It's another active weak for RIA dealmaking, with Carson Group planting its first stake in Alaska and Ashton Thomas Private Wealth naming a new CIO as it adds a Florida-based firm to its operations.
Carson Group, which oversees more than $48 billion in assets, has partnered with Anchorage-based Shilanski & Associates, marking its first office in Alaska and bringing its network to over 150 partner locations.
Shilanski & Associates, founded in 1981 by Floyd and Rosa Shilanski, manages approximately $436 million and is known for its focus on serving retired civilian federal employees and local business owners.
The firm’s leadership team, including Micah and Jamie Shilanski, will remain in place as Shilanski & Associates becomes a wholly owned Carson Wealth office. The partnership is expected to provide Shilanski with access to Carson’s national platform, advanced tax planning, and high-net-worth services, while allowing the team to maintain its established client relationships.
Floyd Shilanski, who served in the US Air Force prior to his 33-year career in the wealth industry, said the decision to join Carson was driven by a desire to “deliver more value to our clients” with “stronger planning processes, access to a deeper bench of expertise and the power of a national ecosystem that enhances what we can provide locally.”
Carson Group CEO Burt White noted that Shilanski & Associates has “built an exceptional reputation for disciplined planning and personalized service,” and said the firm is “honored to help carry that legacy forward.”
The Shilanski acquisition in Alaska comes on the heels of another addition at Carson Wealth's Great Lakes-area office, with two senior wealth advisors adding $300 million.
Ashton Thomas Private Wealth revealed Wednesday it has acquired Sarasota-based Day Hagan, a firm known for its model-driven investment strategies and wealth management services.
The deal brings Day Hagan’s investment team, including co-founder Don Hagan, to Ashton Thomas. Hagan will serve as chief investment officer, with additional Day Hagan team members joining Ashton Thomas in portfolio management and client service roles.
Don Hagan said the partnership will “amplify the core strengths of Day Hagan – our disciplined investment philosophy and client-first wealth management approach.” Ashton Thomas CEO Aaron Brodt said the addition of Day Hagan’s team will “elevate our investment strategy, ensuring Day Hagan’s wealth management clients benefit from our extended reach while working with the team they know and trust.”
Haig Ariyan, CEO of Arax Investment Partners and chairman of Ashton Thomas, described the combination as a “natural alignment of shared values, complementary strengths and a focus on long-term growth.”
Ashton Thomas Private Wealth expanded its reach into a new market this past summer with its August acquisition of Kobo Wealth Conservancy in Hawaii.
Also on Wednesday, Moneta Group Investment Advisors, one of the nation’s largest fee-only RIAs with more than $42.7 billion in assets, said it added the Williams team from Aveo Capital Partners, managing $262 million, to its growing Colorado operation.
The team, led by Chad Williams with the support of advisors Zach Heath and Brian Eller, will join Moneta’s new Denver Tech Center office, which is currently under construction.
Moneta CEO and chairman Eric Kittner said the Williams team’s “experience and commitment to clients fit perfectly with what we value most at Moneta.” Chad Williams said the move allows the team to “keep our identity, our flavor, and our approach to client service – while giving us the tools to elevate it.”
The addition of the Williams team follows Moneta’s recent deal for $520 million Lane Hipple Wealth Management Group in New Jersey and reflects the firm’s ongoing strategy to build out its presence in key markets while maintaining its partner-owned, independent structure.
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