For over four decades, Gary has advised our clients, helped address their financial needs and developed sound strategies, helping them meet their lifetime financial goals.  He earned his MBA from Lehigh University in 1979 and, prior to joining the financial services industry, Gary was a tax partner with a local certified public accounting firm (currently non-practicing).  He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants.

The Bezilla Kinney Phifer Wealth Management Group has been recognized by Forbes as one of the Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams for 2024.  Gary has been recognized by Forbes as one of the Best-in-State Wealth Advisors* in South Carolina from 2018 - 2024. This annual list recognizes advisors as among the top in the state. Gary has been consistently recognized on the Platinum Council within Wells Fargo Advisors from 2010-2024. The Platinum Council (previously known as Premier Advisor) distinction is held by a select group of financial advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors as measured by completion of educational components, business production based on the past year, and professionalism. Additional criteria, best practices and team structure may also be used to determine recipients.

 With extensive experience throughout varied economic climates and major market shifts, Gary has dedicated his career to providing the highest level of service to our clients. Gary’s primary responsibility is to direct portfolio asset allocation and investment planning.  He is also responsible for the common stock, equity mutual fund and ETF portfolio management of our client accounts.  As a Senior PIM Portfolio Manager, Gary is among the select group of Wells Fargo Advisors who is qualified to manage client portfolios on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis. Gary has served on the board of directors of many local charitable and civic organizations. He lives in Hilton Head with his wife, Michelle, and enjoys spending time with his family.

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 (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, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.

 

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 (Source: 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). 2020 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded January 2020; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/18 - 6/30/19 (Source: Forbes.com). 2019 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded February 2019; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/17 - 6/30/18 (Source: Forbes.com). 2018 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: (Awarded February 2018; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/16 - 6/30/17 (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. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.

As a veteran financial advisor with 40 years of experience, Alan is well versed in all disciplines of financial management.  Alan is a 1983 graduate, cum laude, of Georgia Southern University with a BBA emphasis in finance.

The Bezilla Kinney Phifer Wealth Management Group has been recognized by Forbes as one of the Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams for 2024. Alan has been recognized in 2019, 2020, 2022,2023 and 2024 as Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisor. * This annual list recognizes advisors as among the top in America. Alan was named from 2010 through 2024 to the Wells Fargo Advisors Platinum Council* (previously known as Premier Advisor). This distinction is held by a select group of Financial Advisors with Wells Fargo Advisors as measured by completion of educational components, business production based on the past year, and professionalism. Additional criteria, best practices, and team structure may also be used to determine recipients.

Alan’s primary responsibility is to direct portfolio asset allocation and investment planning.  He is responsible for the individual fixed income, common stock and bond mutual fund and ETF portfolio management of client accounts.  Alan also assists in the review and implementation of our clients’ life insurance, disability insurance and long-term care needs. Alan is among the select group of advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors who is qualified to manage client portfolios on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis.

Alan has served his community volunteering through a variety of local organizations. He lives in Savannah with his wife, Rhonda, and enjoys spending time with his family. 

 

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 Advisors: Awarded April 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/21 - 6/30/22. 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. 2020 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded January 2020; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/18 - 6/30/19. 2019 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Awarded February 2019; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 6/30/17 - 6/30/18. (Source: Forbes.com) The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams and 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. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.