Originally Posted On: https://aldeninvestmentgroup.com/press-release/alden-appoints-aaron-williams-as-chief-growth-officer/
Alden Investment Group Appoints Aaron Williams as Chief Growth Officer
Wayne, PA, October 21, 2024 — Alden Investment Group is proud to announce the appointment of Aaron Williams as Chief Growth Officer.
In line with Alden’s mission to empower financial advisors with cutting-edge technology and comprehensive support, Aaron will spearhead the firm’s continued growth, bringing his vision of a seamless, integrated wealth management experience to life for advisors and their clients. His appointment underscores Alden’s dedication to delivering innovative solutions that address the unique challenges of the independent advisor space while ensuring outstanding client outcomes.
Central to Aaron’s role is the strategic advancement of Alden’s advisor platform, designed to unify RIA and broker-dealer operations, streamline account opening and trading, and provide access to institutional-grade investment solutions. This platform offers advisors a full-service middle and back office, enhanced technology for portfolio management, and a broad range of investment options—including institutional managers, fixed income, and alternatives—backed by a recently formalized investment committee to provide due diligence and oversight of investment offerings.
Aaron’s vision also extends to positioning advisors as the preeminent wealth management experts in their local communities. Through Alden’s platform and consultative team, advisors can tailor their services, refine their niche, strengthen their unique value propositions, and strategically plan for the future through Alden’s succession planning program.
Aaron has closely collaborated with Chief Marketing Officer, Laura DeGraff, to develop a comprehensive marketing strategy that helps advisors craft their story, nurture leads, and convert them into clients through digital marketing, lead generation and drip campaigns, tailored marketing pieces, and model portfolios aligned with their brand. Laura added, “We’ve focused on helping advisors drive their brand within their local geographic (or even virtual) region. Part of our succession planning focuses on preserving the legacy of these brands while supporting advisors as they take over the practices we integrate them into.”
“Aaron’s appointment marks a pivotal step in Alden’s evolution,” said Gregory Hansell, Co-CEO of Alden Investment Group. “We believe in Aaron not only because of what he’s built but because of his forward-thinking philosophy and ethical approach to leadership and platform development. His strategic roadmap is rooted in providing advisors with the resources they need to succeed in today’s complex market in a manner that allows them to focus solely on helping their clients. With Aaron leading our growth efforts, we confidently deliver unparalleled value to advisors and their clients.”
“Aaron embodies the vision, ethics, and leadership necessary to drive Alden’s continued success,” added Lee Calfo, CEO of Alden Investment Group. “His deep understanding of the independent advisor space, proven track record in platform development, and ability to connect with advisors make him the ideal person to lead this initiative. We are building a firm that scales and remains committed to personal relationships, integrity and innovation—principles that Aaron exemplifies daily.”
As CGO, Aaron brings extensive experience across wealth management, asset management, TAMPs, wholesaling, and business development/recruiting within both the RIA and broker-dealer channels. His multifaceted skill set and expertise in platform development, particularly within the independent advisor space, uniquely position him to drive Alden’s ambitious goals forward. His comprehensive understanding of advisor needs and ability to create and deliver bespoke solutions will continue to enhance Alden’s value proposition in the marketplace.
Aaron reflected on his new role, saying, “This position is the ideal combination of my passion and expertise in helping advisors grow their practices and serve their clients at the highest level. At Alden, we are committed to empowering advisors to build standout businesses in their local communities and exceed client expectations. We’re also focused on creating a pathway for advisors to share in Alden’s success through advisor equity, allowing them to take true ownership of their practice, with the added benefit of potential dual monetization opportunities. Alden has doubled a couple of times in the past two years, and we have no intention of slowing down, as our recent hiring shows.”
Speaking to the multi-dimensional nature of his role as CGO, he continued, “This role allows me to sit between business development, marketing, technology, client service, operations, finance and our investment team, and ensure we drive our platform forward in an advisor-and-client-first manner. With our cutting-edge technology, strategic guidance, and comprehensive platform—soon to include unified RIA and BD account opening, funding and trading, specifically focusing on faster execution for client account opening and funding—we are positioning advisors to deliver an unparalleled experience. We’re excited to help them elevate their services, streamline their operations, and enhance their marketing, ensuring clients receive the transparency and excellence they deserve. In turn, Alden will see greater growth and success in the coming years as a direct result of this strategic approach.”
Alden has experienced significant growth, with assets rising from $750 million to $2.5 billion since Aaron joined in December 2022, where he played a pivotal role in driving this expansion. The firm is poised for further growth and plans to onboard six additional representatives before the end of the year, further expanding its national reach. With a focus on empowering advisors through cutting-edge technology, streamlined operations, and a superior client experience, Alden is positioning its advisors to thrive in their local markets and shape the future of wealth management with lasting impact.
