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March 14, 2019 at 10:09 AM
Raymond James says it recruited Gregory Stevens and Vince Spires to its employee channel from Morgan Stanley in Ocala, Florida.
The advisor duo do business as Spires & Stevens Wealth Management of Raymond James and previously managed about $240 million in client assets. Also joining the firm is Yvonne Emeric, senior registered client service associate.
“We were drawn to the client-first and advisor-friendly culture at Raymond James …,” according to Stevens, senior vice president, wealth management. “We have been very impressed with the level of service from the home office and our local management. The support they provide and their willingness to do what they can to help is refreshing. We’re excited to now be a part of Raymond James.”
Stevens has more than 21 years of financial services experience, while Spires began his career in 2000.
“We are pleased to welcome Greg, Vince and Yvonne to Raymond James,” said Patrick O’Connor, Florida regional director for Raymond James & Associations. “With a strong commitment to their clients and an appreciation for the advisor-centric culture at Raymond James, they are great additions to the firm and our Ocala office.”
Separately, Raymond James says Raj Seshadri, president, U.S. Issuers at Mastercard to the Board of Directors, is joining its board of directors on June 1. Upon joining the Board, Seshadri will also become a member of the company’s Audit and Risk Committee.
Seshadri, 53, has been in her current role with Mastercard since 2016. She previously was a managing director at Blackrock from 2012 to 2016, first as global chief marketing officer for iShares, and later as the leader of iShares Wealth Advisory.
Her career also includes positions of increasing responsibility with Citigroup, Inc., U.S. Trust Company, and McKinsey & Company, Inc. She was a postdoctoral fellow at AT&T Bell Laboratories.
Stifel Recruits
Stifel Financial said it hired several advisors from Wells Fargo, Merrill Lynch and Hilliard Lyons.
Mark Melillo has joined the firm’s Yardley, Pennsylvania, office as a branch manager; he comes from Wells Fargo Advisors, where he was responsible for $81 million in client assets. Grayson Hopper is now part of the firm’s Austin, Texas, office from Merrill Lynch, where he was responsible for $74 million in client assets.
