Bluespring Wealth, the RIA acquisition arm of independent broker-dealer Kestra Financial, has purchased the wealth unit of Ohio insurance company Whitaker-Myers.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The RIA was owned by Young and Christopher G. Vanderzyden, who is president of the parent insurance company, according to its Form ADV.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Whitaker-Myers Wealth, which has more than 20 advisors and support staff, joined with Bluespring Wealth \u2013 River Valley, a practice established in July.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cMatthew and I started this practice with two advisors, and we\u2019ve grown by bringing talented young advisors in early and developing them into leaders,\u201d Young said in the statement. \u201cWe wanted a partner who would help us keep doing that on a bigger scale.\u201d<\/p>\n
The deal for Whitaker-Myers closed on Monday, according to a Bluespring spokesperson. Financial terms were not disclosed.<\/p>\n
Whitaker-Myers is Bluespring\u2019s eighth acquisition this year and brings assets added through M&A to more than $6 billion. Earlier purchases include Element Wealth Advisors<\/a> in June and Synthesis Wealth Planning<\/a> in May.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n