Matt Sonnen joins Coldstream Wealth Management as chief operating officer

Matt Sonnen joins Coldstream Wealth Management as chief operating officer
Sonnen, founder of consulting firm PFI Advisors, will work on improving Coldstream's back-office operations.
MAY 02, 2023

Matt Sonnen has joined Coldstream Wealth Management, a Seattle-based wealth management firm, as its chief operating officer and has been charged with improving its back-office operations for the registered investment advisors who have joined in recent years, as well as enhancing the firm’s processes for onboarding firms that join in the future.

"In the years ahead, we look forward to Matt further streamlining our operations, which will not only benefit our current advisors but allow us to more seamlessly incorporate future merger partners as we continue to ramp up our long-term growth strategy," Kevin Fitzwilson, the firm's managing shareholder, said in a statement.

Coldstream’s operations, IT, performing reporting, client service and CRM teams will report to Sonnen.

Previously, Sonnen founded and served as CEO of PFI Advisors, a consulting firm that helped financial advisors build more profitable enterprises.

Matt Sonnen said in an email that while he’s no longer providing one-on-one consulting through PFI Advisors, he will still offer many-to-one coaching through the COO Society and will continue to put out the "COO Roundtable" podcast under Coldstream’s sponsorship.

“I’m excited to roll up my sleeves and get to work on the operations of Coldstream!” Sonnen said.

Prior to founding PFI Advisors in 2015, Sonnen worked with breakaway advisors making the move to independence as vice president of strategic operations at Focus Financial Partners.

Coldstream has almost $6.5 billion in assets under management according to its latest Form ADV, with offices in Bellevue, Seattle and Mercer Island, Washington; Boise, Idaho; Kenai, Alaska, and Portland, Oregon.

Latest News

Concerns on inflation, Social Security dampening workers and retirees' financial confidence
Concerns on inflation, Social Security dampening workers and retirees' financial confidence

The latest annual survey from EBRI and Greenwald Research sheds light on anxieties around living costs, volatility, and the future of federal income support in retirement.

Advisors handicap the brewing battle between Trump and Powell
Advisors handicap the brewing battle between Trump and Powell

It's a showdown for the ages as wealth managers assess its impact on client portfolios.

Advisor moves: RBC nabs $500M Merrill team as LPL recruits $350M Osaic advisor
Advisor moves: RBC nabs $500M Merrill team as LPL recruits $350M Osaic advisor

The Merrill Lynch defectors expand RBC's reach in Texas while LPL bolsters its New York presence.

Fed's Waller in favor of rate cutting if tariffs drive job losses
Fed's Waller in favor of rate cutting if tariffs drive job losses

Separately, Cleveland Fed President Beth Hammack said the central bank could make a move by June if data show a clear economic trajectory.

Kestra adds $2.4B in Q1 recruitment assets
Kestra adds $2.4B in Q1 recruitment assets

After onboarding 26 new advisors in the first three months of 2025, the independent wealth platform is looking forward to continued momentum in Q2.

SPONSORED Compliance in real time: Technology's expanding role in RIA oversight

RIAs face rising regulatory pressure in 2025. Forward-looking firms are responding with embedded technology, not more paperwork.

SPONSORED Advisory firms confront crossroads amid historic wealth transfer

As inheritances are set to reshape client portfolios and next-gen heirs demand digital-first experiences, firms are retooling their wealth tech stacks and succession models in real time.