Atlanta-based Merit Financial Advisors on Wednesday announced the additions of two executives to its leadership team, saying Doug Moore was named CFO and Sarah Mouser was appointed Executive Vice President of Financial Planning.
Merit also announced it recently launched an executive leadership development program in partnership with ClientWise.
Moore To Take CFO Role
Moore is replacing Mike Mitchell, who left Merit to become Americana Partners CFO in March, according to Mitchell’s LinkedIn profile.
Moore joins Merit after over four years at Edelman Financial Engines, where he most recently served as Head of Finance. Before Edelman, Moore was CFO of Pyramus Global Advisors, a Fidelity Investments company, and also held leadership roles at AAA Northeast.
Moore will lead Merit’s financial operations including accounting, financial planning and analysis, decision support, and financial data and analytics, it said.
“What attracted me to Merit was not only the firm’s impressive growth trajectory, but the way the organization has maintained its culture and client-first focus while scaling,” Moore said in the news release. “Many firms are successful at acquisition growth or organic growth, but it’s rare to find an organization executing exceptionally well on both fronts simultaneously.”
Moore added, “Merit has built something special, and I’m excited to help support the next phase of growth by building the financial infrastructure and strategic support systems needed for the future.”
Mouser To Lead Financial Planning
Mouser joins Merit in a role the firm said is focused on centralizing and scaling its financial planning capabilities across its growing national footprint.
Over the last 15 years, Mouser has built centralized financial planning platforms, advisor support structures and talent development programs.
Before joining Merit, Mouser was Managing Director of Financial Planning at Verdence Capital Advisors for over a year, according to her LinkedIn profile. Prior to that, Mouser spent over 10 years at Cassaday & Company, where she built and led a centralized financial planning department centered on career path development, subject matter expertise, advisor support and mentorship, Merit said.
Mouser is tasked with expanding Merit’s planning infrastructure, identifying and mentoring next-generation planners, evaluating planning technology and developing career pathways for financial planners and advisors, the firm said.
“The opportunity to join Merit at this stage of growth was incredibly compelling,” according to Mouser. “Merit is deeply committed to building a forward-thinking, advisor-focused organization that recognizes the importance of planning, mentorship, and long-term talent development.”
She added, “ I’m especially excited about the opportunity to help create intentional career paths for planners and advisors while building a scalable planning platform that can evolve alongside the changing needs of clients and the profession.”
“Merit has experienced tremendous momentum over the past several years, and we recognize that continued growth requires continued investment in exceptional leadership,” according to Rick Kent, CEO of Merit Financial Advisors.
“Doug and Sarah each bring deep expertise, strategic perspective, and a passion for building scalable organizations that prioritize both growth and culture,” he said in the release.
Merit’s Executive Leadership Program With ClientWise
Merit said it launched an executive leadership coaching and working-session program with coaching and development firm ClientWise.
The six-month program includes 27 executive leaders from Merit. It includes in-person executive working sessions, virtual leadership workshops and ongoing collaborative initiatives that Merit said are focused on solving key growth and operational challenges.
“We believe investing in leadership development is just as important as investing in technology, acquisitions, or operational infrastructure,” Kay Lynn Mayhue, President of Merit Financial Advisors, said in the release.
Mayhue added, “As we continue to grow, we want to ensure our leaders are equipped with the tools, frameworks, and collaborative mindset needed to support our advisors, teams, and clients at the highest level. This program represents another important step in building a sustainable and scalable firm for the future.”
Merit, which supports both the independent broker-dealer and RIA models, has more than 55 offices and managed $26 billion in client assets as of March 31, including $18.63 billion in advisory assets, $2.89 billion in brokerage assets, $2.7 billion in employer plans and $1.8 billion in employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) assets, the firm said.
Jeff Berman, Contributing Editor and Reporter at Wealth Solutions Report, can be reached at jeff.berman@wealthsolutionsreport.com.
