Independent Financial Partners (IFP) says CenterBridge Planning Group, a five-advisor team joining from Commonwealth Financial Network, oversees more than $700 million in client assets. IFP announced the move on December 3, 2025, and described it as one of its largest single-team transitions to date. The figure is the firm’s reported client-assets amount, not an independently verified or audited assets-under-management figure.
Who joined IFP, and where does CenterBridge work?
The CenterBridge advisors named in IFP’s announcement are Jeff McCabe, Pat Mahardy, Joe Lazzaro, Brent Schleicher and Andy Burr. The team serves clients in Upstate New York and nationwide, with offices in Syracuse and Lockport/Buffalo, New York. Its stated services include comprehensive financial planning, retirement and estate strategies, investment management, insurance solutions, and business and tax planning.
IFP’s December 3, 2025 announcement identifies Commonwealth Financial Network as the team’s former firm. A later Business Wire version of the release appeared on Yahoo Finance on December 9; Wealth Management covered the move on December 10. IFP’s announcement and Wealth Management’s coverage provide the public account of the transition.
Why did CenterBridge choose IFP?
The team said its decision reflected flexibility in technology, access to multiple custodians, IFP’s culture and accessible leadership, and what it described as long-term alignment. In the release, CenterBridge said: “What set IFP apart was the freedom to customize our technology and maintain multi-custodian access without added fees or constraints. That level of flexibility is essential to serving clients the way we believe is best.” These are the advisors’ stated reasons, not an independent comparison of platforms or evidence of improved client outcomes.
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The move also comes amid changes in the industry: Commonwealth was acquired by LPL Financial in 2025, according to Wealth Management. That timing is context, not proof that the acquisition caused CenterBridge to leave. IFP CEO Bill Hamm said the team’s experience at a firm acquired by a larger organization helped inform the development of IFP’s Project 3.14.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is Project 3.14?
IFP describes Project 3.14 as a value-participation program tied to a possible future sale or recapitalization. Hamm said it is intended to let advisors share in value they help create if IFP ever pursues such a transaction. The company’s framing does not mean a sale or recapitalization is planned or promised, and the announcement does not provide eligibility rules or a calculation method.
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For background on the company’s announcements, see IFP’s press-release archive. The available public accounts do not specify client-by-client transfer timing, individual custodian selections, or whether clients’ fees or advisory agreements will change.
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