Independent Advisor Alliance enters Illinois with $165M team

The newest practice to affiliate with the firm is leaving Securities America after more than 30 years.

A national wealth management firm is extending its footprint into a new market as it welcomes an Illinois-based advisor team from Securities America. With its headquarters in St. Charles, just outside Chicago, Steward Guide Wealth Partners is transitioning to Independent Advisor Alliance.

The move is a significant milestone for IAA as it marks the firm’s debut in Illinois, effectively extending its footprint to 27 states, according to a spokesperson for the North Carolina-based firm.

Steward Guide Wealth Partners manages more than $165 million in client assets, offering bespoke financial planning services catered to individuals, families, and businesses within the community.

It’s led by co-founders Ron Harczak and Jim Vanderbilt, who together with their team bring more than a century of collective experience in the financial services arena.

Harczak has been nearly four decades of experience, according to his BrokerCheck report, and Vanderbilt has been registered with Finra for roughly the same period. Both had been affiliated with Securities America for about 30 years.

Steward Guide Wealth Partners sees its strategic partnership with IAA as a pivotal step, aligning with its commitment to excellence in client service as well as a focus on succession planning.

“As we continue our commitment to providing our clients with the best possible wealth management solutions and experience, it is clear that IAA has the resources to help us accomplish our mission,” Harczak said in a statement.

Reflecting Steward Guide Wealth Partners’ emphasis on providing comprehensive financial planning coupled with integrity and devotion, Vanderbilt also highlighted “the opportunity for our clients to align their faith with their finances.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Steward Guide Wealth Partners to the IAA family,” said Robert Russo, IAA founder and CEO. “Their dedication to providing tailored financial planning services aligns perfectly with our mission, and we look forward to supporting them on their journey towards continued success and growth.”