Arax Investment Partners Named Diego Galan as COO
The New York-based firm expanded the role of its current chief financial officer to oversee operations.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Financial Planning
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Arax Investment Partners has appointed chief financial officer Diego Galan to the additional role of chief operating officer. Galan will now lead operations, technology, M&A, and human resources for the New York-based firm.
Why it matters
The firm, which oversees more than $45 billion in assets, restructured its leadership to better coordinate and execute strategic growth. This move centralizes operational control as the company scales its footprint through rapid acquisitions.
Arax manages over $45 billion in client assets and completed at least seven acquisitions in 2026. This includes the $3 billion in assets previously overseen by Transcend Capital Advisors, which the firm acquired in July.
The players
Diego Galan
He is the current chief financial officer of Arax who has now assumed the additional role of chief operating officer.
Arax Investment Partners
A New York-based investment firm that oversees more than $45 billion in assets and focuses on acquiring stakes in registered investment advisors.
John O'Connor
He is an executive at Arax who has moved into the firm's Project Management Office.
Transcend Capital Advisors
A firm based in Madison, New Jersey, that manages $3 billion in assets and was acquired by Arax in July 2026.
The details
Galan, who has managed firm finances since 2022, will maintain his CFO responsibilities while managing technology, human resources, and M&A activities. Concurrently, John O'Connor has transitioned into the firm's Project Management Office as the company continues to take controlling stakes in RIAs.
Timeline
Arax was founded in 2022.
The firm acquired Millares Asset Management in June 2026.
Transcend Capital Advisors was acquired in July 2026.
A partnership with KingsRock Advisors was formed in late September 2026.
The appointment was announced on October 6, 2026.
Market Dynamics
This leadership change follows the 40% year-over-year growth in RIA transactions documented in the first half of 2026. The move reflects a broader consolidation trend as firms scale operations to manage increased acquisition volume.
Clients of Arax and its acquired firms will likely see more centralized operational support as the company streamlines its internal management. The shift does not change current client relationship management protocols, as partner firms retain their existing teams.
The takeaway
Effective operational management is essential for investment firms scaling through aggressive acquisition strategies. Readers should monitor whether such centralizations improve firm efficiency or lead to integration challenges following rapid expansion.
Further reading
For more information on the current state of advisory growth, visit the Financial Planning section.
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