The fee-based advisory network United Capital Financial Advisers has bolstered its management team with the addition of three industry veterans.

Sheri Smith joins as vice president of sales and lead generation, while Jim Zahradnick and Brian Church start as director of recruiting and director of East Coast recruiting respectively.

The firm said the trio will help “solidify” its multi-million dollar commitment made at the start of 2012 to help its offices grow organically, as well as via recruitment.

Smith is responsible for creating marketing programs, designed to generate qualified leads, prospecting tools, as well as client conversion and retention systems. She has previously worked at Householder Group Financial Advisors, Charles Schwab Advisor Services and New York Life. 

Zahradnick latterly spent 24 years at Raymond James Financial Services. At United Capital, he will be based in Parker, CO, working to attract independent advisors and advisory firms to United.

Meanwhile, joining Zahradnick in the advisor recruitment effort is Church, based in Nashville, TS. Church previously worked at AXA Advisors as divisional vice president. There, he also led sales, recruiting and distribution for operations in Tennessee.

United Capital Financial Advisers is headquartered in Newport Beach, CA, and is an affiliate of United Capital Financial Partners.

United Capital said it is particularly interested in expanding into these areas: Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA, New York, Los Angeles/Orange County, CA, Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ, St Louis, MO, Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, Tampa, FL, Memphis, TN, Minneapolis/St Paul and Cincinnati, OH.

As of June 30, United Capital and its affiliates had $15 billion in assets under advisement.