Mercer, Sowell bolster growth agendas with leadership additions

Mercer, Sowell bolster growth agendas with leadership additions
RIAs deepen expansion strategies through market leadership hires and new enterprise growth roles.
FEB 23, 2026

Two registered investment advisors are sharpening their growth ambitions through senior leadership appointments, underscoring continued competition for experienced executives capable of driving scale, recruiting and market expansion.

Mercer Advisors has added two managing partners to oversee key regional markets, reinforcing the firm’s strategy of pairing localized leadership with national resources as it continues to expand its family office model.

Abby Salameh will lead operations across the New Jersey and Philadelphia markets, while Chris Walters will oversee the firm’s San Diego presence. Mercer’s managing partners function as market CEOs, responsible for client experience, business growth and talent development across the firm’s more than 40 markets.

“We believe deeply that a high-caliber family office experience can only be delivered by locally empowered market teams that attract the best fiduciary talent and create a culture of genuine teamwork. Our Managing Partners lead us in building exceptional local boutiques in each market that we operate, and they collectively are steering the evolution of our firm-wide platform strategy,” said Daniel Gourvitch, President of Mercer Advisors.

Salameh and Walters bring senior industry leadership experience and join a managing partner cohort collectively charged with advancing the firm’s client service model while accelerating growth in priority regions.

Meanwhile, Sowell Management has established a new C-suite position aimed squarely at scaling advisor recruitment and partnerships, naming veteran executive Vincent Gimarelli as its first chief development officer.

Gimarelli joins the firm following senior sales leadership roles at AssetMark and will oversee business development strategy, advisor recruiting, distribution growth and relationship management initiatives.

Reporting to CEO Daryl Seaton, he will also help advance mergers and acquisitions efforts and expand strategic partnerships across the platform.

“Vince's more than three decades of experience will be an invaluable asset to Sowell as we embark on the next phase of our growth,” said Seaton. “He knows the RIA space exceptionally well and brings a rare combination of strategic insight, relationship leadership, and true advisor advocacy. We will leverage that expertise as we continue to drive scalable growth, strengthen enterprise partnerships, and align development efforts with our long-term vision and advisor-first philosophy. Vince's leadership will be instrumental as we grow organically, attract like-minded advisors, and deepen the value we deliver across our platform.”

In the newly created role, Gimarelli will focus heavily on recruiting advisors to Sowell’s network while collaborating with senior leadership to shape expansion initiatives, including M&A strategy and investment platform development.

Latest News

Mesirow acquires part of flexPATH in second retirement deal of 2026
Mesirow acquires part of flexPATH in second retirement deal of 2026

Chicago-based Mesirow Fiduciary Solutions adds flexPATH's plan-level outsourced fiduciary book, boosting its retirement market reach to $164 billion.

Advisor moves: LPL lands $350M veteran advisor duo in Florida
Advisor moves: LPL lands $350M veteran advisor duo in Florida

Also, Raymond James's employee advisor channel adds breakaways from Wells Fargo and Stifel, while UBS welcomes an ex-Morgan Stanley duo in Indiana.

SEC accuses crypto firm founder of running $425 million Ponzi scheme
SEC accuses crypto firm founder of running $425 million Ponzi scheme

It promised guaranteed principal and 10% monthly returns. The SEC says it invested nothing.

MassMutual Ascend tops $2 billion in RIA annuity sales as advisors warm to income products
MassMutual Ascend tops $2 billion in RIA annuity sales as advisors warm to income products

Ten years after entering the fee-based annuity market, MassMutual Ascend says nearly half its lifetime sales came in the past two years alone – but barriers remain among fee-only advisors.

Fintech bytes: Wealth tech firms target advisor productivity with new integrations
Fintech bytes: Wealth tech firms target advisor productivity with new integrations

Amplify, WealthReach, Zeplyn and Zocks have unveiled partnerships aimed at automating portfolio management, content creation, account opening, and client communication.

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