Honors and Awards
Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors
2021-2025
Dan Sperow and Gray Daus, Private Wealth Financial Advisors, were both named among the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors.
2025 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors; Awarded April 2025; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/23- 6/30/24 (Source: https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-in-state-wealth-advisors/). 2024 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded April 2024; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/22-6/30/23 (Forbes.com). 2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded April 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/21 - 6/30/22 (Source: Forbes.com). 2022 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded April 2022; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/20 - 6/30/21 (Source: Forbes.com). 2021 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded February 2021; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/19 - 6/30/20 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors rating algorithm is based on the previous year's industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue, and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.
Forbes
Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams
2023-2026The Sperow Daus Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors were named among the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams.
2026 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2026; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/24 - 3/31/25 (Source: https://www.forbes.com/lists/wealth-management-teams -best-in-state/). 2025 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2025; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/23 - 3/31/24. 2024 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2024; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/22 - 3/31/23. 2023 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/21 - 3/31/22 (Source: Forbes.com). The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams rating algorithm is based on the previous year's industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management (variable by state), revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 12,787 wealth management teams were considered for the rating; 6,149 (48% of candidates) were named 2026 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams.
Wells Fargo Advisors Platinum Council
2013 – 2025
Wells Fargo Advisors recognized Dan Sperow and Gray Daus, Private Wealth Financial Advisors, as members of the Platinum Council.
The 2024-2025 Platinum Council distinction is held by a select group of Financial Advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors as measured by business production from the previous year and professionalism. The 2013-2023 Platinum Council distinction is held by a select group of Financial Advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors as measured by one or more of the following: completion of educational components, business production from the previous year, and professionalism. Additional consideration may have included best practices and team structure.
Five Star Wealth Managers
2012 – 2025
Dan Sperow and Gray Daus were recognized as Five Star Wealth Managers as seen in the September 2012 - 2025 issues of Charlotte magazine. 1
AdvisorHub
2025 Advisors to Watch – 250 Advisors Under $1Bil
Ranked #12 in the Country
2025Gray Daus was recognized as one of the AdvisorHub 2025 Advisors to Watch - 250 Advisors Under $1Bil. He was ranked #12 of 250 Advisors listed. 2
Our Services
Wells Fargo Advisors is one of the nation’s largest full-service retail investment companies, yet it retains the intense client focus and commitment to service that distinguished its predecessor firms. We are recognized for our structure and scale that combine the capabilities and best practices available through a national firm with a client focus more typical of smaller firms.
1 This award was issued on 08/01/2025 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/09/2024 through 03/31/2025. 2028 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 93 (5 % of candidates) were named 2025 Five Star Wealth Managers
Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria - required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP's consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP's consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client's experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria - considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager's future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients' assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.
This award was issued on 8/1/24 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/10/23 through 4/30/24. 1690 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 99 (6% of candidates) were named 2024 Five Star Wealth Managers.
This award was issued on 8/1/23 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/10/22 through 5/05/23. 1,677 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 105 (6.2% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 8/1/22 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/21 through 4/22/22
Award was issued on 08/1/2022 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2021 through 04/22/2022. 1,519 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 101 (7% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2021 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2020 through 04/22/2021. 1514 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 106 (7% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2020 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2019 through 04/22/2020. 1488 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 103 (7% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2019 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2018 through 04/22/2019. 1346 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 129 (10% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2018 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2017 through 04/22/2018. 1342 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 104 (8% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2017 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2016 through 04/22/2017. 949 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 132 (14% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2016 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2015 through 04/22/2016. 873 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 227 (26% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2015 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2014 through 04/22/2015. 1822 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 277 (15% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2014 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2013 through 04/22/2014. 6776 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 409 (6% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2013 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2012 through 04/22/2013. 1694 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 280 (17% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2012 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2011 through 04/22/2012. 1083 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 267 (25% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
2 2025 AdvisorHub Advisors to Watch: Awarded June 2025; Data compiled by AdvisorHub based on the time period from 12/31/23 - 12/31/24 (Source: AdvisorHub). The AdvisorHub 2025 Advisors to Watch (A2W) rating produced by AdvisorsHub is based on industry experience, assets under management, revenue, growth, compliance records, professionalism, and other criteria. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. The rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and is based solely on the disclosed criteria. A2W winners are then ranked into subcategories based on scale, growth and professionalism with each winner being ranked into only one subcategory. The 250 Advisors under $1Bil ranking is a subcategory of the AdvisorHub 2025 Advisors to Watch rating and does not denote an additional rating. 1974 wealth managers were considered for the rating; 1000 (50.6% of candidates) were named 2025 AdvisorHub Advisors to Watch.