Welcome to our blog series, 'Private Wealth Groups to Watch: 10 Leading Advisory Teams in the Southeast'. In this second installment of four, FINTRX spotlights ten standout individuals from esteemed private wealth advisory teams throughout the Southeast region of the United States. Join us as we explore the unique strategies and nuanced approaches that set these top-tier financial experts apart in their local markets.
Before we delve into the series, it's crucial to establish a clear framework for what qualifies a representative or group as a 'top advisor' in the RIA landscape. While assets under management (AUM) and client size are factors we consider, our evaluation extends beyond size or market share. We employ criteria that include influence, innovation, market impact and expertise to make a well-rounded determination.
Private Wealth Groups to Watch: 10 Leading Advisory Teams in the Northeast
Title: Managing Director
Firm: The Summit Group at UBS Financial Services Inc.
Location: Winter Park, FL
Est. Group AUM: $1.8B
Florida AUM Rank: 58th
Industry Tenure: 22+ years
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Manish Mehta, Managing Director at the Summit Group, a Private Wealth team under UBS Financial Services Inc., brings over two decades of industry experience as a specialized advisor for high-net-worth clients. Manish's expertise is evidenced by his CFA® and CFP® designations, a Post Graduate Diploma in Finance & International Business from India where he earned the highest academic honor for excellence, and executive education from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Manish's extensive experience includes serving as a Resident Director at Merrill Lynch and holding various roles at Morgan Stanley. His achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including being named a "Barron's Top 1200 Financial Advisor" for three consecutive years (2017-2019), recognized as one of the "Top 400 Financial Advisors" in the U.S. by the Financial Times in 2015, and honored as "Best-in-State" by Forbes in 2018 and 2019.
The Summit Group, part of UBS Financial Services Inc. in Winter Park, Florida, is a nine-person team offering global insights and opportunities to help clients manage their finances for short-term needs and long-term goals. Committed to customized service and long-term relationships, the team leverages UBS resources to offer services including wealth management, investment planning, retirement planning and estate planning, ensuring personalized solutions for clients' financial aspirations.
Title: Senior Vice President; Financial Planner
Firm: The Starner Group of Raymond James
Location: Coral Gables, FL
Est. Group AUM: $1.4B
Florida AUM Rank: 127th
Industry Tenure: 43+ years
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Margaret Starner, CFP®, is a Senior Vice President and Financial Planner at The Starner Group of Raymond James, with over 43 years of industry experience. She founded The Starner Group in 1981, growing it into an invitation-only wealth management practice. Margaret excels in retirement planning, strategic financial planning, and wealth management, holding multiple licenses. She has been quoted in Money, Fortune, and The Wall Street Journal and has received numerous accolades, including being named one of America's Top 100 Women Advisors, one of America's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors, and being inducted into the Hall of Fame advisor in 2019. Margaret is dedicated to advocating for women, health and education, founding the Women's Leadership Alliance and the Raymond James Women's Advisory Board.
The Starner Group of Raymond James, based in Coral Gables, Florida, is a distinguished 7-person private wealth team renowned for its comprehensive wealth management services. The group offers personalized financial advice and strategies tailored to each client's needs. They prioritize building long-term relationships through open communication and transparency. Services offered include investment management, retirement planning, estate planning and wealth transfer strategies for affluent individuals and families.
Title: Managing Director; Senior Investment Management Consultant
Firm: The Bellwether Group at Morgan Stanley
Location: Sarasota, FL
Est. Group AUM: $1.4B
Florida AUM Rank: 137th
Industry Tenure: 23+ years
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Aimee D. Cogan, Managing Director, Senior Investment Management Consultant and Co-Founder of the Bellwether Group at Morgan Stanley, brings over 20 years of banking and financial services experience to high-net-worth clients. Designated as a CFP®, CIMA®, and Morgan Stanley's Family Wealth Director, Aimee specializes in separately managed accounts, alternative investments, foreign currencies and precious metals. Her sophisticated approach has garnered national and regional recognition, including roles on Morgan Stanley's Financial Advisors Council and as chair of its Consulting Group Council. Since 2009, she has led the Bellwether Group in strategic asset allocation and portfolio management. Aimee is also committed to supporting organizations such as the Ringling College of Art and Design, Asolo Repertory Theater, Forty Carrots and Girls Inc.
