A major leadership transition is on the horizon for Oaks-based SEI Investments, the company announced in a press release.
SEI announced that founder and Executive Chairman Alfred P. West Jr. will step down as a director and board chair as part of a planned transition effective January 1, 2026
West founded SEI in 1968 and will assume the honorary, lifelong role of Chairman Emeritus. Meanwhile, independent board director Carl A. Guarino has been named the company’s next Chairman. The move marks the close of a defining chapter for SEI. West led as CEO for 54 years, growing the firm from a small Pennsylvania-based financial technology startup into a global investment services company.
Today, SEI manages, advises, or administers approximately $1.8 trillion in assets and generates more than $2.1 billion in annual revenue, making it a significant economic presence in Montgomery County. Since transitioning to Executive Chairman in 2022, West has continued to guide strategy, mentor leadership, and reinforce the company’s culture of innovation and long-term thinking.
CEO Ryan Hicke, a nearly 30-year SEI veteran, credited West’s collaborative leadership style with shaping the firm’s success, while Guarino said he looks forward to building on SEI’s strong foundation.
To learn more about the transition, visit SEI Investments.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on MONTCO.Today in December 2025.
