Advisor moves: Equitable and Raymond James nab veterans from rival BDs

Equitable Advisors and Raymond James have lured a handful of experienced advisors, who bring up to four decades of industry history, to close out the recruiting month of May.

On Thursday, Equitable Advisors announced that Ross Pake and Pat Tierney have joined its wealth management division.

Pake, whose practice Legacy Wealth Management is based in Tustin, California, came from managing roughly $100 million in client assets at Cetera. He brings 40 years of experience – including a near-decade stop at LPL, according to his BrokerCheck record – serving clients nationwide with financial and retirement planning services.

“What matters most to me is continuing to deepen [my client relationships] and providing my clients with tailored advice and solutions that address their individual needs,” Pake said.

Tierney, who is based in Orlando, Florida, joined from Lincoln Investments after overseeing a similar book of business. With a 27-year record in the industry, he said he was attracted to Equitable’s supported independence model.

Previously in March, Equitable Advisors deepened its presence in the Big Apple as a former JPMorgan advisor joined its New York City office.

Equitable Advisors currently has more than $100 billion in assets under administration and approximately 4,500 financial professionals nationwide.

Raymond James, meanwhile, announced that Michael and Colin Forbes have affiliated with its independent advisor arm, Raymond James Financial Services. The Utah-based team operates as Forbes Private Wealth in Draper and includes senior client service associate Wendy Kilbourne.

Previously at D.A. Davidson & Co., the Forbes team oversaw nearly $200 million in client assets. Michael Forbes brings over four decades of experience and has held senior roles at both A.G. Edwards and D.A. Davidson. Colin Forbes has worked more than 10 years in the business, advancing from advisor assistant to senior financial advisor.

Raymond James Financial Services, the firm’s independent broker-dealer, reported $1.53 trillion in client assets as of April 30. The firm's western assistant division director, Casey McGee, said the Forbes team reflects Raymond James’ appeal to advisors seeking both autonomy and strategic support.

Counting the veterans from DA Davidson, RJFS has officially scored a recruitment trifecta this week. Its two earlier additions include a $205 million financial advisor team hailing from Janney Montgomery Scott and a Washington-based advisor who parted ways with Edward Jones.