Raymond James continues Northern expansion, welcomes advisors from RBC collectively managing $416 million in client assets in West Des Moines, Iowa
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Raymond James welcomed financial advisors Kirk Abrahamson and David Gray to Raymond James & Associates (RJA) – the firm’s employee advisor channel – in West Des Moines, Iowa, according to Michael O’Meara, Midwest regional director for RJA.
Abrahamson joins Raymond James from RBC Wealth Management, where he previously managed approximately $312 million in client assets. He joins RJA’s West Des Moines office, which is managed by Steve DeVenney. Abrahamson is joined by Client Relationship Consultants Michael Rowedder and Colby Spann, CFP®. The team operates as the Abrahamson Investment Group of Raymond James.
“I was looking for a firm that has a business owner mentality combined with a unique culture that shares the same philosophy of putting its clients first, and I am pleased I found that in Raymond James,” said Abrahamson, managing director. “In addition, the efficient and productive technology was very appealing with its sophisticated features in CRM to best serve my clients. Marketing was also extremely helpful with all of the opportunities and support offered.”
Abrahamson has been in the financial services industry for more than three decades. He began his career at Merrill Lynch, then spent more than a decade as an advisor at Piper Jaffray before joining RBC Wealth Management in 2002. Abrahamson is a graduate from the University of Northern Iowa.
Gray also joins Raymond James from RBC Wealth Management, where he previously managed approximately $104 million in client assets. Gray is the vice president of wealth management and operates as David P. Gray of Raymond James out of RJA’s West Des Moines office.
“I was instantly attracted to the values and client-centric culture Raymond James offers,” said Gray. “It was very refreshing to join a firm that made the transition a breeze, with robust transition, technology and marketing support even in the midst of a world-wide pandemic and everyone operating remotely."
Gray has been in the financial services industry for over 33 years. He began his career at JPMorgan Chase Bank where he worked for 11 years. Prior to joining Raymond James, Gray served as first vice president at RBC Wealth Management for over two decades. He is a graduate from Central College where he earned a degree in business management.
“I am thrilled to welcome Kirk and Dave to the Raymond James family,” said O’Meara. “They have shown the highest integrity and commitment to their clients and it shows in their over six decades of combined experience. I am proud they found the stronger technology resources and support offered at Raymond James as a differentiator for their practices.”
About Raymond James & Associates
Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC, which has built a national reputation for more than 50 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 $945 billion. Additional information is available at www.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.