Raymond James has added a four-advisor team in Maryland to its employee advisor channel, bringing roughly $1 billion in client assets from Merrill Lynch as competition for experienced wealth talent continues to intensify across the industry.
The group will operate as Thrift Private Wealth of Raymond James in Easton and joins Raymond James & Associates, according to Tony Barrett. The incoming advisors include Garrett Thrift, Kara Burt, Blake Saulsbury, and Wade Oursler. They are also joined by client service associates Chris Gostomski and Blair Goodrich.
The team’s practice is built around serving business owners, families, individuals, family office,s and retirees, positioning the move as both a scale play and a service model expansion inside Raymond James’ employee channel. The advisors cited the firm’s private wealth capabilities and access to senior leadership as central factors in their decision, reflecting a broader recruiting dynamic where platform resources, autonomy, and support infrastructure are increasingly decisive in breakaway and lateral moves.
Thrift brings 15 years of industry experience and holds a bachelor’s degree from Salisbury University, along with the CFP designation and additional planning credentials. Burt also earned a finance degree from Salisbury University and has eight years of experience, supported by CFP and plan fiduciary designations. Saulsbury, a native of Easton, graduated from Salisbury University and began his career at Merrill Lynch in 2022, adding a retirement planning credential. Oursler holds a history degree from the University of Delaware and joined the employee channel after three years at his prior firm, where he focused on planning, portfolio strategy, and client relationship development.
The addition bolsters Raymond James’ footprint on Maryland’s Eastern Shore while adding a sizable pool of client assets to the firm’s employee platform. Raymond James reported total client assets of approximately $1.77 trillion as of Dec. 31, 2025, highlighting the scale of the broader organization as it continues to invest in recruiting and practice support.
KEY QUOTE:
“After extensive due diligence, we found Raymond James to be our ideal fit – a place where advisors are empowered, respected and supported in building practices centered on authentic teamwork and long-term relationships. Raymond James’ private wealth resources and capabilities were an essential part of our decision-making process in addition to the unique element of direct access to senior leadership. The firm’s leadership is truly invested in our success, and we feel that our voices matter here.”
Garrett Thrift
