Bringing Confidence to Your Investment Planning

Background and experience

For 18 years, Lee has experienced many different market cycles and aims to deliver an unemotional, disciplined investment process to appropriately serve his clients. 

Lee’s main concentration as PIM Portfolio Manager* is to design and manage investment portfolios for clients.  The team’s investment process strives to be simple and straightforward. They utilize a fundamental value philosophy to select what companies to own and a technical supply/demand approach to help determine when to buy and sell those companies along with what asset classes to over or underweight.  

Lee transitioned his practice to Wells Fargo Advisors in 2015.  Prior to joining the firm, he worked as a Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley and its predecessors.  During this time, Lee grew his investment knowledge and built a loyal client base.  He also formed a group with Jack Halper, First VP – Investment Officer, and Pat Mercardante, First VP – Investment Officer, that he is still a part of today.  Together, they are known as The WHM Group of Wells Fargo Advisors.  Over the years, they have added new talent, Jennifer Yanulavich, Financial Advisor, to the group.  By bringing together their 75 plus years of combined experience, he and his group members believe they can truly serve each aspect of their clients financial and investment needs. 

Lee’s passion for investing began as a student at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.  While attending Furman, Lee played collegiate football for four years and takes many of the lessons learned from playing athletics and applies them to his business today. 

Outside the office

Lee spends his free time with his wife Ansley and their three children, Laura Frances, Collier, and Ellison.  He enjoys helping cultivate his kids’ love for athletics.  When he has the opportunity, Lee enjoys playing golf and attending University of Georgia sporting events. 

 
*The PIM program is not designed for excessively traded or inactive accounts and may not be appropriate for all investors.  Please carefully review the Wells Fargo Advisors advisory disclosure document for a full description of our services.  The minimum account size for this program is $50,000.

CA Insurance License Number: 4110355. Resident State GA

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Background and experience

Jack Halper is a First Vice President – Investment Officer and has more than 38 years of experience in the financial services industry. As a financial advisor, Jack’s focus is on our institutional clients, their unique needs and requirements. This consultancy includes providing services as appropriate beyond basic investment advice. His goal is to listen carefully to the needs of these clients and provide solid and trustworthy expertise.

During his career, Jack has always sought to provide the appropriate financial advice to his clients by understanding their unique and individual needs. He combines his skills developed from investment knowledge with his 11 years as a Special Agent of the FBI, ever striving to present the most appropriate investment management vehicles to those who entrust him with their hard-earned assets.

Jack has been committed to bringing his institutional focus to individual clients as well. His values and concerns are client-centered, and he works attentively to deliver a high level of service in meeting client’s financial objectives.

As an alumnus of Loyola University in Chicago with a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of Georgia, Jack continues to expand his learning through numerous professional conferences and extensive research.

He is a U.S. Army veteran having served in Vietnam where he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star commendations.

Outside the office

Away from the office, Jack is an avid golf enthusiast and enjoys all spectator sports, particularly the University of Georgia Bulldogs, where he has served on the Board of Directors of the Touchdown Club as well as the Tip Off Club. He also served as co-president of the Friends of the Museum at the Georgia Museum of Art, with his wife Laurel. He currently serves on the Board of Visitors for the School of Public and International Affairs. Laurel and Jack have been married for over 50 years, have one married daughter and one granddaughter.

CA Insurance License Number: 4110347. Resident State GA

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Background and experience

Pat Mercardente is a First Vice President – Investment Officer and has more than 32 years of experience in the financial services industry. Pat believes success in achieving important financial goals for individuals and their families starts with a comprehensive wealth strategy. He will help you define what is most important to you, then formulate and execute a strategy that meets your objectives.

Because of the complexity of the financial markets and breadth of strategies available, Pat collaborates with three Financial Advisors, Jack Halper, Lee Willis and Jennifer Yanulavich.  They are a part of the WHM Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. Their investment process starts by utilizing a combination of value and relative strength.

Pat and his group members joined Wells Fargo Advisors in the fall of 2015. Prior to joining the firm, he was an Investment Planning Specialist and Branch Manager at Morgan Stanley. His experience also includes serving as a Complex Manager at Merrill Lynch and a Regional Manager at Wells Fargo & Co. in Boulder, CO.

Pat graduated from San Diego State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Management. He also has an MBA in Finance from Brenau University.

Outside the office

Outside the office, Pat is a dedicated Georgia Bulldog fan.  He’s an active member and Past President of Rotary in Habersham County.  He is also past President of the Athens Lions Club.  He’s been a counselor at Lee Arrendale State Prison.  He’s a board member for the Athens Community Foundation and a Community Advisor with The Center for International Trade and Security at The University of Georgia.  Pat has been active in his church holding several positions, including youth director.

CA Insurance License Number: 0G59759. Resident State GA

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Background and experience

Jennifer Yanulavich is a Financial Advisor who focuses on helping her clients plan and prepare for their financial future. Jennifer joined the WHM Group in January 2018.  Prior to joining the WHM Group, Jennifer spent over 20 years as a pension actuary, consulting with several large corporations on their pension plans and retirement benefit programs. Since changing her focus from working with large corporations to individuals, Jennifer has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work with a diverse set of clients who all have their own unique goals and objectives.  

Jennifer’s approach to financial advising is to lead with listening. She wants to understand what people are striving for and what they are most worried about. She enjoys assisting people with establishing their goals, setting a plan and implementing the plan. Her strong experience and background working with pension plan benefits and executive benefits enables her to provide additional knowledge to clients with employer benefit plans.
  

Jennifer grew up in Roswell, Georgia. She graduated with Honors, Summa Cum Laude from Washington & Lee University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Physics. She is a Fellow with the Society of Actuaries and a Fellow with the Conference of Consulting Actuaries. In 2019, Jennifer received a Certificate in Financial Planning from University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.  Jennifer obtained her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in 2021. 

Outside the office

Jennifer lives in Brookhaven, just inside the perimeter of Atlanta.  Away from the office, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family and doting on her nephew and niece. She is an avid Atlanta Braves fan and has supported them through all their ups and downs.  Jennifer is a member of the Brookhaven Rotary Club where she enjoys giving back to the community through volunteering.  

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With more than 20 years of financial services industry experience, Stephanie strives to ensure that our clients’ administrative, trading and operational needs are handled accurately and efficiently. She handles the day-to-day administration of accounts, including opening new accounts, updating existing account information, managing account transfers, and answering questions regarding statements and online access. 

Stephanie lives in Winder and spends her free time with her family. They enjoy nature, walking, biking, concerts, and movies.

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