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Part 2A of Form ADV
The Brochure
2700 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 1200
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 621-1155
www.ahcinvest.com
March 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 28,2025, AHC has made the
following material changes:
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Item 8 – AHC added an artificial intelligence and machine learning risk disclosure.
Items 10 and 14 – AHC no longer participates in Fidelity’s client referral program. As a
result, this disclosure language was removed.
Item 12 – AHC added language noting that it does not consider client referrals from
broker‑dealers when selecting broker‑dealers to execute client transactions.
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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’s principal owner is Leia P Carpenter. 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 $1 Million
1.00%
Amounts in excess of $1 Million and up to $3 Million 0.85%
Amounts in excess of $3 Million and up to $5 Million 0.70%
Amounts in excess of $5 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 clients’ accounts are invested
in E T F s or mutual funds, these funds generally charge an internal layer of management and
administrative expenses.
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
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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 includes a review of the issuer’s
management, financial statements, credit ratings, 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 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
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(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 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
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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.
that an employee’s
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
trading could
disadvantage AHC’s 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-of fi ce 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
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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 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 can 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 custodian on a quarterly or more frequent
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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.
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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