One of the Valley’s leading independent investment and wealth management advisors, Miller Russell Associates, has rebranded to align with the new dynamic, energy and culture that exists in the firm after becoming independent and partner-owned. This proactive initiative includes a name change from “Miller/Russell & Associates” to “Miller Russell Associates.”
CEO and Managing Partner Mark Feldman says that while the name change may seem subtle, it has enormous significance, while protecting the legacy of the firm’s past.
“From our newest advisors to our most accomplished partners, the name change is a clear signal that our associates are at the core of the firm and are the drivers of the firm’s future growth,” said Feldman. “Every single professional at Miller Russell Associates is a steward to our legacy of service and reputation as trusted fiduciaries. This name change illustrates how the firm is moving from a founder, a concept and a group of people in support of that idea to a firm of synergistic associates operating as a team.”
The idea to reshape the firm’s brand began in 2012 when it set out a strategy of sustainable independence. Today, Miller Russell Associates is owned by seven partners and one client. This partner-owned model is essential to maintaining the partners’ long-term commitment to succession planning and solidifying the firm for future generations of employees and clients.
“Through this strategic branding process, we have been able to pinpoint the differentiating points of the Miller Russell Associates brand and the best ways to communicate those differentiators through a variety of mediums, including a new interactive website and a digital marketing strategy,” said Managing Partner Christina Burroughs. “Every change we have made has been done with a strong purpose to illustrate our independent structure, team service model, commitment to sustainability and stewardship, and our fiduciary standard of care.”
Miller Russell Associates is continually seeking to identify and attract the top investment, wealth management, tax and operations talent in order to optimize its commitment to client service, consistency and quality. Over the past two years, the firm has doubled its employee base, and continued its commitment to professional staff development. Feldman says that an important factor in repositioning the firm was based on its partner’s values and ideas to continue to retain and attract the best employees. A testament to the Miller Russell Associates’ culture: in 2013, it was the only independent investment advisor ranked on list of CareerBuilder’s Top Companies to Work for in Arizona.
Miller Russell Associates has continually been on the leading edge of the investment services and wealth management industry in Phoenix. The firm was the first in the Valley, and among the first investment advisors globally, to earn the prestigious Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX) certification, which is an independent assessment that helps determine the trustworthiness of investment advisors and recognizes a firm’s adherence to the industry’s best fiduciary practices. The firm was also among the first to develop an internship and mentoring program, which has resulted in the development of more than 20 young professionals since the program’s inception three years ago.
