RIA Edge RIA Edge Podcast: Scaling an RIA Through Talent and Ownership with Tom Orecchio
Growth can mean very different things depending on how a firm is built and who it is built for.
What does it really take to evolve from a small advisory practice into a professionally managed firm without losing culture, client focus or identity?
In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong speaks with Tom Orecchio, CFA, CFP, ChFC, AIF, chief executive officer, wealth manager and principal at Modera Wealth Management, about building an employee-owned RIA designed for long-term growth. He shares how leadership, ownership alignment and disciplined M&A shape Modera’s growth approach.
Tom also explains how service expansion, technology investments and organic growth planning support advisors while keeping clients at the center.
Key takeaways:
- Identifying the growth trajectory inflection point where advisor principals need to become, or hire, professional managers
- His firm’s experience with employee equity ownership
- What Modera looks for in acquisition partners (beyond location or size)
- Why a technology revamp set the firm up to support future growth, retain operational consistency and the client experience
- His firm’s approach to organic growth
Resources:
- Listen to the RIA Edge Podcast on Wealth Management
- Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Apple Podcasts
- Listen and Subscribe to the RIA Edge Podcast on Spotify
Connect With David Armstrong:
- Wealth Management
- LinkedIn: Wealth Management
- LinkedIn: David Armstrong
- Twitter: David Armstrong
- LinkedIn: Informa
Connect With Tom Orecchio:
About Our Guest:
Tom’s career began at Heritage Financial where he worked as a financial planner. In 1995, he joined the firm Greenbaum and Associates where he later became a partner. His role as a principal and wealth manager continued as the firm grew and evolved into Greenbaum and Orecchio and then into its current entity, Modera Wealth Management, LLC.
Tom received his B.A. in government and law from Lafayette College and went on to earn some of the most recognized credentials in the industry. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional. He is also a Chartered Financial Consultant, a Chartered Life Underwriter® and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary.
Tom is a National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) registered financial advisor. He has demonstrated his leadership and commitment to fiduciary standards in the industry by serving as NAPFA Chairman (2007-08) and as a national board member (2004-08). In 2013, Tom was the recipient of the NAFPA Robert J. Underwood Distinguished Service Award. He is an active member of the CFA® Institute, the National CEO Study Group, and the 20/20 National Study Group.
Tom is actively involved in the community as director of the Modera Wealth Management Scholarship Fund and is on the board of directors for the Modera Charitable Foundation. He also sits on the Northeast Advisory Board for Lafayette College. Tom has served as a board member of the finance committee for the Cathedral of Saint John the Theologian and also Northvale PAL, Inc. In addition, he has served as NV Eagles Youth Football president, Bergen County Junior Football League treasurer, and has sat on the board of directors for the youth baseball league in his town. Tom loves spending time with his family and three sons and often can be found on the football or baseball field coaching his sons’ teams.