My grandparents built significant wealth that vanished within a generation. Watching that unfold changed the trajectory of my career.
I've spent more than four decades learning how to prevent that outcome for other families. Early in my career, I trained at Smith Barney's Washington, D.C. office, where I developed a foundation in advanced investment strategies that most advisors never pursue. That training shaped the way I approach every client relationship, particularly around alternative investments and insurance solutions that fall outside what many firms are equipped or willing to offer. Clients who couldn't find the right fit elsewhere have found it here.
The technical side matters, but what ultimately determines whether wealth survives across generations is understanding family dynamics, communication patterns, and how to integrate every aspect of planning into a strategy that holds together. After graduating from The Mercersburg Academy and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I earned my Series 6, 63, 66, 7, and 24 licenses along with my Registered Financial Consultant (RFC) designation. The credentials opened doors, but the real experience came from working alongside families navigating succession, legacy, and the questions that keep business owners awake at night.
As Managing Principal and Owner, I run the firm while remaining hands-on with client relationships. My entire practice centers on one thing: making sure families don't lose what they've built because of fragmented advice or incomplete planning.
I'm a Raleigh native. My family has farmed the same land here for four generations, about forty-five minutes from where we live now. My wife and I spend weekends with our family. I hunt, fish, and never miss a chance to attend UNC Tarheel athletic events.