Top advisors focused on life insurance needs analysis in South Carolina

Craig Mcdaniel Jr. is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC in Columbia, SC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Capital Investment Group, Inc. and The McDaniel Corporation since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in life insurance sales and serves as an independent agent for annuities and related products. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, using a blend of analytical methods with ongoing portfolio monitoring.

Kristin Manna is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors and holds a Series 66 designation. She has one year of industry experience, including roles at Park Avenue Securities, Guardian Life Insurance Company, and Consolidated Planning Holdings, Inc. Prior to entering the financial industry, she worked in education for eight years. Outside of advising, Kristin is an author and publisher of a basketball coaching notebook and works as a math tutor for high school students. Park Avenue Securities serves a broad retail client base with a range of brokerage and advisory services, utilizing proprietary and third-party investment strategies across various account types and investment vehicles.

Anthony Watts serves as a Senior Financial Advisor within Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. In his role, he provides financial guidance and investment strategies to clients, leveraging his expertise as a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Charleston. This educational background supports his professional qualifications and role in advising clients on wealth management.

Matthew Sandberg is a financial advisor at Thrivent Investment Management with 14 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Thrivent Investment Management since 2011. Outside of his advisory work, he operates a boat charter business, taking clients on trips along the intracoastal waterway. Thrivent Investment Management provides Dedicated Planning Services to individuals, families, businesses, and nonprofit clients, offering comprehensive, goal-based financial planning without discretionary trading authority. The firm combines planning with managed-account programs under a consolidated billing option called “WealthPlan,” while maintaining a separation between these services.

Michael Hunt is a financial advisor with Commonwealth Financial Network, holding Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and 25 years of industry experience. He has worked at several firms including Prudential Insurance Company of America, Principal Securities Inc, and Hunt Financial Solutions. Outside of advising, he is involved in tax preparation and planning through his co-ownership of multiple tax service entities. Commonwealth Financial Network is a registered investment adviser serving a national network of approximately 2,950 advisors and their clients. The firm provides a range of advisory programs, operational support, and investment management services, including discretionary model portfolios and customized solutions, while enabling advisors to offer tailored advice under Commonwealth’s supervision.

Aden Partee is a financial advisor at JEHM Wealth & Retirement, LLC with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at LPL Financial and Chick-fil-A in various roles. JEHM Wealth & Retirement, LLC serves individual and high-net-worth clients with comprehensive financial planning, consulting, and discretionary portfolio management. The firm employs client-specific asset allocation and combines fundamental and technical analysis, implementing portfolios through model strategies and a sub-adviser relationship.

Don Larson is a CFP® with 19 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He is the founder of Larson Wealth Management, LLC, where he has worked since 2011. Outside of his advisory practice, Larson owns and manages a bookkeeping and tax preparation business and serves as secretary and treasurer of a private company. Larson Wealth Management provides investment supervisory and consulting services to a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional clients such as pension and profit-sharing plans. The firm employs customized strategic asset allocation using mutual funds and ETFs and combines fundamental and technical analysis with regular portfolio reviews.

Malissa Mc Nanna is a financial advisor with Black Knight Wealth Management, LLC and holds a Series 65 designation. She has four years of industry experience and has previously worked at Optivise Advisory Services, LLC, OnPointe Advisory and Financial Services LLC, and Vision Advisors, Inc. Outside of her advisory role, she is involved with Vision Advisors, Inc., where she recruits agents, conducts product training, and provides sales support for annuity and life insurance products. Black Knight Wealth Management serves individual and high-net-worth clients by offering portfolio management, financial planning, and coordination with other professional advisors. The firm employs a range of investment strategies and prepares individualized Investment Policy Statements, managing accounts primarily on a discretionary, asset-based basis while reviewing portfolios monthly.

Gregory Smarr is the sole advisor at Smarr Financial Services Inc. in Atlanta, GA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses with 20 years of industry experience. He has operated Smarr Financial Services since 2004. Outside of advisory work, he has been involved in selling various insurance products through multiple agencies. Smarr Financial Services provides financial planning and investment supervisory services to individuals, high net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, corporations, and other business entities. The firm also functions as an insurance agency, offering life, disability, long-term care, group life and health products, and fixed annuities. Its investment approach emphasizes fundamental analysis and long-term buy-and-hold strategies supplemented by moderate trading across a range of asset classes.

Jacob Binner is a financial advisor at BinnerInvestments with Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and three years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Fidelity, Merrill Lynch, and E*Trade Securities. BinnerInvestments provides portfolio management and financial planning services primarily to individuals and high-net-worth clients, employing a long-term trading approach that incorporates various analysis methods across a range of investment types. The firm prepares investment policy statements, seeks discretionary trading authority, and offers both one-time financial plans and ongoing management.