There's no slowing down the recruitment efforts at LPL Financial and Raymond James, with both firms adding new talent to their respective networks in the wake of the Memorial Day weekend.
LPL Financial said it has added Mai Park to its Linsco by LPL Financial channel, where she will operate under the brand Mai Park Capital in alignment with Pence Wealth Management.
Park was previously affiliated with Merrill Lynch and oversaw approximately $330 million in assets across advisory, brokerage and retirement plan accounts.
Based in Newport Beach, California, Park brings over two decades of experience in financial services, following an earlier career in education as a high school science teacher. Her advisory practice centers on multi-generational wealth planning, estate strategies, and a range of holistic financial services.
“I believe in taking a personalized approach to working with my clients, one that prioritizes active listening, empathy and experience,” Park said in a statement Wednesday.
Park's transition comes straight after Linsco, which provides advisors with W-2 employee status and a fully supported branch environment, added a former RBC affiliate advisor based in California.
For its part, Raymond James has added two new practices to its independent advisor network.
Operating in Pennsylvania and Florida, Waymaker Wealth Management joined Raymond James Financial Services after departing from Janney Montgomery Scott. The advisory team – comprised of Christopher Guandolo, Marc Brown and Maria Corradi – reportedly managed roughly $205 million in client assets.
The team serves a varied client base that includes entrepreneurs, executives, retirees and institutional clients. Their offices are located in Beaver, Pennsylvania and Boca Raton, Florida. The team is supported by client service associate Erica Guandolo and director of client relations Rita Endler.
Guandolo, who has worked in the industry for more than 30 years, spent the past 18 years with Janney and earlier held roles at Merrill Lynch and Citigroup. Brown, a Marine Corps veteran, brings more than 25 years of financial experience and also joined from Janney, where he had worked since 2007.
Raymond James also announced the addition of Washington-based advisor Debi Gregory to its independent channel. Gregory was formerly with Edward Jones, where she managed about $100 million in assets. She now leads DG Financial in Puyallup, Washington, alongside client service professionals Wendi Bertram and Katie Irwin.
Gregory’s practice focuses on retirement income strategies, long-term care planning and asset preservation. She brings nearly 15 years of experience in the financial advice industry.
Raymond James also bolstered its ranks at RJFS last week as a Morgan Stanley breakaway joined the firm in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Firms continue their quest to attract and retain the best advisor teams.
A survey from TacticalMind AI found 69% of advisors say a high-quality AI platform that makes investment recommendations and constructs portfolios is worth $500 monthly, while research-only tools are valued closer to $250.
The alts tech provider's latest integration lets advisors query fund data and surface portfolio insights without leaving their primary workspace.
The regulator is scrutinizing how some firms oversee concentrated positions in complex "worst-of" notes – and wants answers.
Meanwhile, Carson Group fully integrates a decades-old practice in Phoenix, Arizona, and Triad Wealth touts its 5x growth to hit a $2 billion milestone.
As technical expertise becomes increasingly commoditized, advisors who can integrate strategy, relationships, and specialized expertise into a cohesive client experience will define the next era of wealth management
Growth may get the headlines, but in my experience, longevity is earned through structure, culture, and discipline
