Socium Advisors announced the addition of Travis Bearden as Partner and Steve Pitel as Private Wealth Advisor. The St. Louis-based Northwestern Mutual Private Client Group has $4.71 billion in total client assets.
The additions support Socium’s national growth strategy and strengthen the firm’s presence in East Texas and the Mid-Atlantic. The appointments follow Socium’s recent merger with Amplify Wealth Partners in Milwaukee.
Socium now has nearly 90 professionals serving clients across the country. The firm said it continues to expand its capabilities and geographic reach while delivering planning strategies for individuals, families, and business owners.
Bearden joins Socium as the firm’s 15th partner after more than 14 years as a financial advisor. Based in Tyler, Texas, he focuses on serving business owners, retirees, and multigenerational families navigating liquidity events, retirement planning, and complex wealth decisions.
Before entering financial services, Bearden worked as a licensed professional engineer. He earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Texas A&M University and holds the Certified Financial Planner certification.
Pitel joins Socium in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, bringing more than three decades of executive leadership experience. His background includes serving as chief sales officer and executive vice president of sales at Dav El | BostonCoach.
Since moving into financial planning in 2021, Pitel has built his practice around helping business owners, professionals, and families with wealth accumulation, business planning, risk management, and long-term financial strategies.
Socium said the additions build on a period of sustained growth for the firm. Advisors across the firm collaborate on retirement planning, estate planning, business planning, group benefits, and philanthropic strategies.
Socium Advisors is headquartered in St. Louis and has offices in St. Louis, McLean, Northwest Arkansas, Los Angeles, Calabasas, Philadelphia, and Tacoma. The firm has been named to Barron’s Top 1,200/1,500 Financial Advisors list from 2019 to 2026.
KEY QUOTES:
“These additions reflect the momentum we’ve built as a firm and our commitment to thoughtful, strategic growth. Travis and Steve each bring decades of leadership, deep relationships within their communities and an unwavering dedication to helping clients make confident financial decisions. Their experience strengthens our team while expanding our ability to serve clients in important markets across the country.”
Scott Underwood, Founder and CEO of Socium Advisors
“Throughout this process, I was looking for a team I could trust and a partnership that would help me serve clients at an even higher level. The more I worked with Socium, the more conviction I gained that joining the firm was the right decision. Their depth of expertise, commitment to excellence and focus on stewardship create opportunities for my clients that would be difficult to replicate on my own. I’m excited about what we can accomplish together for the families and business owners we serve.”
Travis Bearden, Partner at Socium Advisors
“Throughout my career, the most meaningful work has always involved helping people solve important challenges and achieve their goals. I’ve had the opportunity for a number of years to work with Socium, and joining the firm felt like a natural next step. Our approach to planning, service and long-term partnership is closely aligned, and I’m excited to bring my clients the additional resources, expertise and support that come with being part of the Socium team.”
Steve Pitel, Private Wealth Advisor at Socium Advisors
