LPL snaps up advisor team managing $375 million in assets

Desire for more independence, time with clients lead Indiana team to switch from Cetera.

An Indiana advisor team said its need for “more independence and control” drove its decision to leave Cetera Investment Advisors for LPL Financial.

Scott Hartman and Adam Johnston have joined LPL Financial’s broker-dealer, RIA and custodial platforms, bringing with them about $375 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement plan assets.

The duo, who are based in Elkhart County, have worked together for about 13 years and are joined by licensed account manager Destinee Chupp.

“Our entire focus is to help take care of our clients and their families, and we do that by getting to know each person on a deeper level,” Hartman said in a press release. “We understand that no one strategy fits everyone, which is why ever client gets our undivided attention — from planning to execution to follow-up.”

In moving to LPL, they have joined the team at Financial Partners, part of Exemplar Financial Network. In addition to gaining a greater degree of independence, Hartman and Johnston said they wanted to enhance their offerings and spend more time with clients.

“We had been in a bank setting, but we needed more independence and control as we take steps to expand relationships and enhance our offerings,” Johnston explained in the release. “We’ve known Cory at Financial Partners for a while and have been impressed with the direction of his company. As we got to know more about Exemplar and LPL, we realized they were the ideal partners to help us elevate the client service experience. We now have a family-type office with local resources, backed by LPL’s innovative technology and better investment options. It’s a win-win for our business and our clients.”

Cory E. Marlow, president of Financial Partners, added, “With the addition of their team, we believe we are now one of the area’s most comprehensive and robust financial planning and wealth management organizations. In addition to expanding our footprint to Fort Wayne, Ind., Warsaw, Ind., and the greater Chicagoland areas, the new synergy our team delivers should make for a very bright future for both our clients and our entire organization.”