Raymond James has tapped Scott Curtis to lead its independent broker/dealer unit, Raymond James Financial Services, as he replaces CEO Dick Averitt, who retires early next year after 33 years with the firm. The change is effective Jan. 3.
Curtis has served as senior vice president of the Raymond James & Associates private client group, the employee unit of the firm, for the past six years. Prior to joining Raymond James nine years ago, he served as senior vice president with GE Financial. He’ll initially report to Averitt during the transition, then ultimately to Chet Helck, head of the firm’s global private client group.
When Averitt first joined the firm in 1978, he was a financial planner and registered rep. He then joined the management team in 1984.
Raymond James CEO Paul Reilly also announced that Tash Elwyn would take over as president of RJ&A’s private client business, succeeding Dennis Zank. Zank has been named chief operating officer of the parent company.