Applied Strategies & Counsel and VisionQuest Wealth Management Announce Merger

Raleigh, NC, August 28, 2009 --(PR.com)-- VisionQuest Wealth Management, a Raleigh-based firm serving as a personal CFO to individuals and families, expands their footprint to Arizona by announcing a merger announces a joint venture/acquisition with Applied Strategies & Counsel, Inc (ASC), a wealth management firm based out of Scottsdale, Arizona.

The two companies had been talking about how they would work together for years and from a timing standpoint, 2009 was the year to execute. Chuck Hollander, President and CEO of Applied Strategies & Counsel said that “when choosing a firm to partner with there was no question that VisionQuest was our top choice. We have a trust in VisionQuest because of the ten plus year friendship and professional relationship with VisionQuest’s CEO, Steve Peters.” Hollander continues “our shared business philosophy around being client centric is something that we haven’t found anywhere else and VisionQuest understands that you must focus on one thing (your clients) and everything else will fall into place. We know that our clients will be comfortable, pleased, and excited about our relationship with VisionQuest.”

Steve Peters says “our mission is to ensure that our clients and ASC‘s clients achieve their lifetime and financial goals by making wise decisions around their wealth.” Peters continues “this merger/joint venture is nothing more than two enduring companies that are characterized by a fundamental duality. On one hand, our two firms have a set of timeless core values that remain constant over time. On the other hand, we have a relentless drive for change and progress. Our two organizations, VisionQuest and ASC, while we share the same core values, we recognize that this merger will enable us the flexibility to enhance our operating strategies and cultural practices.”

Jerry Penegor, Operations Manager for ASC, will continue to work with VisionQuest in order to create a smooth transition for their clients. “This transition will be as seamless as possible for our clients” Penegor says. He continued “Instrumental to this transition will be Nick Kolbenschlag, VisionQuest’s Operations Manager and Jessie Hrivnak, VisionQuest’s Director or Service. This core team of Penegor, Kolbenschlag and Hrivnak stated that “we will continue to focus on what we’ve always focused on; quality advice and quality of service. This partnership only expands our team, services, and quality of client relationships.”

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