In this week’s roundup, Composition Wealth merged with Edgewater; Beacon Pointe acquired MGB and Pacifica; WPCG and HGGC’s Aspire Holdings will invest in Verdence Capital Advisors; Accelerated Wealth Partners invested in RIA Advisors; Creative Planning will acquire MASECO; Cyndeo recruited Glenn Rodriguez; Raymond James onboarded Addition Financial Credit Union’s program and recruited Ed Vollbrecht to Atlantic Union Bank’s program; LPL added Gibson Financial Group; Amplify named a President and a Chief Revenue Officer; PPB Capital Partners named Bob Oros President; Cetera appointed Ed O’Brien Chief Operating Officer; and Howard Capital Management hired Dory Black as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer.
Editor in Chief’s Take:
Bob Oros is joining PPB Capital Partners as President, a newly created role at the firm. This move highlights the acceleration of private markets and alternative investments in the industry on both sides: From PBB’s side, hiring a high-profile industry executive to a newly created top role reveals both strength and seriousness about growth. And for an executive who could have chosen anything in the industry for his next step, it speaks volumes that he chose private markets.
– Julius Buchanan, Editor in Chief, Wealth Solutions Report
Mergers & Acquisitions
Composition Wealth Merges With Edgewater
RIA Composition Wealth said it merged with Edgewater Wealth Management, a Tacoma, Washington-based firm that was formerly with Northwestern Mutual Private Client Group and had $900 million in client assets. Edgewater brings a 16-person team, including eight advisors.
Edgewater was founded in 2019 by C.W. Middleton and Tyler Hjelseth, with Kevin Johnson joining as a third partner in 2022. Composition, headquartered in Los Angeles, rebranded from Miracle Mile Advisors in February 2025 and said it has more than $10 billion in assets and 125 employees.
Middleton said, “We had plenty of options when we decided to make a change and determined that Composition Wealth was the best fit for our team and clients. The firm’s integrated approach allows us to leverage experts in investments, tax planning, estate strategies, retirement planning and other critical areas to create comprehensive plans for each client’s needs.”
Beacon Pointe Buys Two Firms With Combined $695 Million In Assets
RIA Beacon Pointe Advisors said it acquired two firms, adding a combined $695 million in client assets under management (AUM). The deals brought in MGB Wealth Management in Addison, Texas, with $475 million in AUM and Pacifica Wealth Advisors, with $220 million in AUM across Franklin, Tennessee, and Irvine, California.
The Pacifica transaction closed Feb. 15 and the MGB purchase closed Feb. 28, according to the firm. Beacon Pointe said the two businesses will take on its name and branding. It has more than 90 offices and over 750 team members.
Robert Pagliarini, Founder, Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor at Pacifica Wealth Advisors, said, “I spoke with more than fifteen fiduciary firms before making this decision. Beacon Pointe stood out from the first conversation. I specialize in sudden wealth — clients navigating business sales, liquidity events, inheritances — and they need more than a portfolio manager. They need tax strategy, estate planning, and legal guidance working together.”
Verdence Receives Investment From WPCG, HGGC
RIA Verdence Capital Advisors said Wealth Partners Capital Group and HGGC’s Aspire Holdings platform will invest in the Hunt Valley, Maryland-based firm to support M&A, organic growth and expanded client resources. The firm said Verdence management will remain significant shareholders as part of the transaction.
The transaction is expected to close in April 2026. Emigrant Partners is selling its stake in Verdence as part of the deal. Verdence said it had about $4.6 billion in AUM as of Dec. 31. Fenchurch Partners served as financial advisor on the deal, and Alston & Bird served as legal counsel.
Leo Kelly, CEO of Verdence Capital Advisors, said, “WPCG’s track record is exceptional and we are proud to be one of the few RIAs with whom they have partnered. Our firms share a client-first philosophy and a belief that disciplined growth strengthens our culture, expands our capabilities and enhances the experience we deliver to clients.”
Accelerated Wealth Invests In RIA Advisors
Accelerated Wealth Partners (AWP) said it partnered with Houston-based RIA Advisors in a transaction that will provide capital and M&A execution support as the firms pursue expansion across Texas and broader family office capabilities. Eric Amar, Founder of AWP, told WSR via email that RIA Advisors has $1.6 billion in AUM.
RIA Advisors said the transaction will help it add tax, trust and estate services. Seward & Kissel served as legal advisors to AWP. AWP is supported by a $200 million capital commitment from J.C. Flowers.
Connie Mack, CEO and Founder of RIA Advisors, said, “This investment represents a natural evolution of our mission to provide real investment advice to our clients. By partnering with Eric Amar and AWP, we gain the resources to expand our footprint across Texas and enhance our specialized services without compromising our boutique service levels. We remain committed to our planning-led approach and our rigorous investment process.”
Creative Planning To Acquire MASECO
Overland Park, Kansas-based Creative Planning said it will buy MASECO, a London-based RIA. The acquisition will add 123 employees and more than $5 billion in AUM. MASECO was founded in 2008 to serve internationally mobile families and U.S. citizens living abroad with cross-border wealth management and tax-aware investment advice.
Creative Planning said the transaction is its second international acquisition after buying Switzerland-based Baseline Wealth Management in January. Spencer House Partners and Houlihan Lokey advised on M&A, while Paul Weiss and Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer served as legal counsel.
Josh Matthews and James Sellon, Co-Founders and Managing Partners of MASECO, said in a joint statement, “By combining MASECO’s cross-border expertise with Creative Planning’s scale, technology and global capabilities, we believe we can not only continue delivering the high level of service our clients expect but also raise the standard of advice and broaden the range of services available to U.S. citizens and international families living outside the United States.”
