Touchstone Wealth Partners, formerly with UBS, has joined the Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network (FiNet), the firm’s independent channel. The 11-person team, with offices in Bonita Springs, Florida, and Toledo, Ohio, had more than $2.1 billion in client assets at the time of their transition. They are the fourth advisory team with over $1 billion in assets to affiliate with FiNet in 2026.

“We could not be prouder to support Touchstone Wealth Partners as they continue to grow their practice with the flexibility, resources, and autonomy that the FiNet model provides,” said Market Leader Marc Beshany. “We’re excited to be a part of the team’s next chapter.”

Mike Gagala has been appointed Market Growth Strategy Consultant for the Florida Gulf Coast Market. With more than 18 years of experience in financial services, Mike brings extensive expertise across a variety of investment options, including annuities, mutual funds, ETFs and Alternative Investments.

Mike will partner with Advisors to uncover new opportunities within their existing book of business and to develop strategies for attracting new clients. His deep knowledge of the firm will serve as a valuable resource in creating appropriate client strategies. He is committed to helping teams drive measurable results.

Thomas (Tom) Dowd has joined the Florida Gulf Coast Market leadership team as Branch Complex Manager for the Sarasota Complex, overseeing the Sarasota and Venice branches.

Tom has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, much of it in leadership. Most recently, he was the Director of Total Retirement Solutions at TruStage, where he led strategic initiatives to optimize Financial Advisor productivity, streamlined processes and championed Advisor training. He also successfully onboarded 20,000 retail clients with $1 billion in assets through a strategic alliance with LPL Financial. Previously, with Truist Securities (formerly Sun Trust), Tom supported more than 3,000 financial professionals, helping them achieve 75 percent year-over-year growth through a robust retail investment platform. Earlier roles at Huntington Investment Company and Keyport Life Insurance Company highlight his ability to coach and motivate teams, earning recognition for driving top-performing territories.

“I’ve seen Tom help financial professionals make decisions to improve practice success, and, just as importantly, reduce their stress, increase their wellness and enjoy their lives,” said Marc Beshany, Market Leader. “I’ve not only been impressed with Tom’s leadership skills, but by how well he is known and respected by so many people . . . in our firm and in the Sarasota community.”

Senior Registered Client Associates Devon MacKinnon and Shayla Vieira have been named to the Client Associate Advisory Council representing the Southeast Region. The 30-seat nationwide council represents Client Associates at the firm. Devon and Shayla were selected after being named Platinum Council Client Associates in 2025.* They began their two-year term on July 1.

“Not only do I have an avenue to draw attention to opportunities for improvement, but we are also asked to pilot new technology and processes, which helps my Financial Advisors and team stay ahead,” Shayla noted. “I am happy to help make the Client Associate role easier for my colleagues."

*The Wells Fargo Advisors Platinum Client Associate recognition is held by a select group of Client Associates within Wells Fargo Advisors as measured by their success in achieving exceptional performance the previous calendar year. Performance factors are inclusive of client experience, partnership with Financial Advisors to support their objectives and task execution.

Client Associates participated in a CA Leadership Forum at the Ritz Carlton Members Club in Bradenton in June. Coinciding with Wells Fargo Advisors’ Employee Appreciation Week, the Market’s leadership team had the opportunity to thank Client Associates for all they do and to highlight specific successes.

Several speakers addressed topics to help team members increase their knowledge and provided ways to help them grow the practices they support. Topics included an engaging demonstration of the AI-powered online assistant Copilot, insights into the new Advisor Gateway dashboard and guidance on the use of eMoney planning software.

This year’s theme was growth, and each Client Associate received a potted orchid to underscore the resilience and growth that Client Associates bring to help enable Advisors and clients to flourish. Cooler bags with Wells Fargo merchandise were additional gifts.

“The entire event was incredible,” said Devon MacKinnon, Senior Registered Client Associate. "The opportunity to brainstorm with peers was important, especially the session on marketing strategies. We are an important part of helping to grow our Advisors’ businesses.”

First Vice President – Investment Officer Peter (Pete) Hart recently achieved a career milestone, having worked at Wells Fargo Advisors and its predecessor firms for more than 50 years. More than 20 years ago, he moved to the Sarasota branch and has had excellent help from the team there.

“Being a Financial Advisor has been wonderful,” Pete said. “I’m grateful to have helped my clients achieve their financial goals and live better lives. They have trusted me, and, in many cases, their children have continued to trust me.”

Traveling is now at the top of Pete’s bucket list. “My wife, Lynda, is a travel consultant. We have booked a trip to Ireland for September. We would like to return to Kenya and a fourth time to Italy. Lynda hasn’t seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa yet.” Along with a daughter in Florida, Pete has two sons and 10 grandchildren in California so there will be more than a few trips to the west coast.

Steinbach hits the ground running

Nicholas Steinbach, Vice President - Investments, has joined the Naples branch. Previously, Nicholas was with Stifel, but he was looking for additional capabilities to meet his clients' growing wealth management needs more comprehensively.

"Wells Fargo Advisors offers access to products such as portfolio loans, personal lines of credit and securities-backed lending, giving me the ability to help clients leverage cash flow management. Another valuable product is access to merchant services for business owner clients," Nicholas said. Research and insightful commentary are resources and capabilities that deepen client relationships, he noted.

