NewEdge Wealth deepens Atlanta expansion with two new senior hires

NewEdge Wealth deepens Atlanta expansion with two new senior hires
Latest hires reunite former Morgan Stanley and Edge Capital colleagues as part of NewEdge Wealth’s Southeastern expansion strategy
APR 21, 2025

NewEdge Wealth has expanded its leadership team in Atlanta with the appointment of two financial professionals, marking another step in the firm’s ongoing growth across the Southeast.

Paul Izlar joins as managing director, while Brendan Keelan takes the role of principal, investment solutions, fixed income.

The two join a group of former colleagues from Edge Capital Partners, including William deButts and Jimmy Patrick, who became managing directors at NewEdge in January.

The hires are part of the firm’s strategy to build out its capabilities for ultra high net worth families, family offices and institutional clients in a region experiencing demographic and economic shifts.

NewEdge Wealth operates as part of NewEdge Capital Group, a broader platform serving independent advisors and wealth management teams across the country.

“As the home for more than a dozen Fortune 500 companies, Atlanta has always been a significant wealth hub,” Rob Sechan, co-founder and chief executive of NewEdge Wealth, said in a statement. “In addition, the metro area is experiencing a transformative wealth migration, furthering our commitment to support the evolving needs of ultra high net worth clients.”

Izlar brings more than 30 years of experience in private client and institutional advisory work. He began his wealth management career at Morgan Stanley, where he worked alongside NewEdge Wealth co-founders Rob Sechan and Jeffrey Kobernick, as well as president John Straus. He later became a founding partner at Edge Capital Partners and held senior leadership positions at Credit Suisse, including southeast regional manager and national head of client acquisition.

Meanwhile, Keelan has nearly 20 years of experience in the wealth management sector. Prior to joining NewEdge, he held investment positions at Edge Capital Partners and StableRiver Capital Management. He also founded Keelan Capital, an RIA, in 2022.

The expansion reflects NewEdge Wealth’s continued focus on attracting professionals with deep market knowledge and established client relationships. The firm’s approach combines personalized advice with access to institutional resources, aiming to position itself competitively within the high-net-worth advisory segment.

The latest move in Atlanta extend the firm's momentum in strengthening its leadership, including the June appointment of Brian Nick as managing director and head of portfolio strategy. This year in February, Kobernick was also given an expanded role as he got elevated to vice chairman of NewEdge Capital Group.

Latest News

Trump loses patience as SALT block stymies GOP tax bill
Trump loses patience as SALT block stymies GOP tax bill

The president urged Republicans repping high-tax states including New York to accept a $30,000 deduction cap for now, but the holdouts remain dug in.

'Disgruntled' ex-Wells Fargo advisor loses fight with firm over loan money
'Disgruntled' ex-Wells Fargo advisor loses fight with firm over loan money

An effort by the advisor to move to the bank's independent contractor division proved to be a critical detail to the dispute.

Ex-Osaic advisor fined over failure to declare $1M bequest
Ex-Osaic advisor fined over failure to declare $1M bequest

The New York-based advisor, formerly affiliated with Securities America, has also been suspended for failing to disclose his status as a beneficiary.

Are advisors missing retirees' needs in 'fragile decade'?
Are advisors missing retirees' needs in 'fragile decade'?

Survey suggests financial professionals are falling behind investors' need for guaranteed income and asset protection in their golden years.

RIA acquirer Bluespring welcomes Georgia-based Clarivise Private Wealth
RIA acquirer Bluespring welcomes Georgia-based Clarivise Private Wealth

The Alpharetta-based advisor ensemble enters a new chapter in its partnership with the Kestra Financial subsidiary.

SPONSORED Beyond the dashboard: Making wealth tech human

How intelliflo aims to solve advisors' top tech headaches—without sacrificing the personal touch clients crave

SPONSORED The evolution of private credit

From direct lending to asset-based finance to commercial real estate debt.