I live by 3 principles:

·         Always tell the truth.
·         It’s not important to be the best, only that you try your best.
·         And it doesn’t matter who’s right, it matters what’s right.

For decades, my clients have relied on this straightforward foundation to guide our interaction and decision-making as we strive to help them achieve life goals. We’re a focused wealth management team and driven advocates for our clients. We take pride in providing exceptional service to help ensure every client has what they need when they need it. We genuinely value being entrusted with our clients’ finances, livelihoods and families.

I began my career in the corporate world with GTE in 1971 in Durham, NC upon completing a BS Degree in Engineering from N.C. State University. After completing the MBA Executive Program at Wake Forest University in 1978, I moved to Dallas TX to run the Southeast Residential Sales division for GTE. 

I entered the investment industry in 1981 as an investment advisor at E F Hutton and its successor firms for the next 30 years in Durham, NC. While at E F Hutton, I served as Regional Director of ERISA Services covering 21 states. Thus, I have had the privilege of servicing client & business needs for over 40 years.

I earned my Certified Investment Management Consultant (CIMA) designation in conjunction with the Wharton School of Business in 2000.

My team and I joined The Private Bank at Wells Fargo in 2011 to offer our clients access to one of the broadest ranges of financial products and services in the industry. We have earned a reputation as a fair and forward-thinking team with traditional values and a passion for helping people become better financial stewards, regardless of their financial status.

I’m blessed to be part of a dynamic wealth management team with over 200 years of experience and ranging in age from mid-thirties to early seventies. This age range allows us to better serve high net- worth family’s’ intergenerational needs.

My wife, Janet and I are Durham, NC natives and met in high school. Janet retired from IBM in 1997 and became an integral part of our team for almost 15 years.  We believe in giving back to our community and focus our support and involvement through our family foundation in the areas of religion, healthcare and education, all of which have deep personal connections to our lives. We enjoy spending time with family and friends in Durham, NC as well as in Roaring Gap, NC where we have a second home. In our spare time we enjoy riding horses, golfing and finding new ways to help people every day.

For over 25 years, my priority as a Private Wealth Financial Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional is to understand the unique needs and perspectives of my clients.  Before delivering an investment strategy, my goal is to understand a client’s multi-faceted situation including their investment experience, cash flow, liquidity needs, tax situation, possible family dynamics and the status of their estate planning situation.  I strive to ensure that each client’s portfolio is a reflection of who they are and is holistically constructed to empower them to live their best lives.  I take pride in demystifying the investing and planning processes for my clients, and I aim to give them confidence by collaborating with their broader team of professionals such as their CPA and estate planning attorney.  Clients count on my fair and balanced approach, attention to detail and our team’s commitment to providing exceptional service.

I am originally from the “Ocean State” - Rhode Island, educated in the Boston area and worked as a CPA at Coopers & Lybrand where I audited companies in the financial services industry, such as Fidelity Investments, State Street and Panagora Asset Management.  I delved further into business and finance as an international auditor for Bristol Myers-Squibb and travelled to the company’s affiliates to understand and assess their financial statements.  Subsequently, while fulfilling my role as a Financial Controller for Citibank, I realized that I could weave together the various insight and knowledge gained from my work experience with my passion for the wealth management business.  In 1997, I joined Smith Barney as a financial advisor and, in 2000, joined the present team.

I am blessed to work with a team with over 200 years of combined wealth management experience.  Our team professionals range in age from their mid-thirties to early seventies.  This age range allows us to better understand and serve a high net-worth family’s intergenerational needs. Our team joined Wells Fargo Advisors in 2011 to offer our clients access to one of the broadest ranges of financial services and products in the industry.

My wife – Kay - grew up in Greensboro and worked for the North Carolina businesses of Price Waterhouse and Duke University.  Kay introduced me to great state of North Carolina.  We have lived in the Chapel Hill ­– Durham area for over 25 years and are proud parents of our two children – Christopher and Kate.  We have been ongoing supporters of the local community with particular interest in healthcare and children’s education.  I previously served on the boards of Duke School, the Volunteer Center and Dispute Settlement Center.  I am a fitness enthusiast and enjoy the outdoors.  I enjoy family time while mountain biking and the occasional downhill skiing trip.   In my spare time, I can be found hovering over a computer doing genealogy research or reading historical nonfiction.

 

As an advisor, I am dedicated to helping each family achieve their guiding lights — their unique collection of goals, needs, dreams and priorities that serve as the foundation on which to create holistic custom plans. I strive to build long-lasting client relationships grounded in mutual trust and respect, and take pride in becoming my client’s true partner and an integral part of helping to ensure the success of their family and their business.

I worked in textile manufacturing before becoming a financial advisor in 2000, giving me what is now two decades of experience helping people build, manage, protect and transfer their wealth. I am also credentialed as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional. I have been working side by side with Bruce, Keith and Matthew since 2000, and our team has been with the firm since 2011. I am known as a genuine, adaptable and relatable advocate for my clients who makes providing exceptional service a priority.

