In this week’s roundup, Accelerated Wealth Partners agreed to invest in Pallas; Creative Planning bought Rockbridge; Carson acquired Marietta Wealth; Mercer acquired Fifteenth; Cleros launched with support from Elevation Point; Raymond James recruited three teams; Concurrent added Benchmark, Foreman and four advisors; Osaic added Beacon Financial; NewEdge recruited Trevor Beaney; Mesirow appointed Shawn Beber as CEO; AssetMark hired Kate Winters; and DeVoe examined RIA talent development.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Accelerated Wealth Partners To Invest In Pallas With $5 Billion In Client Assets
Accelerated Wealth Partners agreed to invest in Pallas Capital Advisors, a Braintree, Massachusetts‑based RIA overseeing approximately $5 billion in client assets. The transaction is expected to close later in 2026. Pallas was founded in 2019 by Rich Mullen, Founding Partner and CEO, Greg Boyle, Founding Partner and Chief Growth Officer, and Charlie Evangelakos, Founding Partner and Chief Financial Officer.
Pallas’ founders will continue to lead the firm, which will retain its name, while Accelerated Wealth Partners provides capital for expansion and M&A. Managing Directors Joe Cullen, Eric Lalime and Andrew Krout will become equity partners. They will be joined in ownership by James Landry, President, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Planning, and Athol Cochrane, Vice President of Wealth Management. Accelerated Wealth Partners is supported by a separate $200 million capital commitment from J.C. Flowers.
Mullen said, “Our ambition is to be the national leader in ultra‑high‑net‑worth wealth management, and our planning capability is what sets us apart. This partnership gives us the resources to pursue that ambition with real conviction while staying true to who we are. Just as importantly, it allows us to welcome more of our colleagues into ownership and reward the people who have helped make Pallas what it is today.”
Creative Planning Acquires Rockbridge With $2.2 Billion In AUM
Creative Planning acquired Rockbridge Investment Management, a Syracuse, New York‑based fee‑only RIA, in a transaction that closed Nov. 2. Rockbridge adds approximately $2.2 billion in assets under management (AUM) and 23 employees to Creative Planning. Founded in 1991, Rockbridge provides retirement and financial planning, investment management, estate planning, insurance planning, business succession planning and tax coordination to individuals and families.
Rockbridge clients will continue working with their existing advisors and have access to additional tax preparation, estate planning, legal, trust and retirement plan services through Creative Planning’s affiliated companies. Patrick Rohe serves as Rockbridge’s CEO, with David Carroll as Managing Partner. Alaris Acquisitions acted as exclusive M&A advisor to Rockbridge, while Michael Stanczyk of Lynn D’Elia Temes & Stanczyk served as legal counsel.
“We’re excited to welcome the Rockbridge team and its clients to Creative Planning. Rockbridge has built its reputation in Central New York on in‑depth financial planning and a thoughtful client experience, and that commitment mirrors how we approach our work. Together, we can bring Syracuse‑area families a full range of integrated wealth management, including tax and estate planning,” said Peter Mallouk, President and CEO of Creative Planning.
Carson Acquires Marietta Wealth With $1.6 Billion In Assets Under Advisement
Carson Group acquired Marietta Wealth Management, a Marietta, Georgia‑based RIA overseeing about $1.6 billion in assets under advisement. The deal closed Oct. 26, Michael Belluomini, Senior Vice President of M&A at Carson, told Wealth Solutions Report. Marietta Wealth joined Carson’s integrated channel as a Carson Wealth office, becoming Carson’s 22nd announced acquisition of 2026.
Marietta Wealth is led by Managing Partners and Wealth Advisors Scott Keller, Charlie Holloway, Wes Hackney and Ben Crowe. The firm works with individuals, families and business owners on financial planning, investments, tax planning and retirement planning. Clients will continue to work with the existing advisory team, Carson said. Alaris Acquisitions was Marietta Wealth’s exclusive M&A advisor and introduced the two firms, according to Belluomini.
“We were looking for a partner that would allow us to keep serving clients the way we always have while giving us the scale, resources and expertise to do even more for them,” Keller said. “Carson stood out because of its proven track record in helping firms remain local while continuing to grow.”
Mercer Advisors Acquires AI‑Based Tax Firm Fifteenth
RIA Mercer Advisors acquired Fifteenth, an AI‑based tax and accounting firm whose software handles equity compensation and complicated tax filings. Fifteenth’s platform and tax professionals, including team members with “big four” accounting backgrounds, will join Mercer. The company serves more than 1,000 professionals, including employees at Silicon Valley technology firms who face stock‑option exercises, tender offers and liquidity events.
Mercer reported $114 billion in client assets and said more than half its incoming ultra‑high net worth clients seek tax capabilities. Fifteenth’s technology combines annual filing with year‑round planning, adding tax expertise to Mercer’s existing wealth management services. The acquisition follows Mercer’s introduction of the second generation of its Aspen AI‑enabled platform.
