Top financial advisors working with retirees in Sandy Springs, GA

Eda Driver Owen is a financial advisor at COR3 Investment Partners, LLC with three years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has held management responsibilities at Metro Logics, a third-party logistics firm. Outside of her advisory role, she has been involved with Calvary Episcopal Church in various capacities. COR3 Investment Partners provides discretionary portfolio management to high-net-worth individuals and related entities, focusing on a research-driven, fundamental equity approach with an emphasis on U.S. small- and mid-cap stocks. The firm also offers sub-advisory and model delivery services to other advisers and platform sponsors.

Richard Vaughan is a financial advisor with 20 years of industry experience, currently operating at 401K Advisory Group, Inc. in Sandy Springs, GA. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 designations and has worked at his current firm since 2009. Prior to that, he spent five years with Domino's Pizza. 401K Advisory Group, Inc. focuses exclusively on advising pension plan sponsors and participants in qualified retirement plans, particularly 401(k) plans and other defined benefit and contribution plans. The firm provides fiduciary guidance and personalized financial-wellness coaching, employing a conservative, fundamental-analysis approach centered on mutual funds and ETFs.

Laura Rosenberg is a Series 65-licensed advisor at Hayes Wealth Advisors, LLC with three years of industry experience. She has been with Hayes Wealth Advisors since 2023. Outside of wealth management, Rosenberg works as an optometrist at The Eye Gallery, an optometry practice she has been associated with since 2012. Hayes Wealth Advisors serves individual clients, including many high-net-worth households, retirement plans, and small businesses. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning, discretionary portfolio management, and consulting services with a predominantly passive, long-term investment approach.

Brandis Barnes is a financial advisor with Fidelity in Sandy Springs, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 11 years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at Fidelity Investments, J.P. Morgan Securities, and Scottrade. Barnes also owned and managed an online retail store, Gold Racks Boutique, and was involved with Living N Luxury LLC, providing rental housing services. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC offers investment management and advisory services to a variety of clients, utilizing a process that combines fundamental research with quantitative analysis and algorithmic portfolio construction to manage portfolios across mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Laurie Schaeffer is a financial advisor with Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, holding Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and possessing 23 years of industry experience. Her prior roles include positions at LPL Financial, Independent Financial Partners, Mass Mutual Investors Services, and MetLife Securities Inc. She is also a commissioned notary in New York. Independent Advisor Alliance serves a diverse client base including individuals, small businesses, charitable organizations, and retirement plans, offering services such as asset management, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm combines a network of independent advisory representatives with technology-driven portfolio management and planning solutions, including access to third-party managers and estate-planning platforms.

Omar Esparza is a financial advisor at VOYA Financial Advisors, Inc. with 18 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has been with VOYA Financial Advisors and its affiliates since 2010, including prior roles at Principal Financial Services. VOYA Financial Advisors, Inc. serves individuals—including high-net-worth clients—pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers comprehensive financial planning and portfolio management services through a large network of advisors, utilizing model portfolios, third-party managers, and technology-enabled tools across non-discretionary and discretionary account arrangements.

Daniel Esquirell is a CFP® professional with 25 years of industry experience. He has been with Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC since 2022 and previously worked for Asset Planning Services, Ltd for 15 years. Wescott Financial Advisory Group LLC provides wealth management and comprehensive financial planning to a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, families, trusts, foundations, pension and profit-sharing plans, and corporations. The firm employs an open-architecture, multi-manager investment approach combining passive and active strategies within a tax-sensitive, disciplined process.

William Hurt is a financial advisor at Arax Advisory Partners with 26 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has previously worked at firms including U.S. Capital Wealth Advisors and Sanders Morris LLC. Arax Advisory Partners provides wealth management and advisory services to individual and high-net-worth clients, family offices, institutions, and businesses. The firm employs a fiduciary approach, utilizing in-house portfolio teams, independent managers, and a blend of traditional and alternative investments.

Jeffrey Meenes is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license, with 15 years of industry experience. He is the sole advisor at Meenes Wealth Partners in Shrewsbury, MA, and has worked at Blueprint Financial Planning, LLC since 2010. Meenes Wealth Partners provides flat-fee, fiduciary wealth management and comprehensive financial planning services primarily to pre-retiree and retiree households. The firm follows an evidence-based investment approach emphasizing global diversification, cost efficiency, and tax-aware portfolio management, operating on a non-discretionary basis with a small, hands-on client base.

Scott Pinheiro is a Senior Consultant with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing extensive experience to his role since joining the firm in 2015. He has been involved in the financial services industry since 1979. Scott holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Thomas Edison State University and professional designations including Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) from the American College of Financial Services. Scott specializes in working with executives and retirees from major banks and insurance companies, managing client accounts typically ranging from $500,000 to $5,000,000. His expertise encompasses a disciplined financial process tailored to clients’ unique situations, including college education planning, family wealth management, retirement income, tax minimization, and socially responsible investing. As a Senior Portfolio Advisor, he also builds and manages customized investment strategies utilizing Merrill model portfolios and third-party investments. In addition to his professional work, Scott is committed to community involvement through his participation with the local Optimist Club. He resides near Princeton, New Jersey with his wife of 40 years and their Yorkshire terrier. Personal interests include cooking, fishing, golfing, reading, and traveling.