Today we talk with James Spinelli about how he helps scale Great Valley Advisor Group from a startup into a community supporting 200+ advisors and more than 400 people. We break down what changes as growth accelerates, from hiring and meetings to data, culture, and the hard work of letting go.

Key topics discussed in this episode:

• Building trust through one-on-one conversations and shared transition experience

• The leadership shift after 100+ advisors, managing time and expectations

• Creating advisor success and business strategy roles to stay connected at scale

• Reinforcing mission and values through department leads and consistent communication

• Stepping into the CEO role by getting out of the weeds and upgrading seats

• Handling tough people decisions, documenting processes, and avoiding “drag”

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About James

James Spinelli is Co-Founder and CEO of Great Valley Advisor Group (GVA), a Pennsylvania-based RIA supporting nearly 200 advisors and managing more than $12 billion in assets. James built GVA from the ground up, growing it from a start-up RIA into a nationally recognized firm focused on helping independent advisors grow, build enterprise value, and achieve true ownership. Before launching GVA, he worked at Comcast Corporation in capital forecasting, financial systems, and operational efficiency. James is also the founder of AdvisorBOB, a fintech platform designed to simplify advisor compensation and business management, which was acquired by AdvicePay in 2025.

Connect with James

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About Kristin Burke

Kristin Burke works with financial advisors and leaders in financial services who are building and scaling firms. She helps them lead more effectively, develop their team, and execute consistently on the priorities that drive growth.

Work with Kristin

If you are building a firm and want a strategic partner to help you think through leadership, team development, and execution, you can learn more about working with Kristin here:

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Connect on LinkedIn

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