#United States #Leadership #financial advisors #Glastonbury #Gateway Financial Partners

Strengthening Leadership at Gateway Financial Partners

Gateway Financial Partners has recently announced a significant enhancement to its leadership structure through a series of strategic promotions and new hires aimed at bolstering its commitment to independent financial advisors. This initiative, revealed during the first half of 2025, reflects the firm's ongoing dedication to providing comprehensive resources across various operational areas, including engagement, marketing, compliance, and more.

David Wood, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer, remarked on the motivation behind these changes: “Our advisors count on us to remove friction, share insights, and help them work toward their growth goals. By investing in seasoned professionals across every core function, we’re scaling our capacity to deliver that promise while staying true to our values of teamwork, integrity, respect, superior client experience, and innovation.”

Prominent Promotions and Strategic Hires

The enhancements to Gateway's leadership team include several notable appointments:

• - Robb Combs has stepped into the role of Director of Advisor Alignment. His focus will be on optimizing the firm’s advisor acquisition strategy, ensuring that new partners are integrated seamlessly right from the outset.
• - Candace Byrnes takes on the position of Opportunity Architect, where she will actively identify and nurture growth opportunities, enhancing Gateway's collaborations within the advisory community.

Additionally, senior leadership roles have been redefined:

• - Mike Kitzman has been elevated to Chief Engagement Officer (CEO), where he will oversee advisor experience initiatives and promote continuous feedback channels throughout the organization.
• - Chris Hartmann, now a Financial Advisor Transition Specialist, will enhance the firm’s transition team, making the onboarding experience smoother for incoming practices.
• - Jeremy Ziglar and Linda Gibson join as Financial Services Operations Specialists, providing critical operational support for advisors' day-to-day needs.
• - Josh Bernetzke, newly appointed as a Business Data Analyst, will enrich the finance department with crucial analytical insights that inform strategic business decisions.
• - Andrea Kathe shifts into the marketing domain as a Communications Marketing Specialist, where she will amplify Gateway's educational outreach and strengthen the brand voice.

Mike Kitzman emphasized the rationale behind these new hires, stating, “Every hire is an intentional investment in areas advisors tell us matter most. Whether it’s onboarding a practice, fine-tuning operations, or sourcing new growth opportunities, our expanding team is here to shoulder the workload so advisors can focus on serving their clients.”

The Vision for the Future

Gateway Financial Partners continues to empower independent financial advisors, providing the essential support needed to thrive in a competitive landscape. With over 150 advisors across the nation under their umbrella, the firm not only aims to help its practices scale efficiently but also to ensure that client services are delivered with excellence and autonomy.

As the firm solidifies its strategic direction, the leadership changes are a clear indication of Gateway’s commitment to supporting its advisors by allowing them to focus on what they do best—serving their clients and growing their practices. Through these thoughtful enhancements in leadership, Gateway Financial Partners is poised to thrive, supporting financial professionals in achieving their goals with greater effectiveness and agility.