Young superstar of KKR's meteoric rollup, Beacon Pointe, steps out as CEO and settles in as board chair, while rock solid No. 2 Matt Cooper takes over day-to-day duties

KKR bet big on Shannon Eusey and she delivered the goods by tripling the company's size in five years – and now she's stepping out as CEO and stepping up to board chairman. 

The legendary New York private equity firm bought about 50% of Beacon Pointe Advisors in 2021 – much of it from the CEO and co-founder herself. 

Then, it gave her a giant M&A stake to do deals that took the firm from managing $20 billion of assets to managing $60 billion. See: .KKR rewards Beacon Pointe with mega recap after the roll-up made the leap from $10 billion to $20 billion in AUM in 18 months

Eusey, 55, did not disclose a reason for vacating the CEO role other than to assure that it was both personal and well-planned. 

“Nothing about it was spontaneous,” she explains by email. “I have led Beacon Pointe for nearly 25 years, and I have always believed succession should be proactive and planned from a position of strength. ”

 She adds: “High growth requires focus and energy, but this transition is not about wear and tear. It is about stewardship. After nearly 25 years as CEO, I believe strong institutions evolve beyond their founders.”

Delivering excellence

In the release announcing her departure, Chris Harrington, Partner at KKR, commended her. 

"Beacon Pointe's tremendous success over the past two decades is a testament to Shannon's leadership, thoughtful approach, and focus on delivering excellence for Beacon Pointe clients," he said. 

“We look forward to working with Shannon in her new capacity as Chair of the Board.”

Beacon Pointe declined to respond to a query about whether KKR or the original Beacon Pointe management still owns a controlling interest in the company. It was couched as being about 50-50 at the time of the 2021 deal

Dan Seivert, CEO of ECHELON Partners in Manhattan Beach, says the firm has long relied on Matt Cooper, about 58, alongside Eusey.

“I think it is worth noting that they have been a great dynamic duo for organization development, growth, culture and relationship networking in the industry,” he says.

 “They have stuck to their knitting and remained above the fray. No one is better positioned than Matt to take over, and it will be a great opportunity for him to reach some new personal goals and feelings of achievement.”

Greater heights

Asked whether Cooper's M&A role was the critical factor in elevating him to CEO – Eusey says his strengths are across a spectrum, not least his institutional knowledge.

“Matt was not chosen simply because he understands [M&A] transactions,” she says.

“He brings cultural alignment, credibility with advisors, and strategic depth. He helped build this platform. This is about continuity and the next phase of disciplined growth.”

KKR's Harrington enthused in the release about Cooper's ability to drive growth at the firm.

“We are excited to support Matt and Beacon Pointe's management team as the company continues to grow and reach even greater heights,” he said.

KKR, which only created an LA field office in 2023, has all of its RIA investment eggs in the Beacon Pointe basket after unloading its position in Focus Financial and making a minor killing. See: Focus Financial IPO pays off for KKR and Stone Point, after all, by hitting price mark, plus an investor 'pop.' Now, on to the less glamorous task of paying down debt

Eusey will remain active at the firm as chairman – a role she says she already held, though it is now being established as a formal position.

“I was already serving in the board leadership structure, but we have now more formally established the role of Chair,” she says by email." So there has not been a change in board membership, just a formalization and clarification of the Chair role."

An evolution

Asked about whether the board composition – not listed on the Beacon Pointe website – is kept under wraps, she said it is both not confidential and not being publicized.

“Board membership is not confidential, though we are not broadly publicizing any changes because, in substance, there really have not been any.”

Asked whether she will be an executive chair who works at her old CEO pace, she says:

“I will still be putting in quite a few hours and I will be actively engaged and present. I still have a lot of work to do, and the intent is meaningful leadership and continuity, not ceremonial oversight.”

She adds: “My role as Chair represents evolution, not disruption. It ensures cultural continuity and long-term strategic alignment. Governance remains structured and collaborative.”

“As for age, I have several years before my 60th birthday. This decision is not about a number. It is about leadership maturity and timing. 

"I still have a great deal to accomplish at Beacon Pointe and remain deeply committed to its future.”