Top startup equity planning financial advisors in Tennessee

The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.

If you recently joined a startup or received stock options, you need an advisor who understands how to navigate the complexities of startup equity. Without this expertise, you might miss key deadlines or misunderstand your equity's true value, leading to costly mistakes.

  • Equity type knowledge. Confirm they can explain differences between stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), and other equity forms common in startups.
  • Vesting schedule insight. Ask how they help you plan around your equity vesting timeline to optimize tax and financial outcomes.
  • Exit strategy planning. Ensure they discuss how your equity fits into potential liquidity events like IPOs or acquisitions, not just day-to-day management.

Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.

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Casey M

Series 66

Johnson City, TN

LPL Financial

Casey Middleton is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 12 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Woodbury Financial Services Inc. for 10 years and at OSAIC for one year. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm provides a range of advisory programs, financial planning, and retirement consulting, offering both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research and model portfolios.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.)
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Stacey J

Series 63, Series 66

Kingsport, TN

Morgan Stanley

Stacey Jones is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 27 years of industry experience. She has been with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC since 2010 and holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that offers a wide range of advisory programs to individuals and institutional clients, including tailored financial planning and estate planning strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and uses firm-approved planning tools and methodologies to support its financial planning services.

General estate planning guidance
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Rodney B

ChFC®, Series 63, Series 65

Greeneville, TN

OSAIC

Rodney Breyer is a financial advisor at Osaic Wealth, Inc. with 39 years of industry experience. He holds the ChFC® designation as well as Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. His prior experience includes roles at Securities America Advisors and American Portfolios Financial Services, and he has operated Heritage Financial Associates since 1994. Osaic Wealth serves a diverse client base including individual investors, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations through a large network of affiliated advisers. The firm provides integrated brokerage and advisory services, offering portfolio construction tools and access to third-party managers across various investment types on discretionary and non-discretionary bases.

Annuities Wealth management Tax-loss harvesting Private / alternative investments Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Justin P

Series 66

Franklin, TN

Janney Montgomery Scott

Justin Porrett is a financial advisor at Janney Montgomery Scott with five years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked previously at Morgan Stanley and several other financial firms. Janney Montgomery Scott is a large, dually registered broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser managing approximately $110 billion in client assets. The firm serves a diverse client base including individuals, families, trusts, corporate and retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations, offering brokerage services, financial planning, consulting, and multiple advisory programs.

ESG / Sustainable investing Tax-loss harvesting Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner
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Vanessa C

Series 63, Series 65

McMinnville, TN

Edward Jones

Vanessa Cordell is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in McMinnville, Tennessee, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 20 years of industry experience. She has been with Edward Jones since 2014. Cordell serves on the advisory board for the Tennessee College of Applied Technology, where she advises on strategies to attract and retain students. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving individual and institutional clients, managing approximately $1.01 trillion in assets. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and maintains a large network of financial advisors and branch offices nationwide.

Wealth management Tax-loss harvesting Multi-generational wealth transfer Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive

Kimberly H

CFP®, CRPC®

Troy, MI

Innermost Wealth Management, LLC

I founded Innermost™ Wealth Management to create a more personal, thoughtful approach to financial planning and wealth management. My background in both finance and psychology shaped my belief that money is not just about numbers. It is deeply personal and connected to your values, goals, and life experiences. I work with professionals who want to grow and simplify their wealth, with a special focus on women navigating career growth, equity compensation, and major life transitions such as divorce. Many of my clients are balancing busy lives and complex financial decisions, and they value having a long-term financial partner who truly understands their needs. My firm is centered on ongoing wealth management through investment advisory relationships. Clients work with me for comprehensive financial planning and investment management that evolves with them over time. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® Candidate, I provide technical expertise and strategic guidance, while also recognizing the emotional side of financial decisions. My approach is compassionate, judgment-free, and designed to reduce stress while helping you feel more confident in your choices. I operate a fully virtual firm, working with clients across the country who appreciate flexibility and convenience. My goal is to simplify your financial life, provide clear advice, and help you align your wealth with what matters most to you. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, photography, cooking, and spending quality time with my Beagle, Gracie.

General retirement planning General tax planning Wealth management Startup equity planning Divorce financial planning Women Professionals Life coaching / goal alignment Established Professionals Approaching retirement Dual Income Family

George S

Series 66

Hartford, CT

Merrill

George Silvester is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving as a member of the Boston Executive Services Team since 2017. He works primarily with founders, executives, and key associates at both privately held and publicly traded companies, focusing on the intricacies of equity ownership and equity compensation. George's approach begins with understanding what is most important to his clients and assessing their current position relative to their goals, ultimately developing customized financial strategies that align with their evolving life needs, resources, and aspirations. George began his career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as a Summer Analyst in 2016, where he developed an understanding of the client-advisor relationship and the collaborative pursuit of clients’ life goals. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in Finance from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business. Additionally, George has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning, as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional work, George’s personal interests include biking, bowling, chess, cooking, golfing, hiking, and reading.

Exec comp design Startup equity planning Liquidity event planning Wealth management ESG / Sustainable investing Founder/Business Owner Executive

James V

Series 66

Stuart, FL

Fidelity

James Van Nice is a Benefits & Planning Consultant specializing in Executive Services. In this role, he partners with executives to help them understand their employer benefits and develop plans to work towards their financial goals. James has professional experience as an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments from 2023 to 2025 and as an Investment Solutions Representative II at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2023. Prior to that, he worked at Merrill Lynch as an Investment Solutions Representative I from 2021 to 2022 and as a Financial Advisor from 2018 to 2019. Outside of his professional work, James engages in fishing, fitness, golf, running, and volunteering.

Exec comp design Liquidity event planning Startup equity planning Executive

Adam N

CFP®, Series 66

Mankato, MN

Edward Jones

Adam Neubauer is a CFP® with 11 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2014 and is based in Mankato, MN. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients. The firm manages approximately $1.01 trillion in assets and offers a wide range of investment strategies and affiliated services through a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Retirement income strategy Business exit / sale strategy Charitable giving & philanthropy Startup equity planning General retirement planning Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Juan P

Series 66

San Francisco, CA

Optimo Capital

Juan Polanco is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Optimo Capital in San Francisco, CA, and has 11 years of industry experience. Before founding Optimo Capital, he worked at Carr & Ferrell LLP for two years. Outside of his advisory role, Mr. Polanco works full-time as an engineer at PacBio and mentors startups and founders at the Founder's Institute and LoyalVC. Optimo Capital advises founders of venture-backed companies, recently funded startups, and private investors on portfolio supervision and capital-raising. The firm uses a combined top‑down and bottom‑up analytical approach with a supervisory and consultative model, focusing on tailored services such as Investment Policy Statements, due diligence management, and pitch material preparation.

Business ownership considerations Wealth management Founder/Business Owner

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