A $10-billion subadvised mutual fund shop's sales chief just built its first external wholesaling team.

Harry Nelson, executive director of retirement and investment sales for Dallas-based GuideStone [profile], confirms that he brought on his first three externals at the beginning of December. GuideStone Funds is the subadvised mutual fund arm of GuideStone Financial Resources, a 97-year-old non-profit that supports current and former Southern Baptist church employees and their employees. GuideStone recently opened up its mutual funds more broadly.

Harry Nelson GuideStone Financial Resources Executive Director, Retirement and Investment Sales

Nelson's new external wholesaling team includes: Will Lofland covering the western part of the U.S.; Shaun Morgan covering the center; and Jacob Seif covering the East. They're supported by Pat Feller in the institutional channel and by internal wholesaler Lea Hale.

Lofland, an alumnus of Baylor University, previously worked at Merrill Lynch, J.P. Morgan, and Fidelity. He first joined GuideStone in 2014 as manager of institutional and advisory sales, working on institutional sales and consultant relations. The addition of portfolio specialist, Feller, an alumnus of Brandes Investment Partners, "really frees Will up to focusing on the advisory market," Nelson says.

Seif, an alumnus of Dallas Baptist University (DBU), also previously worked at Fidelity. He joined GuideStone in 2013 as a personal financial advisor supporting participants in GuideStone's retirement plan offering. Nelson says that Seif was "identified as a bright star" and that moving Seif into a wholesaling role is both "an opportunity to grow his talents and help GuideStone further."

Morgan, also an alumnus of DBU, just joined GuideStone this month. A Dallas native, Morgan is returning to the area after serving in a similar capacity in Nashville with Behringer Securities (now called Provasi Capital Partners). Nelson calls Morgan a "real good hire" for the new team.

Nelson has no plans to add more externals, at least for now.

"I really do think we're set up for success," Nelson tells MFWire. "I've got an idea for a marginal add here or there, but other than that I think we're really set for our external roles." 

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