Industry Veterans to Execute on Firm’s Unique Value Proposition to Achieve Ambitious Growth Goals
CHICAGO, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — VestGen Wealth Partners, LLC (VestGen), the wealth management firm revolutionizing the industry by solving for advisor succession while providing dedicated client service across generations, announced the completion of its executive leadership team to support its ambitious growth goals.
The appointments of Jason Hanavan, President and Chief Financial Officer; Ferian Nickelson, Chief Operating Officer; Greg Gessert, Chief Growth Officer; Timothy Woods, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer; Sarah Musante, Chief Human Resources Officer; and Leann Stevens, Chief Marketing Officer position the firm to apply its unique value proposition and innovative technology-enabled solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing the wealth management industry. The expanded C-Suite will work closely with VestGen Chief Executive Officer Josh Gerry to achieve the firm’s strategic vision.
“VestGen is not just another wealth management integrator, it’s a carefully crafted ecosystem designed to leverage personalized client service, technology, operational excellence and strategic acquisitions to create a next-generation industry leader,” Gerry said. “To achieve our growth ambitions, we’ve assembled a veteran team that has consistently demonstrated its ability to innovate, scale and deliver results. Their collective experience spans the entire spectrum of our industry – from founding and growing RIAs to leading operations at some of the largest financial institutions.”
Financial Acumen, Operational Excellence and Growth Focus
The VestGen executive leadership team brings unique perspectives and complementary strengths to their roles.
Jason Hanavan, President and Chief Financial OfficerHanavan has over 20 years of invaluable experience, including financial and operational senior leadership roles at portfolio holdings of Blackstone and Elliott Management. His track record for driving enterprise value and steering companies through acquisitions aligns perfectly with VestGen’s growth ambitions.
As President and CFO, Hanavan is responsible for leading the commercial organization, Human Resources, Marketing and Facilities, as well as all finance-related activities. Before joining VestGen, he held various leadership roles at private and public firms.
Ferian Nickelson, Chief Operating OfficerNickelson contributes crucial insights stemming from her roles at industry giants such as Morgan Stanley, HighTower Advisors and BNY Pershing. Her 20 plus years of financial services experience and expertise in building and scaling advisor solutions will further VestGen’s expansion strategy and are central to the firm delivering a multi-generational advisor-client experience
As COO, Nickelson leads operational excellence, tasked with creating an integrated platform experience and executing the company’s strategy responsible for firmwide Operations, Integrations, and Technology.
Greg Gessert, Chief Growth OfficerAs head of M&A and Corporate Development, Gessert will lean on his background in institutional M&A to help VestGen execute an aggressive yet strategic acquisition plan.
He provides strategic leadership for inorganic growth and is responsible for identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, partnerships, and acquisitions. As an executive with over 15 years of experience, he joins the firm from LPL Financial, where he was responsible for developing and leading the inorganic growth strategy of LPL’s acquisitions of sub-scale broker-dealers and RIAs.
Timothy Woods, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer
Woods ensures regulatory compliance and legal integrity as Chief Legal Officer and CCO, leveraging his extensive experience to navigate the industry’s complex regulatory landscape.
His experience includes being CCO and Counsel at SYSTM Wealth Solutions / William Blair; Broker/Dealer CCO and Counsel at Wentworth Management Services; and CCO and General Counsel at Hightower.
Sarah Musante, Chief Human Resources OfficerMusante has over 15 years of experience in the wealth management industry. Her expertise in building HR teams and managing complex acquisitions will be key to VestGen’s continued growth.
In prior leadership roles, Musante was instrumental in shaping entire HR departments. She is dedicated to fostering a positive, high-performance and dynamic culture by implementing innovative people strategies and aligning HR practices with the company’s values.
Leann Stevens, Chief Marketing Officer Stevens brings a wealth of experience, including having successfully scaled asset managers and wealth management platforms in prior roles, and is crucial to VestGen’s brand amplification and lead generation strategy.
Stevens began her financial services career at GCM Grosvenor before moving to marketing at HighTower. She later joined Tidal Financial Group, spearheading go-to-market strategies for dozens of ETFs. She recently led the content strategy for William Blair’s Investment Banking division.
Reshaping the Future
VestGen launched in December 2024 with an impressive roster of ten financial advisory practices that collectively manage $5.3 billion in assets. With the energy of a start-up and the scale of an established enterprise, the firm is dedicated to solving the succession challenges facing the industry as financial advisors continue to retire in greater numbers. VestGen seeks to reshape the future of wealth management by providing a solution for retiring advisors looking to exit the business and Gen2TM advisors focused on growth.
“I look forward to working with the entire leadership team to make VestGen the destination of choice for advisors at every stage of their careers,” added Gerry. “We have a unique offering in our evolving industry, and with the help of the best team in the business, we plan to make our presence known quickly. It’s a fun time to be at VestGen.”
About VestGen Wealth Partners
VestGen Wealth Partners, LLC is a first-of-its-kind wealth management ecosystem designed to seamlessly connect advisors, families, and their legacies under one unified platform. By combining cutting-edge technology, intergenerational talent, and unwavering commitment to client success, VestGen is redefining what it means to preserve wealth and relationships for generations. VestGen integrates comprehensive financial planning, tax, wealth management, insurance, and legal services into a family office experience providing clients with the personalized and sophisticated service they deserve. With a mission to build wealth, preserve legacies and empower the future of wealth management, VestGen is poised to become the premier destination for advisors and investors alike. For more information, visit vestgen.com.
Disclosure
VestGen Advisors, LLC is an SEC-registered investment advisor. For more information visit vestgen.com.
Media Contact:
Donald C. Cutler
Haven Tower Group, LLC.
[email protected]
SOURCE VestGen
