Advisors on the Move: Securities America Snags $100M Team

Securities America picks up a team with $100 Million in client assets while a Goldman vet heads to CapWealth. Here's a roundup of some of the most recent moves among independent financial advisors. 

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Securities America Picks Up $100M Team

Dana and Curren Webb joined Securities America opening Fortress Wealth Advisors in Omaha, Neb., in mid-January. They have so far transitioned nearly $100 million in client assets in the move, according to the firm. These two advisors were previously with Manarin Investment Counsel, also of Omaha.

“With this solid foundation for our business, and our relationship with Securities America, we look forward to accelerated growth in the months and years to come," Curren Webb said in a statement." We have a sophisticated and growing clientele and wanted a firm that could offer next level resources, support and oversight.”

ING Financial Partners Fills New Position

Mark Wojtowicz has joined ING Financial Partners (IFP) to fill a new role focused on driving expansion of the firm’s advisory business. In this new position, Wojtowicz will offer hands-on sales, product and practice management advisor support to the IFP network of financial advisors.

Wojtowicz has more than 15 years of experience in the brokerage and financial services industries. Prior to joining IFP, Wojtowicz was director of sales and distribution for GLOBALT Investments, a part of Synovus Financial.

Washington Wealth Adds 3 Breakaway Brokers

Washington Wealth Management, an independent hybrid RIA supporting fee and commission-based independent advisor teams, has recruited three advisors from three different wirehouses.
Former UBS advisor Morrie Symson has joined Pacific Point Asset Management, a WWM-affiliated firm based in in Woodland Hills, Calif.

Also in Woodland Hills, David Mizrahi, who was previously with Wells Fargo, has opened First Point Financial Management.

Collectively, Symson and Mizrahi managed approximately $150 million in client assets.
Separately, WWM has also added former Merrill Lynch advisor Matthew Griffith to the firm's San Diego office. Griffith, with 14 years of experience, formerly managed $75 million in client assets.

Dowling & Yahnke Pulls in Planning Specialist

Tracy Burgett has joined the San Diego, Cal.,-based firm, Dowling & Yahnke as a planning specialist. According to the firm, which manages over $2.5 billion for more than 900 clients, Burgett will expand the firm’s expertise in financial planning strategies including financial goals analysis, estate planning, education planning, tax efficiency, college savings, social security and executive compensation.

Prior to joining Dowling & Yahnke, she worked for several years at a San Diego wealth advisory firm as a financial planner and as operations manager.

Co-Founder of Day Hagan Asset Management joins Carson Institutional Alliance

Don Hagan has joined the Carson Institutional Alliance's investment committee as a consultant. Hagan has been providing investment research and recommendations to global financial institutions since 1988.

“Don has spent nearly three-decades providing investors and financial advisors with portfolio guidance grounded in research and discipline,” Ron Carson, founder and CEO of Omaha, Neb., alliance said in a statement. “His company’s philosophy of ‘Clients First’ coupled with his steadfast investment strategies makes him a great addition to the committee.”

Hagan is currently serving as partner and director of research at Day Hagan Asset Management, a firm he co-founded in 2004.

Goldman Vet Heads to CapWealth

Tennessee firm CapWealth Advisors has hired John Lueken, a Goldman Sachs veteran as chief investment strategist. Lueken was vice president of Goldman Sachs Equity Derivatives.

Securities America Expands Branch Development With New Hire

Joel Triemstra has joined Securities America as the regional director for branch office development.
Triemstra has over twenty years of experience in the financial services industry holding recruiting positions at Sammons Securities, brokersXpress and LPL Financial. In his new role, he will be tasked with facilitating transitions for individuals, branches and large offices from the Western Great Lakes region to Alabama.

“We know advisors need a quality partner to help them through the process as they select a new broker-dealer that fits the goals of their practice, and [we] are confident Joel fits that role,” John Behn, Securities America first vice president of branch development, said in a statement.

Hershey Financial Adds New Planner

Nick Brightbill, formerly a financial planner wiith MassMutual Financial Group and Northwestern Mutual, has joined the RIA firm Hershey Financial Advisers, in Lancaster, Pa. Brightbill joins the team of senior partner Jerry Clunan and Greg Boll.

"We are pleased to welcome Nick to our growing staff," Clunan said in a statement. "His proven track record with wealth management and estate planning strategies will make him a valuable asset to our clients."

Critical Capital Merges With Abacus Wealth

The Calabasas, Calif.-based fee-only firm Critical Capital Management has merged with Abacus Wealth Partners, a fee-only RIA firm in Santa Monica, Calif.

According to Alan Ungar, founder of Critical Capital, joining forces was a logical step for the companies. “This merger feels natural for us,” he said in a statement. “It’s important to me that our firms have the same vision and philosophy about investing and financial planning. I also really like the Abacus team, which was even more important.”

Commonwealth Adds Ex-Ameriprise Advisor

Following nine years with Ameriprise, Massachusetts-based advisor Reed Thompson has joined Commonwealth Financial Network.

The company states that Thomson has more than 18 years of experience in the industry with $47 million in client assets.

Pinnacle Snags Florida-based RIA

Pinnacle Advisory Group, of Columbia, Md., has acquired Durbin Financial Advisors -- an RIA based in Florida. Paul Durbin, the firm’s principal, will be become Pinnacle’s estate specialist, while advisor Carrie Beren will join the wealth management team.

“The regulatory burdens on small firms are overwhelming and increasingly time consuming,” says Durbin. “When we went looking for a larger firm to partner with, Pinnacle was our first and only choice. We think Pinnacle Advisory Group’s size and scope are ideal, and we know our clients will benefit from the merge."

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