Merrill, Prime Capital Financial, and Raymond James are kicking off the September calendar of advisor recruitment, with each announcing new additions across key markets.
In San Francisco, Merrill Private Wealth Management picked up Damian Hedley and Tony Brookfield, a team that previously worked at UBS Financial Services and oversees about $450 million in client assets.
They will join Merrill’s West private wealth division, which is under the leadership of Regional Managing Director Tracy Murphy. Hedley and Brookfield are also joined by two support members, Private Wealth Senior Relationship Manager Emma Carey and Private Wealth Client Associate Colby Brookfield, the firm said.
Merrill also announced Tuesday that financial advisor Kim Sheets joined its Corpus Christi office from UBS, bringing roughly $160 million in client assets. Together with client associate Kimberly Sellars, Sheets is stepping in as the newest advisor in the Lone Star Market led by Market Executive Heather Walsh, the statement said.
The moves at Merrill come immediately after another spate of defections from UBS in Texas, which saw JPMorgan Wealth Management swipe two advisor groups as RBC welcomed a pioneering woman advisor to a multi-generational team overseeing more than $1 billion in assets.
Prime Capital Financial said it has expanded its Northeast footprint with the hire of Ed Callahan, who left Edelman Financial Engines after more than 15 years in planning roles.
Based in Connecticut, Callahan provides personalized advice with a focus on retirement planning. He will operate from Prime Capital’s Hartford area location, according to the release announcing his move.
Glenn Spencer, chief executive officer of Prime Capital Financial, said in the announcement that Callahan’s “thoughtful approach to guiding individuals and families toward meaningful financial outcomes reflects the same values we prioritize.”
Callahan said joining Prime Capital Financial presents “an opportunity to grow within a firm that values integrity, collaboration, and personalized planning.”
Callahan's move is the latest in a series of departures from Edelman to other firms this year. In July, Chicago-based Choreo found its new CEO in Jason Van de Loo, who previously headed Edelman's wealth management business. In February, RFG Advisory welcomed Patrick Strodtman, who left behind his role as Edelman's director of financial planning to launch his own eponymous firm.
Also on Tuesday, Raymond James reported it welcomed a Washington‑state advisor duo previously managing more than $170 million to its independent advisor channel, Raymond James Financial Services.
Based on Wenatchee, Jamie Hampton and Eric Leonhardt moved over to RJFS from CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors.
A 24-year veteran of the industry, Hampton joined CliftonLarsenAllen Wealth Advisors in 2010. Leonhardt entered the industry as a registered broker and investment advisor affiliated with Thrivent in 2017, before transitioning to CliftonLarsonAllen in 2019.
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