Raymond James has recruited a team of eight financial advisors from Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network where they collectively managed $1.06 billion in client assets, according to a release by the company.
The advisors operate as Hall Financial Advisors (HFA) and Karageorge Wealth Management (KWM) and are based in offices in Parkersburg, W.V., Marietta, Ohio and Athens, Ohio.
HFA, with offices in Parkersburg, W.V. and Marietta, Ohio, is led by Chris Hall, founding partner and CEO and Raymond James senior financial advisor. Hall spent more than five years at Edward Jones before moving to Wells Fargo in 2004. He is joined at Raymond James by HFA partners and senior financial advisors Brett Bronski, Robert Blasczyk and Jeremiah Kuhn; and financial advisors Rob Beardmore, Kevin Knab, and Zane Eschbaugh.
The firm also includes support team members Angela Harkness, HFA executive administrative associate, now marketing assistant; Kari Marra, registered principal; Ashley Ullman, HFA senior operations director, now aegistered representative; Jill Altenburger, registered client service associate; Mindy Haas, administrative assistant; and client service associates Jennifer Roton, Jackie Mahaney, Megan Hurley and Stacey Merrill.
Hall said after he and his team did a thorough due diligence across the financial services industry to explore their options, they found themselves attracted to the values and client-centric culture Raymond James offers. “The systems, data security, technology and workflow efficiencies allow us to build and enhance the robust strategies that place our clients’ goals in the center of all we do,” he said in a statement. “As our practice evolves, we are grateful to have found a partner that will allow us to enhance our client experience, backed with the resources we need as we grow. We’re tremendously excited about the opportunity to continue to thrive partnered with Raymond James well into the future.”
The Athens, Ohio team is led by James Karageorge, owner, founder and CEO of KWM and now a Raymond James senior wealth manager. He has 30 years industry experience, spending 10 years at Fifth Third Securities prior to moving to Wells Fargo in 2003. Joining him at Raymond James are team members Gayle Haskins, senior relationship manager; Angela Canter, operations director of KWM and now a senior client services associate; Anna Starling, client services associate; and Nathaniel Gribble, administrative assistant.
“My entire career has been laser-focused on building trusted lifetime partnerships with my clients so that they are financially equipped to realize their goals, with no dreams left unexplored, and their succession and legacy goals honored. Aligning with Raymond James is an exciting opportunity, as it will augment our ability to help achieve these goals for our clients,” said Karageorge, adding that he is especially excited about Raymond James’ dedicated cyber threat center and fraud protection capabilities, as well as its sophisticated technology platform.
Jodi Perry, president of the Independent Contractors Division, Raymond James Financial Services, said they are proud that advisors, particularly ensemble teams, continue to recognize Raymond James’ unique offering in the marketplace. “We’ve heard from advisors that the high degree of flexibility here to run their business, coupled with the high level of support and resources at Raymond James, allows them to focus on elevating their client experience, service and offerings, which is of utmost importance in this environment,” she said. “We’re pleased to welcome the advisors and professionals at Hall Financial Advisors and Karageorge Wealth Management, and we look forward to our continued alignment.”