Clearstead names M&A chief as Cleveland RIA builds out deal-making infrastructure

Clearstead Advisors has hired Shaun McCracken as executive managing director of mergers and acquisitions, a move that signals the Cleveland-based firm's continued push to grow through deals after a string of private equity-backed acquisitions.

McCracken, who starts immediately, will oversee Clearstead's M&A strategy and report directly to CEO and president Bradley Knapp.

He's joining from Acrisure, where he held a director-level M&A role and worked his way through a series of increasingly senior positions as the firm expanded through acquisitions and partnerships. Before Acrisure, he consulted on market data management for Citadel.

Knapp said in a statement that McCracken's background demonstrates "an exceptional record of achievement that will be critical to Clearstead remaining a forward-thinking firm poised for growth."

The hire comes roughly three months after Clearstead closed its acquisition of The Clarius Group, a Seattle-based multi-family office RIA that managed about $5.1 billion in assets for ultra-high-net-worth clients. That deal, which closed Jan. 31, brought 36 Clarius professionals into the Clearstead fold; co-founders Keith Vernon and Matthew Talbot became partner stakeholders within Clearstead, along with four other Clarius partners.

Following that transaction, Clearstead is reporting its current assets under advisement at about $62 billion.

The Clarius acquisition was part of a broader expansion strategy backed by private equity firm Flexpoint Ford, which took an equity stake in Clearstead in 2022. It's proven very selective since then with just a handful of announced deals, including Waveland Family Office in Chicago; Wilbanks, Smith & Thomas and Baldwin Advisory in Norfolk, Virginia; and the addition of an advisory team in Hudson, Ohio.

Vernon, reflecting on the Clarius deal at the time it was announced, said the two firms share "an operating philosophy based on a client-first mindset, a drive for excellence, and a highly collaborative culture," and described a "common vision to continue building a firm that provides clients a boutique experience coupled with institutional capabilities."

Talbot added that joining Clearstead would broaden resources available to Clarius clients – particularly in tax compliance, trust services and alternative investments – "while preserving the culture and approach that have always defined our firm."

McCracken's appointment also comes as Clearstead works to stabilize its growth-oriented leadership team. Late last year, Albert Leshinsky, who had joined the firm in March 2025 as senior managing director of advisor recruiting, departed after less than a year to take a corporate development role at rival RIA Cresset.

In December 2024, the firm announced Bradley Knapp as president and CEO, taking over the chief executive role held by David Fulton since 2014. Fulton remained on the firm's board of directors.  

Founded in 1989, Clearstead serves both private clients – including families and individuals – and more than 300 institutional clients such as endowments, foundations, healthcare organizations and retirement funds. Its private client offering integrates financial planning, tax planning and preparation, and family office services with investment management.