Uptick Partners Launches as the “Bridge Builder to Independence” and Welcomes Jonathan Dvorak as Latest Breakaway Advisor

NACOGDOCHES, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Uptick Partners, the “Bridge Builder to Independence,” today announced the official launch of the firm’s RIA platform for advisors seeking to break away from captive broker-dealers, with the arrival of the firm’s first breakaway advisor.

Uptick was founded by industry veterans Steve Barber, Jason Barber, and Taylor Pankratz, all formerly of Edward Jones, and has spent the last year building out the firm’s innovative platform and capabilities to serve advisors looking to provide a stronger service offering and better outcomes for their clients than captive firms can provide.

Joining the Uptick Partners family is Jonathan Dvorak, founder of Dvorak Financial Planning in Cullman, Alabama. Jonathan, who has managed $275 million in client assets during his 14-year tenure at Edward Jones, has launched his independent practice to provide tailored financial services. His website is www.dvorakfp.com, and he can be reached at 256-939-1000. Jonathan's decision to embrace RIA independence is a testament to Uptick Partners' robust support system designed to empower advisors seeking greater autonomy and flexibility in serving their clients.

“We are excited to welcome Jonathan Dvorak to Uptick Partners,” said Jason Barber, Co-Founder of Uptick Partners. “Jonathan's expertise and dedication to his clients align perfectly with our mission of enabling advisors to deliver the highest standard of personalized financial planning and investment management.”

Uptick Partners was conceived out of the realization that the greatest challenge in going independent is managing the details of where you’ve been, not where you’re going. After Barber, Barber and Pankratz successfully managed their own exit from Edward Jones and dealt with the myriad of nuanced issues that most RIA support platforms aren’t equipped to handle, they established Uptick in 2024 to extend their knowledge, resources, and support to other advisors aspiring for independence.

Dvorak is now the fourth advisor with Uptick Partners to break away from Edward Jones. The firm has a proven track record of building and executing successful transition plans, with advisors on average transitioning 90% of assets in their first year. Breakaway advisors joining Uptick appreciate the firm’s 95% gross payout, modern technology platform, and a culture of growth, excellence and service.

“Launching Uptick Partners was a natural progression for us. We experienced firsthand the transformative impact of transitioning to independence,” said Taylor Pankratz, Co-Founder of Uptick Partners. “We turned that experience into our innovative ‘Bridge Builder Path to Independence’ framework, and helped Jonathan become the fourth advisor to successfully leverage it. And now, we’re eager to help others take that blueprint and create better outcomes for their clients, too.”

Uptick Partners pioneered the “Bridge Builder to Independence” framework that recognizes the unique challenges and nuances of making the RIA transition for tens of thousands of advisors in captive broker-dealers. Founded by industry experts Steve Barber, Jason Barber, and Taylor Pankratz, the firm’s north star is enabling the best advisors to deliver a wider range of services and better outcomes for their clients. For more information, visit uptickpartners.com or contact Jason Barber at 855-335-2742 or [e-mail].