Summit, N.J. – September 15, 2026 -- Simplicity Group has acquired Whitney and Associates, LLC, a Des Moines, Iowa-based independent marketing organization, along with its affiliated Altitude Capital Management RIA, an integrated wealth and investment management platform.
Simplicity adds two new partners through the deal
Mitchell Whitney and Charles Johnson join Simplicity Group as Partners as part of the transaction. Both previously led Whitney and Associates, a wholesale IMO specializing in annuity, life insurance and wealth management solutions for independent advisors.
Deal combines marketing tools with Simplicity's securities platform
Bruce Donaldson, President and CEO of Simplicity, said the Whitney platform's advisor support and operational infrastructure aligns with the firm's strategy to scale marketing support for independent financial advisors nationwide. The combination pairs Whitney's digital lead-generation tools and marketing strategies with Simplicity's national scale and Agent Center resources.
Dual-licensed advisors gain access to Simplicity Securities
Charles Johnson said the partnership will let Whitney's dual-licensed advisors tap a stronger wealth management infrastructure through Simplicity Securities, expanding product offerings beyond the firm's traditional annuity and life insurance focus. Mitchell Whitney said the deal will help advisors grow their practices faster by combining Whitney's lead-generation technology with Simplicity's institutional resources.