Overview
- Headquarters
- Houston, TX
- Total Firm Assets
- $2.1 billion
- Average High-Net-Worth Client Portfolio Size
- $3.4 million
- Minimum Account Size
- $1,000,000
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (ADELL HARRIMAN ADV PART 2A)
| Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $2,000,000 | 1.00% |
| $2,000,001 | $4,000,000 | 0.85% |
| $4,000,001 | $6,000,000 | 0.75% |
| $6,000,001 | $15,000,000 | 0.50% |
| $15,000,001 | and above | Negotiable |
Minimum Annual Fee: $2,500
Illustrative Fee Rates
| Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | $10,000 | 1.00% |
| $5 million | $44,500 | 0.89% |
| $10 million | $72,000 | 0.72% |
| $50 million | Negotiable | Negotiable |
| $100 million | Negotiable | Negotiable |
Clients
- High-Net-Worth Share of Firm Assets
- 86.18%
- Number of High-Net-Worth Clients
- 524
- Total Client Accounts
- 2,825
- Discretionary Accounts
- 2,825
Services Offered
Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals
Regulatory Filings
- SEC CRD Number
- 107488
Additional Brochure: ADELL HARRIMAN ADV PART 2A (2026-08-27)
View Document Text
Part 2A of Form ADV
The Brochure
2700 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 1200
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 621-1155
www.ahcinvest.com
August 2026
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of
Adell, Harriman & Carpenter, Inc. (“AHC”). If you have any questions about the contents of
this brochure, please contact us at (713) 621-1155 and/or info@ahcinvest.com. The
information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or by any state securities authority.
Adell, Harriman & Carpenter, Inc. is a registered investment adviser. Registration as an
investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Additional information
about Adell, Harriman & Carpenter, Inc. is also available on the SEC’s website at:
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. The searchable CRD number for AHC is 107488.
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Item #2: Material Changes
Since the last annual update of its Form ADV Part 2A on March 30, 2026, AHC has made the
following material changes:
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Item 4 – AHC removed Leia P. Carpenter as its principal owner and disclosed that AHC
is owned by its five Principals.
•
Item 5 – AHC modified its management fees schedule.
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Item #3: Table of Contents
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Item #1: Cover Page
Item #2: Material Changes
Item #3: Table of Contents
Item #4: Advisory Business
Item #5: Fees and Compensation
Item #6: Performance Based Fees
Item #7: Types of Clients
Item #8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Item #9: Disciplinary Information
Item #10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Item #11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading
Item #12: Brokerage Practices
Item #13: Review of Accounts
Item #14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Item #15: Custody
Item #16: Investment Discretion
Item #17: Voting Client Securities
Item #18: Financial Information
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Item #4: Advisory Business
AHC is a fee-only independent advisor that provides customized investment management
services to high-net-worth individuals and their families. We also serve related trust and
estate accounts, profit sharing plans, corporate and charitable entities. Our firm specializes
in offering a personally tailored approach where each client’s investment plan is suited to
their individual retirement, estate, tax and liquidity goals. Financial counseling services
are also available in areas such as retirement, estate, tax efficiency, college planning,
cash management, charitable giving, company stock options, and insurance. AHC generally
invests client assets on a discretionary basis in individual securities such as domestic and
international stocks, corporate and municipal bonds, and exchange traded funds (“ETFs”).
In certain cases, AHC may allow clients to impose restrictions or exclude certain
investments, such as tobacco related stocks.
AHC was established in 1995. AHC is owned by its five Principals: Stephen D. Adell, Jennifer
L. Barron, Marcus W. Berry, Leia P. Carpenter, and Scot W. Johnson. As of December 31, 2025,
AHC managed approximately $ 2,087,058,406 of client assets on a discretionary basis and
does not manage any client assets on a non-discretionary basis.
Item #5: Fees and Compensation
AHC charges most of its clients an annual investment management fee based on the
following schedule:
Annual Fee
Assets under management
First $2 Million
1.00%
Amounts in excess of $2 Million and up to $4 Million 0.85%
Amounts in excess of $4 Million and up to $6 Million 0.75%
Amounts in excess of $6 Million and up to $15 Million 0.50%
Amounts in excess of $15 Million negotiable
In certain cases, AHC has negotiated lower fees, such as with charitable organizations
or family members. AHC imposes a minimum annual fee of $2,500, which may be waived
or reduced. Financial planning services have negotiated fee arrangements. AHC charges
fees quarterly in arrears based on the account value at the end of the prior quarter. Most
clients authorize AHC to deduct fees automatically from their brokerage accounts, but
clients may request that AHC send quarterly invoices to be paid by check. For partial time
periods, AHC will invoice the client for an amount that is pro-rated based on the number of
days that the account was managed.
