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 2023 and 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 America. 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 a select group of Advisors at Wells Fargo Advisors who are 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.

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 2023 and 2024. Alan has been recognized in 2019, 2020, 2022,2023 and 2024 as Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors. 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 are 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.

Katie joined the Bezilla Kinney Phifer Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors in 2007. In 2021 she was named First Vice President – Investment Officer alongside Gary Bezilla and Alan Kinney. She is a Beaufort native and a magna cum laude graduate of the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business. Additionally, she has earned several advanced accreditations to better serve her clients. She holds the CERTIFIED

FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification and is a RETIREMENT INCOME CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL® (RICP®). Katie is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® professional. Katie obtained her Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® certification through the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA). Katie has been recognized with inclusion on the Platinum Council within Wells Fargo Advisors for the years 2019 through 2021. 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.
 
As a financial advisor with the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification, Katie has met the rigorous education, examination experience and ethics requirements of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Katie’s primary role is working with our clients to prioritize their financial goals and implement customized investment and planning strategies. As a Fundamental Choice Portfolio Manager, Katie is qualified to manage client portfolios on either a discretionary or non-discretionary basis.

In addition to investment solutions, she assists clients in coordinating other planning techniques with their investment plan. This may also include life insurance, disability insurance and long-term care planning. She makes it a priority to educate clients on appropriate strategies to help pursue their stated financial goals and assists them in implementing relevant strategies to help protect those goals from the unexpected.

Katie is actively involved in the local community and has served on the Board of Directors and as a volunteer with a variety of local organizations. She and her husband, Matt, live in Beaufort with their two children.

Jim joined the Bezilla Kinney Phifer Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors in 2005. He is also recognized within Wells Fargo Advisors as a Platinum Council member for the years 2019 through 2021. 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.
 
Jim was a local business owner on Hilton Head Island for 22 years prior to joining the financial services industry.
 
With over 21 years of experience as a financial advisor, Jim focuses on investment performance evaluation and reporting, asset-allocation strategies, and serving our clients at the highest level of professionalism and customer service. He enjoys working with our clients who take an active role in their financial future.

Jim lives in Blairsville, Georgia with his wife, Sandy.

Elizabeth has over 29 years of experience in the securities industry and has been with the Bezilla Kinney Phifer Wealth Management Group since 1994. Recognized by the firm as a Platinum Council Client Associate from 2016 through 2019, Elizabeth has extensive experience in providing optimal client service and overseeing all aspects of client administration for the team. She is currently a volunteer with The Deep Well Project and has volunteered with other local non-profit organizations in her community. Elizabeth lives in Hilton Head with her husband, Bret.

Damara is originally from Rochester, NY where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree, and began her professional experience in real estate and financial services. With a strong customer service background and commitment to five-star assistance to clients and colleagues, she transferred her skills back into wealth management in 2022 as a client associate and has joined the Bezilla Kinney Phifer Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors in the Savannah, Georgia office. Damara lives in Savannah with her family.

Claudia has over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and started her career in Lima, Peru where she is originally from.  She thrives working in a dynamic setting and is committed to build long-term relationships with our clients and seeks to address their requests efficiently and promptly. You can always feel confident in contacting Claudia with any issue and concern.

Claudia has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and is involved in other local charities. She lives in Bluffton with husband, Joey and they are proud parents Marcela who is a USC Sophomore.