LPL signs $200M duo from Wells Fargo

LPL signs $200M duo from Wells Fargo
Based in Texas, the two are starting their own practice, with one advisor’s father joining the team.
APR 18, 2024

LPL is once again expanding its presence in the Lone Star State as it adds two seasoned advisors from Wells Fargo, Alejandro "Alex" De Leon and Robert "Bob" Gorman, to its network.

The duo were previously part of Wells Fargo Advisors, where they managed about $200 million worth of advisory, brokerage, and retirement plan assets.

They've established their own firm, Spotlight Financial, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

De Leon and Gorman, who boast more than 50 years of combined experience in wealth management, decided to collaborate after years of working together. Their new firm aims to enhance the client experience through a commitment to financial education and greater transparency.

"When it comes to financial planning, Bob and I know there can be a lot of noise and confusion around who to trust, where to start and what questions to ask,” De Leon said in a statement. “[O]ur role as financial advisors is to help quiet that noise and uncertainty by simplifying the investing process and educating our clients so they can take an active role in their wealth planning."

In their search for a partner that would give them more control over their operations and better client services, De Leon and Gorman chose LPL for its robust support and advanced technology solutions.

Joining them in this new endeavor are Armando “Manny” De Leon, De Leon's father, who has three decades in the industry, and Diana Paris, a long-time associate of Manny.

"By partnering with LPL, we are able to run our business our way – but with the back-end support, integrated technology and streamlined solutions that will help us provide a white glove service experience," said Gorman, who also has three decades of experience under his belt.

"One thing I’ve learned over the years is that it’s the relationships you build with your clients that make them stay, and we are confident that moving to LPL will allow us to strengthen those relationships for years to come," he added.

LPL’s Thursday announcement comes on the heels of its welcoming another veteran advisor in Texas, who returned to the firm from Raymond James.

Small-caps benefitting from AI boom too, says Federated Hermes fund manager

Latest News

AssetMark's Talk Tracks AI gives advisors a script for client calls
AssetMark's Talk Tracks AI gives advisors a script for client calls

The new AI feature generates instant client portfolio talking points, slashing meeting prep time for advisors.

Behind the Great Wealth Transfer: Citizens bets on business owners
Behind the Great Wealth Transfer: Citizens bets on business owners

As Citizens expands its advisory footprint, the bank is also going after wealth trapped inside business ownership

Forbes and Shook pull the plug on rankings, events, in 2026
Forbes and Shook pull the plug on rankings, events, in 2026

The Forbes rankings are highly sought after by some advisors and firms for marketing purposes.

Advisor moves: Cresset enters Boca Raton with $4 billion UBS team addition
Advisor moves: Cresset enters Boca Raton with $4 billion UBS team addition

Meanwhile, an advisor tuck-in from Edward Jones expands Kestra's Washington, D.C.-area presence, and Janney deepens its Connecticut footprint with an experienced Wells Fargo advisor.

Kovack Financial Network launches private succession platform for advisors
Kovack Financial Network launches private succession platform for advisors

KFN Succession Center pairs advisors weighing retirement with buyers, as next-gen affordability keeps eroding industry-wide.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income