Forbes Ranks Shreveport Wealth Advisor Kevin Murphy Sixth in Louisiana

Forbes and SHOOK Research have released the 2026 Best-in-State Wealth Advisor rankings, highlighting 112 top-performing professionals across Louisiana. Kevin Murphy, founder of Shreveport-based Laveer Wealth Management, secured the #6 spot in the state, leading a strong showing for Northwest Louisiana advisors. The rankings arrive amid a period of market volatility and investor anxiety, emphasizing the critical role of advisors in managing portfolios and preventing emotional decision-making during economic uncertainty.

Kevin Murphy, who founded Laveer Wealth Management in 1982, emerged as the top-ranked advisor in Northwest Louisiana. His practice, an affiliate of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, serves clients across 34 states and was also recognized by Forbes as a Best-in-State Wealth Management Team. The 2026 rankings reflect a rigorous selection process that evaluated 52,043 nominations nationwide, ultimately selecting approximately 9,800 standouts based on quantitative and qualitative factors including revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, and industry experience.

Beyond Murphy, several other advisors from the Shreveport-Bossier region earned spots on the list of 112 Louisiana honorees. Ameriprise Financial Services saw significant representation with Havard Lyons (#18), Cody King (#74), Maureen O’Neal (#81), and Wendell Whetstone (#87) all receiving recognition. Other notable local rankings included Sal Miletello (#24), Bo Smithwick (#25), Kathy Rosenblath (#53), Andy Bickham (#62), and John Gray Pou (#93), demonstrating a high concentration of wealth management talent in the Northwest Louisiana corridor.

The 2026 list highlights the increasing importance of professional guidance during a period characterized by record market highs alongside geopolitical and economic headwinds. Forbes noted that while the Dow Jones has reached new peaks, factors such as tariffs, the Iran War, and persistent inflation have created significant "cash flow anxiety," particularly for retirees. The publication emphasized that elite advisors prove their value by helping clients navigate volatility, stick to long-term financial plans, and avoid costly emotional decisions that often occur during periods of market instability.