Team of 16 advisors with $1.5B AUM switch firms to build on 14-year growth

The firm, founded in 2009 during the financial crisis, is ready for its next phase.

A team of 16 advisors and 12 support staff are changing their affiliation to build on the substantial growth they have enjoyed over the past 14 years.

Watermark Wealth Management has offices in Scottsdale, Chandler and Payson, Arizona, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, and was founded in 2009 during the financial crisis by partner and director of estate planning, Carmen Cercone, and partner Kyle Richardson.

The firm is switching from Kestra to LPL Financial’s broker-dealer, RIA and custodial platforms having seen AUM grow from $230 million to $1.5 billion.

“Our goal has always been to encourage organic growth by recruiting advisors who have demonstrated high ethical moral practices and are committed to putting clients first,” said Cerrone. “We are a one-stop shop and work with other professionals and centers of influence to help ensure our clients’ financial needs are addressed.”

As well as the two founding partners, Watermark Wealth Management’s leadership team also includes Aaron Gordon, Rich Liberante and Jake Cercone.

LPL attracted 268 advisors to its various channels in the three months ended in June, according to the InvestmentNews Advisors on the Move database.