Former Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch Advisors Form $2 Billion Wealth Management Firm on Arkadios Platform
Six elite financial advisors from competing global wirehouses have combined to create Longleaf Capital Group, representing a significant shift toward independent wealth management models that offer greater flexibility and comprehensive client services.
Two elite advisory teams from Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch have combined their practices to form Longleaf Capital Group, an independent wealth management firm with more than $2 billion in assets under advisement on the Arkadios Capital platform. The six founding directors bring over 175 years of combined experience across wealth management, institutional investing, accounting, banking and insurance.
Their decision to unite coming from competing global wirehouses reflects a growing national trend of top advisors leaving large banks in favor of the independence and flexibility of the hybrid RIA model. Together, they have guided clients through multiple market cycles, advised on complex estate and tax matters and built long-term relationships with high-net-worth individuals, families and institutions.
Jonathan D. Lee, Managing Director of Longleaf Capital Group, stated that by joining forces, they have combined complementary expertise in wealth management, personal financial planning, tax planning, institutional retirement planning and estate planning strategies under one roof. He noted that Arkadios provides the infrastructure and resources to let them operate as entrepreneurs while still offering institutional-quality tools and support for clients.
David Millican, CEO of Arkadios Capital, described this as the kind of high-caliber team and unique founding story that doesn't happen often in the industry. He emphasized that by uniting, Longleaf Capital Group is positioned to deliver truly comprehensive services to clients at the highest level.
Based in Dothan, Alabama, Longleaf Capital Group offers full-service capabilities including financial and retirement planning, institutional retirement plan consulting, estate and tax strategies, alternative investments, insurance solutions, liquidity event planning and philanthropic advisory. The team includes two former CPAs, four Certified Financial Planner professionals and specialists with advanced designations in institutional retirement plans, estate planning and tax optimization.
The founding partners include Todd P. Thornell, Sr., a former managing director and senior financial advisor with Merrill Lynch; Cory A. Singletary, CFP®, a former senior financial advisor with Merrill Lynch; C. Thomas Lee, CFP®, a former senior vice president and wealth advisor at Morgan Stanley; George M. Liddon, CFP®, a former senior vice president and wealth advisor at Morgan Stanley; Jonathan D. Lee, CFP®, a former first vice president and senior portfolio manager; and Lee E. Forehand, CIMA®, C(k)P®, CPFA, a nationally recognized retirement plan consultant and former Morgan Stanley corporate retirement director.
Arkadios Capital, which partners with some of the world's leading investment managers, has been recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies in Georgia, earning a spot on the prestigious Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Georgia Fast 40 list for four consecutive years. It is consistently ranked by Financial Planning and Investment News as one of the top independent broker-dealers in the country. For more information about the new firm, visit lcgwm.com.