In addition to AHC’s investment management fees, clients bear any trading costs and
custodial fees payable directly to their broker/custodian. To the extent that Owner’s
account(s) are invested in ETFs, mutual funds, or other outside investments or funds, the
investments/funds generally charge an internal layer of management and administrative
expenses.
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Item #6: Performance Based Fees
AHC does not charge any performance fees. Performance fees and side by side
management arrangements are not applicable to AHC.
Item #7: Types of Clients
AHC primarily provides customized investment management services to high-net-worth
individuals and associated trusts, estates, corporations, non-profit groups, pension and
profit sharing plans, and other legal entities.
AHC’s minimum account size is generally $1,000,000; however, this amount is negotiable.
Item #8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
AHC’s five Principals work together as members of the Investment Committee to set target
asset allocations and approve individual securities for the AHC buy list. The primary asset
classes used by AHC include individual stocks, individual investment grade bonds and ETFs.
The Investment Committee reviews research and conducts fundamental analysis on all
securities recommended for client accounts. For stocks and bonds the analysis generally
issuer’s management, financial statements, credit ratings,
includes a review of the
historical profit and revenue trends, overall industry and competitive position, plus any
other factors considered relevant to the particular investment. For ETFs, the analysis
generally includes a review of the fund’s management, historical risk and return results,
exposure to specific industry sectors and geographies, plus any other factors considered
relevant.
The Investment Committee generally meets weekly to discuss the overall economy,
market trends, the existing AHC buy list and prospective investments. Investments are
evaluated independently, as well as in the context of clients’ existing holdings and sector
exposures. AHC primarily invests for relatively long-time horizons, often for a year or more.
However, market developments could cause AHC to sell securities more quickly.
Investment Risks - All investing involves a risk of loss due to market fluctuations and clients
should be prepared to bear this risk. An investment in individual securities or in a portfolio
of securities could lose money. AHC cannot give any guarantee that it will achieve clients’
investment objectives or that any client will receive a return of its investment.
Assumption of Catastrophic Risks. Clients will be subject to the risk of loss arising from direct
or indirect exposure to various catastrophic events, including hurricanes, earthquakes, and
other natural disasters; major or prolonged power outages or network interruptions; and public
health crises, including infectious disease outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics. These
catastrophic risks of loss can be substantial and could have a material adverse effect on AHC’s
business and Clients’ portfolios including investments made by AHC.
Common Stocks - The risks of investing in common stocks include overall stock market
risk, industry specific risk and individual company specific risk. Smaller capitalization stocks
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may be more volatile and carry greater risk than larger capitalization stocks. Economic trends
can affect the risk profile of stocks (e.g., Rising interest rates may make stocks less attractive
compared to bonds). Changes in earnings expectations may also affect the price of a stock.
International stocks also possess currency risk, in addition to the risks inherent in equity
investing.
Fixed Income Securities - Investments in bonds or other fixed income securities, including
notes and debentures issued by corporations; debt securities issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. Government or one of its agencies and state municipalities may pay fixed, variable
or floating rates of interest, and may include zero coupon obligations. Fixed income
securities are subject to the risk of the issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest
payments on its obligations (i.e., credit risk), the risk that interest rates may rise and the
principal value of the bond may fall (i.e., interest rate risk) and are subject to the market’s
perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (i.e., market risk).
Banking Risks - Rising interest rates, various bank failures and volatile markets contribute to
potential instability in the banking sector, raising a variety of risks for investors. While the
adviser reviews key third party services providers and counterparties, situations involved in
any given banking relationship or transaction may not allow for the risks to be eliminated when
they arise.
Exchange Traded Funds - AHC may invest in ETFs. Shares of ETFs are listed on a stock
exchange and can be traded throughout the day at market-determined prices. ETFs typically
invest in equity or fixed income securities comprising an underlying index. Changes in the
prices of ETFs generally, but may not in all cases, track the price movement of the securities
in the underlying index or sector relatively closely. Equity based ETFs experience similar risks
to common stocks such as overall market risk and industry specific risk. Fixed income-based
ETFs are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and overall market risk. Additional risks for
ETFs include tax risk and liquidity risk.
