In this week’s roundup, Creative Planning agreed to acquire RVK; Apella acquired Morris and Longview; Carson acquired Elios; Maridea bought River Cities and DFW Insurance; NewEdge Wealth recruited a team led by James Shafer and Michael Block; Raymond James recruited Michael Rogala; Wedbush added Redstone Wealth; LPL added Horizon Wealth; Choreo appointed a Chief People and Transformation Officer; Sanctuary added three senior leaders; Lincoln Investment appointed a marketing head; and F.L.Putnam appointed a Chief Marketing Officer.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Creative Planning To Acquire RVK Advising On $4.3 Trillion
Creative Planning agreed to acquire RVK, an institutional investment consulting firm that advises just over 200 institutional clients with approximately $4.3 trillion in assets. RVK serves public and private retirement plans, endowments, foundations, insurance companies, health systems and other institutional asset owners. The transaction is expected to close in January 2027.
RVK has provided non-discretionary investment consulting for more than 40 years, including investment policy development, asset allocation, manager research and selection, performance measurement, operational diligence and governance consulting. Its current management team will continue leading the firm. Goldman Sachs is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Creative Planning.
“Creative Planning shares our belief that clients are best served through independent, objective advice, deep expertise and solutions customized to meet their specific needs,” Josh Kevan, CEO, Senior Consultant and Principal at RVK, said. “Becoming a Creative Planning affiliate will allow us to preserve the client-focused approach and consulting model that have defined RVK while providing our clients and employees with access to broader resources, technology and capabilities. We’re excited about what our firms can accomplish together.”
Apella Adds Two RIAs With $928 Million In AUM
Apella Wealth acquired Morris Financial Concepts, a Mount Pleasant, South Carolina-based RIA with approximately $544 million in assets under management (AUM), and Longview Financial Advisors, a San Rafael, California-based advisory firm with approximately $384 million in AUM. The two transactions added approximately $928 million in combined AUM.
Founder Kyra Hollowell Morris, Chief Compliance Officer James “Tucker” Morris and the Morris team joined Apella when that transaction closed Sept. 11. Longview Founder Tim Harrington and his team joined when their transaction closed Sept. 15. Jessica Polito of Turkey Hill Management represented Longview in its transaction.
“We spent more than a year thoughtfully searching for a firm that shared our fiduciary, planning-first approach and would allow us to continue serving clients the way we have for more than four decades,” Kyra Morris said. “With Apella, we gain the benefit of greater resources and support while maintaining our voice and the ability to contribute to the firm’s continued evolution. We believe this partnership brings together the strengths of both firms to create something even greater for our clients and our team.”
Carson Acquires Elios With $367 Million In AUM
Carson Group acquired Ohio-based Elios Financial Group, which has approximately $367 million in AUM and will become a Carson Wealth office in Westlake. The transaction marked Carson’s 50th integrated office. Elios is led by Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor James Elios and has served clients for more than 25 years, with an emphasis on retirement planning and personalized service.
Partner and Wealth Advisor Brandon Steinhagen and three client support staff members are also part of the Elios team. The practice will gain access to Carson’s planning, investment management, tax and estate planning, private client, marketing, technology and operational resources. Alaris Acquisitions served as exclusive M&A advisor to Elios Financial Group.
“Since founding Elios Financial Group, our mission has been to help families make wise financial decisions and feel confident about their future,” Elios said. “My relationship with Carson began through its coaching and practice management program, giving me nearly two decades to see firsthand how the firm will support that mission and empower our people to continue it.”
Maridea To Add Ohio Firms With $370 Million In Assets
Maridea Wealth Management said River Cities Financial Services and Dietz, Futrell & Walters (DFW) Insurance, two affiliated firms based in Marietta, Ohio, will join its platform, establishing Maridea’s first presence in Ohio. The practices were formerly affiliated with LPL and add approximately $370 million in assets to the platform. The transaction will be Maridea’s sixth deal of the year.
