With over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry, Fred Akers has dedicated his career to delivering customized, multi-generational investment guidance and wealth management strategies with a high level of personalized service. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, he helps analyze every aspect of his clients' financial lives. This encompasses assets, liabilities and cash flow, and investment and tax strategies. With a clear understanding of each client’s current financial situation, Fred, along with his team, develops and executes an investment plan designed to help achieve well-defined objectives.
 
Through the firm’s Private Investment Management (PIM) program, Fred provides customized, discretionary authority over investments to a select group of his clients. As a senior PIM Portfolio Manager, he customizes diversified value-based portfolios utilizing the firm’s eMoney analytics tool1, which aligns his clients’ investments with their core goals and values.
 
Fred has been recognized as a member of the Platinum Council from 2003 – 2022. The Wells Fargo Advisors Platinum Council distinction is held by a select group of Financial Advisors (previously known as Premier Advisor) within the Firm as measured by completion of educational components, business production based on either of the past two years and professionalism. Additional criteria, including length of service, may also be used to determine recipients.
 
He also received the Wells Fargo Advisors’ Spirit Award, which was established to recognize a select group of Platinum Council Advisors for their lifetime achievements – both personal and professional – and for epitomizing and reflecting Wells Fargo Advisors’ values. Fred has worked for Wells Fargo Advisors and its predecessors for more than 35 years. He began his investment career with E.F. Hutton after graduating from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
 
A native of Atlanta, Fred is on the Board of Directors for a family foundation that contributes to charities in the Atlanta and Charlotte communities. He received the “Distinguished Alumni Award” for his contributions of time, energy and financial support at Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees. In addition, he supports local charities, including Midtown Assistance Center, First Presbyterian Church and the philanthropic initiatives selected by Wells Fargo Advisors.
 

_{¹ Based on accepted statistical methods, eMoney uses a mathematical process used to implement complex statistical methods that chart the probability of certain financial outcomes at certain times in the future. This charting is accomplished by generating hundreds of possible economic scenarios that could affect the performance of your investments. Using Monte Carlo simulation this report uses up to 1000 scenarios to determine the probability of outcomes resulting from the asset allocation choices and underlying assumptions regarding rates of return and volatility of certain asset classes. Some of these scenarios will assume very favorable financial market returns, consistent with some of the best periods in investing history for investors. Some scenarios will conform to the worst periods in investing history. Most scenarios will fall somewhere in between.}

Richard Schweitzer is a Senior Financial Advisor with the Akers Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors who has more than 30 years of experience in the investment industry. Richard is responsible for all facets of our operations related to team management, administration, and compliance. With his extensive knowledge of the products, services, and capabilities of Wells Fargo Advisors, he is committed to assisting our clients to plan effectively, make informed decisions and develop flexible, fully customized tailored solutions to meet their priorities throughout each of life’s major stages – accumulation, distribution and legacy.

Prior to joining Akers Wealth Management Group, Richard was a Branch Manager in the Atlanta office of Wells Fargo Advisors. His experience also includes working as a Financial Advisor in Columbus, Ohio, and as a manager with PNC Brokerage in offices in Louisville and Pittsburgh. Richard began his affiliation with Wells Fargo when he joined legacy Wachovia as a Regional Brokerage Manager in Greenville, South Carolina. He holds the FINRA Series 4, 7, 9, 10, 24, 31, 63, and 65 licenses, and all relevant health and life Insurance licenses.

He lives in Alpharetta with his wife Lisa and has three grown children. Richard supports the Atlanta Community Food Bank among other local organizations. When not in the office, Richard enjoys traveling, cooking, sports, and spending time with Lisa and family.

Freddie Akers, Jr. is a Financial Advisor for the Akers Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. Freddie acts as the team’s Client Relationship Manager, engaging with families to create personalized financial strategies and offer guidance on how to execute results-focused plans. As part of our group’s multi-generational planning approach, he specializes in working with younger clients to help them seek to realize their investment goals.

Freddie received his Bachelor of Arts from Southern Methodist University, completed the Business Bridge Program at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, and received his Masters of Business Administration from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University. Prior to joining the Akers Wealth Management Group, Freddie held various sales and marketing positions at Delta Air Lines, Starbucks Corporation, and Coca-Cola EuroPacific Partners. He is FINRA Series 7 & 66 registered and is a licensed health, life, and variable product insurance agent as well.

