RIA wrap: Dynamic strikes South Carolina deal to reach $7B AUM milestone

Dynamic Advisor Solutions, which operates as Dynamic Wealth Advisors, announced it has added Charleston-based Capasso Planning Partners to its national network, marking the firm's first partnership in South Carolina.

The RIA, founded in 2018 by Managing Partner Charlie Capasso, manages approximately $260 million in assets and operates under a family office advisory model serving individuals, families, and business owners with a focus on long-term financial planning.

The addition brings Dynamic's network to roughly 88 advisory practices nationwide with more than $7 billion in assets under administration. The firm provides affiliated advisors with integrated support across technology, compliance, investment management, and operations.

Read more: Outsourcing firm is helping RIAs mine 401(k) plans

"Expanding into South Carolina is a meaningful milestone for Dynamic and it's an honor to do so alongside a firm that shares our commitment to thoughtful, client-centered planning," said Steve Kulesza, Dynamic's chief business development officer.

Capasso, who spent nearly two decades advising and building RIAs in Charleston, Chicago, and Lake Tahoe, Nev., said the partnership "allows us to enhance the resources and capabilities available to our clients while continuing to operate with the independence and fiduciary focus that defines our firm."

Rossby Financial taps outside-industry executive as COO

Rossby Financial, an open architecture enterprise RIA based in Florida, has named Lindsay Evans as its new chief operating officer.

Evans brings a background outside of financial services to her new role. She previously served as vice president of product at Kare, a caregiver connector technology company, and served as director of product management at Uniguest. She has also held customer advisory board seats at Checkr and Twilio.

Andrew J. Evans, founder of Rossby, said the hire reflects the firm's approach to doing things differently. "Rossby has become known for being the firm that doesn't just do things because that's the way they've always been done," he said. "Lindsay's experience and perspective has been invaluable as we continue to move our firm forward."

"I'm passionate about transforming operational complexity into strategic advantage," Lindsay Evans said. "By listening closely to our advisors and partner firms, we can identify long-standing friction points and apply thoughtful technology, automation, and AI-driven solutions that create meaningful impact."

The announcement of the new C-suite hire came short after Rossby launched its Advisor Profitability Calculator, which allows practices to assess whether their current operating model is financially optimal.

Evans is one of three senior leaders to join in recent weeks, following marketing and transition specialist Grier Rubeling and Chief Compliance Officer Marissa Harris.

Read more: 'There's a seesaw effect': How a new partnership is taking aim at RIA transition pains

Balefire Wealth adds veteran retirement plan consultant

Balefire Wealth, a planning-led SEC-registered investment adviser serving ultra-high-net-worth families, founders, executives, and institutions, announced that Sarah Schmitz has joined the firm.

Stepping in as senior corporate solutions advisor at Balefire, Schmitz brings more than 25 years of experience in retirement plan consulting and employee benefits, with prior roles at Principal Financial Group, True North, and Encana Corporation.

Balefire offers integrated wealth management, tax strategy, estate planning, and corporate solutions. With her record in the retirement plan space, Schmitz adds to the purpose-driven RIA's offering for ultra-high-net-worth families, founders, executives and institutions.

Holding the RPA, CEBS, and CPFA designations, among others, Balefire said Schmitz is one of the most extensively credentialed retirement plan advisors in the country. In her new role, she will work with employers, nonprofit organizations, and business owners on plan design, fiduciary responsibility, and employee financial wellness.

"The firm's integration across disciplines and genuine focus on long-term impact rather than transactional relationships aligns perfectly with the way I want to work," Schmitz said.

"Sarah brings rare lived experience, a depth of technical knowledge, and genuine passion for service," said Jason Hester, managing partner and co-CEO of Balefire Wealth, calling her "exactly the kind of advisor we built Balefire to support."