DFW Insurance was founded in 1948, while River Cities Financial Services grew from that business in 1985 to provide wealth management and financial planning. Michael Anthony, President of River Cities Financial Services and Sr. Investment Advisor and Managing Partner at DFW Insurance, will join Maridea as Senior Investment Advisor and Managing Partner. Dustin Becker, Vice President of River Cities Financial Services and a Partner at DFW Insurance, will become Director of Insurance.
“What matters most to me is our community. Our clients can still walk through the same door, sit down face to face, and talk through their investments with the same trusted team they’ve known for years. Maridea’s resources and long-term vision let us do even more for those families and business owners, right here in the community we’ve always been part of,” Anthony said.
Advisor Transactions
NewEdge Adds Team With $1.25 Billion In Client Assets
NewEdge Wealth opened its first Minnesota office near Minneapolis with an eight-member Wayzata team that joined from UBS and previously managed more than $1.25 billion in client assets. James Shafer joined as Managing Director and Michael Block as Principal.
Joseph Gossett, Pamela Smith and Rachelle Carlson-Oien joined as Vice Presidents, while Morgan Cisneros, Nick Rizzo and Carson Shultis joined in support roles. NewEdge Wealth, an RIA serving high net worth and ultra-high net worth families, family offices and institutions, said the Minnesota location is its 22nd office.
“As Wayzata grew, so did our firm, and we needed a partner who could provide the technology, support and investment options to support our next phase of growth,” Shafer said. “NewEdge is that partner, and together we can provide the services our clients need as they navigate complex wealth management issues.”
Raymond James Adds Advisor Managing $550 Million
Raymond James & Associates, Raymond James’ employee advisor channel, added Michael Rogala in Houston from Merrill Lynch, where he managed approximately $550 million in client assets. Rogala joined Alex. Brown-Raymond James as a Managing Director and serves families and entrepreneurs who are considering or preparing for the sale of a business.
Rogala has 20 years of financial services experience and spent 15 years at Merrill Lynch. Raymond James & Associates reported approximately $1.93 trillion in total client assets as of July 31.
“After evaluating the private wealth platforms available to serve ultra-high net worth clients, I chose Alex. Brown because its capabilities align with the complex needs of the families and entrepreneurs I advise,” Rogala said. “The firm’s planning resources and investment banking support strengthen my ability to help clients navigate business transitions and preserve their financial legacies.”
Wedbush Adds Redstone With $500 Million-Plus In AUM
Wedbush added Redstone Wealth Management Group to its Wealth Management division in Greensboro, North Carolina, from UBS Financial Services. The team had more than $500 million in AUM as of August and is led by James Carlson, Managing Director, Investments and Portfolio Manager, and Kevin Herron, Managing Director, Investments and Portfolio Manager.
Senior Strategic Wealth Advisor Patty Blair and Client Service Associate Sherry Malone also joined. Redstone serves high net worth individuals, families and business owners through financial planning and portfolio management.
“As our practice has grown, finding the right long-term partner became increasingly important,” Carlson said. “Wedbush offers the scale, resources, and entrepreneurial mindset that allow us to continue delivering customized advice while preserving the personal experience our clients value.”
LPL Adds Horizon Team Serving $385 Million In Assets
LPL Financial added Partners Bill Wagner, Scott Sennett and Andrew Kocukov of Horizon Wealth Management Group to its broker-dealer and RIA platforms. The Wichita, Kansas-based team reported serving approximately $385 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement plan assets as of year-end 2025 and joined from Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network.
Horizon’s clients are primarily retirees and people approaching retirement. The practice includes Operations Manager Julie Starns and uses a team-based approach to retirement income, estate planning and broader client strategy.
“We believe successful retirement planning is about much more than managing money,” Wagner said. “It’s about helping people create a fulfilling life after they leave the workforce and ensuring they have a strategy in place to support the future they envision. Every recommendation starts with understanding what’s important to our clients and the goals they want to accomplish. That level of planning helps us build deeper relationships and provide guidance that extends well beyond investment management.”
