Arax Lands $1.5B NY Team as RIA Consolidation Accelerates

Arax Advisory Partners is continuing its expansion across the Northeast, adding Poughkeepsie, New York-based The Oak Group, a wealth management team overseeing nearly $1.5 billion in client assets, as competition for scaled advisory platforms intensifies.

The Oak Group, which joins from Wells Fargo Advisors, marks Arax’s latest move to deepen its regional presence and enhance its capabilities serving high-net-worth clients. The addition also represents the second Poughkeepsie-based team to join Arax in 2026.

Founded in 2003 by Ryan Peek and Gary Ben-Ezra, the team brings more than 60 years of combined experience, with an investment approach rooted in modern portfolio theory and tactical asset allocation. The firm has built its practice around customized solutions designed to support clients across multiple stages of wealth accumulation and preservation.

“In Arax, we were pleased to find a partner that is as dedicated to delivering excellent client service as we are,” said Peek. “We look forward to exploring the new opportunities that this move creates for our clients and advisory practice overall.”

The team will integrate into Arax’s broader platform, which is focused on delivering specialized investment advice, financial planning and family office-style services to individuals, families and institutions.

“The Oak Group is a team defined by its relationship-based approach, commitment to excellence and willingness to innovate to meet client needs,” said Haig Ariyan.