Bluespring Wealth, the RIA acquisition arm of independent broker-dealer Kestra Financial, has purchased the wealth unit of Ohio insurance company Whitaker-Myers.
Whitaker-Myers Wealth Management, a Wooster, Ohio-based RIA, had managed around $920 million in client assets, according to an announcement Tuesday. It was launched in 2014 by Matthew G. Harris and John-Mark Young, who registered with Bluespring last month.
The RIA was owned by Young and Christopher G. Vanderzyden, who is president of the parent insurance company, according to its Form ADV.
Whitaker-Myers Wealth, which has more than 20 advisors and support staff, joined with Bluespring Wealth – River Valley, a practice established in July.
The combined River Valley group oversees $2.4 billion in client assets and has 44 advisors and support staff who work from offices in Ohio, Kentucky and South Carolina, according to the announcement.
The deal was part of a long-term succession plan and growth strategy, according to the announcement. Harris and Young have 26 years and 17 years of experience, respectively.
“Matthew and I started this practice with two advisors, and we’ve grown by bringing talented young advisors in early and developing them into leaders,” Young said in the statement. “We wanted a partner who would help us keep doing that on a bigger scale.”
The deal for Whitaker-Myers closed on Monday, according to a Bluespring spokesperson. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Whitaker-Myers is Bluespring’s eighth acquisition this year and brings assets added through M&A to more than $6 billion. Earlier purchases include Element Wealth Advisors in June and Synthesis Wealth Planning in May.
Kestra, which is majority owned by private equity firm Stone Point Capital, oversaw about $169 billion at the end of 2025, according to its website.
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