&Partners names industry veteran Jim McHale Chief Risk and Governance Officer

LPL Financial and Wells Fargo Advisors compliance leader will bring decades of legal, regulatory, and risk management experience to support &Partners’ growing wealth management firm.

ST. LOUIS, November 04, 2026 — &Partners, a rapidly growing, advisor-owned wealth management firm, today announced that Jim McHale, currently Chief Compliance Officer at LPL Financial, will be joining &Partners later this month as Chief Risk and Governance Officer.

McHale brings decades of experience across financial services regulation, legal affairs, compliance, and risk management, including senior leadership positions at two of the nation’s largest wealth management firms and serving as special counsel on the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

His appointment represents a significant investment in &Partners’ risk management infrastructure and underscores the firm’s commitment to a culture of rigorous compliance, practical and effective controls, and strong governance as the firm continues to grow.   

“Strong governance, compliance, and risk management are foundational to building a great financial services firm,” said David Kowach, founding partner and CEO of &Partners. “Our ability to attract someone of Jim’s caliber speaks both to the strength of our business and the opportunity we see ahead. Jim has spent his career helping some of the industry’s largest and most complex organizations manage risk, strengthen controls, and operate responsibly at scale. Bringing that experience and judgment to &Partners is an extraordinary opportunity for our firm, our advisors, and, ultimately, their clients.”

Kowach, who previously worked with McHale at Wells Fargo Advisors, added, “I’ve known Jim for many years and have enormous respect for his experience, judgment, integrity, and commitment to doing things the right way. He’s one of those rare leaders who combines deep technical knowledge with a practical understanding of how the business operates. He understands that strong controls and effective governance aren’t obstacles to growth — they’re essential to building a firm that can grow successfully and sustainably.”

McHale’s appointment reflects a broader transformation underway in the wealth management industry, as experienced financial advisors and senior executives increasingly recognize the advantages of smaller, independent organizations.

“We believe the industry is moving toward a model where talented professionals can do their best work in smaller, more focused organizations,” said John Alexander, &Partners founding partner. “Large institutions develop extraordinary talent, but their size and complexity can sometimes limit the ability of those individuals to make a direct impact.

When you bring leaders with Jim’s experience into an organization like &Partners, you get the benefit of his experience and judgement without the layers of bureaucracy that often accompany it at big firms.” 

As Chief Risk and Governance Officer, McHale will help lead &Partners’ work across enterprise risk management, legal and regulatory matters, compliance, internal controls, and corporate governance.

As Chief Compliance Officer at LPL Financial, McHale has been responsible for designing and maintaining the firm’s regulatory compliance program, helping manage and mitigate risk, and strengthening its control environment through practical, commonsense solutions.

Before joining LPL, he was executive vice president and Chief Compliance Officer for Wells Fargo Advisors. Earlier he held other senior roles including global head of brokerage compliance at E*TRADE Financial and managing director and associate general counsel at the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. McHale holds a JD from the University of South Carolina (USC) School of Law and a BS in business administration from USC.

&Partners was founded on the belief that the wealth management industry can better serve financial advisors and their clients through a business model built around shared ownership and aligned interests. The firm continues to attract accomplished financial advisors and experienced industry executives who value the opportunity to be part of something smaller, more personalized, and committed to excellence. 

“Our ambition isn’t simply to build a larger firm. It’s to build a better one,” said Kristi Mitchem, &Partners founding partner. “That requires accomplished financial advisors supported by equally talented professionals across every part of our business.”

About &Partners

&Partners is a rapidly growing advisor-owned wealth management firm built for advisors seeking greater ownership, flexibility, and community. Founded by former Wells Fargo leaders and based in Nashville, Tennessee, and St. Louis, Missouri, the firm offers a hybrid model that combines competitive payouts with equity participation, institutional support, and access to a collaborative peer network. Founded in fall 2023, &Partners has grown rapidly to 132 practices and approximately $67 billion in assets as of October 31, 2026. The firm provides a platform that enables advisors to build lasting businesses on their own terms without sacrificing service, scale, or culture. To learn more, visit andpartners.com. 

Media contacts: Trevor Wade, &Partners, trevor.wade@andpartners.com, and Kate Ennis, DAI Partners PR, (301) 580-6726