When Adam Obrecht learned on March 30 that his employer’s Premier Wealth Division would be sold and relocated to Los Angeles, the 34-year-old financial planner wasted no time in opening his own shop.

In lieu of packing his family and moving west, Obrecht, who has worked in Greater Des Moines’ financial services sector for more than a decade, including the 3 1/2-year stint at West Des Moines-based LWBJ Financial LLC, decided to stick around.

“The other four decided that moving to Los Angeles was their best option,” Obrecht said of his former co-workers. “Being an Iowa native, it wasn’t my best option. So that was what really created the opportunity.”

On July 1, Obrecht opened AO Wealth Advisory LLC, a financial planning and investment management firm located in Waukee.

Though he liked his work at LWBJ, which was centered on helping entertainers, athletes and business owners make investment decisions, his new gig is more in line with his passion for working with lower-profile individuals and couples.

“I’ve got to say, (LWBJ was) actually really good to me about the exit and letting continue to work with my clients,” Obrecht said, noting that the firm blessed his new venture by allowing him to retain his 250 customers.

“It has been a pleasure working with Adam through the years, and our company wishes him great success with his new wealth advisory firm,” said Marvin Debner, managing partner of LWBJ.

The move came with a new title: business owner.

“My mission is to help clients maximize what they earn, invest wisely and give generously to their family, charities and community,” Obrecht said. “The commonality between my clients is attitude. They have an attitude of wanting to work with me and wanting to work on their investments.”

Obrecht resides in Urbandale with his wife and 4-year-old son, Max, and the couple are expecting their second child this fall. He is a member of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce and last September was elected to the Urbandale School Board. He’s on the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Government Policy Committee and stays active in his church.

“I figure I’ve got 30-plus years left in the business,” he said. “I want to build long-term relationships.”