Raymond James scores big with $1.1B Arizona practice

The Pahnke Wealth Management Group: Tracy Eckman, Ted Churchill, Austin Pahnke, Yolanda Rodriguez, Glenn Pahnke, Kayvon Malaekeh, Tracy Jenkins, Mark Ackel and Gretchen Forler

The team, including a father-son duo, is joining the broker-dealer’s employee advisor arm from RBC.

Raymond James is starting April off on a strong note as it lands a billion-dollar powerhouse on the West Coast.

The firm announced that Raymond James & Associates, its employee advisor division, has integrated the Pahnke Wealth Management Group, which is based in Scottsdale, Arizona. The team includes three financial advisors – Glenn Pahnke, his son Austin, and Ted Churchill – who have 60 years of combined industry experience.

Supporting the Pahnkes and Churchill are practice business manager Gretchen Forler, senior investment portfolio analyst Mark Ackel, investment portfolio associate Tracy Jenkins, and client service associates Mona Johnson, Yolanda Rodriguez, Tracy Eckman, and Kayvon Malaekeh.

“The addition of this accomplished team further strengthens our advisor presence across the Western US, underscoring our ongoing efforts to attract top-tier professionals across the country who share our core values,” Rick Sanchez, RJA regional director in the West Coast, said in a statement.

The Pahnke Wealth Management Group is making the leap to Raymond James’s network from RBC Wealth Management, where it reportedly managed a book of more than $1.1 billion in client assets for business owners, as well as high-net-worth individuals and families.

“We are thrilled to align with Raymond James, a firm that shares our unwavering commitment to service excellence,” said Glenn Pahnke, whose 36 years in the industry includes an early stint at financial services giant Lehman Brothers.

He cited the advanced technology and support provided by Raymond James’s platform as his team looks to continue its “legacy of delivering high-quality investment” and elevating clients’ experience.

News of the group’s move to Raymond James comes as Stratos Wealth Advisors announced that it recruited another RBC team managing a $500 million book of assets in Nevada.

Last week, RJA added another significant book of business in Florida as it welcomed Lynette Ancona, a veteran advisor managing a portfolio of more than $750 million.