Private Wealth Groups to Watch: 10 Leading Advisory Teams in the Southeast

Welcome to our blog series, 'Private Wealth Groups to Watch: 10 Leading Advisory Teams in the Southeast'. In this second installment of four, FINTRX spotlights ten prestigious advisors from private wealth advisory teams across the Southeast region of the United States. Embark on an enlightening exploration as we delve into the distinctive strategies and subtle complexities that distinguish these top-tier financial experts within their local markets.

Jennifer Rupert, a Managing Director and Wealth Management Advisor at Rupert & Associates, a private wealth advisory group under the umbrella of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc., draws from over 39 years of industry expertise. Well-known in the Tallahassee area for her commitment to financial education, Jennifer holds prestigious designations including CFP®, CFA®, CRPC® and CRPS®, allowing her to work strategically and analytically on clients' behalf.

With a tenure at Merrill Lynch spanning back to 1984, Jennifer takes a holistic approach by truly understanding each client's personal life, business endeavors and core values. This comprehensive yet personable discipline allows her to develop dynamic financial plans that foster strength and adaptability as goals and markets evolve. As a Senior Portfolio Manager, she constructs tailored or defined investment strategies incorporating individual securities, proprietary Merrill models and external strategies. Beyond her professional pursuits, Jennifer is an engaged community leader, having graduated from Leadership Tallahassee. She formerly served on the boards of Big Bend Hospice Foundation and 2-1-1 Big Bend, while currently holding membership and previously presiding as president of the Rotary Club of Tallahassee Sunrise.

With nearly four decades of industry experience, William Corbellini is a Private Wealth Advisor at Corbellini, Emanuelson, Kalyandurg & Associates at Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, where he serves the ultra-high-net-worth segment. As a founding member of the team, William has played a pivotal role in developing the group's investment approach, leveraging his extensive expertise to provide tailored solutions and asset allocations that align with each client's financial goals. William earned a bachelor's degree in Finance from the University of Colorado and served as an officer in the US Air Force. He is registered to do business in multiple states across the country.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, William is actively involved in various organizations, reflecting his dedication to giving back to the community. He contributes his time and resources to Big Thought, Ability Connections, the University of Colorado's Leeds School of Business and the Parsons Scholar Program. William demonstrates his passion for making a positive impact through these charitable endeavors.

Ronald Kern, a Managing Director at Graystone Consulting - San Antonio, TX, a Private Wealth team under Morgan Stanley, brings nearly three decades of experience in the financial services industry. With a background as a practicing attorney, Ron provides investment consulting services tailored to preserve, manage and grow the wealth of high-net-worth individuals and institutions. His expertise extends to the unique needs of top athletes and entertainers with abbreviated earnings windows and unpredictable income streams, serving as Institutional Consulting Director, Managing Director and Sports & Entertainment Director at Morgan Stanley since 1996.

Ron's commitment to excellence is reflected in his credentials, including a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) certification from the Wharton program, membership in the Investments & Wealth Institute and the Association of Professional Investment Consultants. His collaborative approach, combined with his problem-solving skills, allows him to deliver customized solutions and enhance client experiences. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Ron has been recognized by Barron's as one of the Top 1200 U.S. Financial Advisors in 2021 and 2022, and named one of the Best-In-State Wealth Advisors by Forbes in 2023. Ron is a Brown University alumnus with a law degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

With over 30 years of financial services experience, Sarah Cammiso, the senior partner of The Cammiso Group at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, has worked tirelessly to help hundreds of families achieve their financial goals. Holding the Certified Investment Management Analyst® and Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM℠ designations, Sarah's expertise lies in investment management and retirement planning. Her primary objective is to thoroughly understand her client's needs and create an investment strategy that aligns with their immediate and long-term financial goals.

Sarah's dedication to her profession is evident in her roles as a Managing Director, Wealth Management Advisor and former faculty member at Merrill Lynch University for fifteen years, where she frequently lectured on retirement planning, wealth management, investment strategy, diversifying stock options and professional money management. Her accomplishments have earned her recognition as one of Forbes "America's Top Women Wealth Advisors" and "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors," as well as one of Working Mother's "Top Wealth Adviser Moms." A graduate of The College of William and Mary and the Rossall School in Lancashire, England, Sarah resides in Vienna with her husband, Marty, and their four children. Her passion for helping families achieve their financial dreams and her commitment to her clients make her a trusted advisor in the industry.

Joseph Montgomery, CFP®, AIF®, is the Founder & Managing Director of Investments of The Optimal Service Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, where he has dedicated over 35 years of his career. Leading a team of 13 professionals, Joseph's expertise lies in developing innovative, custom investment strategies that balance income, growth and risk for each high-net-worth individual and institutional client. The Optimal Service Group's competitive edge lies in providing sound financial advice, quality investments and well-structured plan execution, offering wealth management services including retirement planning, investment selection, risk management, and integrated solutions for insurance companies, endowments, foundations, municipalities, and corporate retirement plans.

Joseph holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from The College of William and Mary. His outstanding achievements have earned him numerous accolades including being named one of the Top 100 Financial Advisors by Barron's from 2009 to 2022, one of the Best-In-State Wealth Advisors by Forbes in 2018 and 2023, and induction into Barron's Advisor Hall of Fame in 2022. Joseph's commitment to excellence and dedication to his clients have established him as a trusted advisor and a valuable asset to The Optimal Service Group. As a resident of the Hampton Roads area in Virginia, he actively contributes to local charities and organizations, exemplifying his commitment to his clients and community.