Use of Leverage – The use of leverage increases the risk of loss and increases costs. AHC may
at a client's request, use leverage in its investment program, including the use of borrowed
funds (i.e., margin) and investments in certain types of options, such as puts, calls and
warrants. Leverage strategies increase the risk of loss. To the extent AHC purchases
securities with borrowed funds, net assets will tend to increase or decrease at a greater rate
than if borrowed funds are not used. The interest costs associated with such borrowing will
reduce the client’s profits. If the interest expense on borrowings were to exceed the return on
the investments made with borrowed funds, the use of leverage would result in a lower rate of
return than if leverage was not used.
Geopolitical Risks - Risks outside of the financial markets may affect the markets and
investments, sometimes significantly. The occurrence of geopolitical events in the U.S. and
around the world, including (but not limited to): war, military conflicts, terrorist attacks, social
and political discord, governmental debt crises, strains on international relations, and
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changes in the U.S. Presidency and federal administration can result in market volatility and
cause economic uncertainties worldwide.
Cybersecurity Risks - As the use of technology has grown, there are ongoing cybersecurity
risks that make AHC and its clients susceptible to operational and financial risks associated
with cybersecurity. To the extent that AHC is subject to a cyber-attack or other unauthorized
access is gained to its systems, AHC and its clients may be subject to substantial losses in
the form of theft, loss, misuse, improper release or unauthorized access to confidential or
restricted data related to AHC or its clients. Cyber-attacks affecting AHC’s service providers
holding its financial or client data may also result in financial losses to clients, despite efforts
to prevent and mitigate such risks under AHC’s policies. While measures have been
developed which are designed to reduce the risks associated with cybersecurity, there are
inherent limitations in such measures, and there is no guarantee those measures will be
effective, particularly since AHC does not directly control the cybersecurity measures of its
service providers and financial intermediaries with which it does business.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Risks - Technological advances in artificial
intelligence and machine learning technologies (collectively, “AI Technologies”) have the
potential to result in significant and disruptive changes in companies, sectors, or industries,
including those in which AHC invests.AI Technologies and their applications continue to
develop rapidly, and it is impossible to predict every future risk. AHC and its clients could also
be exposed to the risks of AI Technologies if third-party service providers or any
counterparties, whether or not known to AHC, use AI Technologies in their business activities.
Any of the foregoing factors could have a material and adverse effect on AHC and its clients.
Item #9: Disciplinary Information
AHC and its employees have not been involved in any legal or disciplinary events in the past
10 years that would require disclosure in response to this item.
Item #10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
AHC has no other financial industry activities or affiliations.
Item #11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading
AHC has adopted a written code of ethics (“Code”) that is applicable to all employees.
Among other things, the code describes our standards of business conduct and requires AHC
employees to act in clients’ best interests. The code also includes provisions relating to
applicable government regulations, client confidentiality, a prohibition on insider trading,
pre-clearance requirements on many types of personal securities transactions and
restrictions on the acceptance of significant gifts. AHC’s restrictions on personal securities
trading applies to employees, as well as employees’ family members living in the same
household. Any proposed employee transaction in such securities requires pre-clearance
from the Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer does not grant pre-
clearance where it would appear that an employee’s trading could disadvantage AHC’s
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clients. On occasion, employees of AHC may buy securities for their own accounts, which
AHC also recommends to clients. It is also possible that employees of AHC may be
permitted to sell securities for their personal accounts when AHC is buying the same security
for client accounts. These transactions must be pre-approved by the Chief Compliance
Officer. Employee’s personal security transactions may potentially raise conflicts of
interest, however, AHC has policies and procedures in place designed to prevent such
conflicts. In addition, AHC holds quarterly staff meetings to clarify and review these
policies. A copy of AHC’s code of ethics is available by sending an email request to
info@ahcinvest.com or calling (713) 621-1155.
Item #12: Brokerage Practices
AHC generally recommends that clients arrange for their assets to be held with Fidelity,
AHC’s preferred custodian. However, clients may select different custodians to hold
their investment assets managed by AHC. Factors considered when determining the
reasonableness of Fidelity’s fees include commission rates, back- offi c e services, research
offerings, best execution capabilities, dedicated service personnel, online trading
capabilities and money market options. On at least an annual basis, AHC’s Chief Compliance
Officer evaluates the pricing and services offered by Fidelity with those offered by other
reputable firms. AHC has sought to make a good-faith determination that Fidelity provides
clients with good services at competitive prices. However, clients should be aware that this
determination could have been influenced by AHC’s receipt of services from Fidelity. AHC
has managed client assets held at Fidelity for many years and has found Fidelity to offer
good services at competitive prices. AHC would notify its clients if it were to determine that
another firm offered better pricing and services than Fidelity.
Soft Dollar Benefits
AHC does not participate in any soft dollar programs.
