Name: Andrew Lerner
Firm: Oppenheimer
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Team Assets (Custodied): $1.6 billion
Background: Andrew Lerner grew up in Gainesville, Florida, and began his college tennis career at Jacksonville University before transferring to Florida Atlantic University. He graduated in 2013 with a finance degree and an insurance minor. Together with his college roommate and best friend—now his managing partner—he launched a wealth management group shortly after college. What started as a friendship-driven venture has now grown into an 18-person team managing approximately 600 households. “We don’t have a one-size-fits-all niche,” Andrew says, “because every client’s situation is unique — and that’s what keeps this job interesting.”
Competitive Edge: “In the past 12 years so much has changed — markets, tax rules, estate planning, investment solutions, technology… Staying on top of all that lets us add real value to clients,” says Lerner. “It’s amazing how many advisors we meet who haven’t updated their approach in 10 years.” His team embraces new strategies such as direct indexing, opportunity zones, and alternatives focused on tech and innovation.
Investment Strategy: “We believe in indexing but add tactical, opportunistic alpha through separately managed accounts.” They are early adopters of alternatives—especially technology and innovation-focused hedge funds and private equity—as well as direct indexing. The goal is to balance broad market exposure with opportunistic strategies that add value.
Best Advice: Authenticity is the foundation of client relationships. “Clients can tell if you don’t mean what you say; It’s not what you say but how you say it,” he says. “The best thing advisors can do is get every certification they can, keep learning, and show up as themselves — not with a big pitch book.”
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