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100 Years, 100 Firms

Building Something that Lasts

three people looking up at the night sky

A quiet reminder to keep looking up.

Three Member Firm owners spot Venus over Whitefish Lake during Everest 2026.

The 100 Year Question

At Ridgeback, we believe the most important question a Firm can ask is: Will this business continue to thrive after I’m gone?

We call that the 100-Year Question. It’s the challenge of building a Firm that can outlive its founders, transcend generations, and continue creating value for clients, employees, and families for decades to come.

That belief also shapes how we think about growing The Ridgeback Group. We have intentionally limited our community to approximately 100 Firms because our goal isn’t rabid recruiting; it’s to help Firms grow and endure.

Helping a Firm answer the 100-Year Question requires more than occasional resources or transactional support. It requires attention, expertise, trust, and a long-term commitment to helping that Firm grow into a lasting enterprise. That level of partnership doesn’t scale infinitely and we wouldn’t want it to.

Brian and Dan talking outside

How do you take out the restriction of time?

Brian and Dan Murphy discuss the 100-Year Question, why it’s important to de-personify your Firm, and how to take out the restriction of time.

Inside the Ridgeback 100

Which One Are You?

Ascenders

Support, Collaboration, Growth

Ascenders
Ascenders are growth-oriented Firms building toward their next chapter. They value mentorship, collaboration, and continuous improvement, recognizing that the fastest path forward is rarely traveled alone. Ridgeback serves as both a catalyst and a partner, helping them accelerate growth with confidence.

Summit Hounds

Ownership, Influence, Drive

Summit Hounds
Summit Hounds are Firms pursuing their next stage of growth and influence. Driven by ownership and vision, they focus on scalability, modernization, and building a stronger enterprise. Ridgeback helps transform ambition into execution through strategic guidance, infrastructure, and resources.

Trail Sages

Legacy, Experience, Trust

Trail Sages
Trail Sages are established Firms built on experience, trust, and long-earned credibility. Focused on legacy, stewardship, and continuity, they seek to preserve what they’ve built while preparing for what’s next. Ridgeback helps them navigate change while honoring the values that made them successful.