Another ex-Edelman advisor joins Baird in Virginia

Baird Private Wealth Management is continuing to push deeper into Virginia as it welcomes another experienced financial advisor in the state.

The employee-owned firm announced the addition of Robert M. Sargent as director and financial advisor at its Fairfax, Virginia office, marking another step in the firm’s continuing growth strategy. Sargent joins the team alongside client assistant Kaitlyn Powell.

Sargent joins Baird after a brief tenure at Edelman Financial Engines, where he managed $245 million in assets. With 15 years of experience in the industry – including stints at Fidelity, Merrill and JPMorgan, according to his BrokerCheck profile – he brings significant expertise to his new role.

Apart from the Fairfax branch, which opened its doors in January, Baird operates three other offices across the state in Lynchburg, Richmond, and McLean. The firm's growing footprint underscores its ongoing commitment to delivering financial services to clients across the region.

"We are pleased to welcome Robert to our team,” Jim McGuire, Baird's branch manager at Fairfax said in a statement. "Our business is deeply committed to this region, and we look forward our continued growth in the region with the support of the Virginia community."

Sargent's hiring reflects a recent pattern of Virginia-based advisors exiting from Edelman and making their way to Baird, which included a 25-year veteran advisor who joined the Fairfax office in September and a pair of experienced professionals who went to its Richmond location.

Baird’s private wealth management division includes over 1,400 financial advisors across the country, with an average of 20 years of experience. The firm manages client assets totaling more than $310 billion as of June 30, 2024.