Promotions & People Moves
Choreo Appoints Kelly O’Donnell Chief People And Transformation Officer
RIA Choreo named Kelly O’Donnell Chief People and Transformation Officer, a newly created position reporting to CEO Jason Van de Loo. O’Donnell will oversee Human Resources, Brand & Communications and the Integration Management Office, which coordinates enterprise integration following acquisitions. She will also work across the firm on strategic alignment, enterprise transformation and change initiatives.
O’Donnell has more than 30 years of experience in financial services, consulting and organizational leadership. She spent 21 years at Financial Engines and Edelman Financial Engines, most recently as President of Workplace. She also served in roles including Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Risk Officer, with responsibilities spanning strategy, communications, legal and compliance, human resources and risk management.
“What attracted me to Choreo was the opportunity to help shape a growing organization at an important point in its development,” O’Donnell said. “Choreo has a clear sense of where it wants to go. My role is to help bring its people together around that direction, preserve what makes the firm distinctive and make growth feel coherent rather than disruptive.”
Sanctuary Wealth Adds Three Senior Leaders
Sanctuary Wealth added Harry Drozdowski as Managing Director of Advanced Estate & Wealth Planning, Reilly Cornell as Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions and Kelly LaPalio as Vice President of Advisor Growth Marketing. The hybrid RIA said the appointments expand expertise available to its partner firms in estate planning, M&A and advisor growth.
Drozdowski most recently held a senior position at Wells Fargo and has nearly two decades of legal and wealth-planning experience. Cornell was a Principal on Bluespring Wealth Partners’ M&A team, where she evaluated more than 100 acquisition opportunities and executed more than 15 transactions. LaPalio has more than 20 years of experience and has held roles at FocusPoint Solutions, Avantax and Hightower.
“Independence must continue to evolve if it is going to meet the changing needs of advisors and their clients,” Adam Malamed, CEO of Sanctuary Wealth, said. “Our responsibility is to anticipate those needs, continue investing in the platform and expand the choices available to Partner Firms. Whatever direction their businesses take, we want them to have the expertise, capabilities and support to follow the path that best fits their goals and the needs of their clients.”
Lincoln Investment Names Tara Harkins Senior Vice President, Marketing
Lincoln Investment appointed Tara Harkins Senior Vice President, Marketing, effective Aug. 25. Harkins leads the firm’s marketing strategy and organization, including brand, digital marketing and practice management.
Harkins has more than 20 years of financial services marketing experience across brand strategy, product and channel marketing, demand generation, digital marketing, events and advisor engagement. She previously held marketing leadership positions at Harbor Capital Advisors, Lincoln Financial Network and Voya Financial.
“What attracted me to Lincoln Investment is its commitment to giving financial professionals the freedom to build their businesses their way,” Harkins said. “I’m excited to build on that foundation and help bring the Lincoln story to life in a way that resonates with our financial professionals and their clients.”
F.L.Putnam Names Daniel Darst Chief Marketing Officer
RIA F.L.Putnam appointed Daniel Darst to the newly created position of Chief Marketing Officer, a role he assumed July 1. Darst has three decades of experience as a marketing executive and senior advisor to financial services firms, banks and wealth management organizations, with work involving audience segmentation, modeling, analytics, client acquisition and retention.
Before joining F.L.Putnam, Darst held senior marketing leadership roles at Flagstar Bank, Neuberger Berman, J.P. Morgan and Saxo Bank. His responsibilities at those firms included brand strategy, client engagement and growth initiatives spanning wealth management, commercial banking and consumer banking.
“I’m delighted to join the talented team at FLP at such an important point in the firm’s growth,” Darst said. “FLP has built a strong organization, and I see tremendous opportunity to bring together the firm’s ideas, expertise, and market perspective into a clear and differentiated point of view. As FLP continues to expand into new markets and broaden its capabilities, I look forward to helping tell that story and deepen engagement with clients and the broader marketplace.”
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