The Bellwether Group at Morgan Stanley is a specialized team of six Financial Advisors and four support staff committed to delivering personalized wealth management strategies to a select clientele of fewer than 100 families. Leveraging over a century of combined experience and advanced industry designations, the team provides a broad range of services including wealth management, retirement and estate planning, alternative investments and more. Their approach emphasizes building long-term, engaged relationships with clients to tailor comprehensive financial solutions and secure their financial futures.
Title: Managing Director; Private Wealth Advisor
Firm: Corbellini, Emanuelson, Kalyandurg & Associates at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.
Location: Dallas, TX
Est. Group AUM: $4.6B
Texas AUM Rank: 11th
Industry Tenure: 39+ years
With nearly four decades of industry experience, William Corbellini is a Managing Director and Private Wealth Advisor at Corbellini, Emanuelson, Kalyandurg & Associates at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., serving the ultra-high-net-worth segment. As a founding member, he has been instrumental in shaping the group's investment approach, providing tailored solutions and asset allocations to meet clients' financial goals. William, a former US Air Force officer, is actively involved in several organizations including Big Thought, Ability Connections, the University of Colorado's Leeds School of Business, and the Parsons Scholar Program.
Corbellini, Emanuelson, Kalyandurg & Associates, affiliated with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, is a private wealth management group with over 175 years of combined experience. They focus on understanding clients' unique goals and risk tolerance, offering customized services supported by a global institution. The group's philosophy emphasizes building lasting relationships with a limited number of clients, collaborating with specialists to create strategies that reflect clients' aspirations for themselves and future generations. They specialize in serving diverse client segments including corporate executives, technology entrepreneurs and international clients.
Title: Managing Director
Firm: Graystone Consulting at Morgan Stanley
Location: San Antonio, TX
Est. Group AUM: $4.6B
Texas AUM Rank: 17th
Industry Tenure: 28+ years
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Ronald Kern, Managing Director at Graystone Consulting under Morgan Stanley, has nearly three decades of financial services experience. Since 1996, Ron has held titles such as Institutional Consulting Director, Managing Director and Sports & Entertainment Director at Morgan Stanley. His credentials include a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) certification from Wharton and membership in the Investments & Wealth Institute and the Association of Professional Investment Consultants. Recognized by Barron's as one of the Top 1200 U.S. Financial Advisors in 2021 and 2022 and named one of Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors in 2023, Ron is a Brown University alumnus with a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Graystone Consulting, an institutional consulting business of Morgan Stanley, is a team of 14 investment professionals based in San Antonio, Texas, with origins dating back to the early 1970s. They consult on nearly $5 billion in assets, providing top-tier services to institutions and high-net-worth families. Graystone offers a broad spectrum of investment consulting solutions, from special projects to full discretionary portfolio management, tailored to clients' needs. Serving family offices, nonprofits, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, corporations and government entities, the group specializes in personalized, impact-driven investment strategies.
Title: Senior Managing Director; Financial Advisor
Firm: The Hoge Barrett Group of Truist Investment Services, Inc.
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Est. Group AUM: $1.7B
North Carolina AUM Rank: 20th
Industry Tenure: 24+ years
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Brett Hoge, Senior Managing Director & Financial Advisor at The Hoge Barrett Group of Truist Investment Services, Inc., provides tailored investment and wealth management solutions for corporate executives, business owners and high-net-worth clients. His comprehensive services include financial planning, risk management, investment management, estate planning, philanthropy, financial education and business management planning. Recognized as a Top Financial Advisor by Truist and Barron's and a Best-In-State Wealth Advisor by Forbes, Brett is deeply involved in his community. He has served as president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Forsyth, Yadkin, and Davie counties and founded The LVH ALS Foundation. Brett chairs the Investment Committee of the Clemmons Community Foundation and is an active board member for the Centers of Aging and Rehabilitation of Florida, Inc., and the JDRF Piedmont Triad Chapter.
The Hoge-Barrett Group of Truist Investment Services, Inc. is a multidisciplinary advisory practice in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, specializing in integrated investment strategies and personalized wealth management for affluent individuals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and their families. Their distinguished team offers investment, management and financial planning expertise, providing market strategy insights, asset allocation guidance, and access to an open-architecture investing platform. Services include asset management, tax-efficient income solutions, retirement and estate planning, and more.
Title: Managing Director; Wealth Management Advisor
Firm: The Cammiso Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Location: Vienna, VA
Est. Group AUM: $609M
Virginia AUM Rank: 96th
Industry Tenure: 30+ years
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Sarah Cammiso, Managing Director and Wealth Management Advisor for The Cammiso Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, has guided hundreds of families in achieving their financial goals. With designations as a Certified Investment Management Analyst® and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠, she excels in investment management and retirement planning. Sarah's expertise is further highlighted by her tenure as a faculty member at Merrill Lynch University, where she lectured on various financial topics. Recognized by Forbes as one of "America's Top Women Wealth Advisors" and "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors," and by Working Mother as one of the "Top Wealth Adviser Moms," she is a trusted advisor.