Freddie lives in Atlanta with his wife and daughter. As a native of Atlanta, he supports local organizations, including the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Skyland Trail, and his church. Freddie is also a member of the board of directors for The Akers Foundation. Away from work, he enjoys traveling, history, and learning about wines from around the world.

Luke Walton is a Financial Advisor with the Akers Wealth Management Group and leads the practice’s financial analysis and portfolio management related to clients' investment accounts. After joining the team in 2020, Luke obtained his FINRA Series 7 & 66 registrations along with life, health and variable life insurance licenses. Luke focuses on working with young professionals by helping them develop strategies for growing and protecting wealth. This includes constructing a properly diversified portfolio to help achieve financial success – one designed to maximize return and potential based on a client’s personal risk tolerance and financial objectives.
 
Luke received his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, focusing on Financial Services and Global Studies. After graduation, Luke began working full-time for Agent Consulting in Madison, Mississippi, where he served as a Financial Analyst while completing his Master of Business Administration from the Else School of Management at Millsaps College.
 
He has had a passion for soccer throughout his life. A native of Mobile, Alabama, Luke helped the community petition the city for local park advancements for recreational fields he used during his time as a high school and travel soccer team member. This helped improve field conditions for all local teams in the area. During his time at Millsaps College, he was a four-year member of the Men’s Soccer Team where his team received NCAA Division III Championship berth in 2015. Luke continues his passion for the game and enjoys playing to this day. He also enjoys hiking, boating, live music, and traveling.

Deanna Long is a Client Associate with the Akers Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors who is responsible for the operational reporting in support of our multi-disciplinary team. Her other responsibilities include the operational management and maintenance of information databases, compliance-driven documentation, and client communications. Deanna plays a key role in enabling our group of investment professionals to capitalize on complementary skills sets to help coordinate and oversee clients’ comprehensive financial affairs.
 
Deanna is a graduate of Oglethorpe University with a Bachelor’s in Accounting. During her time at Oglethorpe, Deanna was a paid intern at Morgan Stanley where she realized she wanted a career in the financial services industry. While interning for a small Advisory firm, Deanna earned her insurance license. Deanna served as an intern for UPS on the Federal and International Tax team and was a staff accountant for a small business prior to joining the team.
 
Deanna’s passion is being an advocate for childhood literacy in low-income areas. While in high school, Deanna started her own charity called “Books with a Voice” to help promote literacy in her county that involved taking used books to local DFCS offices, churches, and the Boys & Girls Clubs. Continuing her advocacy, Deanna is serving her second term as an Advisory Board member for Inspiredu, a non-profit whose purpose is to bridge the gaps in digital literacy and access by providing Georgia’s families, communities, and schools with the resources and support they need to enable the underserved youth in pursuit of education and work preparedness. Away from the office, Deanna enjoys reading, golfing, and traveling. Being a native of Florida, she loves the beach!

Debi Akers is a Registered Client Associate whose primary focus is handling comprehensive and specialized projects for the Akers Wealth Management Group.

Debi is a former career lender and private banker, having worked for three major financial institutions over a 30-year period. She provided an array of sophisticated banking services, lending products, and investment management solutions to high-net-worth individuals. While working for Bank of America in the Private Client Group, Debi received her FINRA Series 7 securities registration in 2001.

Debi received a B.A. in Economics from Sweet Briar College in Virginia. Outside of work, Debi is a member of the Atlanta chapter of the French Heritage Society, is a member of the Junior League of Atlanta, and supports the philanthropic initiatives selected by Wells Fargo Advisors.

Kimberly Lessner is a Client Associate with the Akers Wealth Management Group who has an extensive background within the field of law and the financial services industry that span almost 15 years. Kimberly is responsible for facilitating multiple facets of our practice, including brokerage operations, managing client inquiries, and providing support for product sales and services. Her unique skill set, professionalism, and attention to detail allow her to work collaboratively with clients and team members to enhance the performance of our office. She is dedicated to fostering long-term relationships with clients, understanding their most important priorities, and assisting them in efficiently pursuing financial success.

Prior to joining Akers Wealth Management Group, Kimberly worked as a Senior Compliance Officer and Underwriter for a private investment firm. She maintained daily contact with brokers, borrowers, insurance agents, title companies, and attorneys related to asset retrieval, documentation review and revisions required to meet strict underwriting and regulatory requirements.

Kimberly holds a Juris Doctor from New York Law School in New York City and practiced as an attorney in corporate litigation for 12years (no longer practicing). Away from the office, Kimberly cherishes quality time with her young son, family and friends. She enjoys live music, sports, working out, great food and wine.