Advisor Transactions
Cyndeo Recruits Glenn Rodriguez From Merrill Lynch
Cyndeo Wealth Partners, an independent RIA with about $3.1 billion in AUM, said Glenn Rodriguez joined as Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor. The firm said Rodriguez is bringing about $235 million in client assets from Merrill Lynch.
Cyndeo said Rodriguez has more than three decades of experience and specializes in serving widows, retirees and families. Founded in 2020, the St. Petersburg, Florida-based firm is a member of the Dynasty Financial Partners network.
Rodriguez said, “Cyndeo has created an environment where advisors can truly focus on their clients while continuing to grow their practices. What stood out to me was the firm’s commitment to thoughtful planning, collaboration and building something enduring for both clients and advisors. I’m excited to join a team that shares those values.”
Raymond James Financial Institutions Recruits Bank, Advisor
Raymond James’ Financial Institutions Division said Addition Financial Credit Union selected it to support Addition Financial Wealth Management, which is led by Jay Williams, with about $213 million in client assets. In a separate move, Raymond James said Edward Vollbrecht joined Atlantic Union Financial Consultants at Atlantic Union Bank, a Raymond James affiliate. He managed approximately $163 million in assets at Truist.
Addition Financial Wealth Management is based in Lake Mary, Florida, and was previously affiliated with TruStage Financial Group. Vollbrecht is based in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and his arrival brings Atlantic Union Financial Consultants to more than 30 advisors across Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia.
David Heffelfinger, Managing Director and Senior Vice President of Atlantic Union Financial Consultants, said, “We are pleased to welcome Ed to Atlantic Union Financial Consultants. His experience, client-first mindset and strong ties to the Fredericksburg community make him a valuable addition as we continue to grow and enhance our wealth management program, supported by the full breadth of Raymond James FID’s resources and capabilities.”
LPL Adds Gibson Financial Group To Linsco
LPL Financial said advisors Kelly Lawrence and Vin Sbano joined its employee advisor channel, Linsco by LPL Financial, to launch Gibson Financial Group of LPL Financial. The Boston-based team reported serving about $180 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement plan assets and joined from B. Riley Wealth Management.
The team is supported by Senior Registered Client Service Associate David MacDonald. LPL supports more than 32,000 advisors and roughly 1,200 financial institutions, with about $2.4 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets.
Lawrence said, “I needed a firm with stability, strong reputation and robust resources. After navigating a period of major personal and professional transition, it became even more important to operate within a platform that has the infrastructure to support long-term growth. LPL gives us the independence of an entrepreneurial practice along with the technology, tools and support you’d expect from a much larger institution.”
Promotions & People Moves
Amplify Elevates Rowley To President, Hill To Chief Revenue Officer
Amplify Technology said Jason Rowley was appointed President and Kimberly Hill was named Chief Revenue Officer. The Scottsdale, Arizona-based company said Rowley will lead day-to-day operations, while Hill will oversee revenue strategy, sales and client acquisition.
Rowley previously served as Chief of Staff and General Counsel, and Hill was Chief Financial Officer. Amplify said it now supports nearly $24 billion in AUM and 649 advisors.
Rowley said, “Amplify has built a platform designed for this moment of growth in the market. Our focus is on making sure we continue to execute at a high level and deliver for the firms that rely on us every day.”
PPB Names Bob Oros As President
PPB Capital Partners said Bob Oros joined the firm as President in a newly created role. The former Hightower and HD Vest CEO will work with Founder and CEO Brendan Lake to lead business operations and infrastructure.
PPB said Oros has been serving as Vice Chairman of its board since September and that the new role lets Lake focus more directly on client service and brand stewardship. Founded in 2005, PPB provides an alternative investment platform serving advisors with private markets solutions.
Oros said, “It’s a great business playing in one of the most exciting parts of wealth management. After joining the board, and with a closer look at the firm, I realized there was an opportunity to contribute more deeply to strengthening the infrastructure and resources that help advisors deliver private markets solutions to their clients.”
Cetera Names Ed O’Brien As COO
Cetera appointed Ed O’Brien as Chief Operating Officer beginning May 2026. The firm said he will focus on advisor growth and converting Cetera’s scale into a durable competitive advantage, while leading service, technology, trading and operations teams.
O’Brien replaces COO Tom Gooley, who recently announced his retirement. O’Brien has experience in custody, clearing, financial planning and product ecosystems. According to the firm, his mandate includes improving advisor productivity, planning depth, client acquisition and retention.
Mike Durbin, CEO of Cetera, said, “Our next chapter is about growth that comes from helping advisors do more for their clients, more consistently. Ed’s role is to turn our platform into a true growth engine, turbocharged by AI, for advisors and a source of confidence and continuity for investors.”
Howard Capital Names Dory Black As General Counsel And Chief Compliance Officer
RIA Howard Capital Management said Dory Black joined as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. The Atlanta-based firm said Black brings more than 25 years of experience in financial services and investment management.
Black joined Howard Capital from Lubert-Adler Partners, an RIA focused on real estate and private funds, where she served as General Counsel. Earlier in her career, she held legal leadership roles at Momnt Technologies, Angel Oak Companies, Angel Oak Mortgage REIT and GE Asset Management. She began her career at Dewey Ballantine. Howard Capital said it manages about $8 billion in assets.
Black said, “Howard Capital Management has built a strong reputation for helping investors navigate volatile markets with discipline and a long-term perspective. I look forward to supporting the firm’s continued growth while upholding the highest standards of compliance and governance.”
Wealth Solutions Report can be reached at info@wealthsolutionsreport.com.
