I was drawn to investing by a desire to understand what enables companies to succeed and distinguish themselves from their peers. I was equally attracted to the fact that investing presents a new challenge every day. Combining my love of research and analysis with a competitive drive has shaped my approach as a portfolio manager. Investing has never felt like simply a job. It is a genuine calling.
My role is to oversee the firm’s investment decisions, from due diligence and research to strategic and tactical asset allocation, always aligning those choices with each client’s goals. I focus on helping clients define the right asset allocation by considering their time horizon, risk tolerance, income needs, and tax situation, and keep them informed about domestic and international trends so they understand not just their portfolio’s holdings, but what’s shaping them. Clients tend to rely on me to provide context, remain objective, and translate complex market developments into clear and practical portfolio decisions. My goal is not to react to every market move, but to identify when volatility creates a genuine risk, a meaningful opportunity, or simply a reason to remain patient.
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
Benjamin Franklin
I have more than 30 years of investment experience spanning institutional investment consulting, wealth management, portfolio management, and alternative investments. Before joining Acumen, I spent over 15 years in senior leadership roles at prominent investment firms, including as a Senior Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager overseeing equity strategies, as Chief Investment Officer for a national wealth management team, and as Head of Global Equities directing international equity portfolio management. I also led a boutique money management firm as President and Chief Investment Officer for six years and spent 13 years advising on more than $20 billion in pension and foundation assets. I earned both my MBA and BBA, graduating magna cum laude with Honors in Business from the University of Memphis, and hold the Certified Investment Management Analyst CIMA® designation and Series 65, Uniform Securities State Law Examination, license.
What resonates with me most about Acumen’s investment philosophy is its balance of long-term discipline and thoughtful, active portfolio management, all in service of acting in each client’s best interest. That philosophy closely reflects how I approach investment strategy. I believe successful investing requires patience and consistency, but not complacency. My role is to look beyond short-term market emotion, understand what has fundamentally changed, and determine whether any portfolio adjustment is warranted, always with the client’s long-term goals, not short-term noise, as the deciding factor. This allows us to remain patient when patience is appropriate, while preserving the flexibility to manage risk and pursue opportunities as markets evolve.
I’m deeply committed to giving back, often combining my love of sports with charitable causes. I served five years as President of the Board at Shepherd’s Haven, a nonprofit supporting adults with special needs, and through marathons and triathlons, including the Chattanooga Ironman, I’ve raised funds for organizations including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Make-A-Wish, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation. I also spent 15 years coaching youth and high school lacrosse. Whether through coaching, board service, or endurance racing, I’ve found the most meaningful experiences are often the ones that challenge us personally while allowing us to support and encourage others.