John Thomas Financial, the US-based broker-dealer and investment banking firm, has appointed Richard Urbealis as president of its affiliate firm, JTF Private Wealth Management.

Urbealis specializes in trends and services concerning the high net worth demographic. His previous experience includes positions such as vice president at Merrill Lynch, senior vice president at Guardian Life Insurance Agencies, and business advisor at 1st Global.

"The challenges and opportunities of the past several years serve to highlight the need for a more robust private wealth management offering, one which provides a highly individualized service and a vigilant attention to economic, tax and investment trends. Having Richard on our team allows us to expand our practice along these lines in wealth management, asset protection and estate planning," said Thomas Belesis, the chief executive of John Thomas Financial.

JTF specializes in customized portfolio management services to individuals and families of high net worth, with a particular focus on estate, asset and fund management, investment management, business-owner planning, and insurance services.