HighTower, a financial services firm based in Chicago, has hired three new professionals, and marked 21 transactions it completed in the first half of 2017, more than in any full year in the past, HighTower announced Thursday.

The new hires are George Fischer, managing director, operations and service; Susan Krakower, chief brand strategist; and Kyle Okimoto, strategic consultant.

"We believe in challenging the status quo. We believe that the industry does not well serve the needs of financial advisors and their clients, and that we can do it better," said HighTower CEO Elliot Weissbluth in a prepared release. "George, Susan and Kyle bring rich industry experience and fresh thinking to HighTower during one of the most exciting periods in the company's history. Our vision is clear, our momentum is strong, and our passion for change has never been stronger."

In support of this rapid expansion and to help drive HighTower's ongoing evolution, the firm is investing in top talent at the executive level, all reporting directly to Weissbluth.

Included in transactions this year was HighTower’s acquisition of WealthTrust in April, which added $6.4 billion in client assets, HighTower’s largest transaction ever. HighTower has added $10 billion in client assets in 2017 bringing total client assets to $50 billion, a 27 percent increase since the beginning of the year, HighTower says.

Fischer will lead operations and operational service support at HighTower. Previously, he spent 10 years at E*Trade, where he ran the firm's wealth management, active investor, lending, banking and cash management lines of business. He also managed staff for the product management, operations, trading and customer service functions.

Krakower will focus on leading initiatives to increase awareness of the HighTower brand among consumer audiences. Before joining HighTower, Krakower was chief creative officer for SkyBridge Capital, where she reported directly to Anthony Scaramucci. She was previously a producer with CNBC, where she created "Mad Money with Jim Cramer" and "Fast Money."

Okimoto will concentrate on supporting the company's offering for independent business owners. He was formerly co-head of strategy and business development for Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management.