Gene Diederich, CFP®, CPA
“I’m excited about working alongside the principals to help grow Moneta Group,” says CEO Gene Diederich. “We will partner in our commitment to preserve the culture that has flourished here.” A key part of Gene’s role is working with the professional staff to provide an efficient, reliable infrastructure that allows the principals to focus their time and expertise where it belongs: on their clients. “We have expanded the Investment Department, put together a collaborative management team, and provided expertise in areas like tax and estate planning. As Family CFOs, we are committed to helping our clients achieve their goals and to making sure a strong and stable Moneta Group is around for their children and grandchildren. I see that as a goal I can help advance.”
Gene joined Moneta Group as CEO after a successful career at A.G. Edwards beginning in 1984 (Wachovia Securities LLC purchased the company in October of 2007). "Ben Edwards, the great-grandson of the founder, always said ‘Take care of clients first,’ and that resonated with me. I was definitely drawn to Moneta Group’s core value of creating ‘Raving Fan’ service—the centerpiece of a people-oriented culture. I believe that philosophy is important in relationships with both clients and employees. I knew this would be the right fit for me.”
Gene is committed to expanding services and enhancing each client’s experience with Moneta Group. Part of that is finding the right people. “We look first for those who share this philosophy—acting only in our clients’ best interests. My experience makes me confident that there are talented professionals drawn to the RIA model. I believe that the role of the independent advisor is the way of the future, and the most dedicated advisors—those who have built their practices of clients with sophisticated and complex financial lives—are looking for a home with a firm like Moneta Group.”
One of his goals is to take advantage of the flexibility that Moneta enjoys in a dramatically changing environment. “In larger firms it can be difficult to attend to individual concerns. At Moneta, without a bureaucratic hierarchy, we can listen to our clients and our Client Advisory Board and within days make adjustments designed to respond to their needs. I believe ultimately that clients will be attracted to wherever service is delivered. And Moneta is obviously a leader in client service.”
Gene graduated from the University of Kansas. Armed with his CPA, he began his career at Peat Marwick Mitchell in Kansas City. “I was the world’s worst accountant,” he laughs. “I needed to be with people.” He joined A.G Edwards in Salina, KS, later moving to the Overland Park location. “In 2005, I was asked to be the branch division director of A.G. Edwards. I was excited to come to St. Louis,” Gene says, “but when the company was sold in 2007, I began thinking about a different future.”
“I hope that in five years I’m right here helping oversee an ever-thriving Moneta Group. I love what I do; I love the business. We provide a critical service. In my entire career, I’ve never seen anyone with all their financial life in order. We’re here to help, and I think our contributions to people’s lives are very important. It’s incredibly satisfying to be part of people’s dreams and goals.”
Gene and his wife, Kim, have four children aged 17 to 27. When not working, Gene enjoys golf, biking, traveling, hunting and reading.