Podcast: How Wealth and Retirement are Converging from an RIA Trailblazer | Scott Colangelo

In this episode of Gray to Great, host Dan Dal Degan speaks with Scott Colangelo, Chairman of Prime Capital Financial. Scott shares his journey from his early years at Edward Jones to co-founding the first Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firm in Kansas. Their conversation explores how Scott built a scalable advisory platform rooted in fee-based services, consistent portfolio management, and a strong organizational culture. Scott also reflects on the convergence of wealth and retirement advising and how education and advocacy lead to stronger engagement and better savings decisions. He has seen firsthand how clear guidance improves participant confidence and long-term financial behavior.

Scott highlights how moving to a fee-based model early in his career positioned him to build a scalable retirement advisory firm. This shift allowed him and his team to develop a disciplined, repeatable investment framework and focus on participant engagement at scale. He explains that consistent processes, paired with a clear investment philosophy, were essential to growing the firm without sacrificing service quality. He also discusses the convergence of wealth management and retirement planning. Scott notes that true integration happens when advisors build trust with participants and remain present throughout their financial journey.

Advocacy is another central theme. Scott details his work on issues such as enabling 403(b) plans to access collective investment trusts. He explains how CITs can reduce costs relative to mutual funds because they avoid duplicative tax accounting, creating structural efficiencies for plan participants. Scott emphasizes that reducing unnecessary expenses is one of the most direct ways advisors can improve retirement outcomes.

He closes by sharing advice for the next generation of advisors. He encourages them to find their passion, build their career around purpose, and stay committed during challenging periods. He believes that advisors who remain engaged and grounded can have a lasting impact on participants’ lives and financial futures.

More About Scott Colangelo

Scott Colangelo is the Chairman of Prime Capital and a pioneer in the convergence of wealth management and retirement advising. After beginning his career at Edward Jones, where he was recognized as a top producer, he co-founded Prime Capital with Tim Hakes and helped launch the first RIA in Kansas. With more than two decades of experience, Scott has led the development of risk-based portfolios, participant education programs, and advisor training initiatives. He is also active in legislative advocacy, focusing on improvements to retirement plan structures, including the use of collective trusts in 403(b) plans. Scott resides in Kansas and is committed to giving back to the community that has supported his career and family.