For me, what began as a curiosity in the markets has since turned into a career helping people to live, invest and retire with confidence. As Managing Director-Investments, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and a Senior PIM Portfolio Manager, I put my expertise to work for a select group of people I proudly call clients.  I know each of my clients personally and I would not want to do things any other way. 

Over the past 28 years, I’ve had the privilege of walking with clients through the many stages of the investment planning process in a wide variety of market conditions. I have consistently put my experience to work to help them avoid costly mistakes and grow and preserve their wealth. It’s been rewarding to know that I have sat at the dining room tables of my clients and have helped them navigate the myriad of investment and financial decisions that are designed to help them to live, invest, and retire with confidence.

As a runner who has completed 17 marathons to date, I apply the same discipline and planning to the work I do with my clients. I strive to remain meticulous and calm as markets shift, taking the time to think through the process without overreacting. Through careful planning, we’re able to set actionable plans designed to work toward our clients’ goals. As a family man, I am always looking out for our clients and their families.

I am proud to have been recognized as a member of the Wells Fargo Advisors Platinum Council in 2020 and 2021, a distinction held by a select group of Financial Advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors.

<sup>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 based on the past year, and professionalism. Additional criteria, may have included best practices and team structure.

The PIM Program is not designed for excessively traded or inactive accounts and is not appropriate for all investors. Please carefully review Wells Fargo Advisors advisory disclosure for a full description of our services. The minimum account size for this program is $50,000.</sup>

I enjoy spending time understanding what matters most to our clients and effectively leveraging the talents of our team, network, and world class resources to help them achieve their goals.

Our practice is dedicated to developing a relationship with each client and family that goes well beyond the numbers. In doing so, we provide tailored, relevant solutions designed to help them live, invest, and retire with confidence.

Making a difference is important to me. I hold the Certified Divorce Financial Analyst designation because I want to help clients dealing with major life changes have access to relevant information and resources so they understand proposed settlements and their financial implications. I have previously served on the Board of the Ballantyne Chapter of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, as Vice President of Philanthropy for the Carolina Women’s Club, and as President of the Marvin Ridge High School. I am a Gallup trained facilitator and strengths coach for St. Matthew Catholic Church and a mentor for undergraduate business students at my alma mater, Villanova University. I enjoy applying my executive skills and coaching background when working with clients, offering insights as well as wealth and investment guidance which includes tangible next steps and a path forward.

On a personal note, Mitch and I have a lively family life with four adult children who are spreading their wings. As new empty nesters, we look forward to the new adventures this stage of life has to offer.

 
^{Note: The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit Wells Fargo Advisors or its Financial Advisors to provide legal advice, nor is it meant to simply imply that the firm or its associates are acting as experts in this field.}

About Me:

My passion for investing and the stock market began over 45 years ago in Durban, South Africa, where I learned the fundamentals of global markets from my father, a Certified Public Accountant.

At 18, I moved to the United States on a tennis scholarship to Texas Tech University. There, I played collegiate tennis and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. After graduation, I competed in professional tournaments and went on to coach tennis in Europe. Eventually, I settled in Charlotte, North Carolina, close to long-time family friends from South Africa, and began my career in financial services.

I started my career in financial services at Merrill Lynch, where I trained in futures management. I later worked for a hedge fund before transitioning to the retail side of the business, a move that allowed me to build lasting relationships with high-net-worth families, individual investors, and business owners.

Throughout my career, I’ve taken a deeply personal approach to advising clients. It’s not uncommon for me to work with three generations within a family. These relationships are built on trust, continuity, and mutual respect—I know their families, and they know mine.

My wife, Shirley, is a tennis professional in Charlotte. Her success in the sport naturally led to a career in coaching. Together, we have three children, all of whom played varsity tennis in high school and continue to compete. Our eldest daughter, Jenna, played four years of collegiate tennis at Clemson University and still participates in tournaments across North Carolina. Hannah and Luke are both active members of the Club Tennis team at North Carolina State University.

Feel free to contact me at Mark.Thompson1@wellsfargoadvisors.com or 704-341-4839.

As a dedicated Client Associate, I strive to bring positive energy and a client-first mindset to every interaction. I’m passionate about delivering exceptional service and reliable support, no matter the task at hand. Over the past four years, I’ve worked closely with clients to support and manage their brokerage accounts, gaining valuable experience and learning best practices that help me serve with confidence and precision.

I take pride in being a dependable resource, focused on helping make processes smoother and more efficient for those I work with. My goal is always to help ensure that clients feel supported, informed, and empowered.

Outside of work, I’m a big sports fan. Whether it’s watching a game or staying active myself, I enjoy the energy, competition, and teamwork that sports bring. It taught me a lot about discipline, staying focused, and working well with others—values I try to carry into my professional life every day.

Education:
North Carolina State University:
Bachelor of Arts – Political Science, Concentration Law and Justice
Minor – Business Administration

Registrations: 
SIE, Series 7, Series 63