Skip to content

From Good to Great - Then from Great to Elite: Inside the Stratos Growth Story with Jeff Concepcion

 
Picture of Ana Macouzet
 

In this episode of RIA+, Jeff Concepcion – founder and CEO of Stratos Wealth – one of the fastest-growing, sits down with Emigrant's Mark Bruno to discuss the strategies and tactics that have fueled of one of the largest and most successful firms in wealth management. With more than $37 billion in assets across its platform, over 350 advisors and a diverse mix of businesses that are purpose-built for growth-oriented advisors and firms, Stratos has become one of the most influential firms in wealth management. Wit some major strategic investments in technology, practice management and marketing capabilities, Jeff describes how he and his leadership team have Stratos strategically positioned Stratos to write the next chapter of its impressive growth story.

Learn more about Stratos here.

 

Summary

  • Stratos Wealth now manages over $37 billion in assets across its platform, making it one of the largest independent wealth firms in the U.S.

  • The firm supports 350+ advisors through a multi-channel model that includes W-2, 1099, and hybrid structures

  • Jeff Concepcion emphasizes organic growth as the foundation of Stratos’ success, driven by advisor enablement and marketing support

  • Stratos has made strategic investments in technology, including CRM systems and digital onboarding tools, to improve advisor efficiency

  • The firm’s practice management team helps advisors with succession planning, recruiting, and operational scale

  • Stratos uses M&A selectively, focusing on cultural alignment and long-term fit rather than rapid roll-ups

  • Jeff describes the transition from “great to elite” as requiring intentional infrastructure, not just growth for growth’s sake

  • The firm’s leadership prioritizes advisor independence while offering centralized resources to drive scale

  • Stratos is building a next-generation platform to support advisors through evolving client expectations and regulatory demands

  • Jeff closes by highlighting the importance of vision, discipline, and execution in sustaining elite performance over time

About Our Guest

Stratos

Jeff Concepcion, CEO

Jeffrey Concepcion is the Founder and CEO of Stratos Wealth Partners and host of The Evolving Advisor podcast. Jeff started Stratos in October of 2008 with the intention of creating an organization to fulfill a need for sophisticated advisors and their clients, by constructing a firm with the infrastructure, resources and support necessary to allow them to focus on their core competency, advising their clients. Today, Stratos specializes in the practice and performance of financial planning and implementation services. The firm has a national network of distinguished, experienced financial planning practitioners spread throughout the country.

Jeff is responsible for the acquisition, development and coaching of the firm’s expanding number of affiliated advisors from across the nation. His entire professional career has been spent in the financial services industry. Prior to starting Stratos Wealth Partners, Jeff spent 22 years in senior management positions with Lincoln Financial Network, including being the Executive Director for the Eastern Region. He was responsible for fully one-third of the United States. He was then appointed Senior Vice President of Market Access and a member of the Executive Committee; where he was on one of only a handful of executives responsible for Lincoln’s entire retail financial services business.

 

Jeff believes in the community where he lives and works. He has shared his time and expertise by sitting on a number of charitable boards throughout the Cleveland area over the years. Jeff served on the Board of Trustees at the May Dugan Center, Julie Billiart School, City Year, Dress for Success, E CITY, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Junior Achievement and Providence House.

He earned his Bachelor’s of Arts degree with a major in Political Science from Trinity College. Jeff resides in Solon, Ohio with his wife and two children.