Founded in 1994 by Derrick Andrews, CFP, CEP, AWA Wealth Management serves multigenerational families and business owners, primarily in Auburn and Redding, California. The firm also maintains relationships with clients across the United States who have relocated and continue working with its advisors.
AWA provides comprehensive financial planning, investment management, tax planning and preparation, estate planning, and coordination with outside professional advisors. Its business has developed over more than three decades around a planning-led approach to wealth management and long-term client relationships.
The acquisition will give AWA access to Modern Wealth’s broader platform, including additional estate and trust planning resources, expanded tax capabilities, retirement-plan expertise, and portfolio management services.
Modern Wealth will also provide operational support intended to allow AWA’s advisors to dedicate more time to client relationships, business development, and financial planning.
A central consideration behind the transaction is AWA’s succession strategy. Andrews established the practice more than 30 years ago and intends to use the partnership to develop its next generation of financial advisors while remaining actively involved with clients.
The entire AWA team will join Modern Wealth, including Grant Andrews, CFP, lead advisor; Toni Farkas, director of operations; T.J. Peterson, client services manager; and Chelsea Bailey, CFP, relationship manager.
The transaction will provide additional resources and professional development opportunities as Grant expands his advisory responsibilities and Bailey prepares to assume a larger advisory role.
For Derrick Andrews, the partnership creates an opportunity to spend more time mentoring younger advisors while continuing to serve longstanding clients.
Modern Wealth said the transaction aligns with its acquisition strategy of partnering with established advisory firms seeking additional operational capabilities and support for succession planning.
The acquisition also strengthens Modern Wealth’s presence in Northern California, expanding its relationships with families and business owners across the Auburn and Redding markets.
The transaction represents Modern Wealth’s sixth acquisition of 2026 and its 24th acquisition since the company was established in 2023.
It follows the firm’s recent acquisition of Sanchez Wealth Management, a Jacksonville, Florida-based advisory business overseeing approximately $710 million in assets.
Modern Wealth has grown to nearly $16 billion in assets under management, supported by its acquisition strategy and expansion into additional U.S. markets.
The firm’s business model combines local advisory relationships with centralized financial planning, tax, investment management, and operational resources.
Former United Capital executives Gary Roth, Mike Capelle, and Jason Gordo co-founded Modern Wealth. The company was established to develop a wealth management platform that supports clients through different stages of their financial lives.
Its acquisition strategy involves identifying established advisory businesses and integrating them into a larger national organization while maintaining their existing client relationships.
For firms such as AWA, the model provides access to additional financial planning capabilities without requiring the founding advisors to abandon the client relationships and service philosophy developed over their careers.
The acquisition also underscores Modern Wealth’s emphasis on succession planning as part of its national expansion strategy.
By providing additional resources and development opportunities to AWA’s younger advisors, Modern Wealth intends to support the firm’s long-term continuity while expanding its own presence in California.
Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. AWA’s approximately $290 million in client assets represents the size of its advisory business rather than the transaction’s purchase price.
KEY QUOTES:
“Modern Wealth’s approach to financial planning and advice aligns closely with the firm that we’ve built over the past 32 years. Joining Modern Wealth gives our team additional resources and support while allowing us to preserve the relationships and planning philosophy that have defined AWA. It also gives me greater capacity to focus on clients, develop the next generation of our team and put the firm on a stronger path for long-term succession.”
Derrick Andrews, President And Founder Of AWA Wealth Management
“Derrick and the team at AWA Wealth Management have built a strong relationship-driven, comprehensive practice. AWA strengthens our presence in California, but just as importantly, this partnership gives the team a framework for long-term succession while allowing Derrick to remain closely connected to the clients and advisors he has developed deep relationships with over his career.”
Jason Gordo, President And Co-Founder Of Modern Wealth Management
