Advisor team leaves Ameriprise for LPL Financial

Elsewhere, Raymond James nabs Edward Jones talent.

LPL Financial LLC has announced the addition of financial advisors Matthew Best and Michael Moore, along with office assistant Drew Wrhen, to its broker-dealer, RIA, and custodial platforms.

The Best Wealth Management team brings with it considerable wealth of experience, having successfully managed approximately $130 million in advisory, brokerage, and retirement plan assets at Ameriprise. Based in Shippenville, Pennsylvania, the practice is led by Best, a former educator with nearly 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Michael Moore, with a 20-year career as a teacher and principal, joined the team in 2018.

“At Best Wealth Management, we believe that understanding finances should be empowering, not intimidating,” Best said in a press release. “This is precisely what we’ve built our foundation on — a seamless blend of advice and personalized attention for each client. We don’t just crunch numbers; we actually take the time to understand the stories behind them.”

Best added: “We appreciate that LPL does not offer any proprietary investment products and gives us the flexibility to run our practice how we see fit. With LPL, we also have access to a much wider range of products, tools, and resources to help us differentiate ourselves from others in the market. We’ll be able to elevate the service experience for our clients and truly do what’s in their best interest.”

Scott Posner, LPL executive vice president, business development, welcomed their arrival. “Our only focus is advisors and supporting their success at every step, from personalized onboarding support to helping them grow their practice as the advice landscape changes and their clients’ needs evolve. We will continue to invest in the capabilities and solutions that will help Best Wealth Management—and all our advisors—work toward the goals they set for themselves and their clients.”

Meanwhile, Raymond James Financial Services (RJFS) has bolstered its independent advisor channel by adding Sheridan O’Connor to its roster. In a move announced by Todd Gartrell, the Southeast division director for RJFS, O’Connor arrives from Edward Jones, where he managed more than $100 million in client assets after joining in 2013.

O’Connor, along with office manager Sarah Richardson, has established O’Connor Wealth Group in Durham, North Carolina, through a client-centric approach that centers on comprehensive and personalized financial planning.

“My top priority is to provide independent, holistic financial planning to my clients. By partnering with Raymond James, I’ve gained a platform with the freedom and resources, as well as top-notch support, to run my business in a way that’s best suited to their needs,” O’Connor said in a press release.