Bradley D. Knapp, CFA, CAIA
President & Chief Executive Officer
On January 1, 2025, Brad was named President and CEO of Clearstead, succeeding longtime partner David Fulton who has assumed the role of Chairman Emeritus.
As CEO, Brad is now leading a larger and more complex firm than existed ten years ago, with revenues and earnings having grown significantly and the number of employees and assets under advisement increasing several times. The firm has acquired eleven firms in the past ten years and has added capabilities in tax compliance and financial planning while also forming Clearstead Trust, a nondepository trust company.
Brad’s appointment as CEO was part of a longstanding management succession plan at Clearstead. He will continue to be instrumental to strategic initiatives at Clearstead, including accelerating organic growth through the addition of new channels and holistic service offerings, investing in technology to improve the client and advisor experience, and expanding our geographic footprint through integrating strategic acquisitions.
Brad holds the Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designations and joined Clearstead in 2016. Brad has held positions in the private client and institutional groups at the firm and has served as President from 2023 to the present. Since 2018, he has run the firm’s Private Client and Trust practices. Brad has over 25 years of experience in wealth advisory and investment management, having held positions with two major financial institutions prior to joining Clearstead.
Prior to joining Clearstead, Brad was a Senior Vice President with Hawthorn/PNC Family and Key Private Bank. Brad began his investment career at McDonald & Company, a regional broker/dealer and investment bank. Brad earned a BSBA degree in finance from John Carroll University. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst charter holder and a member of the CFA Society of Cleveland. Brad is a member of the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst Association and has earned the use of that designation.
Brad is active in both community and professional boards where he serves in various advisory capacities. They include:
- Clearstead/HMI Holding Board member, Cleveland, OH
- McGregor Board of Directors & Finance Committee Chairman, Cleveland, OH
- Clearstead Trust Board Member, Portland, ME
- Avalon Trust Board Member, Santa Fe, NM
- Riverside Advisory Board Member, Private Equity
- Riverside Acceleration Capital (Funds I – III) & Acceleration Opportunities (Funds I – II)
- Riverside Technology Solutions (Funds I – II)
- Trimer Capital Advisory Board Member, Private Equity (Fund I)
- CFA Society Cleveland
- Samuel H. and Maria Miller Foundation Trustee, Cleveland, OH
YOUR FUTURE IN FOCUS
At Clearstead, we create integrated, prudent, and custom strategies that bring clarity to you or your organization’s financial future.

Clearstead is an independent financial advisory firm serving wealthy families and leading institutions across the country. As a fiduciary, it provides wealth management services and investment consulting to help clients meet their financial objectives, achieve their aspirations, and build stronger futures.
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