North Little Rock, Ark. – October 19, 2026 -- Sowell Management, a registered investment advisor whose nationwide advisor network represents more than $6.8 billion in client assets, has appointed Scott Dooley, CFA, as Chief Investment Officer and converted its investment management platform into the Sowell Office of the CIO.
The Office combines investment leadership, research, portfolio construction, advisor consulting and a curated network of specialized investment partners. Sowell says the structure lets independent advisors access institutional resources without building an internal investment department.
Dooley moves up after one year as Managing Director of Investment Management
Dooley joined Sowell in 2025 as Managing Director of Investment Management. He has about two decades of asset management experience spanning institutional investing and wealth management. He previously founded Fusion Investment Group, where he was CEO and Chief Investment Officer, and held senior investment roles at Blue Vase Holdings, Rayliant Global Advisors and Columbus Macro. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business.
Sowell targets competition from wirehouses, large RIAs and private banks
CEO Daryl Seaton framed the move as a competitive response. Independent advisors, he said, increasingly face wirehouses, large RIAs and private banks with deep investment benches, and should not have to "choose between independence and institutional investment resources."
Sowell says client needs grow more complex as wealth increases, extending to tax-aware portfolio construction, concentrated positions, income and liquidity planning, alternative investments and multi-manager strategies. Sowell acts as the hub of the Office, coordinating internal capabilities and outside specialists to address those needs.
Advisors can choose between research support and full portfolio management
Advisors can engage the Office at several levels, from investment research and portfolio consultation to comprehensive investment management and portfolio construction. They can stay involved in portfolio decisions or delegate certain responsibilities.
Portfolio construction starts with a client's objectives, risk profile, tax considerations, liquidity needs and investment philosophy. Those factors drive the selection of strategies and specialists rather than a predetermined product lineup. Dooley described the approach as solution-neutral, with examples including a tax-sensitive transition plan, an alternative investment evaluation or bringing in a specialist manager for a specific need.