Defender Capital
Data sourced from SEC public records (and other sources when available). Refreshed weekly • Updated today.
Client AUMClient assets under management
$447,000,000
Clients
186
Advisors
3
of 3 employees
About
Defender Capital serves a range of clients including individual and high-net-worth investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, donor-advised funds, private funds, and business entities. The firm offers fee-based investment advisory and discretionary portfolio management, along with financial planning and pension consulting that includes participant fiduciary advice for qualified plans.
The firm employs fundamental analysis and custom portfolio management across both long- and short-term strategies, primarily recommending exchange-traded equities while considering asset allocation, sector weighting, and cash positions to address client objectives and risk tolerance. Defender uses Investment Policy Statements for plan participants, may select or refer unaffiliated money managers, and tailors advisory services to individual client needs.
Notable distinctions include acting as the General Partner and investment adviser to a private pooled investment vehicle, managing and having custody responsibilities for certain pooled-vehicle assets and disclosing that management-fee arrangements related to the fund can result in indirect fees to client investors. The firm also notes that its investment advisor representatives are licensed to sell insurance products and, with over $507 million in discretionary assets reported as of December 31, 2025, manages a comparatively large amount of assets relative to its small advisory staff.
Client services
Expertise
Fee options
$1,000 to $25,000 per comprehensive financial plan, depending on scope and complexity, negotiable
0.50% to 2.00% per annum depending on account size, type, and complexity (negotiable and may be reduced or waived)
$300 per hour, negotiable
Account minimum: $2,000,000
Main office
1310 South Tryon Street, Suite 101
Charlotte NC 28203
Advisors at this office
3
Most active in
Florida · Georgia · Louisiana · North Carolina · South Carolina · Texas
Also doing business as
Defender Capital · Defender Capital Advisors · Defender Capital LLC · Defender Capital Ria, LLC
Disclosures
Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.
Business activities & affiliations
Is active or affiliated with:
Insurance agent
They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.
Is not active or affiliated with:
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Broker-dealer / trader
They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.
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Bank
They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.
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Trust company
They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.
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Fund sponsor
They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.
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Accountant / CPA / tax prep
They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.
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Lawyer
They provide legal services, typically billed separately.
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Real estate agent
They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.
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Other specialized services
They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.
Quick links
Advisors at this firm
Jennifer F
Series 63, Series 65
Charlotte, NC
Defender Capital
Jennifer Fuller is a financial advisor at Defender Capital with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and one year of industry experience. Her prior work includes roles at TIAA and Trader Joe's. Defender Capital serves individual and high-net-worth investors, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm provides fee-based investment advisory and discretionary portfolio management, employing fundamental analysis and customized portfolio management with a focus on exchange-traded equities.
Don S
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Charlotte, NC
Defender Capital
Don Stamas is a CFP® professional at Defender Capital with 23 years of industry experience. He has been with Defender Capital since 2013 and also manages D.J.S. Investments, LLC, a real estate investment and management company. Defender Capital provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, private funds, and corporate clients. The firm employs a customized, discretionary investment approach focused on fundamental analysis and primarily recommends exchange-traded equity securities using both long- and short-term strategies.
John S
Series 63, Series 65
Charlotte, NC
Defender Capital
John Stamas is a financial advisor at Defender Capital with 33 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Defender Capital and its related entities since 2011. He is also involved in managing D.J.S. Investments, LLC, a real estate investment entity. Defender Capital provides fee-based investment advisory and financial planning services to a diverse client base, including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm employs a customized, discretionary investment approach focused on fundamental analysis and primarily recommends exchange-traded equity securities.
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