Maridea Wealth Management Expands Into Florida With Ashford Deal

Maridea Wealth Management has expanded into Florida with the acquisition of Ashford Investment Advisors, a Daytona Beach-based wealth management firm overseeing approximately $180 million in assets under advisement and management.

The transaction marks New York City-based Maridea’s first office in Florida and its third acquisition of 2026, following earlier deals for Phoenix-based Chichester Financial Group and Los Angeles-based Hyperion Accounting Group.

Ashford Investment Advisors is led by owner and lead advisor Kathleen Dulko, who acquired the practice from her parents and the firm’s founders, Mike and Sue Walsh. Dulko and her team will remain in Daytona Beach, and clients will continue to work with the same advisors while gaining access to Maridea’s broader platform, including proprietary tax services, expanded investment research and enhanced financial planning capabilities.

“Joining Maridea was the clearest path to giving our clients more — more depth, more capabilities, and more continuity for the years ahead,” Dulko said. “Maridea’s deep in-house talent, entrepreneurial culture, and fast-paced environment fit my ambitions for this practice.”

Maridea Founder and CEO Mier Wang said the firm plans to continue partnering with independent advisory businesses while also supporting greater diversity across the industry.

“Maridea is going to keep partnering with high-quality independent practices, and that means being honest that our industry needs more women advisors, more women entrepreneurs, and more female-led firms,” Wang said.

Republic Capital Group served as exclusive financial advisor to Ashford Investment Advisors on the transaction.