This is a photo of my family and me. From left to right: myself, Emma, my wife Jennifer, Blake, Carter, and Sadie.
Gray Daus was born and raised in Frederick, Maryland where he developed a strong work ethic at an early age while working on family farms. He grew up in a mostly middle-class family. At times he experienced financial scarcity in childhood that fueled a desire to succeed in business and pursue a path of financial independence.
In high school, his accounting teacher described the miracle of compounding and the power of the financial markets. For the first time, he saw a graph showing the tremendous growth of the US stock market over the past 100 years.
Gray’s grandfather was a local businessman and entrepreneur who lived frugally and began investing at an early age. He invested over a long-term period and sought advice from professional advisors. Gray observed that shrewd management could provide financial freedom and a positive impact on family and the community.
He entered college majoring in accounting and then gravitated toward finance after completing a summer job at Merrill Lynch during his junior year of college that solidified his desire to become a financial advisor.
Gray earned his B.S.B.A. degree in Finance from Shippensburg University of PA. While there, he ranked in Who’s Who among American Colleges and Universities, and was the President and a founder of the Omicron Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He also played club water polo and was active in student government.
Upon graduation, Gray started his career as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch. He then spent eight years at BB&T Investment Services, Inc. before moving to Wells Fargo Advisors in 2010. Soon after, he co-founded the Sperow Daus Private Wealth Management Group, which has been serving the needs of high-net-worth clients and their families for over 15 years.
While at Wells Fargo Advisors, Gray achieved recognition as a member of the Platinum Council for the years 2013-20251. He was also named a Five Star Wealth Manager every year from 2012-20242. Gray believes in lifelong learning and growth. He was named among Forbes® Best-In-State Wealth Advisors for 2021-20253.
Committed to professional excellence, Gray earned Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA®), Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®), and Accredited Wealth Management AdvisorSM (AWMA®) certifications. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2024, there are 272,190 U.S. Financial Advisors4. Less than 3% of financial advisors hold these designations with only approximately 8,100 holding the CIMA®5 and 3,496 holding the CPWA® certification6.
Gray and his wife Jennifer have been married since 2003 and have four children -- Blake, Carter, Sadie, and Emma. They are members of New City Church in Matthews, NC. Gray supports environmental sustainability and renewable resources through ownership and management of pine timber forests in upstate South Carolina. Gray served on the advisory board of Wingate University’s Porter B. Byrum School of Business through 2022. For recreation, he enjoys hiking, traveling, and riding ATVs. Gray is also a voracious reader, and enjoys art, music, and historic architecture.
CA Insurance License Number: 0K33102. Resident State NC.
Passing down your financial how-to can be invaluable to kids! My daughter, Sadie, and I have begun learning the ropes!
I recently hiked to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, in 2022. I did it because it was challenging, awe inspiring, and it required me to get out of my comfort zone.
It's never too early to start teaching your children about finances! This is a photo of my son, Carter, selling used golf balls he had collected from a nearby course by our home.
A major passion of mine resides in nature and preserving renewable resources. In 2023, I conserved 1,010 acres of privately owned timber forest through the creation of a conservation easement with Katawba Valley Land Trust (KVLT) in Lancaster, SC. It is managed as a renewable resource and maintained for recreation and enjoyment along with forestry management.
Don't Wait 'til Retirement
I met a man a few years ago who told me that he and his friends have recently retired, and they made a pact to start taking epic adventure trips every other year and had done so for almost a decade. I remember thinking this is a great idea, but it’s unfortunate that they only started taking the trips at age 65. Sometimes life circumstances and health challenges suggest that we shouldn’t wait.
Many financially successful people that I work with struggle to prioritize personal fulfillment and recreation. They think these are things you do after you’re done working. I most admire our clients who work hard AND make time for their relationships, health, and pursuits they are passionate about. They appear to remain more vibrant and satisfied than people who are waiting for some future time to do this.
I’ve made a pact of my own that started with a trip to the Grand Canyon in 2019. I hiked to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, in 2022. I did it because it was challenging, awe inspiring, and it requires me to get out of my comfort zone.
When will you make time for something you’re passionate about and what will it be?
