Carson Group, an Omaha, Nebraska-based wealth advisory firm with more than $65 billion in assets under management (AUM), has announced that Intrinsic Investors, a Wisconsin-based wealth management firm overseeing approximately $145 million in AUM, has joined Carson Wealth in Great Lakes. The addition brings Wealth Advisors William “Bill” Fons and Chad Melcher, AAMS, and Operations Manager Dawn Williams to Carson’s growing advisory network.
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, Intrinsic Investors provides financial planning and investment management services to individuals, families, trusts, retirement plans, and philanthropic organizations. The firm has grown primarily through referrals, emphasizing personalized financial advice, fiduciary responsibility, and disciplined investment management supported by traditional research.
The decision to join Carson represents both a strategic growth opportunity and a long-term succession solution for Intrinsic Investors. Fons and Williams will gradually transition into more consultative roles, while Melcher, who has been with the firm since 2005, will continue serving clients and leading the practice as part of Carson Wealth in Great Lakes.
The transition is designed to preserve Intrinsic Investors’ existing client relationships while providing additional resources to support its next phase of development. Fons evaluated eight different firms before selecting Carson, citing its long-term strategy, technology, and commitment to client relationships.
As part of Carson Wealth in Great Lakes, the Intrinsic Investors team will gain access to Carson’s technology, investment management, advanced financial planning, marketing, and operational resources. These capabilities are intended to help the practice expand its services, streamline administrative activities, and pursue additional growth opportunities.
The partnership also provides Melcher with additional infrastructure to support the practice as Fons and Williams gradually reduce their day-to-day responsibilities. By integrating into Carson’s broader advisory platform, the team can access specialized resources while maintaining the relationship-driven approach that has supported its growth over more than two decades.
For Carson Group, the addition strengthens its presence in the Great Lakes region and supports its broader strategy of partnering with established wealth management practices seeking additional resources and succession planning solutions.
Carson Group currently oversees more than $65 billion in assets and serves over 60,000 client families through a network of more than 165 partner offices, including more than 50 Carson Wealth locations. Its platform provides affiliated advisors with investment management, technology, financial planning, and operational capabilities designed to support long-term business development.
KEY QUOTES:
“Our clients have always felt like family, so finding the right home for them was incredibly important to me. I spoke with eight different firms, but I kept coming back to Carson for its long-term strategy, innovative resources and commitment to putting people first. I’m confident our clients will continue to be served the way we’ve always cared for them, and that Chad has the right place to continue building on what we started.”
William “Bill” Fons, Wealth Advisor at Intrinsic Investors
“Culture was a big driver for me in choosing Carson. We’ve always taken a team approach and put the client first, and I see those same values at Carson Wealth in Great Lakes. I’m looking forward to continuing to take care of our clients while gaining access to additional resources and capabilities that can help us serve them even better and continue to grow.”
Chad Melcher, AAMS, Wealth Advisor at Intrinsic Investors
“We’re excited to welcome Bill, Chad and Dawn to Carson Wealth Great Lakes. They’ve built a strong, client-centered practice with the kind of Midwest culture and personal relationships that fit naturally with the Great Lakes team. This is a great example of how Carson can support thoughtful succession, giving advisors like Chad the innovative capabilities and operational support to build the next chapter while preserving what clients value most.”
Burt White, CEO of Carson Group
