Equitable has strengthened its wealth advisory presence in California with a pair of former Lincoln advisors, including a four-decade veteran of the industry.
The national wealth firm with over 4,300 financial professionals and more than $91 billion in AUM announced Wednesday that it has welcomed Gary Stemple and Kendyl Roundtree to its wealth management division, Equitable Advisors.
Stemple and Roundtree transitioned from Lincoln Financial Advisors, where they reportedly managed a combined $177 million in client assets.
Based in Southern California, the duo was attracted to Equitable Advisors' comprehensive planning model. Stemple, with 36 years of experience, has a long history of offering financial and retirement planning. He has been working alongside Roundtree for over five years, integrating her into his succession plan.
“As Kendyl and I looked to the future, we selected Equitable Advisors because it shares our values of personalized care and commitment to our clients’ overall financial well-being,” Stemple said in a statement. “It gives me peace of mind knowing that my clients will be in good hands for generations to come.”
Roundtree, who has over a decade of experience, specializes in financial planning, investments, retirement planning, and estate planning strategies. She has been leading Roundtree Financial since 2020 after taking over the business from her father, Dan Roundtree.
“Since I took the helm of Roundtree Financial, I’ve been dedicated to carrying out the vision that my dad set for the business more than 40 years ago, which considers our clients’ sense of purpose, physical and emotional wellness in addition to finances,” Roundtree said.
She lauded her new firm's holistic advice model and broad range of products, resources and support as key pieces to help continue the firm's original direction.
“Gary and Kendyl are seasoned professionals who oversee practices with a rich history of making a positive difference in their clients’ lives," said John Lefferts, head of business development at Equitable Advisors. "We look forward to supporting them on the next chapter of their journey together.”
The news at Equitable Wednesday comes on the heels of another move at LPL, which snagged a $4.6 billion mega-advisor team from Lincoln in North Carolina.
In March, Equitable welcomed a boomerang advisor in California as an advisor who recently managed $181 million in assets at Cetera made his return.
From outstanding individuals to innovative organizations, find out who made the final shortlist for top honors at the IN awards, now in its second year.
Cresset's Susie Cranston is expecting an economic recession, but says her $65 billion RIA sees "great opportunity" to keep investing in a down market.
“There’s a big pull to alternative investments right now because of volatility of the stock market,” Kevin Gannon, CEO of Robert A. Stanger & Co., said.
Sellers shift focus: It's not about succession anymore.
Platform being adopted by independent-minded advisors who see insurance as a core pillar of their business.
RIAs face rising regulatory pressure in 2025. Forward-looking firms are responding with embedded technology, not more paperwork.
As inheritances are set to reshape client portfolios and next-gen heirs demand digital-first experiences, firms are retooling their wealth tech stacks and succession models in real time.
