Roughly a month after its launch, Elevation Point, a wealth management firm dedicated to supporting RIAs and advisors seeking independence, has brought on two respected industry veterans as founding partners.
The firm’s two leadership hires, Bradford Smithy and Robert B. Tamarkin, bring extensive experience from their tenures at UBS and Merrill Lynch. They will serve on the firm's executive committee, focusing on partnership development and growth strategies.
Jim Dickson, founding partner and CEO of Elevation Point, highlighted how Smithy and Tamarkin have established their reputations as his one-time collaborators and, later, his competitors over the years.
“Throughout their careers, they've consistently excelled in building deep relationships and trust with the financial advisors they serve, which aligns perfectly with Elevation Point's core values,” the former Sanctuary CEO said in a statement, emphasizing their shared commitment to removing obstacles for advisors to deliver personalized advice and client experiences.
Smithy joins Elevation Point with over 30 years of industry experience. His previous role at UBS as divisional director had him overseeing more than 1,900 financial advisors managing nearly $500 billion in assets. Prior to that, his career at Merrill Lynch included roles as financial advisor, complex sales manager, district sales manager, and complex director.
Tamarkin, who also comes after a significant tenure at UBS, served as the market director for the Southeast Market. He managed wealth management offices in Atlanta and across Georgia, as well as in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi. His career began with over a decade at Merrill Lynch as a financial advisor.
"I am proud to join Elevation Point, which has the ideal leadership team and a new innovative model for driving the transformation of our industry," said Smithy.
Tamarkin added: “We've witnessed a seismic industry shift toward independence in recent years.
“Our innovative partnership model isn't just about fees or platforms,” he said. “It's about providing growth through capital and expertise -- and engaging in genuine collaboration to empower and elevate our partners in this new era.”
Their addition complements the recent hire of Ryanne Gardner, who joined Elevation Point as head of partner integration. Gardner arrived from BNY Mellon's Pershing, bringing 17 years of experience in guiding large firms through platform setup and integration.
Elevation Point launched on solid footing in June as it announced its acquisition Mount Yale Capital Group, an established leader in OCIO services with $3.4 billion in AUM.
Rajesh Markan earlier this year pleaded guilty to one count of criminal fraud related to his sale of fake investments to 10 clients totaling $2.9 million.
From building trust to steering through emotions and responding to client challenges, new advisors need human skills to shape the future of the advice industry.
"The outcome is correct, but it's disappointing that FINRA had ample opportunity to investigate the merits of clients' allegations in these claims, including the testimony in the three investor arbitrations with hearings," Jeff Erez, a plaintiff's attorney representing a large portion of the Stifel clients, said.
Chair also praised the passage of stablecoin legislation this week.
Maridea Wealth Management's deal in Chicago, Illinois is its first after securing a strategic investment in April.
Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.
Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today's choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.
