Equitable Advisors hires four advisors with combined $360M AUM

Equitable Advisors hires four advisors with combined $360M AUM
The four join the fast-growing wealth management business from separate firms.
AUG 17, 2023

Equitable Advisors has added to its fast-growing wealth management business with the hire of four advisors from other major firms.

As part of the long-established financial services firm Equitable, the wealth management business has $80.4 billion in assets under administration and approximately 4,100 financial professionals across the country.

The new hires come from Ameriprise, Edward Jones, Merrill Lynch and PNC Investments with a combined $360 million AUM and many decades of experience.

They include:

  • Ryan M. Shea, CFP, who joined the Atlantic Liberty branch from Merrill Lynch where he oversaw $137 million in client assets. He has 10 years of industry experience.
  • Seong T. (Sean) Hahn joined the Greater New York branch from PNC Investments where he managed $109 million in client assets. He has 30 years of experience.
  • Ejiro “EJ” Okuma joined the Georgia Alabama branch from Edward Jones where he managed $70 million in client assets. He has 13 years of experience.
  • Matthew I. Kooperman joined Equitable Advisors’ Illinois branch from Ameriprise Financial where he managed $45 million in client assets. He has 11 years of experience.
High-caliber talent

John Lefferts, head of business development at Equitable Advisors, said that the firm is focused on attracting top-tier experienced advisors.

“We are proud to welcome these advisors who exemplify the high caliber of talent we continue to attract,” he said.

Latest News

Advisor headcount down at Bank of America, Osaic and UBS so far in 2025, Wolfe Research analyst says
Advisor headcount down at Bank of America, Osaic and UBS so far in 2025, Wolfe Research analyst says

Counting advisor moves in and out of firms requires some art as well as science.

Carson Group's M&A head sees '10-to-15 year bull market' for RIAs
Carson Group's M&A head sees '10-to-15 year bull market' for RIAs

“I'm just a big believer that based on demographics alone, we are looking at a 10-to-15 year bull market in M&A in the RIA and independent wealth space,” said Michael Belluomini, SVP of M&A at Carson Group.

Nationwide finds Medicare myth on long-term care could cost Americans dearly
Nationwide finds Medicare myth on long-term care could cost Americans dearly

As a tsunami of retirees comes crashing in, three-fifths of those surveyed believe – wrongly – that the federal safety net will cover their LTC needs.

Fintech bytes: Orion, Altruist unveil new RIA-focused integrations
Fintech bytes: Orion, Altruist unveil new RIA-focused integrations

Orion's latest update, a partnership with 11th.com, focuses on an underserved area of compliance for advisors and wealth firms.

Raymond James reels in advisors managing $1B+ in Colorado
Raymond James reels in advisors managing $1B+ in Colorado

The latest arrivals, including a 10-advisor ensemble from Ameriprise, bolster the firm's independent contractor and employee advisor channels.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.

SPONSORED Beyond the dashboard: Making wealth tech human

How intelliflo aims to solve advisors' top tech headaches—without sacrificing the personal touch clients crave