Hightower Advisors has announced the appointment of Randy Bullard as Head of Investment Management. This newly created role reflects Hightower’s commitment to enhancing its investment capabilities and delivering more scalable solutions to its growing network of advisors and clients. Bullard, a seasoned executive with deep experience in wealth management, most recently served as Global Head of Wealth at State Street, where he played a pivotal role in shaping investment platforms for some of the world’s largest financial institutions.
Bullard’s arrival comes at a time of strategic transformation for Hightower. The firm is preparing to launch its first centralized investment management platform, a significant initiative designed to streamline investment operations across its advisor practices. This platform will serve as a cornerstone for Hightower’s next phase of growth, offering advisors a robust suite of tools and resources to manage portfolios more efficiently and deliver enhanced value to clients.
The new platform will be built on a foundation of institutional-grade research and investment counsel, drawing heavily from NEPC, a leading consulting firm in the investment space.
Earlier this year, Hightower acquired a majority ownership stake in NEPC, a move that signaled its intent to bring sophisticated investment capabilities in-house. NEPC’s expertise will be complemented by the insights and strategies developed by Hightower’s Investment Solutions team, led by Chief Investment Strategist and Portfolio Manager Stephanie Link. Link, who joined Hightower in 2020, brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles at Nuveen and as a contributor to CNBC, and currently oversees an equity portfolio with over $5 billion in managed assets.
The centralized platform is designed to be accessible to all Hightower advisor practices, which now span 34 states and the District of Columbia.
By consolidating investment management functions, the firm aims to reduce operational complexity for advisors, allowing them to spend more time engaging with clients and addressing their evolving financial needs. The platform will also support advisors in navigating private markets, managing model portfolios, and accessing outsourced CIO services, all within a unified framework.
As of June 30, 2025, Hightower and its affiliates managed approximately $324.3 billion in assets, a reflection of the firm’s continued expansion and the trust it has earned across the wealth management industry. The launch of the centralized investment platform is expected to strengthen further Hightower’s position as a leader in the space, offering a differentiated experience that combines scale, sophistication, and personalized service.
Bullard’s appointment is part of a broader leadership refresh at Hightower, which has seen several key executives join the firm in recent months. These changes underscore Hightower’s focus on building a forward-looking organization that can adapt to the changing dynamics of wealth management and deliver innovative solutions to both advisors and clients.
KEY QUOTES:
“Randy is uniquely positioned to develop and drive this key initiative as he’s spent his career building next-generation platforms for the world’s largest wealth management organizations, from major wire houses to custodians. This new role underscores our commitment to continuous improvement and to providing our advisors and clients with an invaluable experience. We couldn’t be more pleased that Randy is bringing his wealth of experience to this important initiative.”
Hightower CEO Larry Restieri
“I’m thrilled to join Hightower at such a pivotal moment in its growth. I look forward to helping create a central platform that allows for scale and efficiency and empowers advisors with the research, guidance, and tools they need to elevate the client experience.”
Randy Bullard, Head of Investment Management at Hightower