Client Referrals
AHC does not consider client referrals from broker‑dealers when selecting broker‑dealers to
execute client transactions.
Directed Brokerage Selection
Some clients may elect to have their accounts held by custodians other than Fidelity. If a
client directs their account to a custodian other than Fidelity, that client may lose out on
certain benefits that could otherwise be obtained, including participation in aggregated
trade orders. Additionally, trades for directed brokerage accounts are typically placed after
accounts custodied at Fidelity.
AHC has the option to trade accounts held at Fidelity using other broker-dealers. However,
Fidelity charges trade-away fees that AHC believes outweigh any benefits from trading stocks
or ETFs with other brokers. When placing trades in fixed income securities, the availability and
pricing of bonds varies more widely among different broker-dealers. Prior to placing a bond
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trade, AHC compares bond prices offered by several broker-dealers on Bloomberg and then
executes the trade with the broker-dealer that offers the most favorable pricing net of fees.
Aggregated Trades
When beneficial, AHC will aggregate or block client trades in an effort to obtain the most
efficient execution for all clients. Clients participating in an aggregated order receive the
same average price and incur trading costs that are comparable as if they were trading
individually. AHC employee trades may be aggregated with client trades. However, in the
event of a partial fill, clients will receive their complete allocation before an allocation is made
to AHC employee accounts.
Cross Trades – AHC periodically conducts fixed income security cross transactions between
client accounts. Cross transactions are only conducted when the trade is in the best interests
of both clients and AHC fulfills its fiduciary duty to achieve best execution. AHC will never
include an AHC proprietary or employee-owned account in a cross transaction.
Item #13: Review of Accounts
Assets under AHC’s management are monitored on an ongoing basis by the Investment
Committee members and individual client accounts are periodically reviewed by the
client’s portfolio manager. The client’s portfolio manager reviews each account on at least
a quarterly basis, as well as in connection with client meetings or other communications.
The periodic reviews are conducted by Steve Adell, Leia Carpenter, Mark Berry, Scot
Johnson, and Jennifer Barron. Additional reviews of client accounts may also be triggered if
a client changes his or her investment objectives, or if the market, political, or economic
environment changes materially.
Clients receive account statements directly from their qualified custodian on a quarterly
or more frequent basis. AHC supplements these custodial statements with quarterly
summary statements, reports provided during client meetings, or as requested.
Item #14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
If an unaffiliated person refers a prospective client to AHC (i.e., provides a testimonial or
endorsement), AHC may compensate the person through direct or indirect compensation in
accordance with the requirements of amended Rule 206(4)-1 under the Advisers Act.
At the time the compensated testimonial or endorsement is provided, AHC will clearly and
prominently disclose or reasonably believe that the person giving the compensated
testimonial or endorsement clearly and prominently discloses: 1) whether the person
providing the testimonial or endorsement is a client or non-client of AHC, 2) that cash or non-
cash compensation was provided to the person for the testimonial or endorsement, and 3) a
brief description of any material conflicts of interest. The prospective client will also receive
disclosures describing the material terms of the compensation to be provided to the person
for the testimonial or endorsement, and a description of any material conflicts of interest that
exist between the person providing the testimonial or endorsement and AHC.
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Item #15: Custody
AHC may be deemed to have constructive custody of most client assets because of its ability
to send client funds to third parties and to directly debit management fees. Actual custody of
the funds and other clients’ assets, however, is held by unaffiliated qualified custodians, not
by AHC. Clients’ qualified custodians send statements directly to clients on a quarterly or more
frequent basis. Clients should carefully review their custodian statements and compare these
statements to the quarterly account statements provided by AHC.
Item #16: Investment Discretion
AHC manages client accounts on a discretionary basis as described in Item 4. Clients grant
AHC discretionary authority through the execution of a limited power of attorney included in
AHC’s advisory contract. Clients may place reasonable restrictions on investment discretion
by mutual agreement between AHC and the client. For example, some clients have asked AHC
not to buy securities issued by companies in certain industries, or not to sell certain securities
where the client has a particularly low tax basis.
Item #17: Voting Client Securities
AHC does not exercise proxy voting authority over client securities. The obligation to vote client
proxies shall at all times remain with the client. Clients will receive proxy voting material
directly from their custodian. Clients may contact AHC by phone or email to discuss any
potential proxy vote.
Item #18: Financial Information
AHC does not require or solicit prepayment of fees six months or more in advance. AHC has
never filed for bankruptcy and does not have any financial condition that is expected to affect
its ability to meet contractual commitments to clients.
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