FEATURED WINNER
Merit Financial Advisors
“I had a picture of a house, and the house was Premiere Mortgage Centre”
Kerri Reed,
Premiere Mortgage Centre
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WINNER:
RIA Firm of the Year
www.meritfinancialadvisors.com
linkedin.com/company/merit-financial-advisors-llc
mchisholm@meritfa.com
866-637-6949
2400 Lakeview Pkwy, Ste 550, Alpharetta, GA 30009
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WINNER:
RIA Firm of the Year
Merit Financial Advisors
facebook.com/MeritFinancialGroup
@meritfinadvisor
1188 Whakue St, Rotorua Central, Rotorua
@FTI_Global
Can you give us an overview of intelliflo?
intelliflo was founded in 2021 through the merger of five independent software businesses by our parent company, Invesco. Our comprehensive solutions encompass a wide range of capabilities, such as financial planning, practice management, digital account opening, reporting, indexing, rebalancing and trading of portfolios, and even outsourced services. Our technology is seamlessly integrated across all advisory functions, streamlining the management of complex portfolios and practices.
The Lakes College Culinary Club (TLCCC) started with a team of 12 students and has now expanded to over 30 members, showcasing its continued success through participation in college events and even catering for local community organisations. This program not only imparts valuable culinary skills but also teaches the significance of community service, fosters practical abilities and cultivates a professional work ethic.
Spanning ages 11 to 18, the Culinary Club challenges students to create elaborate six-course degustation dinners and manage large-scale catering for college gatherings. Chloe, a Year 7 student, praises the program for imparting essential life skills in an enjoyable way among friends. Likewise, Emily values the connections she forms despite the program’s demanding pace.
Under the guidance of Chef Joel, TLCCC contributes to the college’s ethos and the students’ personal growth. The program’s commitment to local ingredients and culinary adventures is evident as it expands to include barista training and Responsible Service of Alcohol certification. The program seamlessly merges science, art and food technology, promoting discipline and shared responsibility. TLCCC embodies a commitment to service, community engagement and student leadership, cementing its unique character and contribution to The Lakes College.
The Lakes College Culinary Club (TLCCC) started with a team of 12 students and has now expanded to over 30 members, showcasing its continued success through participation in college events and even catering for local community organisations. This program not only imparts valuable culinary skills but also teaches the significance of community service, fosters practical abilities and cultivates a professional work ethic.
Spanning ages 11 to 18, the Culinary Club challenges students to create elaborate six-course degustation dinners and manage large-scale catering for college gatherings. Chloe, a Year 7 student, praises the program for imparting essential life skills in an enjoyable way among friends. Likewise, Emily values the connections she forms despite the program’s demanding pace.
Under the guidance of Chef Joel, TLCCC contributes to the college’s ethos and the students’ personal growth. The program’s commitment to local ingredients and culinary adventures is evident as it expands to include barista training and Responsible Service of Alcohol certification. The program seamlessly merges science, art and food technology, promoting discipline and shared responsibility. TLCCC embodies a commitment to service, community engagement and student leadership, cementing its unique character and contribution to The Lakes College.
@franklintempleton
Merit Financial Advisors is a national wealth management firm with nearly $12 billion in assets, serving 20,000+ clients in 48 offices and with 250 teammates.
Merit Financial Advisors exists to enrich the lives of those we serve. Our mission is to revolutionize the client experience by building the RIA of the future. Merit is InvestmentNews RIA Firm of the Year in 2024, Barron’s Top 100 RIA Firm in 2023, Barron’s Top 100 Private Wealth Management Team in 2023, and Forbes Top RIA Firm 2023.
Merit supports advisors affiliated with independent broker-dealers, as well as those who are registered investment advisors. Our focus is on growth – both supporting clients in exceeding their financial goals and supporting advisors in evolving and expanding their businesses. Merit provides its advisors and offices with practice management resources, an industry-leading technology platform, superior operational support, and the investment expertise needed to drive growth and deliver a dynamic client experience. Our team serves as a professional partner on the path to growth. Merit equips advisors with the tools and resources needed to build revenues, expand their practices, and grow as a professional.
