Rare among advisors, Ray brings clients more than 24 years of experience with most of that time spent as a trust officer. Given this background, he offers a fresh and valued perspective to individuals and families looking to preserve, insulate and pass along wealth in a tax efficient manner.
While Ray was born, raised and lives in Statesville, his circle of clients has grown to include business owners and their families, younger couples accumulating wealth, individuals about to retire and others he’s helped retire comfortably – residing locally and across the U.S.
“My job is about helping ‘good people do good things’ for the people they love,” Ray explains. “Talking with both spouses as often as possible, I want to hear what brings them joy and what worries them. Before I ever mention a dollar or discuss their finances, I need to appreciate their values and visions of the future.”
Ray’s planning-based approach spans five key areas in a client’s financial life:
• Short- and long-term goals (buying a home, funding retirement, a child’s education or a worthy cause).
• Family. Is a client responsible for a spouse, children, or elderly parent? Should a trust be considered? • Other advisors. Ray looks to align strategies with clients’ CPAs, attorneys and insurance agents.
• Legacy. Do clients have a will, trust, or power of attorney? Do those documents reflect current goals?
• Assets and liabilities. Ray examines both sides of clients’ balance sheet to help consolidate minimize debt, protect from creditors, and enhance cash flow.
Dedicated to being a consistent financial resource and presence in clients’ lives, Ray feels it’s incumbent on him to provide clients with the confidence to make informed decisions, especially when emotions can take hold.
When it comes to investments, Ray utilizes the firm’s Chief Investment Office models – relying on the award-winning research and resources of Merrill and Bank of America. Diversification across asset classes is important to Ray, which is why a typical client portfolio might include stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds – and in some cases, alternative investments*. Ray also provides clients ready access to Bank of America for residential and securities-based lending, as well as business banking services.
In 2000, Ray launched his financial services career at Bank of America and moved to Wells Fargo four years later where he served as a trust officer for 14 years. He also spent three years as Director of Planned and Major Giving at Mars Hill University.
Ray holds the Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor designation sponsored by the ABA Institute of Certified Bankers. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree from Campbell University in Trust & Wealth Management. Ray and his wife, Katherine, have three daughters and enjoy hiking, camping and any activity that brings them together.
A big college basketball fan, Ray is generous with his time – volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont, United Way of Iredell County, Council on Aging (Meals on Wheels). He is also a member of Rotary Club of Statesville.
Trust, fiduciary, and investment management services are provided by Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC, and wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”), and its agents.
My mission, first and foremost, is to understand you and what matters most to you. To take the time to ask smart questions and listen carefully, then understand in detail, exactly where your finances stand today and where you'd like them to be tomorrow. I then help you design and bring to life a customized financial strategy that can help you and your family pursue personal financial goals while helping to manage strategic investment risk. My approach is about creating comprehensive strategies to that can help turn your goals into reality.
Bringing fresh perspectives to your financial life
The financial decisions you make today can help determine the future you build for yourself and your family. Carving a clear path forward starts with connecting your life and finances. A Merrill advisor provides access to the investing insights of Merrill and banking capabilities of Bank of America to help you make informed decisions as you pursue your goals.