People Moves: Another Edelman Alum Joins $27B Choreo

Company Developments - Erik Merkau has joined Choreo as chief wealth advisory officer, previously serving as head of strategy and execution at Edelman Financial Engines [1][2] - Merkau will report to CEO Jason Van de Loo and is responsible for advisor development and execution, focusing on expanding advanced planning capabilities and integrated private client services [2][3] - Choreo has seen a series of executive changes, including the appointment of Keith Kotfica as chief growth officer and Michael Rittershaus as chief service officer, both from Edelman [4][5][6] Industry Context - Choreo was established in 2022 when Parthenon Capital acquired the wealth management business of RSM, indicating a trend of private equity involvement in wealth management [1] - As of December 2024, Choreo manages approximately $27.2 billion in assets, reflecting its growth and strategic focus on enhancing service offerings [6] - AlTi Tiedemann Global has appointed Brittany Cook as co-head of its wealth planning team, highlighting ongoing developments in the wealth management sector [7][8]