HighTower Expands Development Team And Completes New Round Of Financing

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May 20, 2013, 08:17 ET

CHICAGO, May 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- HighTower, the nation's first advisor-owned financial services firm serving wealthy families and institutional clients, announces the expansion of its Partnership Development Team.

Thomas H. Brown joined HighTower as an Executive Director and East Coast Relationship Manager, and Frank Epinger has joined as an Executive Director and Relationship Manager for the West Coast and Midwest. Mr. Brown and Mr. Epinger are based in New York and Los Angeles, respectively, and report to Michael Parker, National Director of HighTower Partnership.

"Tom and Frank are proven experts at identifying and growing client-centric advisor teams," said Mike Papedis, Executive Vice President, HighTower. "They will play key roles in our business development initiatives as HighTower expands with new teams and offices across the country."

Mr. Brown previously co-founded Black Valley Consulting LLC, a coaching and consulting firm dedicated to helping advisors reach new levels of performance success. Prior to that, he served as a Branch Manager of a legacy Smith Barney office. He was the Head of National Recruiting at UBS, where he was in charge of the recruiting and hiring of new advisors, and as Assistant to the Northeast Division Director of Smith Barney, where he worked with more than 3,500 financial consultants responsible for $200 million in revenue.

Mr. Epinger spent 13 years working for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, most recently as a Complex Manager in Pasadena, Calif., overseeing eight offices. Mr. Epinger also served as a Branch Manager of the firm's office in Pasadena. During his tenure at Smith Barney, he was a Branch Manager in offices in Los Angeles and Sherman Oaks, Calif. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney recognized him, in 2011, for Leadership Excellence. In 2012, On Wall Street magazine included Mr. Epinger in its list of the "Top 100 Branch Managers."

HighTower has experienced significant growth over the last year, and will continue to strategically add advisor teams in existing markets, while also expanding into new regions. The firm has added 37 advisor teams since its inception in 2008, including 11 in the past year. HighTower currently employs 250 professionals throughout 25 offices in 13 states.

In addition to the expansion of its Partnership Development Team, HighTower recently completed a round of financing from its incumbent investors. The financing will go toward funding acquisitions and growth as well as additional ongoing support for the partnership.

"Our focus is on strategic growth and enabling advisors to realize the benefits of independence and sophistication through multiple channels," said Elliot Weissbluth, Chief Executive Officer of HighTower. "The strength of the HighTower model is validated by the renewed support from our incumbent investors, who recognize a very clear and profitable vision for HighTower well into the future."

For media inquiries, please contact Melinda Brodbeck, Jennifer Connelly Public Relations (JCPR), at 973-850-7348 or [email protected].

About HighTower

HighTower is a national, advisor-owned financial services company serving high-net-worth and institutional clients. HighTower advisors are experienced investment professionals with large and established practices. As a dually-registered, multi-custodial firm, HighTower provides sophisticated investment solutions as well as an independent and unobstructed view of the markets. The company is headquartered in Chicago and maintains corporate centers in New York and San Francisco and offices across the country. See www.hightoweradvisors.com.

Melinda Brodbeck
Jennifer Connelly Public Relations
973-850-7348
[email protected]

SOURCE HighTower