Two offices managing over $1 billion in assets are joining employee firm Alex. Brown, a division of Raymond James.
“Coupled with the breadth of resources at Raymond James — from sophisticated wealth planning expertise to forward-looking technology — the boutique feel at Alex. Brown continues to attract experienced client advisors throughout the U.S., including these important markets where our firm has built a well-established presence,” Haig Ariyan, president of Alex. Brown, said in a press release.
The Miami team is made up of former Wells Fargo advisors Juan Felipe Souza, Fernando Riojas, Jaime Badia, James Levy, Jorge Benitez, Doraida Fernandez, Pablo Annovelli and Carlos Paez. The group is managed by Regional Executive Eric Termini and is part of Alex. Brown’s Atlantic region, which is led by Regional Director Brett Kellam.
“After 25 years in the industry, I wanted a high-touch, service-oriented, boutique-style firm that offers agility, flexibility, high-level technology and a client-focused culture,” Souza said. “I was looking for a firm that has deep financial resources, products, scale and size.”
Souza worked at Wells Fargo for 17 years and prior to that at Prudential Securities, according to
Wells Fargo declined to comment.
“Many advisors like boutique environments that offer both broad based resources and ease of access to key home office people,” said Mark Elzweig, president of Mark Elzweig Company.
Former Avanza Capital Markets advisor Victor Simon Gill joined the Park Avenue, New York office, managed by Regional Director John Sutton.
Gill worked at Avanza for 12 years, according to BrokerCheck. Before then, he worked at Pali Capital.
Avanza could not be reached for comment.
Alex. Brown became the U.S.’s first investment bank in 1800 and its advisors offer financial planning and wealth management services to high networth people and institutions. The division’s broker-dealer is Raymond James and Associates.
