LPL signs $200M duo from Wells Fargo

LPL signs $200M duo from Wells Fargo
Based in Texas, the two are starting their own practice, with one advisor’s father joining the team.
APR 18, 2024

LPL is once again expanding its presence in the Lone Star State as it adds two seasoned advisors from Wells Fargo, Alejandro "Alex" De Leon and Robert "Bob" Gorman, to its network.

The duo were previously part of Wells Fargo Advisors, where they managed about $200 million worth of advisory, brokerage, and retirement plan assets.

They've established their own firm, Spotlight Financial, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

De Leon and Gorman, who boast more than 50 years of combined experience in wealth management, decided to collaborate after years of working together. Their new firm aims to enhance the client experience through a commitment to financial education and greater transparency.

"When it comes to financial planning, Bob and I know there can be a lot of noise and confusion around who to trust, where to start and what questions to ask,” De Leon said in a statement. “[O]ur role as financial advisors is to help quiet that noise and uncertainty by simplifying the investing process and educating our clients so they can take an active role in their wealth planning."

In their search for a partner that would give them more control over their operations and better client services, De Leon and Gorman chose LPL for its robust support and advanced technology solutions.

Joining them in this new endeavor are Armando “Manny” De Leon, De Leon's father, who has three decades in the industry, and Diana Paris, a long-time associate of Manny.

"By partnering with LPL, we are able to run our business our way – but with the back-end support, integrated technology and streamlined solutions that will help us provide a white glove service experience," said Gorman, who also has three decades of experience under his belt.

"One thing I’ve learned over the years is that it’s the relationships you build with your clients that make them stay, and we are confident that moving to LPL will allow us to strengthen those relationships for years to come," he added.

LPL’s Thursday announcement comes on the heels of its welcoming another veteran advisor in Texas, who returned to the firm from Raymond James.

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