Morgan Stanley Smith Barney has strengthened its advisor workforce across the US, adding former Bank of America Merrill Lynch and UBS Wealth Management Americas broker teams who previously managed over $4 billion in client assets.

According to Reuters, in North Carolina, advisors James Harris and Pam Ashley join MSSB’s Charlotte office from Merrill Lynch. Harris worked at the firm for over four decades, managing some $3 billion in client assets with Ashley, the news service said, citing a source with knowledge of the move. The firm declined to comment on these hires when contacted by Family Wealth Report. 

Also latterly of Merrill are Brent Henry, Dustin Colebank and Mike Hudson, who join the Rogers, AR, office, reporting to manager John Terry. At Merrill they managed $230 million in client assets.

UBS hires

According to the Reuters report, advisors Javier Vargas and Ramon Perez join the Houston, TX, office. At UBS, the pair managed $300 million in client assets.

Meanwhile Sheldon Hechtman and Ellen Klersfeld - who previously managed $211 million in client assets - join the Boca Raton, FL, branch. They report to manager Michael Higgins.

Additionally, advisor Blane Hammer joins the Wayzata, MN, office. He previously managed $120 million in client assets and now reports to branch manager Peter Keller.

In other moves, MSSB has also taken on Eliot Ross - latterly of Barclays - in New York. Ross joins the Park Central branch in Midtown Manhattan, reporting to branch manager David Turetzky. 

In other recent developments, in June MSSB promoted firm veteran Michael Outlaw to managing director within its wealth management office in Atlanta, GA.