“What sets Fifteenth apart is that their AI capabilities aren’t theoretical. They’ve been built and refined through supporting thousands of returns, real numbers that made us excited about bringing their time‑tested technology into our organization,” said Cynthia Loh, Chief Platform Officer of Mercer Advisors. “As we integrate their tools alongside our existing tax infrastructure, we expect to meaningfully expand the capacity of our tax teams while continuing to deliver the high level of expertise and service our clients expect.”
Advisor Transactions
Former UBS Team That Oversaw $3.6 Billion Launches Cleros With Elevation Point’s Assistance
Cleros Wealth Partners launched as an independent RIA in Fort Worth, Texas, after its team oversaw about $3.61 billion in assets under supervision at UBS. The firm launched Oct. 30, a Cleros spokesperson told Wealth Solutions Report. Elevation Point took a minority stake. Founding Partners Kyle Kight, Alex Armstrong and Jamie Packer previously operated as Thompson, Kight, Armstrong & Packer at UBS.
The 11‑member Cleros team selected Goldman Sachs Custody Solutions as its custodian and provides wealth management and planning for high net worth families, endowments and foundations. More than half its clients have worked with the team for more than 20 years, according to Cleros. Elevation Point is providing investment, technology and growth resources to the independent firm.
“I’m fortunate to have spent the past 27 years working alongside some of the best financial advisors in the industry, including the original founding partner of our group, who was a true pioneer in the business. Now, we have the opportunity to continue this legacy of doing what we do best for clients, with greater flexibility and more ways to serve them,” Kight said.
Raymond James Recruits Three Teams From Truist And UBS
Raymond James, through its employee advisor channel Raymond James & Associates, added three teams that managed approximately $2.6 billion in combined client assets at their previous firms. Managing Directors Samuel “Sam” Mintz and Stephen “Steve” Gow joined in Richmond, Virginia, from Truist Investment Services, where they managed over $1.2 billion. The Mintz & Gow Group includes Senior Client Service Associate Cheryl Franz and Client Service Associate Donna Minkeson‑Shaw.
The 42° North Advisors team in Beachwood, Ohio, includes advisors Thomas Massey, Michelle Herman, Joseph Licate and John Egan, who previously managed over $700 million at UBS. Senior Registered Client Service Associate Lyndsey Fern joined them. Separately, Managing Directors Lance Longwater and Christopher “Ryan” Haffey joined from Truist Investment Services, where they managed approximately $700 million in client assets. They formed the Longwater Haffey Group in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, accompanied by Traci Havens.
“Our work starts with understanding what each client wants to accomplish and building our approach around those priorities,” said Mintz. “At Raymond James, advanced technology and private wealth capabilities give us the resources to support the sophisticated needs of high‑net‑worth clients within a people first‑culture.”
Concurrent Adds Teams And Advisors Representing More Than $1 Billion
RIA Concurrent Investment Advisors added Benchmark Financial Advisors, Foreman Financial and four other advisors whose combined assets exceeded $1 billion. The additions increased Concurrent’s reported AUM to more than $29 billion. Pennsylvania‑based Benchmark, led by Tim P. Miller and Stephanie Hunter, brought more than $300 million in managed assets, while Midland, Texas‑based Foreman Financial, led by Founder and Wealth Advisor Kevin Foreman, brought nearly $400 million.
Foreman joined from Raymond James Financial Services, the independent advisor channel of Raymond James. Concurrent also added four advisors representing more than $300 million in AUM during September and October. Staci Bennett joined from LPL with Bennett Financial Partners in Georgia. Three other advisors joined firms in Concurrent’s network: Adam Morgan joined Barnett Financial Group in Virginia, Brian Stein joined The Hamilton Group in Colorado and Michelle Kreda joined BMR Retirement Group in Michigan.
“When I built Foreman Financial, my goal was simple: to serve my clients with innovative, personalized financial strategies,” said Foreman. “As our clients’ needs and goals evolve, partnering with Concurrent will help us deliver on our vision to offer sophisticated, institutional‑caliber services with the dedication and autonomy of a business of our own.”
Osaic Adds Beacon Financial Group With Nearly $1 Billion
Osaic added Beacon Financial Group, an independent advisory firm based in Aurora, Ohio, to its Empowered Independence channel. Led by Managing Director Brent Besinger, Beacon oversees nearly $1 billion in client assets and serves more than 120 families. Before joining Osaic, Beacon operated as an independent RIA with broker‑dealer affiliation through Private Client Services.
Besinger founded Beacon in 2007 and established it as an independent RIA in 2022 after his tenure at Lincoln Financial Advisors. The firm has seven staff members and focuses on family wealth management and planning. Besinger had previously worked with John DiMonda, Head of Advisor Direct at Osaic, for more than 15 years at Lincoln Financial Advisors.
