By Kenneth Corbin
Ameriprise Financial is planning for a leadership shuffle in its wealth advisory ranks. Longtime company veteran Pat O'Connell, who heads the Ameriprise employee advisor channel, is planning to retire June 1.
Bill Williams, who leads Ameriprise's franchise-advisor business, is going to take over Ameriprise Advisor Group, which includes more than 2,200 employee advisors, while retaining control of the Ameriprise Independent Advisors channel for advisors who work as 1099 contractors.
"After 34 years with the firm, Pat O'Connell has decided to retire this summer as part of a thoughtful transition," Ameriprise says in a statement. "We wish him all the best in his retirement and thank him for his exceptional service to our clients, advisors, employees, and the firm."
The move will significantly expand Williams' responsibilities at Ameriprise, placing him at the helm of its two primary advisor units, as well as its institutional work with banks and credit unions and its advisor recruiting efforts. Williams, a Certified Financial Planner, joined Ameriprise in 1989 and ascended to his role heading up the 1099 Ameriprise Independent Advisors channel in 2008.
O'Connell, who also holds the CFP designation, was promoted to senior vice president overseeing Ameriprise's employee channel for the eastern part of the country in 2009, and took on his current role as president of the Ameriprise Advisor Group in February 2013. After the 2017 ac q uisition of Investment Professionals, O'Connell took over Ameriprise's financial institutional business, which has been striking deals with regional lenders to offer brokerage and other services.
The leadership shuffle was earlier reported by AdvisorHub.
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April 10, 2026 14:14 ET (18:14 GMT)
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