World Investment Advisors taps ex-Lincoln Financial leader Edward Walters as new president

World Investment Advisors has named Edward Walters as its new president, marking a significant leadership change for the Santa Barbara-based RIA.

Walters, a veteran executive with more than two decades of experience in wealth management, will oversee the firm’s operations, growth strategy and advisor platforms as it continues to expand its national footprint.

The appointment announced Monday comes as World Investment Advisors, formerly Pensionmark Financial Group, continues its integration with parent company World Insurance Associates.

The firm rebranded in July 2024, a move designed to reflect its broader financial services platform and align more closely with World Insurance Associates, which acquired Pensionmark in 2022. The rebrand followed a period of rapid growth, with the firm now supporting over $72 billion in assets and a network of more than 630 advisors and staff across more than 100 US locations .

Walters steps into the role as CEO Troy Hammond prepares to step down at the end of the year, remaining with the firm through the transition.

Rich Eknoian, CEO of World Insurance Associates, said in the Monday announcement that Walters is “a visionary leader with a proven track record of executing successful strategies that transform financial services businesses.” Eknoian added that the firm is confident Walters’ leadership will accelerate its ability to deliver new solutions and create long-term value for clients and stakeholders.

Walters’ career includes senior roles at Osaic, Janney Montgomery Scott, T. Rowe Price, and Lincoln Financial Group. Notably, he served as chief operating officer and head of wealth management at Lincoln Financial Network, where he led a growth strategy that quintupled earnings and managed a team of more than 200 associates.

Lincoln Financial Network itself underwent a major change in 2024, when parent company Lincoln Financial Group completed a deal to sell its wealth management business to Osaic, exiting the space to focus on core insurance and distribution operations .

“I am honored to join World Investment Advisors at such an exciting stage in its evolution,” Walters said in the statement. He added that the firm aims to “build a platform designed to serve multigenerational investors, thoughtfully use technology to meet clients where they are and deliver superior, consistent service that strengthens the advisor–client relationship.”

Walters is also recognized for his work in developing centralized wealth platforms and launching digital solutions, including T. Rowe Price’s Active Plus Portfolios. His leadership at Janney Montgomery Scott included transforming the firm’s model from transactional brokerage to fee-based wealth management, driving sustained double-digit growth.

The leadership transition at World Investment Advisors follows the recent appointment of Hightower Advisors alum Bill Altman as head of technology strategy, signaling the firm’s ongoing focus on digital transformation and advisor support.