Johnson Stivender Wealth Advisors Joins Ameriprise Financial to Accelerate Growth, Enhance Client Experience, and Strengthen Succession Planning
Johnson Stivender Wealth Advisors, a Florida-based private wealth management practice overseeing more than $270 million in client assets, has joined the independent advisor channel of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP), marking an important milestone in the firm’s long-term growth strategy. The practice transitions to Ameriprise after more than 25 years with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., seeking expanded technology capabilities, business development resources, and a structured succession planning framework that will support the firm’s future while preserving the personalized client service that has defined its reputation for decades.
The move reflects a broader trend within the wealth management industry, where advisory firms increasingly seek strategic partners capable of providing sophisticated technology platforms, scalable operational support, and long-term business continuity solutions. By affiliating with Ameriprise Financial, Johnson Stivender Wealth Advisors aims to strengthen its ability to serve existing clients while positioning the practice for continued expansion in an increasingly competitive advisory marketplace.
The advisory team is led by private wealth advisors Dusty Johnson, CFP®, APMA®, Craig Johnson, and Travis Stivender. Supporting the firm’s operations are Operations Manager Michele Bednosky and Client Relationship Specialist Kristin Johnson, whose combined efforts help deliver comprehensive financial planning and personalized wealth management services to individuals, families, and business owners throughout the region.
Building on More Than Two Decades of Client Relationships
For more than 25 years, Johnson Stivender Wealth Advisors has built its business around long-term relationships, individualized financial guidance, and a commitment to understanding each client’s unique financial objectives.
Throughout that time, the practice has emphasized comprehensive financial planning rather than transactional investment management, helping clients navigate retirement planning, wealth accumulation, estate planning considerations, investment strategies, risk management, and other complex financial decisions.
As the business continued to grow, leadership recognized that maintaining this high-touch advisory model would require additional investment in technology, operational infrastructure, and long-term succession planning.
Rather than simply changing broker-dealers, the firm sought a strategic partner capable of supporting both current operations and future growth while preserving the personalized service clients have come to expect.
Selecting Ameriprise Financial
After evaluating available options, Johnson Stivender Wealth Advisors determined that Ameriprise Financial’s independent advisor platform best aligned with its long-term vision.
According to the advisory team, several factors influenced the decision, including Ameriprise’s investments in advisor technology, client experience, business coaching, marketing support, financial planning capabilities, and succession planning resources.
Leadership believed these strengths would allow the practice to continue growing without compromising the relationship-driven approach that has remained central to its business philosophy.
The transition also provides access to a broader range of operational resources designed to help independent advisors scale efficiently while remaining focused on client service.
Technology Designed Around the Client Experience
One of the most significant reasons behind the move involved Ameriprise Financial’s technology platform.
As wealth management increasingly becomes digitally connected, clients expect secure online access to financial information, interactive planning tools, mobile capabilities, and streamlined communication with their advisors.
Dusty Johnson explained that Ameriprise’s integrated technology platform stood out because it enhances both advisor productivity and the client experience.
The firm’s digital tools allow clients to remain closely connected to their financial plans while giving advisors access to technology that simplifies daily operations and improves workflow efficiency.
Rather than relying on disconnected software systems, Ameriprise provides an integrated platform supporting financial planning, investment management, client communications, account administration, and business operations.
The leadership team believes these capabilities will help strengthen client relationships while creating additional capacity for future growth.
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation
Johnson Stivender Wealth Advisors also highlighted Ameriprise’s continued investment in artificial intelligence and advanced technology.
AI-powered capabilities are increasingly transforming wealth management by automating administrative tasks, improving client insights, enhancing operational efficiency, and supporting more personalized financial advice.
By leveraging these technologies, advisors can devote more time to strategic planning conversations while reducing time spent on manual processes.
The team believes continued technological innovation will become increasingly important as client expectations evolve and financial planning becomes more complex.
Supporting Practice Growth
Another important consideration involved Ameriprise’s demonstrated commitment to helping independent advisors expand their businesses.
Growth within the advisory industry now depends not only on attracting new clients organically but also on successfully integrating acquired practices, expanding service offerings, and strengthening referral networks.
Travis Stivender noted that Ameriprise has established a strong reputation for helping advisors grow through multiple channels.
In addition to marketing resources and business development support, the firm offers coaching programs designed to help advisors improve client acquisition strategies, operational efficiency, and long-term practice management.
