Janney opens Houston office with four Raymond James advisors managing nearly $3.5B

Janney Montgomery Scott opened a Houston office on October 16 with four financial advisors from Raymond James who collectively manage nearly $3.5 billion in client assets, according to InvestmentNews. It is the Philadelphia-based firm's second major foothold in Texas, following a Dallas entry in 2025.

The Houston team is anchored by the Edwards Fitzpatrick Group, led by managing directors Sean Fitzpatrick and James "Jim" Edwards. Forbes recognized both as Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, and Barron's listed them among its Top 1,200 Financial Advisors. Lance Murphy, a senior vice president, and Christin Simon, a vice president of investments, complete the group. Simon has worked with the Edwards Fitzpatrick Group since 2013, and the group moved as a unit. A liftout that carries a long-tenured non-founding member across a platform change suggests a book that travels with its staff.

In the first quarter of 2026, Janney added 13 advisors managing more than $3.5 billion, its strongest recruiting result in over a decade, per the report. In 2025, 33 advisors joined the firm, bringing more than $6.5 billion in new client assets. The Houston arrivals average close to $875 million each, while the 13 first-quarter hires average about $270 million.

The report does not disclose transition terms for either move. Fitzpatrick said: "After carefully evaluating the platforms, cultures, and capabilities available to us, Janney stood out for the combination of personal attention and sophisticated resources." Kevin Reed, president of Janney's Private Client Group, said the hires show experienced advisors want "greater flexibility, personalized support, and the capabilities they need to serve complex clients and continue growing."

In the same report, Rockefeller Global Family Office added The Kellam Group in Naples, Florida, from Truist, led by Gordon Kellam, a private advisor and managing director with more than 25 years of experience.

Frank Amigo, Janney's Gulf regional director, said the Houston office gives the firm "an outstanding foundation in the market" and sees "significant opportunity to build on this presence and continue attracting experienced advisors across Texas."