Mastering the Quarterback Role for Clients with Eric Kittner
Episode 119: This week, Kyle Van Pelt talks with Eric Kittner, CEO and Chairman of the Board at Moneta Group. Eric began his career at Arthur Andersen and RubinBrown before joining Moneta in 2003. Since becoming Managing Partner in 2018, Eric has led Moneta through a period of remarkable growth, expanding from a single Midwest office to multiple national markets and more than doubling its AUM.
Eric talks with Kyle about Moneta's comprehensive service model and how they've operationally mastered the 'quarterback' role for clients. He also shares the firm's geographic growth strategy and the importance of in-office culture for developing the next generation of advisors. From tax strategy to tech adoption to developing next-gen talent, Eric reveals what it really takes to grow a firm that never loses its human touch.
In this episode:
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(00:00) - Intro
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(03:11) - Eric's money moment
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(05:33) - Lessons from Arthur Andersen: culture, training, and crisis opportunity
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(08:10) - How tax strategy shapes Moneta’s approach to serving clients
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(09:09) - Building a truly comprehensive service model
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(11:39) - Why Moneta has never taken private equity money
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(13:43) - Moneta's intentional growth strategy: Go deep, not wide
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(16:16) - What makes a perfect cultural and business fit for Moneta partnerships
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(20:50) - Growing next-gen talent through flexibility and connection
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(25:11) - Recruiting vs. developing future advisors
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(30:30) - How Moneta leverages technology
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(33:40) - The biggest tech drag on the advisor experience
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(36:31) - Eric’s outlook on the future of wealth management
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(40:57) - What makes one RIA different from another
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(44:01) - Eric's Milemarker Minute
Key Takeaways
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Independence is not just a label—it's a mindset. Whether you're solo or part of a large firm, true independence comes from making decisions that align with your clients' best interests, not outside pressures or short-term gains.
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Culture is a foundation. Processes and tech can be copied. Culture can't. The way your team behaves when no one's watching determines how clients experience your firm.
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Intentional growth leads to sustainable success. It's easy to chase expansion or new tech for the sake of momentum. The best leaders grow deliberately, aligning every move with purpose, people, and long-term vision.
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Technology should create time. Use tools that simplify and elevate human connection, not replace it. The future of advice belongs to firms that blend empathy with efficiency.
Quotes
"To us, culture is not a mythical figure. Culture is the total of your behavior on a day-to-day basis." ~ Eric Kittner
"We've been very intentional about doing what we do really well, being that quarterback, providing that advice, and coordinating the resources." ~ Eric Kittner
"The title on your business card is what it is. When a client reaches out to you, that's when you are their advisor." ~ Eric Kittner
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