Wells Fargo Advisors celebrated a strong recruitment record at its independent advisor channel this week as it welcomed two new advisor teams from UBS, while LPL helped two longtime DA Davidson brokers launch their own practice and Raymond James' employee division announced new hires in Texas and Massachussets.
Wells Fargo Advisors has added two advisor teams previously with UBS, expanding its footprint in both its employee and independent channels.
Kenneth Webster and his son Jake Webster joined the Private Client Group in Holladay, Utah, after departing UBS.
Operating as the Webster Group, the multigenerational tandem oversees more than $143 million in assets and will be joined by client performance analyst Cathy Wright. Jake Webster entered Wells Fargo’s New Advisor Development Program last fall.
Before the Websters, WFA last week welcomed Snow Pine Private Wealth, a Wayzata, Minnesota team to its independent advisor division, FiNet.
Comprising Derek Cherne, Keith Burke, Andrew Knutson, Daniel Miller, Dean Breitbach, Peter Knutson and Clayton Knutsen, the group brings more than $1.7 billion in client assets.
The advisors are joined by support staff Patrick Mulheran, Jacob Johnson, Laurie Knutson, Renee Gubrud and Kathleen Freiderich.
Cherne, who'd been affiliated with UBS since 2009 according to his BrokerCheck record, said the team’s clients “include families with sophisticated financial needs, entrepreneurs, and first-generation wealth builders," noting that the move to Wells Fargo will let them continue serving clients with the “care, consistency, and long-term focus they expect.”
The two hires come amid a broader recruiting surge at Wells Fargo’s independent channel. In a statement earlier this week, FiNet hailed its recruitment record of close to $5.5 billion in client assets during January and February 2026, logging one of its strongest runs ever as it marked its 25th anniversary.
FiNet President John Tyers sees the movement into his division as proof advisors "see the firm’s commitment ... [to help them] build their own firm or plug into an established practice as they scale."
“We continue to invest heavily in technology shaped by advisor feedback,” Tyers said. "Advisor technology has evolved from fragmented, à la carte solutions to integrated platforms that deliver efficiency and a better experience for advisors and client associates."
In Wyoming, two seasoned advisors from D.A. Davidson are making a fresh start with LPL, launching their own practice through its Strategic Wealth platform for supported independence.
Frank Boley and Susie Garber-Johnson – who were previously affiliated with D.A. Davidson for 26 years and 20 years, respectively – reported about $600 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement plan assets at their past firm.
The two sixth-generation Wyomingites have launched Legacy Ridge Private Wealth, where they're joined by Olivia Koltiska, Brenna Zink, and Janelle Kemerling.
Boley said after interviewing potential partners the team “proactively chose LPL for its strategic platform and comprehensive suite of services.” He described the practice’s model as family focused and said it delivers portfolio management, tax strategy and legacy planning under a proprietary framework.
The team said it aims to serve pre-retirees and retirees, business owners, and multigenerational families with complex needs.
Meanwhile, Raymond James announced the addition of Nathan Chapman to its employee advisor division, Raymond James & Associates in Dallas, Texas. Chapman arrives from Truist Investment Services, where he worked for six years and ended up overseeing $227 million in client AUM.
He now operates as Chapman Private Wealth, where he's joined by senior registered client service associate Bryce Jefferson in serving a client base of business owners, families, individuals, retirees, and the suddenly wealthy.
In a statement, Chapman said Raymond James' mix of "private wealth capabilities for high‑net‑worth clients with insightful investment research and resources strengthens the comprehensive guidance our clients expect us to deliver.”
Earlier this week, RJA also welcomed Alex Sarmiento from Wells Fargo, where he reported managing approximately $150 million in client assets. Based in Worcester, Massachussets, his advisory practice focuses on retirement planning, inheritance matters and long-term strategies for families and professionals.
Sarmiento said his role is to “replace uncertainty with a disciplined plan and clear communication.”
RJA reported approximately $1.8 trillion in client assets as of January 31.
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