Cammiso, Wilson and Associates, a 5-person private wealth group affiliated with Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, is based in Vienna, Virginia. Catering to active duty and retired military personnel, corporate executives, business owners, and clients with unique needs, the group offers services in retirement planning, education funding, tax minimization, philanthropic gifting, wealth transfer, and liability management. Their mission is to provide superior service with integrity, educate clients about their financial lives, and offer personalized advice based on sound wealth management strategies. Using tools like Merrill's Investment Personality Assessment, they tailor their financial approach to individual client preferences.
Title: Founder & Managing Director - Investments; Financial Advisor
Firm: The Optimal Service Group of Wells Fargo Advisors
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Est. Group AUM: $1.4B
Virginia AUM Rank: 20th
Industry Tenure: 48+ years
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Joseph Montgomery, CFP®, AIF®, Founder and Managing Director of Investments at The Optimal Service Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, specializes in creating custom investment strategies that balance income, growth and risk for high-net-worth individuals and institutional clients. His services include retirement planning, investment selection, risk management, and integrated solutions for various entities. Joseph has been named one of Barron's Top 100 Financial Advisors from 2009 to 2022, a Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor in 2018 and 2023, and was inducted into Barron's Advisor Hall of Fame in 2022.
The Optimal Service Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, is committed to helping clients achieve wealth through disciplined, long-term investment strategies. Led by Montgomery, the group oversees approximately $1.4 billion in assets. Their philosophy emphasizes diversification, patience and a holistic financial approach, guiding clients to steer clear of impulsive market decisions and maintain a focus on long-term objectives.
Title: Managing Director
Firm: Edwards Pharris Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley
Location: Nashville, TN
Est. Group AUM: $1.2B
Tennessee AUM Rank: 27th
Industry Tenure: 43+ years
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Christi Edwards, a founding member and Managing Director of The Edwards Pharris Group at Morgan Stanley, provides highly customized advice to corporate executives, business owners, and professionals from the music and sports industries. Christi's expertise spans investment consulting, financial planning, and relationship management, with a particular focus on fixed income and cash management. Recognized for her comprehensive wealth management services, Christi's areas of expertise include retirement planning, cash management, trust and estate strategies, and philanthropy management. She is deeply involved in the Nashville community, having served on the board of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville and supported organizations like Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and L'Ete du Vin.
The Edwards Pharris Group, based in Nashville, TN, is a private wealth team at Morgan Stanley consisting of six investment advisors led by Edwards and Jason Pharris. Specializing in wealth management and family office services, the group caters to successful business leaders, corporate executives and individuals in the sports and entertainment industries. Recognized as the #2 Best In State Wealth Management Teams by Forbes in 2024, the team excels in helping clients achieve their financial goals while they focus on their thriving careers and personal lives.
Title: Managing Director; Wealth Management Advisor
Firm: Joyner & Associates (PWG within Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.)
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Est. Group AUM: $1.2B
Georgia AUM Rank: 71st
Industry Tenure: 26+ years
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With over two decades of experience at Joyner & Associates, a private wealth group within Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., Donna Joyner, Managing Director & Wealth Management Advisor, has become a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, and multi-generational families. Renowned for her technical insight and relationship-building skills, Donna specializes in tax-sensitive investing, wealth transfer, transaction planning, concentrated stock management, and retirement analysis. Her dedication to understanding and addressing her clients' unique interests has earned her numerous accolades, including being ranked #1 in Georgia on the Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list from 2020 to 2022, and inclusion in the Forbes "America's Top Women Wealth Advisors" and Barron's "Top 100 Women Financial Advisors" lists. Donna is also actively involved in her community, supporting organizations dedicated to the well-being of children and teens.
Joyner & Associates at Merrill Lynch is committed to helping clients achieve their long-term financial goals through personalized service and strong, trust-based relationships. Their mission is to understand each client's unique needs and aspirations, developing customized plans to manage investment risk and achieve financial success. The team takes a comprehensive approach, addressing current financial standings and future goals, including healthcare expenses, education funding, and wealth transfer. By leveraging the global resources of Merrill, Joyner & Associates provides expert financial planning, investment management, and retirement planning guidance.
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