LPL Financial announced that advisors Kelly Lawrence and Vin Sbano have joined its employee advisor model, Linsco, to establish Gibson Financial Group of LPL Financial. The team, previously affiliated with B. Riley Wealth Management, reported managing approximately $180 million in advisory, brokerage, and retirement plan assets.
Based in Boston, Gibson Financial Group serves a broad client base spanning multiple professions and life stages. The practice is supported by David MacDonald, MBA, who serves as a senior registered client service associate and plays a key role in daily operations and client experience.
The advisors are known for a highly personalized, relationship-driven approach, emphasizing tailored financial planning regardless of client asset size. Their transition to LPL was driven by a desire for greater independence, as well as access to enhanced technology, infrastructure, and long-term growth support.
According to the announcement, the Linsco platform provides advisors with the autonomy of running their own practice while benefiting from the scale, resources, and operational support of a large institution. LPL also highlighted its ability to support advisor growth, including succession planning and team expansion through training programs.
Scott Posner, managing director of business development at LPL, said the firm sees strong alignment between Gibson Financial Group’s client-first philosophy and LPL’s advisor-focused model. He added that the firm looks forward to supporting the team’s continued expansion.
LPL Financial Holdings, listed on the Nasdaq under LPLA, supports more than 32,000 financial advisors and oversees approximately $2.4 trillion in brokerage and advisory assets for about 8 million clients across the United States.
KEY QUOTES
“Our clients span every background imaginable, but the common thread is that they are all genuinely good people. Whether someone has $30,000 or $10 million, their goals matter equally. We customize every plan to each individual — some want a full financial plan, others prefer simplicity and many fall somewhere in the middle. Our job is to meet them where they are and support them through every life transition. I needed a firm with stability, strong reputation and robust resources. After navigating a period of major personal and professional transition, it became even more important to operate within a platform that has the infrastructure to support long-term growth. LPL’s training program will allow me to bring on a junior partner in the future, and the self-clearing structure was essential. LPL gives us the independence of an entrepreneurial practice along with the technology, tools and support you’d expect from a much larger institution — without the proprietary product pressures.”
Kelly Lawrence, Financial Advisor, Gibson Financial Group
“We’re pleased to welcome the Gibson Financial Group team to the Linsco community. Their client-first approach aligns well with LPL’s mission to provide advisors with the flexibility, technology and support needed to deliver an exceptional experience. We look forward to supporting their continued growth.”
Scott Posner, Managing Director Of Business Development, LPL Financial
