LPL grows Florida footprint with JPMorgan, Valic advisor alums

LPL is extending its West Coast recruitment record with new additions to its network in the Sunshine State.

The firm announced Monday morning that Francisco J. Blanco, Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based breakaway advisor from JPMorgan Chase, has joined its network.

Blanco, who previously managed $200 million, joined LPL by merging his practice with Stonebrook Wealth Management, an RIA established in 2019 by fellow JPMorgan veteran Joe Mazzucco to form a new practice.

With 12 years of experience in the industry, Blanco provides tailored financial planning and investment strategies to his clients and specializes in areas such as retirement planning, tax-efficient investing and estate investment planning. His approach is centered around building lasting relationships, understanding each client’s unique goals and developing personalized solutions that align with their long-term objectives.

“I became an independent financial advisor to remove the glass ceiling,” Blanco said in a statement Monday. “I believe the best way to offer financial guidance is to be free of corporate mandates, sales quotas and limitations."

The newly formed firm, Stonebrook Wealth Partners, aims to deliver personalized fiduciary investment management and retirement planning services while supporting other advisors with operational resources, marketing, and office space.

In a separate move Wednesday, LPL welcomed advisors Amanda Miller, Devin Richard, and Jonathan Vila of Frontline Investment Advisors to its platform. With nearly 50 years of collective industry experience, the Tampa-based trio was previously affiliated with Valic Financial Advisors, where they managed approximately $550 million in assets.

"Our mission is to serve those who serve others,” Richard said in a statement. "As independent advisors, we look forward to being able to offer a wider array of investment strategies, more efficient processing, enhanced technology and an improved client experience."

With an expertise in Florida's retirement system, deferred retirement option program and its system of 403(b) plans, the three advisors each work with specific client segments of public-sector employees, including school personnel, law enforcement, and healthcare workers.

LPL's moves in Florida come immediately after the firm welcomed back a boomerang advisor from Centaurus Financial and bolstered its commitment to cybersecurity by hiring Renana Friedlich, a veteran leader from Paypal, as its first-ever chief information security officer.