Berkshire Hathaway Outing
In 2022, I ventured out to Omaha, Nebraska for the #BerkshireHathaway Shareholders meeting with my son, Blake, who has an interest in finance and investing. It’s never too early to teach your children about investing, and it serves them well later in life. We gained some great insights into the market from the Oracle himself!
Leave it to the Professionals!
Around 2011, a chance opportunity led me to jump out of a small plane for the first time. The experience was transformational!
After a few jumps, I decided that I wanted to become a licensed skydiver and enrolled in Accelerated FreeFall (AFF) training! I learned some key lessons in this experience worth sharing:
On my first solo jump, I had trouble locating the rip cord. Keep in mind that the positioning is different for solo versus tandem jumpers. This was potentially very concerning, but my in-air coaches helped me locate it, and I deployed my chute and landed safely.
On my second solo jump, I located the rip cord and threw the "birdie" away from my body, but failed to let go of it to deploy my drone chute. Again, my in-air coaches quickly corrected this in the air, & I deployed my chute and landed safely.
On my third and final solo jump, I completed all the in-air maneuvers successfully to meet the jump requirements. I navigated my own flight plan for landing, missed the targeted landing area somewhat, and ended up in some tall grass nearby!
None of these hiccups themselves proved to be fatal, but it did get me thinking about whether I should try to be the professional, or stick to relying on the true professionals who do this day in and day out to provide me with a safe and fun recreational experience that allows me to return to my family each night. It got me thinking about whether, in a pressure situation, I would be able to calmly execute the emergency procedures needed to stay safe in the event of an equipment malfunction. It also became clear quickly that to be a safe skydiver and keep your skills sharp, you must jump regularly without large gaps in between jumps….otherwise, jumping can be unsafe.
I arrived at the conclusion that it would be wiser and more enjoyable to have the benefits of jumping while resting in the expertise of well-trained professionals who love what they do & do it well. They keep me safe & protect me from myself! To this day, I still enjoy the occasional tandem jump aided by a professional skydiver, who are among the best in the world. I get that much more from the experience knowing that I am not jeopardizing my own safety or the safety of my family in the process.
I believe investing is similar. Sometimes market conditions become harsh, and intense emotions and fear roil the stock market. This involves chaos, confusion, & misinformation. How many investors have the training, experience, and perspective to safely navigate storms while remaining steadfast to the task at hand?
In this way, my team & I have the unique privilege of providing safety to our clients during the financial storms. We answer the call so that our clients can experience confidence, clarity, and comfort knowing that we are doing what we do every day as investment professionals. Thank you to everyone who bestows this trust in us. It is a high calling, and one that we are truly passionate about!
Dan Sperow was born and raised in Lexington, KY. Growing up, Dan learned to set goals and work hard to achieve them through attentive parents and involvement in Boy Scouts. He then applied these values to the wrestling team, which recognized him with the 110% and Most Dedicated awards.
Seeking a strong business program, Dan ventured to Miami University in Ohio. While pursuing two majors, he joined the club boxing team and was eventually named team captain. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and is very grateful for the well-rounded education that he received from Miami University.
Dan became a Financial Advisor at Paine Webber (now UBS) in 1996 and went through their celebrated training program. Seeing an opportunity to provide comprehensive wealth management, he moved to Wells Fargo Advisors in 1998. Always striving for improvement, he is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional as well as a CRPC® (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™). These designations set the stage for creating a truly comprehensive financial advisory practice.
In 2012, Dan met his business associate and fellow Financial Advisor, Gray Daus. They shared a common vision for serving clients and operating a best-in-class wealth management team. Soon after this meeting, the Sperow Daus Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors was formed.
As Dan and Gray worked to build a top-notch client experience, Dan continued to pursue additional education. Through the Wharton School of Management, he earned the CIMA® (Certified Investment Management Analyst™) designation. This program focused on portfolio construction and risk management. He then went on to earn the CPWA® (Certified Private Wealth Advisor) certification through the Yale School of Management. This rigorous program covered the specific needs of high net-worth clients.
While at Wells Fargo Advisors, Dan has been honored as a member of the Wells Fargo Advisors Platinum Council from 2013-20251. From 2012 through 2024, he earned the ranking of Five Star Wealth Manager2. Dan was also named among Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors for 2021-20253. We feel his continued commitment to his clients is exemplified through these awards.
