SEIA's Award Sweep: How an Advisor-First Culture Fuels National Growth

LOS ANGELES, CA – May 12, 2026 – Signature Estate & Investment Advisors (SEIA), a Los Angeles-based wealth management firm, is cementing its national reputation with a remarkable string of top-tier industry accolades in 2026. The firm and its advisors have secured coveted spots on lists from Forbes, Barron's, and InvestmentNews, signaling that SEIA's long-term strategy of prioritizing its advisors is paying significant dividends in a highly competitive market.

The wave of recognition is not a stroke of luck but the result of a deliberate, multi-year effort to build a firm grounded in collaboration and support, now supercharged by private equity investment and an aggressive national expansion plan. These awards validate SEIA's model and highlight its growing influence as it aims to become a dominant force in the wealth management sector.

The 'Advisor-First' Advantage

At the heart of SEIA's success is what its leadership calls an "advisor-first" operational model. Unlike firms that may impose a rigid, top-down structure, SEIA has cultivated an environment rooted in mentorship, shared experience, and collaborative problem-solving. This philosophy is designed to empower advisors by removing administrative burdens and providing them with the resources needed to focus exclusively on client needs.

"These recognitions are really a reflection of our advisors and the way they show up for clients every day," said Matt Matrisian, President of SEIA, in a recent statement. "SEIA has always been built as an advisor-led firm, where collaboration, mentorship, and shared professional experience are central to how we operate. That structure allows our advisors to stay focused on what matters most—delivering thoughtful, client-first advice."

This commitment to its people is more than just a talking point. The firm has been actively converting its 1099 independent contractors to W-2 employees, a move that provides advisors with better benefits, greater stability, and access to the firm's growing scale. This transition has already been adopted by approximately 30 advisors across 10 teams. The industry has taken notice, with SEIA being named a finalist for InvestmentNews' 'Employer of Choice' award and recognized as one of Financial Planning's 2026 'Best Places to Work For,' accolades driven largely by positive employee feedback.

A Blueprint for National Expansion

SEIA's strong internal culture serves as the foundation for an ambitious growth strategy. Currently managing approximately $30 billion in assets under advisement, the firm has set a bold target to reach $100 billion by 2030. This rapid expansion is fueled by a significant 2022 investment from Reverence Capital Partners, a private equity firm that holds a majority stake of roughly 55%.

With this backing, SEIA has ramped up its mergers and acquisitions (M&A) strategy. The firm has already completed three acquisitions since late 2023, including the notable addition of Cedar Brook, a $2 billion RIA. SEIA is now actively seeking "mergers of equals," with President Matt Matrisian noting that a merger with another firm in the $20-$30 billion range is a "distinct possibility" within the next 18 months. The strategy is clearly working, as SEIA has seen its EBITDA expand fivefold since 2022.

The cascade of industry awards plays a crucial role in this expansion plan. The national recognition serves as a powerful recruitment tool, attracting both individual top-tier advisors and entire firms looking for a partner with a proven track record of excellence and a supportive culture.

Faces of Excellence: The Talent Behind the Trophies

The firm's collective triumph is built on the individual successes of its deep bench of talent. The 2026 awards highlight excellence across the organization, from seasoned teams to next-generation leaders.

InvestmentNews recognized two of the firm's powerhouse teams as 2026 5-Star Wealth Management Teams: Team Holmes—led by SEIA CEO Brian Holmes and comprising Jared Chase, Calvin Tseng, Chad Bates, Josh Woodard, and Carlos Sanabria—which manages $1.7 billion in AUM, and Team Hirsh, led by Len Hirsh and including Andrew Rome, Sam Orr, and Luke Hayes.

"This speaks to the dedication of our team and the relationships we've built with our clients over time," said Brian Holmes. "I'm proud of the way our team approaches their work—with a long-term mindset and a strong commitment to doing what's right for clients."

Individual honors further underscore the firm's quality. The prestigious Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list for 2026 includes SEIA's Vince DiLeva (#31), David Johnson (#20), and Eric Pritz. Johnson also appeared on the InvestmentNews 5-Star Financial Planners list alongside colleague Michaela Hurtienne. Further finalists for InvestmentNews awards included John Rasic and David Johnson for Advisor of the Year and Matthew Hathway for NextGen Advisor of the Year, showcasing the firm's strength across different regions and experience levels.

Validated by the Industry's Toughest Critics

What makes SEIA's award sweep particularly compelling is the rigor of the methodologies behind the honors. These are not pay-to-play accolades; they are earned through comprehensive, multi-faceted evaluations.

The Forbes ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm that weighs qualitative factors like in-person interviews, industry experience, compliance records, and best practices alongside quantitative data. Crucially, investment performance is not a criterion, placing the focus on the quality and ethics of the advisor's practice. Similarly, the InvestmentNews 5-Star awards for teams and planners emphasize client service, team stability, and practice management, rewarding the holistic health of an advisory practice.

SEIA's ranking as No. 19 on Barron's 2025 list of Top 100 RIA Firms further solidifies its elite status. The Barron's formula assesses not only assets and revenue but also the quality of the practice, including advisor experience, team diversity, and philanthropic work. Being recognized across these different frameworks demonstrates a well-rounded excellence that resonates with clients, employees, and the industry at large.

As SEIA continues its national expansion, this collection of accolades serves as both a validation of its advisor-centric philosophy and a powerful tailwind for its future growth. By proving that a culture of collaboration and a commitment to talent can drive elite performance, the firm is not just winning awards—it is building a new blueprint for success in the modern wealth management landscape.