Nicholas met with Naples Branch Manager Brian Schoenle and Market Leader Marc Beshany for about six months before making his decision. "I felt comfortable with Brian. He is an open and honest person as is Marc," he said. The transition unfolded smoothly, marked by a comforting compliance with protocol rules and preparedness. "Within six weeks, I had moved 99.9 percent of my business to the new office," Nick noted.

Manager rally sparks excitement

Photos do not capture the energy of the recent Branch Manager rally held in Orlando where the theme was "Ready. Set. Be Brilliant." The rally was a celebration of management's commitment to a winning culture. "I left feeling inspired, energized, and more proud than ever to be part of this firm," said Marc Beshany. "It was an honor to attend alongside two incredible teammates, Senior Area Managers Danelis Romero Padron and Brad Cline."

Kicking off 2025 with purpose and momentum

"From good to great - that's the mindset," said Market Leader Marc Beshany during the Florida Gulf Coast Market's 2025 Kickoff Meetings in Tampa, Sarasota, and Naples. "While we took time to celebrate our tremendous successes in 2024, our real focus was on the road ahead: leveraging the services, solutions and capabilities of Wells Fargo Advisors to drive exponential growth in 2025.

"Of course, the only thing more incredible than the breathtaking views at the meeting locations was the power and camaraderie of our Advisors. Their energy, dedication and drive continue to set the standard," Marc concluded.

Beshany featured on WealthManagement.com FastChat

Managing Director – Market Leader Marc Beshany was recently featured on WealthManagement.com in a FastChat segment with host Shannon Rosic, Director of WealthStack Content and Solutions at Informa Connect. Marc and Shannon discussed Wells Fargo Advisors’ unique channel options and resources that equip advisors to “out-local” their national competitors and simultaneously “out-national” their local competitors. Check out their conversation.

Eime named top manager, receives promotion

Congratulations on two fronts to Danielle Eime, CFP®. First, Danielle was named a top manager at Wells Fargo Advisors within her peer group. “This incredible recognition is a testament to Danielle’s unwavering commitment and dedication to serving her Advisors and building a culture of success,” said Market Leader Marc Beshany. Beshany is also thrilled to announce Danielle’s promotion to the Executive Director – Branch Manager for the Tampa Metro Complex. In her expanded new role, she will oversee the Tampa, Zephyrhills and Sun City branches. “Danielle has been an integral part of our leadership team for the past two years and has been leading from the front in her former role as Sarasota Branch Manager. We look forward to seeing her continue to set the standard for excellence.”

Stirling Heath joins leadership team

We are excited to welcome Stirling Heath to our leadership team as the Executive Director – Branch Manager of our newly formed Greater Tampa Complex. In his new role, he will oversee the Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Lakeland, and Land O’Lakes branches. Stirling is known across the state as a great leader and he brings tremendous passion and energy to this new role. Interestingly, he launched his career as a Wells Fargo Advisors branch intern before he moved to the employee channel side at Allianz and Jackson National Life, leading organic practice growth efforts. Most recently he served as Vice President, Business Development for LPL Financial, responsible for Advisor recruitment and growth. We’re thrilled to welcome Stirling back home to the Wells Fargo Advisors family.

The Fort Myers branch has found a new home at the Bell Tower, a best-in-class lifestyle center with office space, shopping, dining and entertainment. The destination provides Financial Advisors with the high-end atmosphere they seek to enhance the client experience.

Supervised by Jeffrey Berry, Senior Vice President – Investments, Branch Manager, the office can be reached at 239-479-7923. The new branch address is 13515 Bell Tower Drive, Suite 100, Fort Myers, FL 33907.

New Area Manager on board

Danelis Romera Padron has joined the Florida Gulf Coast Market as Executive Director - Area Manager. Danelis is based in Sarasota. She started her career as a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch in San Francisco and joined Wells Fargo Advisors in 2018. She built a successful business through the bank/brokerage partnership model and later joined an ultra-high-net-worth team in Fort Lauderdale. She was then named Associate Manager in the Orlando Market.

The daughter of Cuban immigrants, Danelis holds a dual degree in Economics and International Relations, with a minor in French, as well as an MBA in Finance from the Lorry I. Lokey Graduate School of Business & Public Policy at Mills College.

Marc Beshany has been named Managing Director – Market Leader for the newly formed Florida Gulf Coast Market. “I’ve known Marc for many years and regard him as an outstanding leader and champion of the Financial Advisors and team members he serves,” said Alberto González Saint Geours, Divisional President. “Marc was born and raised in Florida, and this relocation is particularly special as his long‑term career goal has been to bring his experience back home. We are happy to welcome him as he, his wife, Sandra, and their family relocate to Florida.”

During his 32‑year career with Wells Fargo Advisors, Marc’s leadership roles have included the Michigan, Rocky Mountain, and Northeast Ohio Markets, where he earned a reputation for making sure that each Advisor has the tools and resources they need to serve their clients effectively.

Beshany is a former U.S. Marine, a classic car and motorcycle enthusiast and has a deep commitment to community service.

Reach Marc Beshany at 847-946-7358 or [email protected].