Zero Alpha Group

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

All ZAG firms are CEFEX certified as Fiduciaries.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.