SAN FRANCISCO ‒ Wealth & Investment Management (WIM) today announced that Jeff Brown will join the firm as the Independent Solutions Platform Growth Director. In this newly created role, Brown will drive strategic growth and development initiatives for Independent Solutions, including Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network (FiNet) practices and Wells Fargo RIA Solutions practices launching later this year. His focus will include helping independent practices grow their value through strategic planning support, developing next gen talent, and making informed decisions on equity capital — all aimed at driving sustainable growth.
The appointment underscores WIM’s continued focus on expanding its independent capabilities and building momentum across its multi‑channel wealth model.
“Jeff brings a builder’s mindset to our independent channels,” said Erik Karanik, head of Independent Solutions, WIM. “We’ve invested significantly in providing access to operations, technology, and growth resources for FiNet. Adding Jeff’s platform-wide focus on practice management, leadership development, and independent practice value creation deepens our available support for advisors as they run and scale great businesses.”
Brown’s remit complements FiNet’s existing go-to specialist teams — spanning divisional relationship management, operations and technology, sales growth, and product/platform expertise — by adding a dedicated focus on helping independent practices run their complex businesses, including strategic planning, talent and compensation frameworks, succession readiness, and capital formation.
A seasoned firm builder and industry thought leader, Brown most recently served as President of Stratos Private Wealth, where he helped build an independent wealth enterprise with $2 billion in assets under management and later led a national expansion initiative. Earlier in his career, he worked as a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors, giving him firsthand insight into the experience and the challenges of running a business.
“Jeff’s appointment is another example of our core strategic priority to grow our Independent Solutions businesses,” said Erik. “We’re seeing strong momentum across FiNet — from attracting new advisors and organic growth within existing practices to increased owner satisfaction, and we look forward to Jeff’s contributions to these efforts.”
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About Wealth & Investment Management
Wealth & Investment Management (WIM) offers financial products and services through bank and brokerage affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company and is one of the largest wealth managers in the U.S., with $2.5 trillion in client assets. WIM provides personalized wealth management, brokerage, wealth planning, lending, private banking, trust, and fiduciary products and services to affluent, high-net worth, and ultra-high-net worth clients. WIM operates through advisors in Wells Fargo Advisors, independent brokerage offices, and digitally through Intuitive Investor® and WellsTrade®. Private Wealth is an exclusive and personalized service and product offering for qualifying clients of Wealth & Investment Management (WIM).
Bank products and services are available through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., is a bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.
Investment products services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors. Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, Members SIPC, separate registered broker-dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company. WellsTrade® and Intuitive Investor® brokerage accounts are offered through Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC.
About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $2.1 trillion in assets. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 33 on Fortune’s 2025 rankings of America’s largest corporations. News, insights, and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories.
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Contact Information
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Caroline Szyperski, (980) 406‑7983
Caroline.M.Szyperski@wellsfargo.com