HighTower Expands Recruiting and Fixed Income Trading Capabilities With New Team Appointments

CHICAGO, April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- HighTower, the first open-source, advisor-owned financial services company, is pleased to announce that it has appointed Michael Papedis as a Director responsible for advisor recruiting and business development. The appointment of Mr. Papedis, who brings deep experience in implementing strategic initiatives to drive profitability, scale and platform differentiation, reflects HighTower's steadfast commitment to rapid growth.

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"The interest in going independent is growing rapidly within the wirehouse community and more and more brokers are considering HighTower as an option to traditional brokerage models," said Elliot S. Weissbluth, HighTower's CEO. "Given the solid relationship we enjoy with Fidelity, Michael was an easy choice for us to make.  His extensive knowledge of the industry is a tremendous asset to HighTower's as we respond to the rapidly growing interest in our firm and the independent model generally."

Mr. Papedis will transition to HighTower over the next month and play a key role in HighTower's advisor recruiting and business development activities focusing on the Midwestern region. He will report to Mr. Weissbluth.

Previously, Mr. Papedis spent seven years at Fidelity Investments in Chicago. His most recent position was as vice president of senior sales responsible for new business development with the firm's largest advisor opportunities in the Central Region. Previously, Mr. Papedis was with TD Waterhouse.

"HighTower persists in attracting high-caliber talent as our platform gains in depth and sophistication," said HighTower Co-Chairman Doug Brown. "We are excited about Michael's new role in helping us achieve our unique mission as the industry's first advisory owned multi-clearing and multi-custodial advisory firm."

Additionally, HighTower announced the appointment of MeeSun Boice in charge of advisor recruiting for the Western Region with a strong focus on the California markets. Ms. Boice, based in HighTower's San Francisco corporate offices, will also support the increased interest in HighTower.  Previously, she was the Northwest Region Talent Leader for UBS in Los Angeles. There, she was responsible for managing a recruiting pipeline and was also integral to hiring and on boarding financial advisors.

"HighTower continues to add significant infrastructure for its West Coast strategy," said HighTower Co-Chairman Dave Pottruck. "We are very pleased to welcome MeeSun, whose experience in recruiting and developing financial advisor teams will provide us with a meaningful advantage and accelerate our plans to rapidly build out a strong West Coast footprint."

Furthermore, HighTower appointed Kristin Love, previously Manager of Trading at HighTower, to Director of Trading and Operations where she will manage the growing Fixed Income team at HighTower. Ms. Love has been instrumental in establishing more than 40 selling agreements with both national and boutique firms, helping to create the infrastructure HighTower needs to meet its regulatory trade reporting obligations and working closely with HighTower advisor to deliver fixed income solutions to their clients.

For media inquiries, please contact Jennifer Connelly at 973.732.3521 or [email protected].

About HighTower

HighTower is the first open-source, advisor-owned financial services company. HighTower advisors are experienced investment professionals with large, established practices. As a dually-registered, multi-custodial firm, HighTower provides sophisticated investment solutions as well as an independent and unobstructed view of the markets. The company is headquartered in Chicago and maintains corporate centers in New York and San Francisco and offices around the country. See www.hightoweradvisors.com. Securities offered through HighTower Securities, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC/MSRB. HighTower Advisors, LLC is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser.

SOURCE HighTower