Besinger said, “John and I have known each other for many years, and he understands our team, our clients and the relationships we’ve worked hard to build. With Osaic, we found a partner that respects our independence while giving us access to the resources, scale and succession planning capabilities to support our next chapter.”
NewEdge Wealth Adds Former Florida Atlantic Securities CEO
RIA NewEdge Wealth, a subsidiary of NewEdge Capital Group, appointed W. Trevor Beaney as a Partner in its Coral Gables, Florida, office. Beaney was previously CEO of Florida Atlantic Securities, a firm that oversees more than $1 billion in total client assets. He joined Florida Atlantic Securities as Vice President in 2012 and became its CEO in 2019. Beaney began his wealth management career at Morgan Stanley in 2006.
At Morgan Stanley, Beaney worked with ultra‑high net worth and institutional clients on more than $650 million in investment assets. He is joining NewEdge with Kristie Feliz Smith, Analyst, Client Service. The firm reported more than 75 ultra‑high net worth advisors at 22 locations, including New York, Chicago, Miami and San Francisco.
“Trevor and his team bring a depth of experience in managing equity and fixed‑income portfolios for high net worth individuals and their families, as well as non‑profit and for‑profit corporations,” said Rob Sechan, Founder and Managing Partner of NewEdge Capital Group. “Their unique business model dovetails well with the sophisticated wealth management strategies our team provides to our South Florida clients. We look forward to supporting Trevor and his team in accessing additional wealth solutions.”
Promotions & People Moves
Mesirow Names Shawn Beber As CEO
Mesirow appointed Shawn Beber as its next CEO following a unanimous vote by the firm’s Board of Directors. Beber joined from CIBC Bank USA, a subsidiary of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), where he most recently served as President and CEO. Richard S. Price will remain Executive Chairman of Mesirow and will focus on organizational strategy and civic and community engagement. Beber previously spent more than two decades in leadership positions at CIBC.
At CIBC, Beber held roles covering U.S. Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, Risk Management, Legal and Strategy and Corporate Development. He participated in the bank’s U.S. expansion, including the $5 billion acquisition of The Private Bank in 2017. Chicago‑based Mesirow reported $410.3 billion in assets under supervision as of Sept. 30, a measurement that includes regulatory AUM, assets under advisement and currency assets.
“Mesirow has built an exceptional firm grounded in its entrepreneurial spirit and a deep commitment to its clients,” Beber said. “These qualities are a clear reflection of the strength of Mesirow’s people and the culture that has been built over generations, and I am honored to join Mesirow to continue building on the firm’s momentum and delivering meaningful value to the clients and communities we serve.”
AssetMark Appoints Kate Winters To Lead Investment Platforms
AssetMark appointed Kate Winters Senior Vice President and Head of Investment Platforms and Solutions. She will oversee the firm’s investment platform teams and commercial strategy, with a focus on RIAs, high net worth clients and private markets. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Winters reports to David McNatt, Executive Vice President and Chief Wealth Solutions & Strategy Officer. She has more than 25 years of industry experience.
Winters most recently served as Senior Vice President, Investment Products and Strategic Partners, at LPL Financial, where she oversaw investment products across brokerage and advisory platforms. She previously held roles at MassMutual, MetLife and WealthPlan Financial Partners. AssetMark’s current platform initiatives include direct indexing, private markets and tax management services. The firm reported more than $180 billion in assets across its platforms as of June 30.
“I am excited to join AssetMark at an important time for the company and the wealth management industry,” said Winters. “AssetMark has built a strong foundation and has a meaningful opportunity to expand the ways it supports advisors. I look forward to working with the team to advance the investment platform strategy, deepen strategic partner relationships and help deliver innovative, integrated solutions for advisors and their clients.”
Research
DeVoe Finds Gaps In RIA Advisor Training And Succession
DeVoe & Company found that only 10% of surveyed RIA firms offered robust training for junior advisors, while just 28% considered their next generation ready to lead. Its 2026 Talent & Growth Report also found that 21% were not considering a succession plan, the highest level recorded by the survey. The research focuses on a gap between firms’ employee‑management systems and their development of future leaders.
In contrast, 59% of respondent firms had clear, methodical incentive compensation plans, up from 43% in 2025, while 49% conducted performance reviews at least semiannually. The research was based on a survey of 132 RIA firm representatives conducted between March and May. Respondents included founders, owners, partners and employees, predominantly at firms with at least $100 million in AUM.
“RIA leaders heard last year’s message that their people strategies were trending toward mediocrity, and they took action. This year’s message is about what comes next. Better systems are the starting point. Using them to develop people is what builds the next generation of leaders,” said David DeVoe, Founder and CEO of DeVoe & Company.
Wealth Solutions Report can be reached at info@wealthsolutionsreport.com.
