Kestra Private Wealth Services (Kestra PWS), a registered investment adviser subsidiary of Kestra Financial, Inc. that specializes in supporting breakaway advisors, today announced that veteran advisor Rocco Russo has joined its community of independent financial professionals, in partnership with Alexandria, Virginia-based HF3 Wealth Partners (“HF3”). A rapidly growing firm, HF3 joined Kestra PWS in 2022 and is led by Founder and Managing Partner David Tovey.

Russo brings 17 years of industry experience serving federal employees, federal contractors and small business owners, and previously managed $130 million in client assets. His deep roots in the Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia communities complement HF3’s continued growth in the region.

Russo’s relationship with Tovey stretches back more than two decades, evolving from a strong friendship into an advisor-client relationship when Tovey became Russo’s personal financial advisor. Tovey later helped launch Russo’s career in financial services, and over time the two became colleagues, and are now taking the next step as business partners. That longstanding connection gave Russo a firsthand view of HF3’s commitment to holistic financial planning and high-touch client service, as well as Kestra PWS’s advisor-first culture and personalized support.

Russo’s arrival also reflects HF3’s deliberate, ongoing growth strategy. The addition expands the firm’s capabilities serving business owners and federal employees while deepening its presence across the Washington, D.C. region. The growing team now includes six professionals with specialized expertise spanning tax, estate and charitable planning.

Russo said he was drawn to the culture that Tovey and fellow Managing Partner Rachel Eisnhart have cultivated at HF3.

“The way David and Rachel approach client relationships reflects the same commitment to holistic planning and high-quality service that I’ve always tried to bring to my own clients,” said Russo. “Going from friend to client to colleague with David is a full-circle moment, and I’m excited for what we can build together.”

“Rocco and I have a long history together, which makes this addition especially meaningful for me,” said David Tovey, Founder and Managing Partner of HF3 Wealth Partners. “Since joining Kestra PWS, we’ve had the flexibility to build our team intentionally, evolving the business in ways that strengthen our ability to serve clients. Rocco is a terrific example of that. He’s an exceptional advisor and a natural fit for the culture and service model we’ve built at HF3.”

“One of the biggest advantages of independence is the ability to shape the future of your business on your own terms,” said Rob Bartenstein, Founder & President of Kestra Private Wealth Services. “At Kestra PWS, we give advisors the support and flexibility to pursue that vision. Whether that means adding advisors, expanding capabilities or entering new markets, firms should have the freedom to grow when and how it makes the most sense for their business and their clients. HF3’s decision to bring on Rocco is a great example of that.”

About Kestra Private Wealth Services

Kestra Private Wealth Services, LLC (Kestra PWS) is a hybrid registered investment advisor (RIA) headquartered in Austin, TX and supporting independent financial professional teams across the nation. Founded by industry veterans, Kestra PWS empowers advisors to transition seamlessly from wirehouses and W-2 roles to independent businesses. The firm’s platform is composed of its independent RIA and a broker-dealer to provide financial professionals with an open-architecture platform and independence across both fee- and transaction-based business models. The firm’s comprehensive support covers every detail of transition, from office setup to compliance, freeing advisors to focus on serving clients and growing their wealth management businesses. Kestra PWS has helped more than 125 financial professionals and more than 50 single- and multi-team offices across the country find independence with their full-service support model. For more information, visit http://www.kestrafinancial.com/private-wealth-services.

Kestra Financial, Inc. (Kestra Financial) provides a leading independent advisor platform that empowers independent financial professionals – including traditional and hybrid RIAs – to prosper, grow, and provide superior client service. Kestra Financial offers advisors and firms personalized support, integrated business management technology, and access to a collaborative community of like-minded financial professionals, ultimately enabling their growth, success, and ability to best support their own clients.

The Kestra Financial division includes Kestra Private Wealth Services, LLC (Kestra PWS), Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS) and Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Securities offered through registered representatives of Kestra IS. Investment advisory services offered through appropriately licensed representatives of Kestra AS or Kestra PWS. Except for the referenced Kestra companies, Kestra IS, Kestra AS, or Kestra PWS are not affiliated with other entities referenced in this publication.

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