RIA Intel has announced its 2024 finalists for the third annual RIA Intel Awards. We are thrilled to announce that Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services (WEAS) and Jeff Dekko have been recognized as finalists in two categories: RIA of the Year and CEO of the Year.
The RIA Intel Awards program celebrates outstanding financial advisors, wealth management firms, leaders, and more by spotlighting the industry's most influential companies and talent in 2024. With close to 300 nominations across 12 categories, RIA Intel has announced that this was its largest pool of candidates to date, representing the industry's and the awards program's growth.
RIA of the Year:
Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services has been named a finalist in the RIA of the Year (Over $10 Billion in AUM) category. Since last year, RIA Intel has created separate nominations for this category based on assets under management. In 2023, Wealth Enhancement Group was the most prolific RIA acquirer (according to Echelon and Fidelity's Wealth Management M&A transaction report) with 18 closed or announced transactions. Since expansion began in 2013, Wealth Enhancement added 70 practices and over $55.4 billion in assets under management. In addition to M&A expansion, organic growth for the firm reached record highs in 2023, with total new money from new and existing clients up 22% from the prior year.
CEO of The Year:
Jeff Dekko, Chief Executive Officer of Wealth Enhancement Group, an independent wealth management firm that oversees $82.7 billion in assets, has been named a finalist for the RIA Intel Awards as CEO of the Year. Jeff has over 20 years of experience in marketing, technology, operations, and finance. He began his career in 1988 with General Mills, Inc., where he served in senior marketing positions and brought a unique marketing lens to wealth management. He assumed the role of CEO at Wealth Enhancement Group in 2003. Since 2003, Jeff's leadership skills and business acumen have been instrumental in the company's success. With his vast experience in marketing, Jeff has created a unique approach to wealth management. He enables advisors to concentrate on their core competency of providing excellent financial advice. As the leader of Wealth Enhancement Group, Jeff ensures that advisors have access to corporate marketing resources and industry-leading tools to assist them in expanding their business.
About the Selection Process
Nominations for the RIA Intel awards were submitted by industry peers, colleagues, and through self-nominations. Finalists were evaluated and determined by the RIA Intel editorial team with help from the RIA Institute’s advisory board. Jeff Dekko is one of seven finalists in the category of CEO of the Year. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services is one of nine finalists in the category of RIA of the Year (over $10 billion in AUM.) The RIA Intel editorial team, with support from the RIA Institute's advisory board, will select the finalists, who will be announced at a live event in Boston on June 5, 2024.
About RIA Intel
RIA Intel, an Institutional Investor Publication, provides essential news, expert insight, and engaging commentary about the biggest and fastest growing RIAs. Launched in 2019, the publication aims to address the needs of the most rapidly growing segment of the American financial advisor market.
About Wealth Enhancement Group
Wealth Enhancement Group is an independent wealth management firm with an endless passion for enriching the lives of our clients. We continually seek to perfect our craft of personalized financial planning with our team-based Roundtable™ and UniFi processes that go far beyond the standard approach. We proudly provide tailored financial plans and investment management services to serve the unique needs of over 61,000 households from our 115 offices - and growing - nationwide. Since 1997, Wealth Enhancement Group has tirelessly raised the standard of wealth management with specialized knowledge and more attentive service that helps every client craft their future. For more information, please visit www.wealthenhancement.com.
Advisory services offered through Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, LLC, a registered investment advisor and affiliate of Wealth Enhancement Group®.
Media Contacts
Marianne Gebhardt
Integrated Marketing Communications Manager
