The Great Advisor Migration: Why a $270M Team Left Its Firm of 25 Years

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – July 14, 2026 – In the world of wealth management, loyalty is often measured in decades. So when Johnson Stivender Wealth Advisors, a practice with over a quarter-century at its prior firm, announced its move to Ameriprise Financial, it signaled more than a simple change of address. The transition, which brings more than $270 million in client assets to Ameriprise's independent channel, serves as a powerful case study in the seismic shifts reshaping the financial advisory landscape. The team’s decision was not born of discontent, but of ambition—a search for the tools to evolve, grow, and secure a legacy. Their journey from Raymond James to Ameriprise illuminates the critical drivers compelling even the most established advisors to seek new partnerships: a demand for cutting-edge technology, a strategic imperative for succession planning, and a relentless pursuit of practice growth.

The Tech Arms Race for Advisor Talent

For Johnson Stivender Wealth Advisors, the tipping point was technology. In an era where a seamless digital experience is no longer a luxury but an expectation, the firm’s leadership saw an opportunity to elevate their client service model. "One of the most attractive aspects of Ameriprise was its robust technology platform and the user-friendly digital experience available to clients," noted private wealth advisor Dusty Johnson. He emphasized that the firm’s integrated technology makes it easier for clients to stay connected while helping the team operate more efficiently.

This sentiment reflects a growing industry-wide trend where technology has become a primary battleground for attracting and retaining top-tier advisory talent. Firms are no longer just competing on compensation and culture; they are engaged in a technological arms race. Ameriprise has invested heavily in its PracticeTech® platform, which aims to consolidate everything from client prospecting and account opening to financial planning and performance reporting into a single, streamlined ecosystem. The company reports that by integrating tools like Seismic for meeting preparation, it has cut down advisor administrative tasks by as much as 70%.

Furthermore, the promise of artificial intelligence is beginning to move from buzzword to business tool. Ameriprise executives have stated their focus on leveraging AI and analytics to provide advisors with real-time insights, helping them identify the "next best opportunities" for clients. While some former advisors have noted the firm's AI integration was, until recently, more focused on marketing, the strategic direction is clear. Competitors like LPL Financial are similarly developing their own AI-powered tools, such as the "Practice Hub," designed to act as a co-pilot for advisors. The message from the market is unambiguous: practices managing hundreds of millions in assets demand a tech stack that not only simplifies their workflow but also actively enhances their ability to deliver sophisticated, personalized advice. For a veteran team like Johnson Stivender, the promise of a superior tech platform represented a direct investment in the future quality of their client relationships.

The Succession Imperative: Planning for the Next Generation

Beyond the screen, one of the most powerful, and perhaps most human, factors driving advisor transitions is the looming question of succession. The financial advisory profession is facing a demographic cliff, with a significant portion of its practitioners approaching retirement age. Yet, many operate without a formal plan, creating a risk for their clients and the business they've spent a lifetime building. For Johnson Stivender, a practice with over 25 years of history, this was a paramount concern.

"One of the biggest factors in our decision was finding a firm that could help us thoughtfully prepare for the future of our business," said private wealth advisor Craig Johnson. The team sought a strategic partner with a structured pathway to ensure their clients would be cared for seamlessly for decades to come. This is where firms like Ameriprise are creating a significant competitive advantage. By offering a "well-established succession planning process," they are addressing a critical pain point for mature practices. These programs provide a framework for valuation, financing, and the delicate process of transitioning client relationships, whether to an internal successor or an external buyer.

This focus on legacy planning is a core component of Ameriprise's 'Ultimate Advisor Partnership,' a strategy designed to support advisors through every stage of their business lifecycle. By embedding succession solutions into their core offering, the firm transforms a source of anxiety into a source of confidence. It assures advisors that their life's work will not dissipate upon their retirement but will continue as a sustainable, thriving enterprise. For Johnson Stivender, this commitment provided the confidence that they could build a business for the next generation, a crucial factor that outweighed the comfort of staying with their longtime firm.

A Blueprint for Growth: Inside the 'Ultimate Advisor Partnership'

While technology and succession planning were critical, the decision was also fueled by a desire for continued growth. "Ameriprise has a demonstrated commitment to helping advisors grow through both organic client acquisition and external practice acquisitions," stated Travis Stivender, another of the practice's private wealth advisors. This highlights the third pillar of the modern advisory firm's value proposition: acting as a growth engine.

The 'Ultimate Advisor Partnership' at Ameriprise, which has helped attract approximately 1,700 experienced advisors over the last five years, is a comprehensive strategy that combines technology with tangible business development support. This includes dedicated coaching, sophisticated marketing resources, and a culture that actively encourages expansion. For an established practice, which has already built a substantial client base, the next phase of growth often requires a different set of tools—support for acquiring smaller practices, for example, or marketing automation to reach new client segments more efficiently. Ameriprise claims that advisors leveraging this integrated support system grow, on average, 2.5 times faster than their competitors.

This holistic approach—combining tech, succession, and growth support—is proving to be a winning formula in a fiercely competitive recruitment market. It acknowledges that modern advisors are not just financial planners; they are entrepreneurs running complex businesses. They require a partner that provides not only a platform for their investments but also a scaffold for their ambitions. Johnson Stivender's move demonstrates that even highly successful, long-tenured practices are willing to undergo the significant disruption of a firm change if they believe the new partnership offers a clearer path to achieving their long-term strategic goals. Ultimately, the move underscores a fundamental truth in modern wealth management: the best partner for an advisor is the one best equipped to serve the client of tomorrow.