Skylar Thompson

Derek Kennedy is a CFP® with 24 years of experience and the principal advisor at Kennedy Wealth Management in Knoxville, TN, where he has worked since 2000. He holds a Series 63 license and leads the firm as its sole advisor. Kennedy Wealth Management serves individual investors, trusts, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plan sponsors with financial planning, investment management, and retirement plan advisory services. The firm operates as a fee-only fiduciary, uses diversified asset allocation based on fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory, and provides pension consulting and employee education services uncommon among similar independent advisors.

With high regard to our fiduciary duty, we exist to faithfully serve individuals and organizations who are eager to understand and take control of their finances. Deep, authentic relationships allow us to help our clients clarify and define what is most important and utilize that knowledge when making important decisions. Our comprehensive approach facilitates a proactive partnership rooted in accountability putting clients in position to Ignite Financial Momentum and create meaningful outcomes. Life is full of Momentum Moments, those times when decisions are most impactful. We proactively prepare our clients for those moments through: Life Planning, Financial Wellness, and Wealth Planning services. Skee began his finance career in early 2012 and has since served many individuals and organizations as their trusted advisor. Having a long family lineage of educators, he naturally has a passion for teaching and helping others. An interest in finance early in life led him to attain his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree focused in Financial Planning and Economics from Western Carolina University in 2010. After college, Skee served as Senior Financial Services Officer at a prominent credit union in his home state of North Carolina. He moved to East Tennessee in 2016 and has built strong relationships with individuals, families, and organizations, managing over $100,000,000 for many of them. One Knoxville non-profit organization he advised was recognized as one of four Plan Sponsor of the Year nominees in a well-known national publication in 2024. He holds designations of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Accredited Investment Fiduciary®, and Accredited Tax Preparer. Skee enjoys serving his community through several organizations in the Greater Knoxville Area. Mission: To empower family stewards, people pursuing independence, and employee-centric organizations to achieve their full potential financially and personally, positively impacting their own circumstances and the lives of those around them. Vision: To grow organically through a commitment to our culture of providing high quality client experiences and by fostering community relationships. Our desire is to build and maintain a Destination Firm for both clients and employees. Along the way, we will make a positive impact on the communities where we live and serve through volunteering and giving back. Core Values: Influence, Competency, Trustworthiness, Boldness, Authenticity

Jonathan Allen is a financial advisor at Belvedere Investments Corporation with three years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and has worked at various firms including Mass Mutual Investors Services and Raymond James & Associates. In addition to his advisory role, he serves as Vice President of Operations at Brightway Insurance, where he is involved in selling insurance products. Belvedere Investments Corporation is a state-registered investment adviser that provides discretionary asset management and financial consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, business entities, and charitable organizations. The firm uses fundamental and technical analysis, asset allocation, thematic investing, and selective use of options and ETFs in its investment process.

Patrick Carmichael is a financial advisor with Strategic Wealth Investments, LLC in Knoxville, TN, holding a Series 65 designation and 12 years of industry experience. He has worked with Strategic Wealth Management since 2014 and was previously with Wealth and Retirement Investment, Inc. Mr. Carmichael also serves as president and insurance agent at Strategic Wealth Management, dedicating approximately 40% of his time to insurance product sales and services. Strategic Wealth Investments provides discretionary asset management and financial planning to individual and high-net-worth clients, managing roughly $7.36 million across about 60 accounts. The firm employs fundamental, charting, and cyclical analysis, along with periodic rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting, and offers public educational seminars and insurance products through its affiliated insurance business.

Jackson Southard is a financial advisor at Graybridge Capital with a Series 65 credential and four years of industry experience. He is also a licensed real estate broker affiliated with Realty Executives, where he represents buyers and sellers in real estate transactions. Southard's background includes roles at Purdue Global University and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Graybridge Capital is a state-registered investment adviser providing discretionary asset management to individuals and high-net-worth clients. The firm employs a combination of fundamental, technical, charting, cyclical, and quantitative analysis, using proprietary algorithms to monitor portfolios and customize investment strategies based on client objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance.

David Zbonski is a financial advisor at First Advisors National, LLC with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has prior work experience at Duck Hills Farms, Fortinet, Zones, and General Growth Properties. First Advisors National manages discretionary assets for individual clients, including high-net-worth households, offering investment management, third-party portfolio recommendations, and retirement plan consulting. The firm’s investment approach emphasizes selecting and monitoring third-party managers and uses fundamental analysis for supplemental individual security recommendations.