Dan has a passion for providing individuals and communities with financial education. In this pursuit, he joined the Association of Financial Educators. This nonprofit organization seeks to promote widespread and comprehensive financial literacy.
Dan lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife of over 25 years, Lisa. They have two amazing daughters, Emily and Nicole.
CA Insurance License Number: 0K33123. Resident State NC.
Having a team that enjoys each other's company outside of the office is important to us! Here's a photo of a few members of our team grabbing dinner while in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Financial Consultant, Eddie Watson, and I hit the slopes in Park City!
Don't wait until retirement to cross items off of your bucket list! Hiking Half Dome in Yosemite was an incredible experience I'd definitely recommend.
My family is very important to me, as is cheering on my kids for every life milestone. This is me with my daughter, Emily, who graduated with honors from UNC Chapel Hill in 2022.
In Sickness and in Health
I spend a lot of time helping others prepare for life’s big events like sending kids off to college, retiring, or caring for loved ones who need support.
We experienced one of life’s big moments firsthand when our daughter, Emily, married her true love! We couldn’t be happier for her.
Thank you to the people who allow me the privilege of experiencing the joy of their successes and enduring alongside them during the challenges!
Raising Money-Smart Kids
Being financially literate is one of the most beneficial skills one can teach a child. Many parents desire this for their kids but are not sure where to even start.
In an effort to combat this confusion, Pete Mirandi and I taught a class on how exactly to go about raising money-smart kids. Thank you to Mecklenburg Community Church for allowing us to talk about the importance of financial wellness for the next generation!
Commitment to Success
It was an honor to attend the 2024 Forbes Top Teams Summit in Miami! I am proud of our team for being named among the most successful in the industry for 2023 and 2024 by Forbes. This was an incredible opportunity to share best practices and strategies with people dedicated to the common purpose of bettering the lives of our clients!
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). 2023 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams: Awarded January 2023; Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on the time period from 3/31/21-3/31/22 (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, which does not receive compensation from the advisors or their firms in exchange for placement on a rating. 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.
Our Commitment to You
We work hard to serve our clients’ best interests through careful planning and transparent actions. When working with us, you’ll know the reasons for our recommendations and any fees associated with them. You’ll receive timely attention when you have a concern or question. And we can work together in person, by phone, or via email – whichever works best for you.
1 The 2024-2025 Platinum Council distinction is held by a select group of Financial Advisors within Wells Fargo Advisors as measured by business production from the previous year and professionalism. The 2013-2023 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
2 The Five Star Wealth Manager award was issued on 8/1/24 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/10/23 through 4/30/24. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a registered investment adviser or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future.1690 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 99 (6% of candidates) were named 2024 Five Star Wealth Managers. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.
Award issued on 8/1/23 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/10/22 through 5/05/23. 1,677 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 105 (6% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/1/2022 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2021 through 04/22/2022. 1519 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 101 (7% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2021 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2020 through 04/22/2021. 1514 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 106 (7% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2020 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2019 through 04/22/2020. 1488 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 103 (7% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2019 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2018 through 04/22/2019. 1346 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 129 (10% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2018 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2017 through 04/22/2018. 1342 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 104 (8% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2017 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2016 through 04/22/2017. 949 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 132 (14% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2016 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2015 through 04/22/2016. 873 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 227 (26% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2015 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2014 through 04/22/2015. 1822 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 277 (15% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2014 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2013 through 04/22/2014. 6776 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 409 (6% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2013 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2012 through 04/22/2013. 1694 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 280 (17% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
Award issued on 08/01/2012 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 10/11/2011 through 04/22/2012. 1083 Charlotte-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 267 (25% of candidates) were named Five Star Wealth Managers.
3 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: https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-in-state-wealth-advisors/). 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. 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. 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. View additional disclosures: https://www.wellsfargoadvisors.com/disclosures/awards-disclosures.htm.
4 https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm
5 https://investmentsandwealth.org/certifications/cima-certification
6 Meet the CPWA, a key designation for serving rich clients | Financial Planning