Photo by Heather Ziegler A handshake seals the deal between David H. McKinley of McKinley Carter Wealth Services, at right, and Brian T. Gongaware, of NetWorth Investment Advisors, whose wealth investment firms recently merged.

WHEELING — A merger of regional wealth management firms has created opportunities for employment during a time when most mergers result in job loss. McKinley Carter Wealth Services, an independent wealth management firm headed up by David H. McKinley in Wheeling, has expanded into western Pennsylvania through a merger with NetWorth Investment Advisors of Wexford, Pa. McKinley made the announcement Thursday from the firm’s headquarters at Bennett Square in Center Wheeling. Brian T. Gongaware, who founded NetWorth in 1999 as an independent financial advisory firm and served as the company’s president, is now a principal of McKinley Carter. He will oversee the company’s Pittsburgh region and serve on its executive management team. McKinley said the merger means the company will oversee about $300 million in assets with a team of 30 professionals. “Our employees are all professionals, many with advanced degrees in law, accounting, business and financial planning and investment management,” McKinley noted. “There are no layoffs as a result of this merger. In fact, we plan to expand employment here and in western Pennsylvania.” “With the added capacity of a combined team, I will be able to focus more of my time and energy on client services, ” Gongaware said. McKinley and Gongaware noted that trying economic times require more diligent attention and care of investment portfolio.