Two advisor teams have left their respective firms to launch independent practices, collectively managing more than $1 billion in client assets. The moves highlight the broadening appeal of independence, which now extends beyond traditional wirehouse breakaways to include departures from RIA consolidators.
Perennial Wealth Partners, an eight-person team formerly with Hightower Advisors, has launched under Integrated Partners, a national RIA and financial planning firm. The team, which includes six financial advisors and two operational partners—Ben Audley, Sam Awad, Greg Bogdan, Kurt Helmich, Michael Im, Mary Beth McLean, Brady Peat, and Carrie Shoener—manages over $500 million in assets for high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and families.
The departure from Hightower is significant, as the firm has been shifting its Signature Wealth division toward a W-2 employee model in 2026, reducing advisor autonomy. Perennial's team sought greater control over their practice, leading them to Integrated Partners, which offers an open-architecture platform and a CPA partner program. Integrated Partners, founded in 1996, supports more than 220 advisors across 116 offices.
Michael Im, Perennial's COO and founding partner, emphasized the team's long-standing relationships and commitment to service. Greg Bogdan, principal advisor and chairman, explained the name Perennial reflects their goal to be a consistent presence for clients across market cycles.
On the West Coast, Nick Economos has launched Economos Private Wealth in Danville, California, through LPL Financial's Independent Advisor Network. Economos brings over 25 years of experience, having joined his father's practice at Merrill Lynch in 2000. He manages approximately $580 million in advisory and brokerage assets, serving corporate executives, business owners, and multigenerational families.
Economos described his role as the "CFO for successful families," coordinating investment planning and financial strategy. He cited the flexibility of independence as key to tailoring advice to each family's needs. Marc Cohen, LPL's chief growth officer, praised Economos's planning philosophy as a natural fit for the firm.
These launches underscore a trend noted by Dynasty Financial Partners: the next wave of advisor departures is coming from RIA consolidators, not just wirehouses. As recent billion-dollar RIA deals show, the aggregator space is evolving, and some advisors are seeking true ownership and autonomy.
The moves also reflect broader shifts in the industry, such as independent platforms adding significant assets through team hires. As more advisors choose independence, the landscape continues to diversify, with firms like LPL and Integrated Partners attracting talent from various backgrounds.
For advisors considering a similar path, the decision often hinges on balancing autonomy with support. As Fidelity's custody requirements show, scale matters, but so does the ability to serve clients without corporate constraints.
