6 Meridian, a Wichita, Kan.–based registered investment advisor with $1.9 billion in client assets, has promoted eight advisors to the partner level in a bid to build out the next generation of leaders within the firm. With the promotions, 6 Meridian’s original partners and founders said in a statement that they are “expanding and diversifying 6 Meridian’s leadership team to ensure that their clients and their families are well served for generations.”
6 Meridian was acquired by RIA aggregator Hightower Advisors earlier this year. Hightower Chairman and CEO Bob Oros has made a point of investing in firms with a focus on training next-generation advisors to solve for a shortage of talent that has become a point of concern industrywide. Last fall, Hightower announced the launch of a two-year, 100-hour Hightower Center for Leadership certificate program, which provides simulation-based training delivered by industry experts and leaders. Several of 6 Meridian’s new partners are expected to participate in the training.
“These rising leaders are exceptionally talented and motivated, and it’s important to support them in nurturing what we’ve built, including our values and culture of inclusivity, and move it forward into the future,” 6 Meridian CEO Margaret Dechant said of the new partners. “We are committed to being on this path with our new partners and realizing the long-term vision for our firm and clients.”
Three of the new partners have been with the firm for more than a decade, and five have joined in the past five years. Without disclosing incentive structures, a spokesperson said they are all now shareholders in the firm's growth. The six original partners, none of whom have immediate plans to retire, will also provide one-on-one mentorship on various aspects of serving clients and running the business—including providing new and evolving services to multigenerational families.
The new 6 Meridian partners are: Josh Buffolino, investment management; Tim Lynch, wealth advisor; Amanda Maier, chief marketing officer; Trevor Phillippi, chief operating officer; David Pike, wealth advisor; Tim Rozzell, wealth advisor; Jordan Swisher, wealth advisor; and Ammie Weidner, director of trading and operations.
Rozzell, who is participating in the Hightower leadership program, said he never expected to make partner so early in his career and admires the foresight of the original partners.
“This is setting us up to build a lasting business,” he said. “We are learning how to serve clients and run a business the right way.”
“6 Meridian’s forward-thinking approach is exactly what we envision when we make a strategic investment in a high-growth advisory firm and provide the resources and infrastructure for businesses to develop their next-generation talent,” said Hightower's Oros. “We’re proud to play a role in helping 6 Meridian’s founders plan for the future and provide for the long-term well-being of their clients.”
In addition to the certificate program, Hightower is producing a social media series around next-gen advisor and influencer Jo Franco, highlighting and hiring from a strong internship program that most recently saw more than 8,000 applicants, and offering a topical "Growth Series" widely used by young advisors.
Hightower and its many subsidiaries provide investment, financial and retirement planning services to individuals, foundations and family offices, as well as 401(k) consulting and cash management services to corporations, overseeing more than $103.6 billion in assets under management across more than 100,000 client accounts, per its latest Form ADV filing.