The team oversaw about $300 million of client assets at Merrill Lynch.

An Ohio-based wealth management group, Waterstreet Financial, has joined the independent broker/dealer arm of Raymond James.

Advisors joining the international firm are Dustin Ness, Chris Nuetzel and Keith Sweigert. Their business is based in Sandusky.

Prior to the Raymond James move, the advisors were at Merrill Lynch, where they managed about $300 million in client assets. 

Joining them at the firm is Emily Bosley, WSF business manager and RJFS investment representative, and Amy Daley, WSF senior operations manager and RJFS client services manager. The team works with a variety of clients, including business owners, corporations, endowments and foundations, families and individuals, and healthcare professionals.

Ness joined Raymond James and founded Waterstreet Financial after 15 years of experience at firms including Stifel and Merrill Lynch. He is a graduate of Ashland University, where he studied accounting and finance. Nuetzel, partner at WSF and RJFS investment executive, brings 32 years of industry experience, having worked for firms like Wachovia and Wells Fargo, before transitioning over to Merrill Lynch in 2013. He is a graduate of Geneva College, where he studied business administration. Sweigert, WSF partner and RJFS investment executive, has been in the industry for over 11 years. He earned his undergraduate degree from Bowling Green State University.