Former Merrill and Hightower Advisors Launch Independent Wealth Management Firm Granite Islands Private Wealth

Granite Islands Private Wealth, LLC has launched as a new independent advisory firm providing comprehensive wealth management and investment services to individuals, families, and businesses. The firm is led by founders and managing directors Charles Andriole and Robert DeLucca, who previously worked together for decades as The Andriole Group at Hightower and Merrill Lynch before making the transition to independence over ten years ago, collectively managing over $1 billion in client assets.

Charles Andriole emphasized the firm's commitment to fiduciary responsibility, stating that Granite Islands has been designed as a highly focused, planning-driven firm to cater to clients' unique and evolving needs while protecting their best interests. The firm aims to align the right services and opportunities to help clients achieve their financial goals through industry-leading resources, technologies, and solutions available at https://www.graniteislands.com.

Andriole brings significant credentials to the new venture, holding both the Certified Portfolio Manager® and Certified Investment Management Analyst® designations. He has been recognized as part of Barron's "Top 1000 Advisors by State" and the Financial Times' Top Retirement Plan Advisors, and was inducted into Research Magazine's Advisor Hall of Fame. DeLucca has also been honored by the Financial Times in their list of Top Retirement Plan Advisers and maintains active involvement in financial education and mentorship programs.

The founding partners are joined by Michele Arsenault as Operations Manager, bringing over 20 years of experience in delivering personalized client service, and Lorenzo P. Gaudioso CFP®, C(k)P®, CRPS® as Wealth Advisor and Retirement Plan Advisor with over 25 years of experience advising corporate retirement plans and non-profit organizations. The team is supported by tru Independence, an established leader in the wealth management industry that provides robust infrastructure, compliance, technology, and operational support.

Rob DeLucca highlighted the firm's core philosophy, stating that everyone on the team is unified by an unbridled desire to deliver an unparalleled standard of care through an uncompromising commitment to deep-rooted values. The firm operates on the belief that taking exceptional care of clients will naturally lead to both client and firm success. Granite Islands is headquartered in Guilford, CT, and serves clients throughout the United States and internationally as a registered investment advisor with the SEC.