$425 million advisory team jumps to LPL from Merrill

From left: Jace Kasteler, Judi Stanton, Trevor Lubereski, Terri L Conger, Joseph Blackner and Jennifer Hamlyn

Woman-led firm sets up independent practice in Washington state.

Terri L. Conger and her team have made a break from Merrill Lynch and joined LPL Financial to set up an independent practice, Pacific Legacy Wealth Partners.

Located just north of Tacoma in Federal Way, Washington, Pacific Legacy Wealth Partners, which manages about $425 million in advisory and brokerage assets, is spearheaded by Conger, the managing director, and also includes Joseph Blackner, Jace Kasteler and Trevor Lubereski.

Having been in the financial services sector for 28 years, according to BrokerCheck, and at Merrill since 2001, Conger, the daughter of a CPA, says she naturally developed an affinity for numbers and nurturing client relationships. Throughout her career, she has been recognized for her dedication to clients, creating personalized wealth management strategies rooted in understanding their life goals, family values, and financial comfort zones.

About five years ago, Brigham Young-educated Blackner became a part of Conger’s team. Armed with two retirement specialist designations, Blackner supports clients in all facets of life, going beyond wealth preservation and accumulation.

Kasteler, who joined Conger in 2018 after moving from Indiana to Washington, switched to finance following a career in analytics at a large industry company. Kasteler has a focus on serving sports and entertainment clients.

The group of founding partners also includes Lubereski, Conger’s son, who aspired to extend his family’s legacy from a young age. Starting his career as a CPA, he then transitioned to financial services.

Pacific Legacy Wealth Partners transitioned to LPL because it was seeking more autonomy and the capacity to offer enhanced client experiences.

“LPL, being a Fortune 500 company, provides us with immense industry exposure, size, and scale, which will catalyze our growth opportunities and client experiences. We can now function more like a fiduciary, gaining more control over our business,” Blackner said in a statement.

Although wealth management is its core business, Pacific Legacy Wealth Partners also invests in the local community. The team contributes their time and resources to the John Volken Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, church ministries, the local zoo and several youth sports programs.

[More: LPL acquiring California broker-dealer with 260 advisors]