Rockefeller Capital Management's global family office unit is expanding its Ohio presence with the addition of a multibillion-dollar team from Merrill Lynch. The Jones Wealth Partners group, which oversees approximately $2.1 billion in client assets, will anchor a new office in Columbus, the firm's fifth in the state.
The team is led by Sidney Jones, a 43-year industry veteran who has been recognized on Barron's and Forbes lists of top advisors since 2010. He is joined by his sons Quinn and Liam Jones, along with Natalie Lariccia, all serving as private advisors and senior vice presidents. The group also includes vice presidents Dominic Corso and Stefanos Newman, supported by a nine-person operations and client service staff.
Michael Outlaw, president of Rockefeller Global Family Office, said the team's experience with multigenerational families and business owners aligns with the firm's strategy. "Our clients are looking for one, trusted partner to help them navigate increasing complexity and establish a lasting legacy," he said in a statement.
The new Columbus office will serve clients across Ohio, with the team maintaining a presence in Canfield as well. They will report to Brett Thelander, northern regional president, who cited Columbus's "thriving business community" as a key draw.
This move follows Rockefeller's May expansion into Naples, Florida, where it welcomed Coplin Wealth Partners from Morgan Stanley. The firm has been actively recruiting top teams while also investing in technology. In June, it announced a partnership with Anthropic to build an AI-enabled wealth management platform using Claude, aimed at streamlining research and client insights for advisors.
Gregory Fleming, president and CEO of Rockefeller Capital Management, said the AI initiative would "enhance our advisors' insight" while preserving the human relationships central to the firm's model. The Columbus addition underscores Rockefeller's broader push to grow its wealth management footprint in key U.S. markets.
Industry observers note that recruiting teams like Jones Wealth Partners is part of a larger trend of wirehouse advisors moving to independent and hybrid models. Recent moves include iTP Partners shifting a $3.5B RIA to Cetera and another firm adding a $1.8B Mississippi team.
For Rockefeller, the addition of a seasoned multigenerational team in Ohio could help it compete for high-net-worth clients in the Midwest. The firm's family office unit has been steadily expanding its regional presence, and the Columbus office is expected to be fully operational in the coming months.
