Carson Group Hired New Divisional President
The firm has appointed Matt Humphrey to lead its W-2 channel as more advisors shift toward employee-based models.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Financial Planning
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Carson Group, which currently manages $65 billion in assets, announced the hiring of Matt Humphrey as a divisional president to oversee its W-2 advisory channel. This leadership move follows the firm's decision to bifurcate its home office teams between W-2 and independent RIA business models.
Why it matters
The firm separated its support teams to dedicate resources to the specific needs of each channel as more independent advisors consider transitions to W-2 employment. This shift is driven by current interest rates and the evolving valuations of wealth management firms.
Carson Group manages a total of $65 billion in assets. Previously, Matt Humphrey supervised 100 advisors managing $12 billion in client assets while at United Bank.
The players
Carson Group
A wealth management firm that manages $65 billion in assets and provides support for independent and W-2 financial advisors.
Matt Humphrey
The newly appointed divisional president at Carson Group who previously managed 100 advisors and $12 billion in assets at United Bank.
Burt White
The CEO of Carson Group who announced the company's decision to separate its support channels for advisors.
Scott Conroy
The executive currently leading the independent RIA channel at Carson Group.
The details
The firm recently split its W-2 and independent RIA home office teams to provide specialized support structures for each group. Carson Group utilizes capital generated from its 1099 independent channel to fund ongoing technology, infrastructure, and M&A investments. Matt Humphrey, a former U.S. Army Aviation Officer, joins the firm to lead the W-2 integration strategy as the industry sees an acceleration in advisors moving toward W-2 employment.
Timeline
Summer 2026: Carson Group split its W-2 and independent RIA teams.
June 2026: CEO Burt White announced the firm's bifurcated support strategy.
October 13, 2026: The firm announced the appointment of Matt Humphrey.
Money Landscape
Wealth management firms are increasingly bifurcating support teams to address the distinct operational needs of W-2 versus independent advisors. This trend follows an industry shift where advisors are moving toward employment models due to current interest rate environments and firm valuation trends.
If you are working with an advisor, changes in their firm's employment model or support structure are unlikely to disrupt your daily account access. Investors concerned about how firm shifts might impact their service should discuss these organizational changes with their advisor.
The takeaway
The move by Carson Group highlights how major wealth management firms are reorganizing to better support advisors shifting from independent to W-2 roles. Investors should note that advisor employment status can influence how resources are managed within a firm.
Further reading
For more on managing your financial professional relationships, visit our Financial Planning section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WealthManagement.
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Is now a good time for independent financial advisors to transition into an employee-based W-2 model?
