Securities America Inc., a La Vista, Neb, based independent broker-dealer, has added Ryan Kaufman as a registered representative.
Kaufman, 38, decided to leave Woodbury Financial Services, where he has worked since 2009, after the company announced in July that it would be acquired by American International Group that it planned to buy Woodbury.
"Given my personal experiences and past dealings with the potential new purchaser, I thought it would be hard for me to go back to my clients and explain that we were re-affiliating with the parent company," he said.
Kaufman, who was a member of Woodbury's advisory council, added, "it's hard to lose a culture that you were happy with, but it is even harder to find a new family that is in alignment with your principles and values, and emphasizes the relationship as most important. When I had the opportunity to meet the folks in Omaha face-to-face, and realized what down-to-earth, high quality professionals they were, I knew they could best serve me in assisting my clients. I feel very comfortable with my new family at Securities America."
Kaufman has nearly $1.3 million in annual revenue.
"We are excited to welcome Ryan and his branch to the Securities America family," said Gregg Johnson, senior vice president of branch office development and acquisitions. "Ryan is a tremendous businessman who brings a high level of energy and a business plan that includes growth and recruiting high quality advisors. We are working closely with him to ensure a smooth transition and to provide him with our extensive technology, practice management and business growth resources."
Kaufman has worked in the financial services industry since 1996, when he worked for American Express Financial Advisors. After leaving American Express, he worked in the bank channel for a few years before deciding to go independent. In 2005, Kaufman joined SunAmerica Securities, an AIG affiliate, where he created his own branch office. He then moved to SagePoint Financial, only to have the broker-dealer acquired by AIG shortly after his transition.
Kaufman said he was drawn to Securities America, the nation's eighth largest independent broker-dealer, because the company would allow him to act a fiduciary in the retirement plan markets and the firm "is the only broker-dealer I talked to where you can run your entire practice on any smartphone or mobile device, which is absolutely huge for me given how much time I spend out in the field."
"I think Securities America's technological solutions are going to simplify my business," he said. "Everyone in the financial services industry says technology is the most important thing, but when the rubber meets the road, you have to have solutions to do business anytime and anywhere, and Securities America has that."
