Guided Financial Strategies Joins Cetera After Two Decades with LPL

Veteran advisors Rick Dickinson and founder Alan Hughes join Cetera, citing advisor-first culture, advanced technology, and strategic growth opportunities

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cetera welcomes Guided Financial Strategies, LLC, led by advisors Rick Dickinson and firm founder Alan Hughes who oversee approximately $250 million in assets under administration*. The firm joins Cetera's unique Summit Financial Networks** community to accelerate growth through both organic and inorganic strategies.

Guided Financial Strategies was affiliated with LPL for more than 20 years. Hughes launched and built the practice on his strong belief in fiduciary principles.

"We've built Guided Financial Strategies on ethics, honesty, and a commitment to treating every client like family," Hughes said. "Some of our longest-tenured clients started with just a few thousand dollars, and many have been with us for 40 years or more. We take that responsibility seriously. In Cetera and Summit, we found partners whose values, including transparency, service, and relationship-building, mirror our own."

Dickinson, who returned to the firm in 2017 after six years in corporate business development and recruiting roles with LPL, emphasized the importance of aligning with a partner that could enhance both service quality and long-term strategic planning.

"Our decision to join Cetera was the result of extensive due diligence and years of evaluating best practices across the industry," Dickinson noted. "We wanted a partner with the right blend of technology, operational support, and growth resources, and importantly, one that could help us continue delivering high-touch service while scaling responsibly. Cetera and Summit stood out for their advisor-first culture, transparency, and ability to support both organic and inorganic growth strategies."

Dickinson and Hughes have long believed in the value of advisory-centered financial planning and are guided by the philosophy that every individual deserves high-quality advice regardless of account size, a mantra that continues to guide the firm today.

Dickinson added that Guided Financial Strategies has continued to invest in staff, operations, and in recruiting advisors to support the firm's growth plans, noting that another advantage of affiliating with Cetera is its scalable efficiencies and the right community environment, which are essential for the next phase of the firm's growth.

The team also highlighted Summit's collaborative model and accessibility as major differentiators during their evaluation process.

"From our earliest conversations with Cetera, we experienced transparency, honesty and a genuine relationship-driven approach, and that level of alignment matters," Dickinson said. "Summit and Cetera offered exactly the type of partnership and community we were seeking."

In welcoming Guided Financial Strategies, Summit Community Leader Marshall Leeds said: "We're excited to welcome Rick and Alan and the Guided Financial Strategies team to Cetera. Their values-based approach to financial advice and client service makes them an excellent fit within our community. Likewise, Cetera's scale, resources and multiple custodial and clearing options coupled with Summit's boutique-level service offers a powerful foundation from which Rick and Alan can continue to grow their firm organically and inorganically."

About Cetera
Cetera Financial Group (Cetera) is the premier financial advisor Wealth Hub, empowering independent advisors and institutions with personalized support, flexible affiliation models, and end-to-end growth solutions. Home to approximately 12,000 advisors and institutions, Cetera's multi-channel ecosystem enables financial professionals to grow, scale or transition their businesses on their own terms.

Unlike traditional IBDs, Cetera offers true choice – blending modern technology, integrated wealth solutions, and a community-driven culture. Cetera's five-channel model and commitment to long-term advisor value provide a scalable blueprint for consistent, repeatable growth.

As of Sept. 30, 2025, Cetera firms manage approximately $625 billion in assets under administration and $284 billion in assets under management. Its award-winning Voice of the Customer program has captured more than 40,000 advisor reviews, with over 35,000 five-star ratings, giving Cetera a 4.8 out of 5 satisfaction score.

Learn more at www.cetera.com and follow Cetera on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X.

Cetera Financial Group (Cetera) is a network of independent retail firms, including those that are members of FINRA/SIPC: Cetera Advisors LLC; Cetera Wealth Services, LLC (formerly known as Cetera Advisor Networks); Cetera Investment Services LLC (marketed as Cetera Financial Institutions or Cetera Investors); and Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. Entities registered as investment advisers with the Securities and Exchange Commission include Cetera Investment Management LLC and Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. Cetera's principal office is located at 655 W. Broadway, 11th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101.

Avantax Planning Partners, Inc. is an SEC registered investment adviser within the Aretec Group, Inc. (dba Cetera Holdings, an affiliate of CFG). All the referenced entities are under common ownership.

Cetera exclusively provides investment products and services through its representatives. Although Cetera does not provide tax or legal advice, or supervise tax, accounting or legal services, Cetera representatives may offer these services through their independent outside business. This information is not intended as tax or legal advice.

*Value approximated based on information provided to Cetera for asset holdings as of Oct. 14, 2025.

**Summit Financial Networks is a region of Cetera Wealth Services, LLC. Securities offered through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity.

SOURCE Cetera Financial Group