Tim Bryson

I’m Deaton Smith and I am the founder of Thayer Financial, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, a West Point graduate and OEF Veteran. I named Thayer Financial after the founding father of West Point because I envision my company as something bigger than me. It embodies the same values and principles of my time at West Point and in the Army: Duty, Honor, Integrity, and Loyalty. These values are at the very core of everything I do and stand for. The existing business model is drowning in a sea of “trust me” salespeople all riddled with major conflicts of interest and complicated financial products that pay exorbitant commissions. This is why I created my own firm. My values and beliefs did not line up with any of these major firms and I knew that there had to be a better way to serve my clients. That’s why I launched a fee-only Registered Investment Adviser that is legally obligated to work as a fiduciary 100% of the time. I don’t accept commissions, referral fees, kickbacks, free vacations, or marketing dollars from insurance companies or investment companies. The only way I get paid is directly from my clients for the services that I provide, which allows my clients to weigh the true cost of the advice they are receiving.

Mark Coffey is the sole advisor at Hickory Financial Group, LLC in Hickory, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 32 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Avenir Private Advisors LLC and Kovack Securities Inc. Outside of advisory work, he owns a duck hunting guide service and a marine construction company. Hickory Financial Group is an independent investment adviser serving individuals, families, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. The firm primarily employs an equity-oriented strategy using sector- and factor-weighted ETFs and individual stocks, combining fundamental and technical analysis with ongoing portfolio monitoring and rebalancing.

Herman Brunson Jr. is the sole advisor at Balance Investments in Statesville, NC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 designations with 14 years of industry experience. Prior to founding Balance Investments in 2014, he worked at Edward Jones from 2009 to 2011. Balance Investments provides investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses, using a core-satellite strategic allocation tailored to client-specific factors and combining fundamental and technical analysis. The firm also offers public educational seminars and a modular financial planning process alongside its portfolio management services.

Jacob Hoheisel is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license, currently serving as the sole advisor at Autumn Branch Capital, LLC with two years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Robert W. Baird & Co., PYA Waltman Capital, LLC, and Comprehensive Wealth Management. Autumn Branch Capital, LLC is a fee-only independent registered investment adviser that offers wealth management and limited-scope financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses. The firm employs a tailored asset-allocation strategy combining passive and active investment approaches, conducts quarterly account reviews, and supports client-directed brokerage and reasonable investment restrictions.

Michael Loeb is a financial advisor at Argosy Investors with eight years of industry experience and a Series 65 credential. He has worked at several firms, including Magnolia Wash Holdings, von Drehle Corporation, Ally Financial, and Broyhill Asset Management. Outside of advisory work, he serves as M&A Director for Whistle Express, a privately held car wash company. Argosy Investors provides discretionary investment management through separately managed accounts, focusing on a value-oriented strategy with a bottom-up fundamental analysis approach. The firm typically manages a concentrated portfolio aimed at long-term growth and special-situation opportunities, serving qualifying individuals and entities.

Shawn Fleming is a financial advisor with Professional Wealth Management Services LLC in Statesville, NC, holding the ChFC® designation and a Series 65 license. He has 18 years of industry experience and has been with Professional Wealth Management Services since 2009. Outside of his advisory role, Shawn is independently licensed in life, accident, and health insurance and provides limited insurance agent services as part of comprehensive financial planning. He is also engaged in general business and management consulting. Professional Wealth Management Services LLC serves individuals and trusts with fee-only financial planning and discretionary portfolio management. The firm emphasizes suitability and tailored strategies, managing approximately $136 million for about 60 clients through a two-advisor team.