LPL Financial Congratulates Ron Carson, John Waldron, Charles Zhang, Susan Kaplan and Robert Fragasso for Recognition in Barron's "Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors" Ranking

BOSTON, Sept. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- LPL Financial LLC ("LPL Financial"), the nation's largest independent broker-dealer*, congratulates Ron Carson, John Waldron, Charles Zhang, Susan Kaplan and Robert Fragasso for their recent recognition in the "Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors" ranking by Barron's, a leading financial magazine. 

According to Barron's, the "Top 100 Independent Financial Advisors" list recognizes the most successful retail financial advisors in the United States on the basis of assets under management, revenues generated and the quality and strength of the advisor's overall practice.

Ranking details of the LPL Financial advisors were as follows:

• Ron Carson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Carson Wealth Management Group ($3.1 billion in AUM) of Omaha, Nebraska, was named #8 out of 100

• John Waldron, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Waldron Wealth Management ($2.4 billion in AUM) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was named #21 out of 100

• Charles Zhang, Managing Partner of Zhang Financial ($1.3 billion in AUM) of Portage, Michigan, was named #37 out of 100

• Susan Kaplan, President of Kaplan Financial Services ($1.3 billion in AUM) of Newton, Massachusetts, was named #41 out of 100

• Robert Fragasso, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fragasso Financial Advisors ($750 million in AUM) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was named #97 out of 100

"All of us at LPL Financial offer our sincere congratulations to Ron Carson, John Waldron, Charles Zhang, Susan Kaplan and Robert Fragasso for their inclusion in this distinguished group of top financial advisors," said Bill Dwyer, president, National Sales and Marketing for LPL Financial. This prestigious acknowledgement is indicative of the level of commitment these individual advisors demonstrate in meeting the needs and goals of their clients. We are proud to be an enabling partner to these and thousands of other independent financial advisors who are so dedicated to providing the objective, conflict-free advice that is in increasing demand from their clients."

About LPL Financial

LPL Financial, a wholly owned subsidiary of LPL Investment Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: LPLA), is an independent broker-dealer.  LPL Financial and its affiliates offer proprietary technology, comprehensive clearing and compliance services, practice management programs and training, and independent research to over 12,600 financial advisors and approximately 750 financial institutions.  Additionally, LPL Financial supports over 4,000 financial advisors who are licensed with insurance companies with customized clearing, advisory platforms and technology solutions.  LPL Financial and its affiliates have approximately 2,700 employees with offices in Boston, Charlotte, and San Diego.  For more information, please visit www.lpl.com.

Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC

*Based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2011

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LPL Financial Media Contacts
Michael Herley
Kekst and Company
(212) 521-4897
[email protected]

SOURCE LPL Financial