Gary T. Bezilla
Private Wealth Financial Advisor
Managing Director - Investment Officer
Senior PIM Portfolio Manager
Gary has been recognized by Forbes as one of the Best-in-State Wealth Advisors every year from 2018 through 2025 an honor that highlights his standing among the top financial professionals in South Carolina. From 2011 through 2025 he has also been named to the Wells Fargo Advisors Platinum Council. The 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.
With deep experience navigating diverse economic cycles and market conditions, Gary is committed to delivering exceptional service and strategic insight. As a Senior PIM® Portfolio Manager, Gary is among a select group of advisors at Wells Fargo Advisors authorized to manage portfolios on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis.
Beyond his professional achievements, Gary has served on the boards of numerous local charitable and civic organizations. He and his wife, Michelle, reside in Hilton Head, where he enjoys spending quality time with his family.
View Award Disclosures.
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: Forbes.com). 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).
Private Wealth Financial Advisor
Managing Director - Investment Officer
Senior PIM Portfolio Manager
Alan D. Kinney
Private Wealth Financial Advisor
Managing Director - Investment Officer
Senior PIM Portfolio Manager
Alan has been recognized by Forbes as one of the Best-in-State Wealth Advisors in 2019, 2020 and 2022 through 2025. This honor highlights his commitment to excellence. From 2011 through 2025 he has also been named to the Wells Fargo Advisors Platinum Council. The 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.
Alan’s primary responsibilities include directing portfolio asset allocation and investment planning. He manages client portfolios with a focus on individual fixed income securities, common stocks, bond mutual funds, and ETFs. In addition, he plays a key role in reviewing and implementing strategies for clients’ life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care needs. Alan is among the select group of Wells Fargo Advisors qualified to manage portfolios on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis.
Deeply committed to his community, Alan has volunteered with a variety of local organizations over the years. He resides in Savannah with his wife, Rhonda, and enjoys spending time with his family.
View Award Disclosures.
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: Forbes.com). 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). 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).
Private Wealth Financial Advisor
Managing Director - Investment Officer
Senior PIM Portfolio Manager
Katherine C. Phifer, CFP, RICP, CDFA
Senior Vice President - Investment Officer
Katherine’s primary focus is helping clients define and prioritize their financial goals, then implementing customized investment and planning strategies to support them. As a Fundamental Choice® Portfolio Manager, she is qualified to manage client portfolios on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis. In addition to investment management, Katie assists clients with comprehensive planning, including life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care strategies. She is passionate about educating clients and helping them implement solutions designed to protect and preserve their financial goals.
Active in the Beaufort community, Katherine has served on the boards of several local organizations and continues to volunteer her time. She lives in Beaufort with her husband, Matt, and their two children.
CA Insurance License Number: 4292218. Resident State SC
2019 – 2021 Platinum Council: The 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.
Senior Vice President - Investment Officer
CFP, RICP, CDFA
James C. Cuppia
First Vice President - Investment Officer
Before entering the financial services industry, James was a successful business owner on Hilton Head Island for 22 years. With over 21 years of experience as a financial advisor, he specializes in investment performance evaluation, asset allocation strategies, and delivering a high level of personalized service. James particularly enjoys working with clients who take an active role in shaping their financial future.
James and his wife, Sandy, reside in Blairsville, Georgia.
First Vice President - Investment Officer
Drawing on the vast resources of Wells Fargo Advisors and his own extensive background, William focuses on building long-term relationships and delivering thoughtful, solutions-oriented guidance tailored to each client’s unique needs.
William is actively involved in the Beaufort community and has served on the boards of several local organizations. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, coaching youth baseball, fishing, and playing golf. He and his wife, Penny, live in Beaufort with their two children.
Financial Advisor
Elizabeth S. Cutshall
Private Wealth Senior Registered Client Associate
Assistant Vice President
Elizabeth plays a key role in delivering exceptional client service and managing all aspects of client administration for the team.
Elizabeth is actively involved in her community. She currently volunteers with The Deep Well Project and has supported several other local nonprofit organizations over the years. She resides in Hilton Head with her husband, Bret.
2016-2019 Wells Fargo Advisors Platinum Council Client Associate - The Wells Fargo Advisors Platinum Council Client Associate (previously Premier Client Associate) distinction is held by a select group of Registered Client Associates within Wells Fargo Advisors nominated by their management for their consistent display of professionalism, integrity and core leadership values. 2025-2026 The Wells Fargo Advisors Platinum Recognition Program is open to eligible branch support associates that have delivered exceptional performance during the prior calendar year. Performance factors are inclusive of client experience, partnership with Financial Advisors to support their objectives, and task execution. Participants are placed into one of two categories. Pinnacle Level are the Top 100 performers as selected by manager nomination and divisional review. Excellence Level are all remaining participants.
Private Wealth Senior Registered Client Associate
Assistant Vice President
With a passion for providing five-star service, Damara started in the wealth management field in 2022 as a Client Associate in the Savannah, Georgia office, where she supports clients with care and professionalism. She has been recognized as a 2025 Platinum Excellence Client Associate. Damara lives in Savannah with her family.
2025 Wells Fargo Advisors Platinum Client Associate-The Wells Fargo Advisors Platinum Client Associate recognition is held by a select group of client associates within Wells Fargo Advisors as measured by their success in achieving exceptional performance the previous calendar year. Performance factors are inclusive of client experience, partnership with Financial Advisors to support their objectives, and task execution.
Private Wealth Senior Client Associate