Insights

August 5, 2025

The COO Roundtable: Episode 77

In Podcast: The COO Roundtable

Episode 77 finds Matt interviewing two seasoned RIA operators: Brad Cox and Michael Walliser, for an insightful conversation on growth, technology, and collaboration in the wealth management industry. Brad is COO, CCO, and Partner at Diversified Portfolios, Inc., based in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.  The firm was founded in 1993 and has grown to approximately $1.8 billion of client assets, with a team of 19 employees. Michael serves as President and CCO at Condor Capital Wealth Management in Martinsville, New Jersey. Established in 1988, Condor Capital oversees about $2 billion for clients and employs 28 professionals. In this episode, Brad and Michael discuss their 32-year-old study group, the Council of Independent Financial Advisors (“CIFA”), as well as:

  • How to structure your study group to ensure each member gains the most from it
  • The processes at each of their firms that have needed to change as their firms have grown
  • The pros and cons of building a “best-of-breed” technology stack vs. adopting an “all-in-one” solution
  • Both guests’ approach to AI and how they have implemented it to enhance client service and streamline operations at their firms
  • What cybersecurity tools and protocols both firms use to protect sensitive employee and client data

To learn more about the Council of Independent Financial Advisors (“CIFA”), please visit: https://www.katiecalaguiconsulting.com/council-of-independent-financial-advisors

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You can read the full transcript here.

 

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