Sowell Management (Sowell), a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) serving financial advisors and their clients nationwide, announced the appointment of Scott Dooley, CFA, as Chief Investment Officer and the evolution of its investment management platform into the Sowell Office of the CIO.

The Office brings together institutional investment leadership, research, portfolio construction, advisor consulting and a curated network of specialized investment partners. Its purpose is to expand what independent advisors can deliver without the cost and complexity of building an internal investment department.

"Independent advisors are increasingly competing against wirehouses, large RIAs and private banks that have deep investment benches behind them," said Daryl Seaton, CEO of Sowell Management. "Advisors shouldn't have to choose between independence and institutional investment resources. As part of our growth strategy, we are expanding the expertise and support behind our advisors' investment decisions, and Scott is the right person to lead that effort. That investment gives our advisors greater capacity to win and retain clients with complex needs while growing their businesses."

Investment Leadership Under Dooley

Dooley brings two decades of asset management experience to his role leading Sowell's Office of the CIO. His expertise spans institutional investing, wealth management and close collaboration with financial advisors to design and implement tailored investment strategies that address their clients' unique needs.

Before joining Sowell as Managing Director of Investment Management in 2025, Dooley founded Fusion Investment Group, where he served as CEO and Chief Investment Officer. He also held senior investment positions at Blue Vase Holdings, Rayliant Global Advisors and Columbus Macro. A Chartered Financial Analyst, Dooley earned his MBA from the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business, with studies in London and Singapore.

"Independent advisors don't necessarily need another investment provider. They need an investment office they can draw on as part of their own business—one that brings perspective, research and independent judgment to the decisions they make for clients," said Dooley. "Our role is to come alongside our advisors, understand what each situation requires and draw on the appropriate strategies and specialists. That might mean building a tax-sensitive transition plan, evaluating an alternative investment or bringing in a specialist manager for a specific need. Our solution-neutral approach gives advisors the expertise and support to take on complex client situations with confidence and pursue more sophisticated outcomes."

Expanding What Advisors Can Deliver

As client wealth grows, investment needs often extend beyond a diversified portfolio to include tax-aware portfolio construction, concentrated positions, income and liquidity planning, alternative investments and multi-manager strategies.

Sowell serves as the hub of the Office of the CIO, evaluating and coordinating its internal capabilities and specialized investment partners to address those needs. The Office combines research, due diligence, portfolio construction and implementation expertise so advisors can pursue more sophisticated client opportunities, deepen existing relationships and differentiate their practices.

The portfolio construction process starts with understanding a client's objectives, risk profile, tax considerations, liquidity needs and investment philosophy. Those priorities guide the selection of strategies and specialists rather than a predetermined product lineup.

Advisors can engage the Office at the level that best supports their practice, from investment research and portfolio consultation to more comprehensive investment management and portfolio construction.

"The Office of the CIO is about raising the ceiling on what an independent advisor can offer," said Seaton. "Advisors can remain actively involved in portfolio decisions or delegate certain responsibilities. Either way, they gain a stronger investment value proposition, more freedom to focus on client relationships and the capabilities to take their business to its next stage."