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A national investment firm has added a Missoula-based wealth management company to its ranks, marking the first time Kestra Financial has had an office in Montana.

Kestra Private Wealth Services is a subsidiary of Kestra Financial and offers financial advice. It recently added WestPeak Private Wealth – an independently owned wealth management firm in Missoula.

WestPeak was founded by Montana native Gary Kiemele.

“Partnering with Kestra PWS gives us the resources and flexibility to not only assist clients in their financial planning, but to help improve their overall well-being,” said Kiemele. “Their back-office support is truly the complete package, enabling us to focus on what matters — growing the firm and refining our product and service offerings for clients.”

Prior to becoming a wealth management professional, Kiemele spent 20 years in the farming industry where he oversaw a 3,700-acre grain farm in North Central Montana. He later worked for an agricultural consulting company, where he assisted large farming operations with profitability, hedging and grain pricing.

Working in agriculture, Kiemele developed an understanding of financial markets and the global economy. He now leverages those skills to inform a client's investment strategy and financial plan.

WestPeak Private Wealth oversees more than $184 million in assets under management and was previously affiliated with the Royal Bank of Canada.

“Coming from Montana myself, I understand that ‘small town feel’ (Kiemele) seeks to cultivate with clients,” said Scott Wilson, the CEO and senior managing director of Kestra. “We too are committed to building deep client relationships through trust and unmatched support, and through this lens, look forward to empowering WestPeak Private Wealth’s future success.”

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