financial acknowledged Stein’s contributions, stating, "Over the last few years, Eric has helped strengthen a culture of collaboration across our investment platforms, creating greater alignment and consistency in how we operate. We are grateful for Eric’s leadership and contributions and wish him the best in his future endeavors." This statement reflects an appreciation for his efforts in fostering a more cohesive investment environment within the organization.
Voya Financial, headquartered in New York, has not yet commented on a replacement for the CIO role, leaving the future leadership of its investment division open for further announcements. The departure of a CIO can often signal a period of strategic re-evaluation or a shift in investment philosophy, and the industry will be closely watching Voya’s next steps in filling this critical leadership position. This transition occurs at a time when the investment management landscape is constantly shifting, influenced by macroeconomic factors, evolving investor preferences, and technological advancements.
WealthStream Bolsters Advisory Board with Industry Veteran Larry Roth
WealthStream, a company specializing in providing an advice intelligence platform for wealth management firms, has significantly strengthened its strategic advisory board with the appointment of Larry Roth. Roth, a highly respected figure in the wealth management industry, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership to WealthStream.
Roth is the founder and managing partner of Ascentix Partners, a consultancy focused on driving growth strategies for wealth management enterprises. His extensive career includes serving as the former CEO of both Advisor Group and Cetera Financial Group, two of the largest independent broker-dealer networks in the United States. These leadership roles provided him with intimate knowledge of the operational challenges, strategic opportunities, and technological needs of large-scale wealth management organizations. Additionally, Roth serves as a senior advisor to Berkshire Global Advisors, further expanding his influence and network within the financial services sector.
Dan Daum, founder and CEO of WealthStream, expressed his enthusiasm for Roth’s appointment, stating, "Larry has led the kinds of organizations we built WealthStream to serve." This sentiment highlights the strategic alignment between Roth’s experience and WealthStream’s mission to provide advanced intelligence solutions for wealth management firms.
Roth’s role on the advisory board will involve guiding WealthStream’s leadership team on critical aspects of enterprise strategy, market development, and the cultivation of strategic partnerships. As WealthStream continues to expand its engagement with wealth management organizations, Roth’s insights will be invaluable in shaping the company’s growth trajectory and its ability to meet the evolving demands of the market.
Roth shared his perspective on the future of wealth management, noting, "The firms that lead the next era of wealth management will be the ones that can grow without compromising the quality and consistency of their advice." He further elaborated on WealthStream’s value proposition, stating, "What stands out about WealthStream is that it helps advisors recognize more planning opportunities and understand the reasoning behind each recommendation." This underscores the platform’s ability to enhance advisor efficiency and client outcomes through data-driven insights and enhanced decision-making capabilities.
Roth joins an already distinguished advisory board at WealthStream, which includes notable industry figures such as John Vaccaro, former head of MassMutual Financial Advisors; Stuart Rubinstein, former president of Fidelity Wealth Technologies; Shane Morrow, partner and CEO of IronBridge Wealth Counsel; and Sarah Mouser, executive vice president of financial planning at Merit Financial Advisors. The collective expertise of this board provides WealthStream with a formidable advisory council, poised to guide the company’s strategic direction and innovation efforts.
Alaris Acquisitions Appoints Natasha Pfeiffer as Head of Buyer Strategy
Alaris Acquisitions, a prominent sell-side mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory firm catering to the wealth management industry, has appointed Natasha Pfeiffer as Managing Director and Head of Buyer Strategy. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Alaris Acquisitions specializes in guiding wealth management firms through the complex process of selling their businesses.
In her new role, Pfeiffer will be responsible for leading Alaris’ buyer strategy and managing relationships with potential acquirers. She will collaborate closely with the firm’s deal teams to assist clients in evaluating and selecting suitable partners for their M&A transactions. Pfeiffer will also oversee Alaris’ relationships across its extensive network of over 80 acquirers and will be instrumental in managing the buyer intelligence that fuels Lens, the firm’s proprietary platform designed for buyer-seller matchmaking. This comprehensive approach aims to streamline the M&A process and enhance the likelihood of successful outcomes for clients.
Pfeiffer’s background includes significant experience within the wealth management sector, most recently serving as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of SageView Advisory Group. In this capacity, she played a crucial role in guiding SageView through its substantial 2025 sale to Creative Planning, a transaction that significantly reshaped the RIA landscape. Her legal expertise and firsthand understanding of the M&A process from a seller’s perspective will be invaluable to Alaris’ clients.
Jacqueline Martinez, Managing Partner of Alaris, expressed her confidence in Pfeiffer’s abilities, stating, "Natasha has a combination of transaction experience, legal expertise and firsthand knowledge of the buyer and seller perspectives that will be incredibly valuable to our clients." This endorsement highlights the multifaceted skillset Pfeiffer brings to Alaris, positioning her as a key asset in the firm’s advisory services.
Prior to her role at SageView, Pfeiffer held a senior legal position at Goldman Sachs. There, she led the integration of its retail wealth management business into Goldman’s Private Wealth Management vertical following the strategic acquisition of United Capital Financial Advisers. This experience at a major financial institution further underscores her proficiency in complex corporate transactions and strategic integration.
Pfeiffer’s appointment marks the third significant leadership hire for Alaris Acquisitions this year. This follows the September 2026 onboarding of Jon Dubravac as Senior Deal Leader and the April 2026 addition of Tony Leonard as Managing Director of Business Development. These strategic hires demonstrate Alaris’ commitment to expanding its team with experienced professionals who can enhance its service offerings and support its growth objectives within the dynamic wealth management M&A market. The firm’s proactive approach to building out its leadership team signals its ambition to remain at the forefront of advisory services for wealth management firms navigating the complexities of mergers and acquisitions.
