&Partners Recruits Three Teams With $1.6B in Assets
&Partners, a St. Louis-based hybrid broker/dealer launched by David Kowach, the former president and CEO of Wells Fargo Advisors, has recruited three advisor teams in the last week with a combined $1.6 billion in pre-hire assets under management.
Wavewood Private Wealth, a practice in Basking Ridge, N.J., joins from Wells Fargo Advisors. The team, which is led by Morgan Castner and Jeffrey Libman, brings over $574 million in pre-hire AUM. They’re joined by Tara Writt, senior client relationship associate.
&Partners also added Brookside Wealth Advisors, another former Wells Fargo Advisors team, with about $550 million in pre-hire AUM. The Indianapolis-based team includes Adam Cloyd, partner and financial advisor; Don Cobb, partner and financial advisor; Jessica “Jessie” Ebling, financial advisor; Jeana Golden, senior client associate; Meredith Cobb, client associate; and Jenna Mosley, client associate.
Three Points Wealth Planners, a Dana Point, Calif.-based team with about $450 million in pre-hire AUM, also brought their book from Wells Fargo Advisors. The team is led by Founder and Managing Director Scott Sargent, who’s joined by Colten Franco, partner and financial advisor; Betty Ahn, senior client relationship manager; and Katie Gracia, client service associate.
&Partners now has 117 advisor practices across $57 billion in assets.
Creative Planning Acquires Southwest Florida Accounting Firm
Creative Planning is strengthening its footprint in Southwest Florida through the acquisition of MarkhamNorton Accountants+Advisors, an accounting and advisory firm serving the region for more than four decades.
The deal, announced Monday, is set to close July 1, 2026, and marks another expansion step for Creative Planning, one of the nation’s largest independent registered investment advisors with more than $710 billion in assets under management or advisement.
MarkhamNorton has built its reputation over 45 years by providing tax, accounting, litigation support, forensic accounting, valuation and advisory services to businesses, families and individuals across Southwest Florida. The firm’s professionals will join Creative Planning’s national platform while maintaining their presence in existing Southwest Florida offices.
The acquisition will give MarkhamNorton clients access to Creative Planning’s suite of services, including investment management, retirement planning, estate and trust services, family office solutions, business consulting, mergers and acquisitions advisory, insurance solutions, lending, technology consulting and legal services.
Osaic Attracts $300M Iowa Firm From Wells Fargo
Osaic has recruited Signature Private Wealth Management, a Waterloo, Iowa-based firm managing more than $300 million in client assets. The team joins from Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, the bank’s independent channel.
The family-led advisory team is headed by Robert “Bob” Mundell and includes financial advisors Isaiah Mundell, Erica Johnson and Tyler Johnson, along with Operations Manager Jocelyn Green.
Signature evaluated multiple platforms before selecting Osaic, citing the company’s flexible solutions, succession-planning resources, and collaborative advisor community.
Continuity Group Adds $310M Advisory Team, Strengthens Portland Operations
Continuity Group, an Oregon-based practice with Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, is expanding its Portland-area presence with the addition of a three-person advisory team bringing approximately $310 million in client assets.
Terry Keele, managing director, investments; Jackie Keele, vice president of investments; and Kari Howland, senior wealth associate and vice president, joined the practice this week and will operate from Continuity Group’s Portland-area offices.
This follows news in April that Continuity added Joseph L. Mansfield, who joined with approximately $230 million in client assets.
NewEdge Wealth Expands Nashville Footprint with New Downtown Office
NewEdge Capital Group is deepening its presence in Nashville with the addition of a team led by veteran wealth manager James Nichols, who will serve as principal in a new downtown office.
Nichols, who brings nearly two decades of experience advising entrepreneurs and business owners through liquidity events, joins from UBS, where he served as senior vice president, Wealth Management. He previously held senior advisory roles at Morgan Stanley/Smith Barney.
The new office strengthens NewEdge Wealth’s position in Nashville, building on the foundation established when Rich Ina joined the firm in 2023. Also joining Nichols are Erin Thomas, Vice President of Client Service, and Lena Schelzig, Analyst of Client Service.
“Central Tennessee has seen an explosion of growth for nearly a decade, with large tech firms, startups and established industries creating significant wealth in the region,” said Rob Sechan, managing director and co-founder of NewEdge Wealth. “James’ extensive experience supporting local business owners as they navigate the changing landscape will enhance our ability to serve this important and growing market.”
NewEdge’s sibling firm, NewEdge Advisors, has also expanded in the Nashville area recently. In January, the firm welcomed the 24-member ClearTrust Wealth Advisors team in nearby Franklin, Tenn., and in December 2025 added Wealth Strategies Partners, which has advisors in Nashville, Pittsburgh and Sarasota.