Raymond James added four advisors managing a combined $443 million in client assets.
The new recruits join the broker-dealer from Wells Fargo and Morgan Stanley, the firm says.
Raymond James’ biggest get is Woodstock, Georgia-based advisor Judy T. Ross, who operates as J. Thompson Ross Investments. She joins the firm’s independent broker-dealer from Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, where she managed $245 million in client assets and worked since 2010.
Raymond James’ employee broker-dealer poached another advisor team from Wells Fargo as well. The duo, Kenneth Judd and Robert Gonzales, run Charted Course Wealth Management of Raymond James in San Diego, and previously managed $136 million in client assets. Rounding out its California recruits is Los Angeles-based advisor Joseph Klauzar, who joins from Morgan Stanley, where he handled $62 million in client assets.
Ross has 25 years’ experience in the industry, beginning her career at First Union Brokerage Services in 1993. She then moved to A.G. Edwards in 2001 and remained with the company through their acquisition by Wells Fargo, eventually opening her own independent practice in 2010, according to her FINRA BrokerCheck records. She was also named a
Moving with her to Raymond James are: Daren Sexton, director of portfolio management, Patricia Hayton, director of client services, and Lauren Richert, client service associate.
Ross says she chose Raymond James because of its planning tools and technology.
“I’m looking forward to leveraging the support and resources at Raymond James as we continue to serve our clients and grow our practice,” Ross said in a press statement.
For their part, Judd and Gonzales cited a feeling of familiarity.
“Rob and I looked at a number of firms, and Raymond James felt like home,” Judd said in a press statement.
Judd began his career in 1993 with Prudential Securities. He then worked for A.G. Edwards for 11 years, and when it was acquired, Wells Fargo for 10 years, according to his FINRA BrokerCheck records.
Gonzales has worked in the industry for more than 41 years, starting at Merrill Lynch in 1977. He then worked at Prudential for 11 years, A.G. Edwards for 11 years, and, most recently, Wells Fargo Advisors for a decade, according to his FINRA BrokerCheck records.
Klauzar had been in the industry for 16 years, starting at PaineWebber in 1996. He has since gone on to work for eight firms, the most recent being Morgan Stanley, where he was for seven years prior to jumping to Raymond James, according to his FINRA BrokerCheck records.
Wells Fargo declined to comment on the departures of its former advisors. Morgan Stanley did not reply to requests for comment.
