The InvestmentNews Awards returned to the Edison Ballroom in Times Square on Wednesday, drawing hundreds of financial advisors, executives, and industry stakeholders for an evening of recognition and networking. The event, held during the World Cup's presence in New York and New Jersey, featured a red-carpet atmosphere and six World Cup matches earlier that day.
Orion, a wealth technology provider, won WealthTech Provider of the Year. Todd Bertucci, EVP of technology sales at Orion, noted the venue's upscale feel and the unique backdrop of the World Cup crowds. "The fact that we had to go through a huge crowd of World Cuppers to get here, even cooler," he said.
David Pickler of Pickler Wealth Advisors, who traveled from Tennessee, won Advisor of the Year for the Southeast region. "The energy of New York is always incredible, my favorite city of the world," Pickler said, adding that the convergence of the World Cup and top financial professionals was humbling.
Clark Capital Management Group took home the Prudential Advisors Award for Asset Manager of the Year, and CEO Brendan Clark also won The Thrivent Award for Excellence in Philanthropy and Community Service. "At Clark Capital, we put the advisor and the client front and center of every single decision," Clark said.
Mary Beth Franklin of RetirePro LLC received the Lifetime Achievement in the Wealth Management Industry award. Franklin, a former InvestmentNews editor and certified financial planner, has spent over 40 years as a financial journalist and is a leading expert on Social Security. "When I discovered there were secret ways that people could claim Social Security to maximize their lifetime benefits, it was a goldmine," she said.
Regional Advisor of the Year honors went to Hilary Hendershott of Hendershott Wealth Management (West), David Pickler (Southeast), Matt Walker of Fortitude Family Office (Southwest), and Andrew Richardson of Brighton Jones (Northeast). Walker, who had lost the award in previous years, said, "To win this year is just so meaningful."
Imade Iyamu of Arusha Wealth won the Osaic Award for NextGen Advisor of the Year. Tom Ruggie of Destiny Family Office won Advisor of the Year for Alternative Investments for the second consecutive year. Cambridge Investment Research was named Broker-Dealer of the Year, and CEO Amy Webber took home the Park Avenue Wealth Management Award for CEO of the Year.
Goldman Sachs Custody Solutions won Custodian of the Year, and Concurrent Investment Advisors won the Nasdaq Award for RIA Firm of the Year. CEO Nate Lenz said, "It's a testament to the caliber of people within our organization." Credent Wealth Management was named Employer of Choice, and RFG Advisory won Compliance Team of the Year and Marketing Team of the Year.
Nathan Munits of Longwave Financial won Advisor of the Year in the ESG/Responsible Investing category. "Over the years I realized how generous my clients were with their time, with their philanthropy, and they really inspired me to wear my own views on my sleeve," Munits said.
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