# David Callanan

> David Callanan is a co-founder of Advisors Excel and co-founder and CEO of AE Wealth Management, based in Topeka, Kansas. A 1998 Washburn University graduate from Benton, he started Advisors Excel with college friends Cody Foster and Derek Thompson in 2005. His public work centers on supporting independent financial advisors, developing business leaders and investing in the Topeka community.

- **Role:** Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at AE Wealth Management; Co-founder at Advisors Excel
- **Organizations:** Advisors Excel, AE Wealth Management, AE Financial Services, Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation
- **Education:** Bachelor of Business Administration in management and marketing, Washburn University
- **Known for:** Co-founded Advisors Excel in 2005 and AE Wealth Management in 2016., AE Wealth Management announced more than $40 billion in assets under management in July 2025., Recognized in Greater Topeka’s 20 Under 40.

## Career timeline

- **1998** — Graduated from Washburn University with a BBA in management and marketing.
- **1999** — Entered the financial-services industry, according to his company biography.
- **2004** — Was director of annuity sales at an insurance marketing organization; subsequently worked with Cody Foster as an independent financial advisor.
- **2005** — Co-founded Advisors Excel in Topeka with Cody Foster and Derek Thompson.
- **2016** — Co-founded AE Wealth Management, which filed its initial investment adviser registration application on February 17, 2016.
- **2022** — Began a term on the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation board of trustees on August 1.
- **2023** — Joined Cody Foster in a lead gift to renovate Washburn’s Henderson Learning Resources Center.
- **2025** — Reflected on 20 years of Advisors Excel in the March 13 release of Business of Advice episode 100.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Advisors Excel in 2005 and AE Wealth Management in 2016.
- AE Wealth Management announced more than $40 billion in assets under management in July 2025.
- Recognized in Greater Topeka’s 20 Under 40.
- Supported the lead gift for the Washburn renovation that became Advisors Excel Hall.
- Earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

## Latest updates

- **2026-01** — A TK Business Magazine feature described Callanan and Foster’s continuing Topeka commitments and reported 7,525 company volunteer hours during 2025.
- **2025-07** — AE Wealth Management announced that assets under management had exceeded $40 billion.
- **2025-06** — Appeared with Cody Foster, JuliAnn Mazachek and Marshall Meek at Washburn’s glass-breaking ceremony for Advisors Excel Hall.
- **2025-03** — Joined Cody Foster for Business of Advice episode 100, released March 13, reflecting on two decades of building Advisors Excel.

## Links

- Website: https://www.advisorsexcel.com/about-us/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-callanan-32629654/

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/david-callanan
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-16