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Forbes 2025 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors and Forbes 2025 America’s Top Wealth Advisors awards were received on April 8, 2025 for data as of June 30, 2024. Data was provided and ranking was developed by SHOOK® Research, LLC and is based on in-person, virtual, and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client impact, industry experience, credentials, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, such as: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Stephen Taddie, Elisabeth Cullington, Rachel Luken, and Ty Summerlin's recognition was based on information submitted by HoyleCohen Wealth Management. Tyler Bartlett and Aimee Butler's recognition was based on information submitted by Merriman Wealth. Fees were paid to Forbes for use and promotion of Debra Brede’s ranking, but not to be considered for the awards. No compensation was paid with respect to the other recipients. For more information regarding the methodology used, click here.

Debra Brede received the award in March of 2025 for the twelve months ending 09/30/24. She also received the award in 2017, 2021,2022 and 2024 based on data from the respective prior year. A fee was paid to Barron’s for use and promotion of the rankings, but not to be considered for the award. A link to Barron’s award criteria and methodology is here.

The team members received the ranking in February 2025 based on data as of September 30, 2024. Prior to January 2025, Focus Partners was named The Colony Group, LLC. Hunt Valley Wealth (Christina Garland, CFP®) merged with Focus Partners in June of 2024. HoyleCohen (Elisabeth Cullington, CFP® and Rachel Luken, CFP®) merged with Focus Partners in September of 2024. Merriman Wealth Management (Aimee Butler, CFP®) merged with Focus Partners in February of 2025. Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors criteria: Based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data, including years of experience, revenue trends, AUM, compliance records, client retention, best practices, and approach to working with clients. Focus Partners Wealth paid no compensation to Forbes’ to participate or for inclusion in its list. The methodology can be found here.

Debra Brede also featured on the America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors list based on data submitted by D.K. Brede Investment Management Company, prior to its merger into The Colony Group on March 1, 2024. The firm paid a fee to Forbes for use and promotion of the rankings, but not to be considered for the awards. The methodology can be found here.