$23B RIA Summit Trail taps Jeff Ringdahl for president and COO role

$23B RIA Summit Trail taps Jeff Ringdahl for president and COO role
Jeff Ringdahl, president and chief operating officer at Summit Trail Advisors.
Veteran leader from Resolute Investment Managers breathes new life into the New York-based Dynasty Financial Partner firm's leadership.
MAY 19, 2025

Summit Trail Advisors has named Jeff Ringdahl as its new president and chief operating officer, bringing in a seasoned executive to help steer the $23.6 billion RIA through its next phase of growth.

Ringdahl joins the New York-based firm as partner after more than 14 years at Resolute Investment Managers, where he most recently served as president and chief executive. His appointment marks a significant addition to Summit Trail’s executive ranks as the firm continues scaling its ultra-high-net-worth business.

“Jeff has a longstanding reputation as a leader and innovator within the investment management industry,” Jack Petersen, co-founder and managing partner at Summit Trail, said on Monday. “Our firm is committed to serving the complex needs of UHNW individuals and families who have outgrown traditional investment management, and the addition of Jeff to our senior leadership team reinforces this commitment.”

Summit Trail was launched in 2015 by a group of former Barclays advisers, including Petersen, following a major industry shakeup. When Barclays sold the assets of its US wealth management unit to Stifel Financial that year, a number of its advisers chose to go independent or move to large wirehouse firms.

Among them, Summit Trail’s founders – including Petersen, who at one point led Barclays' wealth management operations in the US – opted to create their own RIA with support from Dynasty Financial Partners, which provides services and platform infrastructure to breakaway teams.

Since then, Summit Trail has expanded its footprint and diversified its talent base to meet rising demand from UHNW clients. Over the past year, the firm has added key personnel from BNP Paribas’ former Key Client Group, including a June move by a $3 billion team from BNP Paribas/Bank of the West assets and Newport Beach, California-based advisor Paul Hoskin joining as partner in August. As of today, the firm has more than 100 employees and offices in 10 cities across the US.

Ringdahl will be tasked with further institutionalizing the firm’s operating structure, enhancing its service model, and helping scale its family office and estate planning offerings.

“The ultra-high-net-worth and registered investment advisor industry has become increasingly sophisticated and institutionalized over the past decade,” said David Romhilt, founding partner and chief investment officer at Summit Trail. “With extensive executive leadership experience and a proven track record of successfully guiding organizations through periods of strategic growth, we believe Jeff is the perfect fit to help take our firm into its next decade.”

Ringdahl emphasized Summit Trail’s forward-looking approach to serving the needs of UHNW individuals and family offices. 

I look forward to joining their ranks and helping to build on the firm’s solid foundation of excellence across client service, comprehensive estate and investment planning, and technology,” Ringdahl said.

Latest News

SEC bars ex-broker who sold clients phony private equity fund
SEC bars ex-broker who sold clients phony private equity fund

Rajesh Markan earlier this year pleaded guilty to one count of criminal fraud related to his sale of fake investments to 10 clients totaling $2.9 million.

The key to attracting and retaining the next generation of advisors? Client-focused training
The key to attracting and retaining the next generation of advisors? Client-focused training

From building trust to steering through emotions and responding to client challenges, new advisors need human skills to shape the future of the advice industry.

Chuck Roberts, ex-star at Stifel, barred from the securities industry
Chuck Roberts, ex-star at Stifel, barred from the securities industry

"The outcome is correct, but it's disappointing that FINRA had ample opportunity to investigate the merits of clients' allegations in these claims, including the testimony in the three investor arbitrations with hearings," Jeff Erez, a plaintiff's attorney representing a large portion of the Stifel clients, said.

SEC to weigh ‘innovation exception’ tied to crypto, Atkins says
SEC to weigh ‘innovation exception’ tied to crypto, Atkins says

Chair also praised the passage of stablecoin legislation this week.

Brooklyn-based Maridea snaps up former LPL affiliate to expand in the Midwest
Brooklyn-based Maridea snaps up former LPL affiliate to expand in the Midwest

Maridea Wealth Management's deal in Chicago, Illinois is its first after securing a strategic investment in April.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.