Focus Financial Adds $682M Kansas RIA

Focus Financial Partners is adding Kavar Capital Partners, an RIA based in Leawood, Kansas, that works with $682 million of assets owned by  high-net-worth and institutional investors across the U.S..

Kavar is the seventh partner firm addition year to date for Focus, says Rudy Adolf, Focus founder, CEO and chairman.

Focus also recently recruited advisor Debra Brede away from Commonwealth Financial Network. Brede and the rest of her nine-person team joined Focus partner firm GW & Wade in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Tuesday’s news came about a month after Focus struck a deal to acquire Fairway Wealth Management, an RIA with $1.6 billion under management in the Cleveland area. That was Focus’ 15th transaction of 2020; at the time, it had more than $200 billion in client assets across its partnership of 65 firms.

“Kavar’s prominence in the rapidly growing Kansas City market will not only enhance the geographic diversity of our partnership, but also position us to further expand our presence in the broader Midwest market,” Adolf said in a statement. “We look forward to helping them accelerate their growth as we commit more resources in the area.”

Kavar was started in 2011 and its management team includes Douglas G. Ciocca, who serves as its CEO and a portfolio manager; Stefanie C. Callahan, a partner and chief compliance officer; and Thomas S. Boling, a partner and executive vice president.

“We have known Focus for years, so when we embarked on our search to identify a strategic partner, it became clear there was nobody who could better support the future growth of our business, while protecting our strong sense of independence and dedication to our clients,” according to Callahan.

The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2020, subject to customary closing conditions. Terms were not disclosed, and the firms did not immediately respond to requests for comment.