North Canton, Ohio-based team adds $481 million in assets to Steward Partners
Steward Partners, a full-service, employee-owned, independent financial services firm, announced today the acquisition of Longbridge Wealth Advisors, adding $481 million in assets to Steward Partners’ platform in its Legacy Division.
By bringing on Longbridge Wealth Advisors, Steward Partners deepens its reach in Ohio with a new foothold in North Canton. Led by partners Jack Elgin and Neven Zelich, the ten-person team includes three additional advisors and brings a strong track record of client-focused financial planning, particularly for individuals at or nearing retirement.
“With more than 20 years working side by side, Neven and I have always been grounded in delivering thoughtful financial planning and a high level of personal care to every client we serve,” said Jack Elgin, Partner, Managing Director, Financial Advisor at Longbridge Wealth Advisors. “Our team’s approach has always centered around helping clients navigate their path with clarity. In Steward Partners, we saw a like-minded firm that shares our commitment to long-term relationships, high standards, and doing right by the people we serve.”
“We’re excited to officially welcome the Longbridge team to Steward Partners,” said Scott Danner, EVP & Head of Legacy at Steward Partners. “From the beginning, it was clear they were the right cultural fit—they share our values, our client-first mindset, and our vision for long-term growth. Their strong reputation and deep relationships in the greater Ohio market make them a natural extension of our footprint in the region, and we’re confident they’ll play a key role in helping us scale with integrity.”
“Joining Steward Partners felt like a natural evolution for our team, as we were looking for the right long-term fit that supports what we do best: serving clients,” said Neven Zelich, Partner, Managing Director, Financial Advisor at Longbridge Wealth Advisors. “What stood out most was their employee-owned model, collaborative culture, and how intentional they are about protecting that culture. We’re excited to gain the support that Steward provides so we can spend more time doing what we love—helping clients plan for their future.”
Steward Partners’ Legacy Division is designed to support established advisory teams seeking a long-term succession and continuity solution without sacrificing their brand or client relationships. The Legacy Division provides a flexible framework that allows advisors to maintain their identity while leveraging the scale, resources, and operational support of a national firm. It’s an ideal path for advisors planning for retirement, team transitions, or strategic growth.
Since its launch in 2013, Steward Partners has solidified its place as one of the industry’s fastest-growing and most influential RIA firms. The firm was recently listed 28th on Financial Advisor Magazine’s 2025 Top RIA and RIA Discretionary and Non-Discretionary AUM Rankings and was named as a 2025 Excellence Awardee for InvestmentNews‘ Thrivent Employer of Choice, as well as recognized on Washington Business Journal‘s 2025 Best Places to Work List and USA TODAY‘s Best Financial Advisory Firms 2025 list. Additionally, in 2025 several Steward Partners advisors and teams were honored on Forbes | SHOOK’s 2025 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors and Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams lists, underscoring the firm’s commitment to delivering exceptional client outcomes through collaborative, team-based service. Additionally, many advisors earned a spot on InvestmentNews‘ Top Financial Advisors in the USA list and celebrated its fifth consecutive appearance on Barron’s latest Top 100 RIA Firms list, securing an impressive 18th ranking. These achievements reflect Steward Partners’ continued momentum, client-first culture, and dedication to excellence in wealth management.
