&Partners, the St. Louis-based independent broker-dealer, has continued its aggressive recruiting push by adding Stonemere Wealth, a three-person practice based in Seminole, Oklahoma. The team, led by founder Brian Geist, brings approximately $323 million in client assets under management, according to a company announcement. Geist, who previously affiliated with Edward Jones, will serve as wealth advisor, joined by Gina Cheves as partner and practice director of operations and Kristina Paul as client service associate.
Stonemere Wealth serves a clientele that includes business owners, pre-retirees, retirees, and multigenerational families, with a notable concentration in agriculture and energy-related wealth. The addition marks the 131st advisor practice to join &Partners, which reported $65 billion in total assets as of the end of the third quarter. The firm has been one of the most active recruiters in the independent channel this year, a trend highlighted in recent coverage of rival firms' recruiting efforts.
EP Wealth expands Denver presence with entertainment and executive specialist
EP Wealth Advisors, a Torrance, California-based fee-only RIA, has hired Seth Davis as partner and senior wealth advisor in its Denver office. Davis's practice focuses on entertainers and corporate executives, a niche that aligns with EP Wealth's broader strategy of serving high-net-worth clients with complex financial needs. He joins from Curi RMB Capital, according to his SEC IAPD record.
Davis brings leadership experience, having helped set financial planning standards, mentored junior advisors, and developed services for younger clients in the wealth-accumulation phase. "Seth brings the combination of deep planning expertise, leadership experience and commitment to clients that aligns well with how we continue to build EP Wealth," said Ryan Parker, chairman and CEO of EP Wealth. "We're excited to welcome him to the firm and to continue strengthening our presence in Denver."
The hire follows recent C-suite additions at EP Wealth, including the appointment of John McConnell as chief financial officer and the promotion of Erin Voisin to chief client solutions officer. The firm manages more than $50.4 billion across over 65 offices in 23 states.
Ballast Rock bolsters multigenerational planning with veteran advisor
In South Carolina, Ballast Rock Private Wealth has brought on Deann Cross as senior wealth advisor, a move aimed at deepening its multigenerational planning capabilities. Cross brings nearly 30 years of experience in financial services, investment management, and private wealth advisory. She most recently spent nearly two decades at Integrity Financial Corporation, a Bellevue, Washington-based independent advisory firm, according to her IAPD profile.
Ballast Rock, an independent SEC-registered investment advisor, serves high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners, and family offices, with roughly $400 million in regulatory assets under management per its latest Form ADV. Cross will focus on business-owner clients and multigenerational planning, integrating portfolios with retirement, estate, and tax strategies.
"Her focus on business owner support, guiding families through generational wealth transfer, and mentoring the next generation of advisors will be an important part of our continued growth," said Andrew Mescon, CEO of Ballast Rock. The firm's push into multigenerational planning reflects a broader industry trend as advisors seek to serve the longevity-driven needs of aging clients.
These moves underscore the competitive market for experienced advisors, with firms like &Partners and EP Wealth expanding their footprints through strategic hires. For advisors considering a move, the landscape remains active, as seen in recent leadership additions at &Partners and other firms. The trend of independent and RIA channels attracting talent from wirehouses and regional firms continues, driven by flexibility and growth opportunities.
