$47B Clearstead announces CEO succession

Change is coming at the highest levels of leadership at Clearstead Advisors.

The firm announced that it has named Bradley Knapp as its next president and chief executive officer, effective Jan. 1. Knapp will succeed David Fulton Jr., who has served as CEO since 2014 and will remain on the firm's board of directors.

Founded in 1989, the Cleveland-based financial advisory firm oversees more than $47 billion in assets for private, institutional, and trust clients. It provides integrated financial planning, tax services, and investment management across nine offices.

Knapp, who joined Clearstead in 2016, has held progressively senior leadership roles, most recently taking on the president role in 2023, and previously led the firm's private client and trust practices.

“Brad is a remarkable leader who has been instrumental to strategic initiatives at Clearstead, including accelerating organic growth through the addition of new channels and holistic service offerings,” Fulton said in a statement Thursday. “He has my highest endorsement.”

Knapp steps into the CEO position as the firm continues to grow. Under Fulton’s leadership, Clearstead expanded its tax compliance and financial planning capabilities, launched Clearstead Trust, and completed 11 acquisitions in the past decade. In April, it snapped up Wilbanks Smith and Thomas Asset Management, a $5 billion wealth firm in Virginia.

The firm also recently brought on board Jean Heath, a former leader at fintech giant Envestnet, to help diversify its business across the high-end spectrum of the wealth management world.

Knapp expressed his gratitude for the team supporting Clearstead’s success. “I am fortunate in my new role to have an excellent team around the country dedicated to delivering value to our clients and helping them meet their financial goals,” Knapp said. “I believe Clearstead has an exceptional opportunity to build on the impressive record of growth and innovation under Dave’s leadership and look forward to continuing our work together.”

Daniel Edelman and Steve Begleiter, Clearstead board members and managing directors at the firm's private equity backer Flexpoint Ford, also expressed their confidence in Knapp’s leadership.

“The success and growth that Clearstead has experienced is a testament to Dave’s leadership, and we are thrilled to see that he has chosen Brad as his successor to carry on the Clearstead vision," the two said.