Advisor moves: Raymond James adds two teams, Verdence hire aims to drive expansion

Advisor moves: Raymond James adds two teams, Verdence hire aims to drive expansion
Commonwealth loses more advisors to Raymond James' independent channel
OCT 02, 2025

The flow of advisors from Commonwealth Financial Network to Raymond James continues, with two more teams following recent recruits including two last week.

This week’s announcements include financial advisors Paul Williamson, CFP, RICP, AIF, and Matt Hamilton, CFP, AAMS, who managed approximately $200 million with Commonwealth. Their practice based in Vero Beach, Florida is Paul Williamson and Company and also includes registered sales assistant Donna Clark and bookkeeper & client relations manager Mary Williamson.

Also joining the firm’s independent advisor channel, Raymond James Financial Services, are financial advisors Trevor Becker, AIF, and Peter Kotkas, CPFA, co-founders of Noble Investments, based in White Salmon, Washington and in Portland, Oregon. They also managed approximately $200 million in client assets at Commonwealth.

Verdence expands

Meanwhile, Verdence Capital Advisors is focusing on expanding its reach in western Florida with the addition of John R. Piccirilli as a director, based in Sarasota.

The co-founder and former principal of HNP Capital LLC in New York, and president of Five Star Bank Wealth Management in Rochester, New York, has been in the financial consulting industry for more than 20 years.

In his new role he will leverage Verdence’s family office platform to address comprehensive wealth planning from philanthropic planning and estate transfer strategies to integrating business succession and trust planning. He will drive Verdence’s continued growth and presence in western Florida

“With multi-generational wealth growing rapidly in Florida’s west coast region, having someone on the ground who can guide families through complex wealth events and connect all the dots, linking business, personal wealth, and legacy planning, is invaluable,” says Leo Kelly, founder and CEO of Verdence Capital Advisors. “Florida attracts business owners at every stage of their wealth journey, and they need a team who combine strategic insight with a trusted, personal presence. That is something that Verdence, thanks to talented people like John, is well positioned to provide.” 

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