Leadership believes these resources will support continued expansion while maintaining the personalized client experience that distinguishes the practice.
The team also values Ameriprise’s collaborative culture, which encourages advisors to share best practices and leverage broader organizational expertise.
Preparing for the Future Through Succession Planning
Succession planning represented another major factor influencing the transition.
As advisory firms mature, ensuring continuity for clients becomes increasingly important.
Clients often develop relationships with their advisors over decades, making long-term business continuity essential to preserving trust and maintaining service quality.
Craig Johnson explained that the firm sought a partner capable of providing a structured succession planning process that supports both advisors and clients.
Ameriprise offers established succession planning resources designed to help advisory practices prepare for leadership transitions while minimizing disruption to client relationships.
These programs provide advisors with greater confidence that clients will continue receiving consistent guidance throughout future generations of firm leadership.
The leadership team believes effective succession planning strengthens the long-term sustainability of the practice while protecting the interests of clients, employees, and future advisors.
Expanding Comprehensive Financial Planning
Johnson Stivender Wealth Advisors also expects to strengthen its comprehensive financial planning capabilities through Ameriprise’s extensive planning resources.
Financial planning has become increasingly sophisticated as clients face evolving challenges involving retirement income, tax strategies, estate planning, healthcare costs, education funding, charitable giving, and multi-generational wealth transfer.
The firm believes Ameriprise’s planning tools and analytical resources will enable advisors to deliver even more personalized, goals-based financial guidance.
Rather than focusing solely on investment performance, comprehensive planning considers every aspect of a client’s financial life, allowing advisors to develop integrated strategies aligned with individual objectives and changing circumstances.
Travis Stivender emphasized that these expanded capabilities will help the practice deepen relationships with clients while addressing increasingly complex financial needs.
Maintaining Personalized Service
Although the firm’s affiliation has changed, leadership emphasized that its commitment to personalized service remains unchanged.
Dusty Johnson described joining Ameriprise as an exciting new chapter while reaffirming the firm’s longstanding commitment to trusted advice, personal relationships, and individualized financial guidance.
He noted that the practice has spent more than two decades building its reputation through consistent client service and long-term partnerships.
According to Johnson, Ameriprise provides the technology, operational support, and strategic resources needed to strengthen that commitment while creating opportunities for continued growth.
The leadership team believes combining enhanced technology with personalized advice will enable the practice to deliver an even higher level of service to clients in the years ahead.
Comprehensive Wealth Management Services
Johnson Stivender Wealth Advisors provides a broad range of financial planning and wealth management services designed to help clients achieve both short-term objectives and long-term financial security.
The firm’s advisory approach typically includes:
- Retirement planning
- Investment management
- Wealth preservation strategies
- Estate planning coordination
- Tax-aware investment strategies
- Education funding
- Risk management
- Income planning
- Multi-generational financial planning
By integrating these services into comprehensive financial plans, the practice seeks to help clients make informed financial decisions while adapting to changing life circumstances.
The firm’s client base includes individuals, families, professionals, retirees, and business owners seeking long-term financial guidance.
Local Leadership Support
As part of the Ameriprise Financial network, Johnson Stivender Wealth Advisors will receive ongoing support from local and regional leadership.
The practice will work closely with Ameriprise Franchise Field Vice President Sabrina Sabate and Regional Vice President Michael Barker, who provide strategic guidance, operational resources, and business development support for affiliated advisory practices.
Their leadership helps advisors maximize available technology, practice management resources, marketing opportunities, and growth initiatives while maintaining independence in serving clients.
The transition to Ameriprise Financial positions Johnson Stivender Wealth Advisors to continue expanding its business while preserving the relationship-focused approach that has driven its success for more than 25 years.
With access to advanced technology, artificial intelligence tools, comprehensive financial planning resources, succession planning expertise, and business growth support, the practice is well equipped to meet the evolving needs of clients in an increasingly digital financial services environment.
As wealth management continues to evolve, Johnson Stivender Wealth Advisors believes its partnership with Ameriprise will strengthen its ability to provide personalized advice, build lasting client relationships, and create sustainable growth for generations to come.
Managing more than $270 million in client assets, the practice enters this next phase with a continued commitment to helping clients pursue their financial goals while benefiting from the scale, innovation, and long-term strategic support of one of the nation’s leading wealth management organizations.
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