Daybright Financial has appointed Wes Gilbreath as Chief Financial Officer as the employee benefits and retirement services company continues investing in its next phase of growth.
Gilbreath joined Daybright effective July 20, 2026, and will serve as the company’s principal financial officer. He will oversee the broader finance organization and support Daybright’s long-term operating and expansion strategy.
Gilbreath brings nearly 20 years of experience across the financial services industry, including substantial experience serving in CFO roles.
He joins Daybright from Integrity Wealth, where he worked within the financial services sector and developed experience leading finance operations during periods of organizational growth.
As CFO, Gilbreath will be responsible for areas such as financial planning, reporting, budgeting, capital allocation, risk management and the systems required to support Daybright’s expanding national platform.
His appointment forms part of a succession process that Daybright said has been underway since 2025.
Matt Riordan, who served as Daybright’s CFO for approximately 18 years, will remain with the company as Operating CFO.
In that role, Riordan will help ensure continuity within the finance organization and support Gilbreath as he transitions into the principal CFO position.
His responsibilities will include introducing Gilbreath to important internal and external relationships and transferring institutional knowledge developed over nearly two decades with the company.
The leadership structure is intended to give Daybright an orderly transition while preserving the experience and relationships that Riordan has built during his tenure.
Daybright CEO Megan Schneider said the combination of Gilbreath’s industry experience and Riordan’s continued involvement will strengthen the company’s leadership team as it expands.
The company described the appointment as a deliberate evolution of its financial leadership rather than an abrupt change.
Daybright Financial specializes in employee benefits, retirement plans and the compliance requirements associated with those services.
The company works with employers to administer and support benefits programs that may include retirement plan services, regulatory compliance, employee benefits consulting and related financial solutions.
Daybright serves more than 22,000 employer groups and approximately 3.6 million plan participants across the United States.
Since 2008, the company has expanded through the acquisition of more than 60 local and national firms.
An acquisition-driven strategy can create opportunities to enter new markets, add specialized capabilities and serve larger customer populations. It also places significant demands on a finance organization, which must integrate reporting systems, financial controls, contracts and operational processes across acquired businesses.
Gilbreath’s appointment comes as Daybright continues aligning its leadership structure with the needs of a larger and more complex organization.
The CFO role can be especially important for companies pursuing continued acquisitions because financial leadership must evaluate potential transactions, oversee due diligence and help determine how capital should be allocated.
Following a transaction, the finance organization may also be responsible for combining accounting functions, standardizing reporting and measuring whether the acquired business is performing as expected.
Daybright’s succession plan allows Riordan to remain involved in these processes while Gilbreath assumes responsibility for the company’s financial strategy.
The Operating CFO role can provide continuity during the transition by retaining an experienced executive with detailed knowledge of the company’s historical performance, customers, acquisitions and internal systems.
Gilbreath said Daybright has established a strong financial foundation and that he looks forward to working with Riordan and the broader executive team.
His appointment is expected to support Daybright as it continues expanding its client base, integrating acquired businesses and investing in its employee benefits and retirement services platform.
Daybright is an independent, privately held company headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey.
KEY QUOTES:
“This is an important step in strengthening our leadership team as we continue to grow.”
“Wes brings deep experience leading finance organizations in our industry, and we’re equally fortunate to have Matt continuing in a leadership role. His knowledge, relationships, and leadership have been foundational to Daybright, and his partnership will be critical as we move into this next chapter.”
Megan Schneider, Chief Executive Officer of Daybright Financial
“Daybright has built a strong financial foundation, and I’m excited to join the team at such a pivotal time.”
“I look forward to working closely with Matt and the broader leadership team to support the company’s continued success and deliver for our clients.”
Wes Gilbreath, Chief Financial Officer of Daybright Financial
