Wealth advisory firm expands in Charleston market

An investment management and advisory firm is expanding its Charleston presence with a new hire.

New Republic Partners has hired Billy Owens as senior advisor and will lead the firm’s expansion in the South Carolina market in coordination with existing team members Mark Allan and Lee Tiller, according to a news release.

New Republic Partners provides customized portfolios, asset-class-specific fund offerings, and wealth planning from a seasoned wealth advisory and family office services team, according to the release.

New Republic Partners has an office in Pawley’s Island an is exploring an office lease in Charleston to support the expansion, according to the company.

“We are pleased to have Billy join our leadership team. The combination of his exceptional leadership skills, extensive experience in advising multi-generational families on complex tax and governance strategies, and his strong ties to South Carolina make him the ideal person to lead New Republic Partners’ expansion in the South Carolina market,” said New Republic Partners CEO Tom Hoops in the release.

Owens brings more than 40 years of experience to his role and recently retired as a partner from PwC. While at PwC, he held numerous leadership positions, including as chief operating officer for PwC New Ventures, which is a corporate ventures incubator; as well as managing partner for the PwC Carolina’s Tax practice, where he led strategic planning and consulted with SEC-registered clients, closely held businesses and high-net-worth individuals, the release stated.

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“I am excited to lend my decades of experience working with successful families, business owners and institutions to New Republic Partners. I’m looking forward to introducing more families and institutions in South Carolina to the New Republic Partners team and unique approach to building and sustaining multi-generational wealth,” Owens said in the release.

Owens is a CPA and graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and currently serves on the Clemson University Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business board of directors., according to the release. He also serves on the board of directors of Summit Leadership Partners, a growing private equity-focused talent consulting firm.

Owens has also held leadership roles supporting various community service organizations, including Turn Two for Youth, a nonprofit charity he co-founded that collects and distributes baseball and softball equipment to children, teams and coaches in needy communities across the United States and around the world.