@blackfishfinance
Song Song
Director, East Team
Kay Lynn Mayhue
President
Rick Kent
Founder and CEO
Song Song is Director of EverBright Finance’s East Team. Prior to joining the company, he gained 12 years’ experience in banking, including in leadership, lending and operations risk control roles. His most recent position was at BNZ as Regional Manager in SME Acquisition. Song’s experience and knowledge of the banking industry give him a great understanding of clients’ financial goals and how to take them there.
Song specialises in several areas, such as business and commercial lending, property finance, cash flow lending and budgeting, residential home lending, investment property lending and business planning. His proficiency in these areas enables him to provide tailored financial solutions to his clients.
Director, East Team
Song Song
Rick is an entrepreneur and visionary leader who founded Merit on a servant-leadership philosophy and a commitment to helping individuals reach their financial goals while supporting fellow advisors and entrepreneurs in meeting their professional goals. He has been widely recognized for his contributions to the industry, including being ranked among the Forbes Top 10 Best-in-State Wealth Advisors in Georgia for two consecutive years. Rick has a clear vision for Merit’s growth, designing a program that allows advisors to align with Merit in a number of ways. Rick delivers high-energy presentations that challenge audiences to leverage their focus and pay attention to what matters most at work and in life. Audiences appreciate his practical strategies they can apply directly to their business models. Rick offers his insights to business owners, advisors, and executives. Having been a key player in multiple mergers and acquisitions over the past four years, Rick is well versed in the industry and is striving to change it for the better. Earning many awards for his financial services capabilities, his team, and his vision has further highlighted Rick’s journey toward excellence. His perspective motivated him to coach, develop, inspire, and mentor fellow advisors as they strive to keep up with the ever-changing financial services industry. He brings this same dedication to his work with business leaders to empower their teams and achieve greater success. Being a successful entrepreneur, Rick started multiple companies, making him a diverse leader willing to share his recipes for success with others.
Founder and CEO
Rick Kent
Kay Lynn has played many roles in the financial advisory industry: successor, partner, seller, and buyer. This unique and diverse background allows her to be able to relate to advisors in all phases of their careers and mergers and acquisitions. With a background in financial planning and leadership, her career expands over several areas, including advising clients, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic growth. Kay Lynn worked her way up from an entry-level position to earn her seat at the C-suite table as President of Merit, which manages $12 billion in RIA and brokerage assets under management. She holds her CFP®, AEP®, and RFC® and has been a critical decision-maker for two firms over the past 20 years. Kay Lynn has overseen multiple mergers and acquisitions over the past four years and has been recognized for her position as a female leader in the financial services industry. She is passionate about helping people take their careers – and themselves – to exceptional levels. Kay Lynn’s influence in the industry and her drive for success have been catalysts for Merit’s ongoing growth and appeal to growth-oriented advisors.
President
Kay Lynn Mayhue
Song Song
Director, East Team
Kay Lynn Mayhue
President
Rick Kent
Founder and CEO
Leadership
Song Song is Director of EverBright Finance’s East Team. Prior to joining the company, he gained 12 years’ experience in banking, including in leadership, lending and operations risk control roles. His most recent position was at BNZ as Regional Manager in SME Acquisition. Song’s experience and knowledge of the banking industry give him a great understanding of clients’ financial goals and how to take them there.
Song specialises in several areas, such as business and commercial lending, property finance, cash flow lending and budgeting, residential home lending, investment property lending and business planning. His proficiency in these areas enables him to provide tailored financial solutions to his clients.
Director, East Team
Song Song
Kay Lynn has played many roles in the financial advisory industry: successor, partner, seller, and buyer. This unique and diverse background allows her to be able to relate to advisors in all phases of their careers and mergers and acquisitions. With a background in financial planning and leadership, her career expands over several areas, including advising clients, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic growth. Kay Lynn worked her way up from an entry-level position to earn her seat at the C-suite table as President of Merit, which manages $12 billion in RIA and brokerage assets under management. She holds her CFP®, AEP®, and RFC® and has been a critical decision-maker for two firms over the past 20 years. Kay Lynn has overseen multiple mergers and acquisitions over the past four years and has been recognized for her position as a female leader in the financial services industry. She is passionate about helping people take their careers – and themselves – to exceptional levels. Kay Lynn’s influence in the industry and her drive for success have been catalysts for Merit’s ongoing growth and appeal to growth-oriented advisors.
