AUSTIN, Texas, October 24, 2025 — Kestra Private Wealth Services (Kestra PWS), a registered investment adviser subsidiary of Kestra Financial, Inc., today announced that Ascend Private Wealth Partners (Ascend) has joined its platform. The firm is led by financial advisors David Barnett, CFP®, and Ashley Ament, and is focused on delivering tailor-made financial strategies to its clients.
Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Ascend is rooted in the belief that no two clients are alike. Specializing in comprehensive financial planning – from investment management to tax planning – Ascend’s financial professionals aim to provide a full suite of wealth management services to the clients they serve. With Kestra PWS, Barnett and Ament gain access to expanded resources that allow them to enhance the client experience while maintaining their independence.
By leveraging Kestra PWS’s robust suite of offerings, such as technology tools, tax planning, and investment resources, Barnett and Ament will continue to provide highly personalized financial guidance while growing their ability to meet evolving client needs.
“We strive to ensure every decision we make reflects our clients’ best interests,” said Ashley Ament, Co-Founder of Ascend Private Wealth Partners. “Joining Kestra PWS gives us the freedom and flexibility to source high-quality solutions for our clients without being tied to specific products. That independence, paired with Kestra’s hands-on support, empowers us to serve our clients even better.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome Ascend Private Wealth Partners to Kestra PWS,” said Rob Bartenstein, Founder and President of Kestra PWS. “Their client-first approach and entrepreneurial spirit embody the qualities we value most in our partners.”