Raymond James welcomes experienced Louisiana team managing $340 million
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Raymond James recently welcomed a team of four financial advisors to Raymond James & Associates (RJA) – the firm’s employee advisor channel – in New Orleans, Louisiana, according to Edward Sudzina, Western regional director for RJA.
As Novak Cancienne Tresca & Kungel Wealth Management of Raymond James, the team provides comprehensive retirement services, financial guidance and longevity planning to their clients which include business owners, families and individuals, corporate retirement plans and those in or nearing retirement. The team is comprised of advisors Gene Novak, CRPC™, David Cancienne, CRPC™, Kerry Kungel, CFP®, CRPC™, Travis Tresca, CRPC™, and senior registered client service associate Marlene Messa. They arrive from UBS Financial Services, where they previously managed approximately $340 million in client assets.
“Raymond James differentiates itself as a firm that invests both in its culture and the tools that move us forward. In addition to the friendly nature of the firm’s leadership and associates, its thoughtful use of technology streamlines how we operate while enhancing the client experience,” said Novak, senior vice president of wealth management. “The firm is investing in a modern platform that respects the personal nature of this work, and that combination made our transition an easy choice.”
Novak’s credentials include a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and an MBA from Loyola University, the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM designation and over 44 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Raymond James, he began his career in 1982, most recently serving at UBS Financial Services for 12 years and at Wells Fargo for over 32 years.
Cancienne earned his bachelor’s degree in international trade and finance from Louisiana State University and an MBA in finance from Tulane University. He and brings over 32 years of financial services industry experience to his role as first vice president of wealth management.
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, Kungel strives to meet clients where they are and guides them toward their financial goals. In addition to his 18 years of financial services experience with UBS, he holds the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM designation and an undergraduate degree from Purdue University. His role as vice president of wealth management is further backed by an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Tresca began his career in 2011 at UBS Financial Services, where he served for 13 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rollins College and the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM designation. As a former business owner, he brings actionable insights and a first-hand perspective to his clients’ financial planning needs.
“We are proud to welcome Gene, David, Kerry and Travis to Raymond James. Their extensive industry experience and relationships make them a seamless addition to our firm and its client focused culture,” said Sudzina. “This high-performing team’s expertise and forward-thinking approach reflects the caliber of professionals who choose Raymond James, and we are excited to see how leveraging the firm’s technology and resources supports their success.”
About Raymond James & Associates
Raymond James & Associates, Inc. (RJA), member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC, is an industry leader in financial planning and wealth management services for individuals, high-net-worth families, corporations and municipalities. RJA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE-RJF), one of the nation's premier diversified financial services companies with advisors throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. Total client assets are approximately $1.53 trillion as of Apr. 30, 2025. Additional information is available at raymondjames.com.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.