Veteran financial advisor John Fitzgerald and his practice, Fitzgerald Financial Group, have officially made the leap to Cetera Financial Group. Moving from Commonwealth Financial Network, the tight-knit Vineland-based team brings approximately $185 million in assets under administration (AUA) to Cetera’s Summit Financial Networks community.
The transition marks a strategic pivot for Fitzgerald, who chose to conduct extensive due diligence rather than follow the path of least resistance when LPL Financial announced its acquisition of Commonwealth.
Serving roughly 400 households and more than 1,300 accounts, Fitzgerald operates alongside financial professional Doug Kramer, CFP®, financial professional Gary Bolno, and assistant Tatyana Shevchuk. Rather than growing through acquired books of business, Fitzgerald has built his practice over the years strictly through client referrals and a hands-on, relationship-driven approach.
For Fitzgerald, finding a new broker-dealer came down to replicating the top-tier service model he valued at Commonwealth. After evaluating several options, he felt that Summit and Cetera offered the closest cultural match.
“On that home office visit, meeting Summit’s leadership face to face is what drew me in,” Fitzgerald said. “I saw in Summit that same service model I’ve valued at Commonwealth within their organization, and that’s what had kept me with Commonwealth. So, that’s why I felt good about choosing Cetera and Summit for the long haul.”
Tom Halloran, Cetera Advisor Channel Leader, welcomed the team by praising their old-fashioned work ethic. “John has built a practice the old-fashioned way, one client relationship at a time, and that hands-on, family-style commitment to client service is exactly the kind of partnership Summit is built to support,” Halloran stated.
Looking ahead, Fitzgerald Financial Group plans to maintain its strong roots in Vineland while expanding its regional presence. The firm recently purchased a new office building in Fitzgerald’s hometown of Mullica Hill, positioning the practice for ongoing organic growth through referrals alongside future inorganic expansion, such as acquiring books of business and offering succession solutions to fellow advisors.