President
Kay Lynn Mayhue
Rick is an entrepreneur and visionary leader who founded Merit on a servant-leadership philosophy and a commitment to helping individuals reach their financial goals while supporting fellow advisors and entrepreneurs in meeting their professional goals. He has been widely recognized for his contributions to the industry, including being ranked among the Forbes Top 10 Best-in-State Wealth Advisors in Georgia for two consecutive years. Rick has a clear vision for Merit’s growth, designing a program that allows advisors to align with Merit in a number of ways. Rick delivers high-energy presentations that challenge audiences to leverage their focus and pay attention to what matters most at work and in life. Audiences appreciate his practical strategies they can apply directly to their business models. Rick offers his insights to business owners, advisors, and executives. Having been a key player in multiple mergers and acquisitions over the past four years, Rick is well versed in the industry and is striving to change it for the better. Earning many awards for his financial services capabilities, his team, and his vision has further highlighted Rick’s journey toward excellence. His perspective motivated him to coach, develop, inspire, and mentor fellow advisors as they strive to keep up with the ever-changing financial services industry. He brings this same dedication to his work with business leaders to empower their teams and achieve greater success. Being a successful entrepreneur, Rick started multiple companies, making him a diverse leader willing to share his recipes for success with others.
Founder and CEO
Rick Kent
Spencer Hon
Principal
Kay Lynn Mayhue
President
Rick Kent
Founder and CEO
Leadership
Spencer Hon has built a reputation for his unwavering commitment to delivering extraordinary client service and value. As the principal at Eternity Insurance and Financial Services, he leads a highly motivated team of multilingual brokers who are respected for their expertise and laser focus on client satisfaction.
Spencer’s decade of financial industry experience across the Asia-Pacific region and his personalised approach to helping clients achieve their financial goals have enabled him to achieve outstanding sales performance as well as recognition by Insurance Business Australia as an Elite Broker of 2024.
Spencer Hon
Spencer Hon
Kay Lynn has played many roles in the financial advisory industry: successor, partner, seller, and buyer. This unique and diverse background allows her to be able to relate to advisors in all phases of their careers and mergers and acquisitions. With a background in financial planning and leadership, her career expands over several areas, including advising clients, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic growth. Kay Lynn worked her way up from an entry-level position to earn her seat at the C-suite table as President of Merit, which manages $12 billion in RIA and brokerage assets under management. She holds her CFP®, AEP®, and RFC® and has been a critical decision-maker for two firms over the past 20 years. Kay Lynn has overseen multiple mergers and acquisitions over the past four years and has been recognized for her position as a female leader in the financial services industry. She is passionate about helping people take their careers – and themselves – to exceptional levels. Kay Lynn’s influence in the industry and her drive for success have been catalysts for Merit’s ongoing growth and appeal to growth-oriented advisors.
President
Kay Lynn Mayhue
Rick is an entrepreneur and visionary leader who founded Merit on a servant-leadership philosophy and a commitment to helping individuals reach their financial goals while supporting fellow advisors and entrepreneurs in meeting their professional goals. He has been widely recognized for his contributions to the industry, including being ranked among the Forbes Top 10 Best-in-State Wealth Advisors in Georgia for two consecutive years. Rick has a clear vision for Merit’s growth, designing a program that allows advisors to align with Merit in a number of ways. Rick delivers high-energy presentations that challenge audiences to leverage their focus and pay attention to what matters most at work and in life. Audiences appreciate his practical strategies they can apply directly to their business models. Rick offers his insights to business owners, advisors, and executives. Having been a key player in multiple mergers and acquisitions over the past four years, Rick is well versed in the industry and is striving to change it for the better. Earning many awards for his financial services capabilities, his team, and his vision has further highlighted Rick’s journey toward excellence. His perspective motivated him to coach, develop, inspire, and mentor fellow advisors as they strive to keep up with the ever-changing financial services industry. He brings this same dedication to his work with business leaders to empower their teams and achieve greater success. Being a successful entrepreneur, Rick started multiple companies, making him a diverse leader willing to share his recipes for success with others.
Founder and CEO
Rick Kent