Advisor moves: Mariner, Raymond James, Baird pick up ‘big firm’ hires

Advisor moves: Mariner, Raymond James, Baird pick up ‘big firm’ hires
New recruits join from JPMorgan, Commonwealth, Edelman
SEP 03, 2025

Three firms have announced new recruits from some big name firms with advisors transitioning for independence as part of their next career step.

At Mariner, wirehouse breakaways Kyle Briggs, CFA®, and Joseph Thomason, CFA® have joined mega-RIA’s independent advisors channel to launch Promontory Wealth, serving clients across the greater Los Angeles area and beyond.

The duo was previously with JPMorgan since 2023 but have a shared history that includes almost three years at First Republic Private Wealth Management, and 6 years at Merrill Lynch. Before that, their paths were different apart from a brief period when they were both at Morgan Stanley.

Under Mariner Independent, Promontory Wealth will gain access to the resources of a larger firm while growing something of their own.

“What Kyle and Joe are doing with Promontory Wealth is a perfect example of why we are investing so heavily in Mariner Independent,” said Rob Sandrew, who was appointed head of Mariner Independent earlier this year from Integrated Partners. “Advisors want the freedom to build and own their businesses, but they also want the confidence that comes from having growth expertise behind them — including business owner resources, advanced planning, an open architecture, and tax specialization.”

Commonwealth to RJFS

Meanwhile, yet another team has jumped from LPL Financial owned Commonwealth Financial Network to Raymond James, following a $1 billion AUM cohort who took that journey last week.

The latest to join independent advisor channel Raymond James Financial Services are Jose Campos and Ryan Duncan Anderson who managed approximately $330 million at Commonwealth and are joined by client service managers Irene Pepping and Tory Kusich.   

Their new firm Rydge Wealth Management is based in Burlingame and Pleasanton, California.

Baird expands in California

Baird is also expanding in California as Robert Choy joins as a director and financial advisor having previously managed $150 million AUM at Edelman Financial Engines.

Choy will be based in a new Santa Clara office, Baird’s fifth in the state alongside existing locations in Grass Valley, Mill Valley (Marin County), Roseville, and Sacramento. He has more than 25 years in the industry including nine years each at Edelman and Fidelity Investments and more than five at Merrill Lynch.

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