Raymond James continues northeast expansion, welcomes advisors collectively managing $515 million in client assets in Massachusetts
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Continuing the firm’s expansion in the Northeast, Raymond James welcomed experienced financial advisors Eric Hobin, Jiles Robinson, Kristen Ragusin, Antonio Sordillo, CFP®, CPFA, CRPC®, and Jason Whittier to Raymond James & Associates (RJA) – the firm’s employee advisor channel – in Burlington and Boston, Massachusetts, according to Tom Walrond, Eastern divisional director for RJA.
The advisors, who previously worked at Merrill Lynch’s Burlington office, all join RJA’s new Burlington office and RJA’s Boston office. Both offices are part of RJA’s Southern New England Complex led by Bill Drew.
Sordillo, Hobin, Robinson and Whittier previously managed $375 million in client assets and now operate as Evergreen Financial Partners of Raymond James. Joining them at Raymond James are Senior Registered Client Service Associate Eryn Whittier and Registered Client Service Associate Josh Franklin, CRPS®.
Ragusin, who with the move has launched her own practice at RJA’s Boston, Massachusetts, office, previously managed $140 million in client assets.
Hobin has 21 years of financial services experience. He began his career at Signator Investors and has since worked at firms including Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch, where he served clients the last 15 years. Hobin is a graduate of the University of Rochester.
Robinson has been in the financial services industry since 1999. Prior to joining Raymond James, he spent 18 years at Merrill Lynch and successor firms, as well as four years at Fidelity Investments. Robinson is a graduate of Boston University.
“To preserve our way of doing business, we searched for a firm that deeply values the client and advisor relationship,” said Sordillo, vice president of investments. “The world has changed since COVID-19 arrived and it was clear early on that we needed superior technology to continue to serve our clients as they expect from us. We found exactly what we were looking for in Raymond James.”
Sordillo has been in the financial services industry since 2005, beginning his career at Merrill Lynch. He earned a degree in finance from Merrimack College in Andover, Massachusetts, and continued his education by earning designations that include Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor and Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠.
Whittier began his career in the financial services industry in 2011. Prior to joining Raymond James, he spent over seven years with Merrill Lynch and also served clients at Santander Securities and Northwestern Mutual. Whittier earned his degree in economics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
“I feel so supported with the plethora of resources Raymond James has to offer, especially right now in a pandemic world,” said Ragusin, senior vice president of investments. “The interface technology makes me feel like I’m walking into a high-tech store. I can interact and engage with clients while simultaneously using the real-time advanced tools. Its functionality makes running your practice fun and effortless. In addition, I’m professionally supported by a firm that truly makes me feel like I’m swimming with the tide instead of against it.”
Ragusin has been in the financial services industry since 1992. She is a graduate of Fletcher School of Law* and Diplomacy at Tufts University with a master’s degree. She earned a BA in political science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She holds certificates in fintech from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and in sustainable exchange from the University of Cumbria, London.
“I am excited to welcome Kristen and the entire Evergreen Financial Partners team to the Raymond James family,” said Drew. “Their shared commitment to expand the Southern New England area as well as put clients first shows in their over 90 years of combined experience. I’m proud Raymond James’ resources and culture continue to attract high-quality advisors like them.”
About Raymond James & Associates
Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC, which has built a national reputation for more than 58 years as a leader in financial planning for individuals, corporations and municipalities, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE-RJF), a leading diversified financial services company with approximately 8,200 financial advisors throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. Total client assets are $877 billion. Additional information is available at raymondjames.com.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
*Raymond James does not provide legal advice.