Firm nabs ex-Morgan Stanley rising star to lead area team

ST. PETERSBURG — One of Morgan Stanley’s youngest-ever branch managers has joined Raymond James, swapping one bay area — San Francisco — for another — Tampa.

Chris Fils, 31, will manage the Raymond James & Associates Suncoast Complex, the St. Petersburg-based company announced in a press release. The Suncoast Complex consists of RJA’s Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch and Venice branches, and is part of RJA’s eastern division, managed by director Tom Walrond.

Prior to joining Raymond James, Fils managed Morgan Stanley’s San Francisco Bay Area-Los Gatos branch. He also has experience with Merrill Lynch in New York as a sales specialist.

Fils grew up in southwest Florida and is a USF graduate, the release states.

“Raymond James continues to be a premier alternative to Wall Street for financial advisors as well as managers like Chris,” states Patrick O’Connor, RJA’s Florida regional director, in the release.

“We’re proud to welcome him to Raymond James and back to his hometown roots of Southwest Florida, after his experiences working in New York and Silicon Valley. The greater Sarasota market is one of the fastest-growing markets in Florida, and we’re excited to have Chris’s energy and leadership as we expand our presence in this important growth market.”