Mercer, Sowell bolster growth agendas with leadership additions

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.