A native of southwest Virginia, I met my wife in 8th grade and we moved to North Carolina to build our life together. We’ve been here for nearly 30 years, raised our two daughters as proud North Carolinians and today live in Chapel Hill. My wife and I are active in local community and civic organizations, including the Chapel Hill Carrboro Public School Foundation where I am on the Finance Committee and she is on the Board of Directors. We also coordinate a team of volunteers at the State Employees Credit Union Family House. My family and I enjoy spending time together and love the mountains of both North Carolina and Virginia where we go fly fishing, hiking and kayaking and watch our dog try to outrun a deer.

I take pride in delivering the gold standard for my clients every day. From responsive, reliable service to proactive problem solving to planning that is customized for each individual’s unique goals, I hold myself to the highest levels of excellence and consistently strive to deliver successful outcomes. I have a diverse background and skill set, and work with individuals, families and business owners as well as providing a focus on executive services.

I got my start in financial services and with The Knott Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors straight out of college in 2000. Today, in addition to my 20 years of experience helping clients build, manage, protect and transfer their wealth, I am also credentialed as a Certified Portfolio Manager®. I have been fortunate to work with Bruce, Keith and Carl for my entire career. Our team joined the firm in 2011 to give our clients access to one of the broadest ranges of financial products and services in the industry. I am an energetic and hands-on advisor who is quick on my feet and passionate about helping clients with whatever they need — often outside the realm of their finances.

I’ve spent most of my life in North Carolina and today I split time between Durham and Surf City with my wife and two boys. My family and I spend as much time as possible exploring the outdoors together, from hiking and rock climbing to paddleboarding and scuba diving. If it’s on the water or in the mountains, count us in! I believe staying active is essential to maintaining a healthy body, mind and spirit. I’m an active supporter of Voyager Academy, where my boys go to school. In my spare time I’m an avid fisherman and enjoy local offshore opportunities as well as spear fishing in Key Largo.

I believe collaboration is grounded in connection. As an advisor I strive to build strong relationships with my clients that help empower us to be successful together. I focus on holistic goals-based planning that considers how all the pieces of my clients’ lives fit together. I take pride in being a key part of my clients’ journey and contributing to their long-term success as a trusted advisor and guide.

I have been focused on helping clients build, manage, protect and transfer their wealth since I joined Wells Fargo Advisors as a financial advisor in 2011. I worked as a Premier Banker for Wells Fargo Bank from 2013 until joining the Knott Private Wealth Management Group in 2017 and returning to my advisor role. I became a CERTIFIED FINANCAL PLANNERTM professional in 2014. As part of The Knott Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, I am committed to delivering the exceptional service on which our clients depend. I’m known as a quick thinker who successfully balances big-picture strategy with a command for detail, and who is always ready to roll up my sleeves to get things done.

I grew up on an Ohio farm and have lived in North Carolina since 2010. My wife and I have three young daughters and are members of New Hope Church and the Chapel Hill Country Club. I am an active supporter of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, and my background includes being a collegiate member, an educational leadership consultant and founder of the Triangle Area Alumni group. I volunteer teaching personal finance at my church. I enjoy the outdoors and spending time with my family, including camping and hiking together. I am a passionate bourbon collector and avid reader of history and biographies.

Cami N. Adcock, Senior Registered Client Associate, entered the investment industry in 1989. Prior to joining Wells Fargo Advisors in April, 2011, Cami was a Registered Marketing Associate at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, having joined Bruce Knott at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and its predecessor firms in 1989. She received a degree in Business Management with a concentration in Marketing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in May, 1989. Cami is insurance licensed and has FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 securities registrations.

Karen B. Johnson, Client Associate, entered the investment industry in 2004.  Prior to joining Wells Fargo Advisors in 2013 she spent the past nine years of her career at Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch and UBS Financial in a variety of client servicing roles.

Michael W. Gillmer, CFA®: Financial Consultant, entered the investment industry in 2011.  Prior to joining Wells Fargo Advisors in October, 2014, Michael was a Registered Retirement Brokerage Specialist at Fidelity Investments.  Michael has a degree from Wake Forest University with a double major in Economics and History, graduating in May of 2010.  Michael is a Chartered Financial Analyst®, insurance licensed, and has FINRA series 7 and 63 securities registrations.

Ashley A. Paonessa, Senior Registered Client Associate, entered the investment industry in 2004.  Prior to joining Wells Fargo Advisors in May, 2019, Ashley was a Consulting Group Analyst at Morgan Stanley. During her tenure at Morgan Stanley, from 2007-2019, she held many roles from Registered Client Service Associate to Financial Advisor.  Her previous experience was in banking at SECU and BB&T in the Raleigh-Durham area from 2004-2007.  She received her degree in Economics, and a minor in History, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in December, 2003.  Ashley is insurance licensed and has FINRA Series 7 and 66 securities registrations.

Renee Sorrell, Senior Registered Client Associate, entered the investment industry in 2000.  Prior to joining Wells Fargo Advisors in June 2022, Renee was a Senior Registered Associate at Morgan Stanley.  She has been working in the financial services industry since the beginning of 2000, and has a wide range of experience in investment banking, hedge funds, and private wealth management.  Renee received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1996 and her Masters Degree in History from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2000.