Zero Alpha Group

Through collaborative engagement, ZAG empowers its member firms to pursue innovation and create sustainable value.

Shared Values Driving Innovation and Excellence

Zero Alpha Group (ZAG) is a national association of wealth management firms committed to applying the best financial thinking to serve clients in a fiduciary capacity. Through engagement, ZAG empowers member firms to pursue innovation and create sustainable value.

Active Oversight, Proactive Advice

We are active about what matters and proactive in anticipating how changes in a client’s finances or personal goals may affect their strategy.

Passive Portfolios Create Active Oversight

ZAG member firms work with their clients to actively manage the details of their wealth.

Predictive Modeling Guides Proactive Advice

Our proactive insight helps to ensure that the client is well prepared for different circumstances.

The Evolution of ZAG

1995
1995 – 1999
2000 – 2001
2002 – 2004
2005
2006
2008
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020

1995

Chicago – Jeff Buckner (Plancorp) and Brent Brodeski (Savant) meet and decide to convert from active to passive and form ZAG.

1995 – 1999

Foster Group, JE Wilson Advisors, and Resource Consulting Group join Plancorp and Savant.

2000 – 2001

Beaird Harris and Petersen Hastings join ZAG. An LLC was formed and the ZAG name and logo was trademarked.

2002 – 2004

First ZAG committees were formed starting with Public Relations, followed by Intellectual Property. Mutual Fund Fee and Mutual Fund Survivor Bias studies were published. A ZAG-sponsored national opinion survey of investors focused on the SEC’s controversial ML rule was released.

2005

Began publication of A Closer Look, intellectual capital in customized and firm-specific format for each member firm. Hired first Executive Director, Becky Bianco.

2006

The Monitor Group joined as a new member. Release of ZAG-sponsored mutual fund study. Commissioned “Index Fund Study” with Fund Democracy. ZAG accepts grant to research areas related to ZAG investment philosophy and fiduciary responsibilities. Publishes first ZAG brochure.

2008

All ZAG firms are CEFEX certified as Fiduciaries.

2011

ZAG 2.0 began to bring ZAG professionals beyond the founders into the organization and provide them a collaborative peer group. Katie Cullen was hired as the ZAG Executive Director.

2012

ZAG began its journey of becoming a Gallup strengths-based organization that continues to the present. Brent Brodeski of Savant becomes ZAG’s President taking the role from Kimberly Sterling of Resource Consulting Group. Two ZAG members, Savant Capital Management and The Monitor Group merge.

2013

ZAG launches Leadership Institute (ZLI) to train our next generation of leaders. ZAG held its first Collaboration Forum to bring together leaders from different functional areas. Prof Boris Groysberg from Harvard joins ZAG to discuss how to lead and manage employee performance. ZAG creates formal partnership with Schwab Advisor Services.

2014

Prof Groysberg invites ZAG leaders to Harvard to discuss What Works in Talent Management in the 21st Century. TCI Wealth Advisors is formally voted in as new member of ZAG. An all-ZAG conference focused on business development was held. Strategic planning completed to create updated governance structure. Justin Stets becomes ZAG’s new President.

2015

ZAG hosts its first annual Founders Retreat to discuss succession planning. All CCOs meet to discuss compliance with Tom Giachetti for its first annual compliance meeting. Brought together managers across all ZAG firms to participate in Gallup’s Leading High Performing Teams training.

2016

ZAG hosts Demands of Leadership training for its leadership team. ZAG’s Women’s Initiative was created to support our female professionals in developing their careers. Jerry Foster interviews David Booth at Leadership Summit. Role of ZAG president is changed to Chairman and is filled by Don Harris.

2017

ZAG hosts an all ZAG meeting focused on Strengths and featuring John O’Leary. ZAG adopts Carver Governance.

2018

As ZAG firms continue to grow, the year is dedicated to identifying and growing our companies’ cultures. John Stephens becomes ZAG’s new Chairman. ZAG has its first Innovation Forum and embarks on a year-long engagement to identify trends and opportunities in our space.

2019

CEO Summit held bringing together all Founders and CEOs. Strategic planning session to identify several innovative areas for collaboration and growth. Culture Conference held for ZAG members that included several tracks for different areas of interest.

2020

Over 21 webinars held to build community during the COVID pandemic to include Liz Ann Sonders, Jamie Susskind, Mark Tibergien, Michael Kitces, and Tyrone Ross.

Partnership developed between kitces.com and ZAG. ZAG creates a partnership and makes financial commitment to the work of the Center for Financial Planning.

Membership Advantages

Since 1995 ZAG members have pooled our intellectual capital, investment strategies, and resources to stay in the forefront of comprehensive financial planning and portfolio design. ZAG members maintain continuous communication with the academic community, industry leaders, and our clients, always researching tomorrow’s solutions.

When working together, both member firms and clients benefit from ZAG’s combined buying power, access to institutional quality solutions, and premium services offered at a lower cost.

Member Firms

ZAG member firms are fiercely independent and entrepreneurial, yet share a common bond in their investment philosophy, wealth management approach, and client focus. All members are committed to providing objective, long-term private wealth management solutions, which include customized investment strategies guided by evidence-based theory and informed by the latest academic research. The eight ZAG firms collectively manage more than $20 billion in total client assets.

Brent Brodeski Grayscale Portrait Picture

ZAG was created by leaders who share investment and fiduciary philosophies. Our collective goal is and always has been to continually improve all facets of our companies including marketing, compliance, technology, and especially client service.

Brent Brodeski
CEO, Savant Wealth Management & Co-founder of ZAG

News & Updates