Choreo’s got something brewing in the Midwest, folks. They’ve just enlarged their paw print in the Chicago area by scooping up Resource Financial Group’s hefty $700 million in assets under management (AUM). This move doesn’t just make Choreo a bigger player on the block—it adds serious depth to their bench, covering everything from business transitions to retirement and beyond.
Strengthening Ties with Business Owners
What’s the big play here? Well, for starters, RFG isn’t just some fly-by-night operation. Peter M. Maris and Brian Pugal have built this firm on rock-solid trust, connecting the dots between business planning, succession planning, and, ultimately, wealth preservation. They aren’t flying solo, either—there’s a whole hand-picked squad of client service gurus backing them up, led by the astute Alexandra Moise.
Choreo sees this as more than just buying up assets. Jason Van de Loo, Choreo’s CEO, gives a nod to Peter and Brian for establishing a “terrific business” that’s not only about numbers—it’s about relationships. He reckons this acquisition supercharges Choreo’s game with closely held businesses and their special knack for navigating the rocky waters of complex planning. You see, this isn’t just acquisition; it’s synergy.
A Little Background Check
Time to dive into what makes Maris and Pugal tick. Maris came out of the gates from a big Chicago bank’s personal finance department, wearing the tax planner badge before founding RFG in 1996. Both he and Pugal are alumni of Loyola Chicago's Quinlan School of Business, with each brandishing an MBA. Their credentials are serious stuff—Maris holds the title of Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) while Pugal combines that with a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designation.
“Our clients value our relationship-based client service model backed by data and plan coordination," Maris notes, highlighting the alignment of ethos with Choreo’s broader mission.
A Year of Growth for Choreo
Let’s set the wider scene. This isn’t Choreo’s first rodeo this year. They’ve been on a bit of an acquisition spree, adding assets from the likes of Northeast Financial Group, Herbein Financial Group, and Insight Wealth Strategies. With this buying binge, they’ve tacked on approximately $2 billion AUM just in 2026. So, what's their endgame? Looks like they’re moving chess pieces strategically, crafting a broad sprawl across the wealth management board.
What’s In It for Choreo?
So why the big interest in bringing RFG under its wing? The deeper you dig, the clearer it gets. RFG's expertise aligns seamlessly with Choreo’s knack for tax-smart planning. It’s a match made to amplify Choreo’s capability far beyond tax tricks to well-rounded wealth solutions. With their growing footprint, Choreo hopes to not only expand its influence but also deepen the quality of their offerings to their clients.
Let’s not forget how Choreo’s history adds context. They started as a little arm of one of the biggest CPA and professional services firms in the U.S., and now they’re juggling $28.6 billion worth of assets as of the end of 2025. And with over 40 offices across the nation, they aren’t just talk—they’re walking the walk.
The Trusted Advisor Factor
Turkey Hill Management served as the advisor to RFG in this transaction, which likely helps smooth over any negotiation bumps. Advisors like this are key; they ensure transactions like these don’t derail unexpectedly.
What we’re seeing is an illustration of Choreo’s blueprint for growth. They’re not throwing darts at a board. They know precisely who they want to be in the wealth management arena. RFG’s client-focused model isn’t just business as usual—it’s foundational to Choreo’s vision. Now, with this acquisition, Choreo stands a tad taller in the Chicago landscape, ready to take their consultations to new heights.
