A Community of
Hardworking, Compassionate Individuals

Bill serves as a Senior Portfolio Manager and Wealth Advisor.

Bill has financial industry experience spanning over 35 years; from fixed income trading and sales to equity investment management, he has gained valuable insight into how to best serve his clients.  

Prior to forming Novare Capital, Bill spent 5 years managing The Baymen Group, LLC, a hedge fund that designed and implemented quantitative trading programs in the futures markets. He also worked for 12 years with First Union Capital Markets serving individual and institutional portfolio managers dealing in a variety of products and strategies. Today, Bill is passionate about developing relationships with our clients and building portfolios that create value for individuals and families.  

Bill earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has worked with a number of private companies and non-profit ministries and is passionate about his community. Outside of work, Bill enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, hunting, fishing and scuba diving. He and his family are members of Uptown Presbyterian Church PCA and are involved with Brookstone Schools, Sports Friends Ministry. 

Don serves as Managing Director and has over 30 years of experience in the financial industry. Prior to forming Novare Capital, Don’s extensive capital markets experience was garnered from 14 years with First Union Capital Markets. During that time, he served institutional and individual portfolio managers and advised them on a variety of portfolio strategies.

Don earned his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of the South, Sewanee and earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation in March 2004. He has served on numerous local boards and was previously the President of Habitat for Humanity-Charlotte and Member of Habitat for Humanity-NC. Don currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of the Augustine Literacy Project (ALP). He is the father of two boys, a member and Elder of First Presbyterian Church serving on the Investment committee.

Whit is a Wealth Advisor and leads the Novare team providing Integrated Financial Planning Services and serves as Chief Compliance Officer. Also, he provides guidance on Multi-Generational Planning issues such as wills and trusts. 

With over 30 years of professional experience, Whit is passionate about providing clarity to his clients’ financial concerns and offering the education they need to make informed decisions. 

Prior to joining Novare Capital, Whit was a Managing Director at Stanford Group in Charlotte and was a Senior Vice President with U.S. Trust Company. He began his career as an attorney at Johnston, Allison & Hord, where he was part of the estate planning and administration practice group. Today, he addresses the needs of our clients by answering any questions or concerns they may have about estate planning and their financial picture. 

Whit earned his J.D./M.B.A from Wake Forest University and his bachelor’s degree in economics from Davidson College. He holds the accreditation of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and is a member of the Charlotte Estate Planning Council. 

Outside of his professional duties, Whit is at Myers Park United Methodist Church. He loves spending time with his wife, Hillary, his sons, Bennett and Andrew, and step-children, Emma and Mac. You can often find them riding bikes or cheering each other on in various sporting activities. 

Anne serves as Director and Wealth Advisor and provides Integrated Financial Planning Services. She is a proven financial advisor with over 30 years of experience in corporate banking and wealth management. Before joining Novare Capital, Anne spent twenty years at Wachovia  She provided creative and integrated solutions for accumulating, preserving and transferring wealth to high net worth individuals, families and small business owners. She was awarded the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation in 2003.

Anne holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Vanderbilt University. She currently serves as board president of Good Friends Charlotte and was previously the board president for Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center and The Mint Museum’s Women’s Auxiliary. She also served on the Arts+, formerly known as Community School of the Arts Board. Anne’s passion for her community, along with her vast financial experience motivate her to provide peace of mind to her clients at Novare Capital. She thoroughly enjoys working with multiple generations and building relationships among her clients and their families. 

Anne and her husband, Carl, have two children and are members of Myers Park Presbyterian Church. They are very active in the Charlotte community, focusing on serving their neighbors in need, as well as promoting the arts and arts education. Anne enjoys exploring the world with her family as well as cooking, yoga and spending time at the beach. 

Linda serves as a Wealth Advisor with Novare Capital Management. 

She joined our team in 2004 and enjoys the client-centric focus of the firm. Linda graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She became board certified as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional in 2010.

Linda has two children and is an active community volunteer. She currently serves on the board of Charlotte Bike Camp and is a volunteer with Trips for Kids Charlotte. Linda enjoys many outdoor activities including cycling, fly-fishing and adventure travel.

As a Senior Vice President, Todd has over 30 years of investment industry experience and a background in qualified plans, 401(k) and individual wealth management. Todd has worked in Charlotte with Diversified Investment Advisors, Flexible Benefit Administrators, Fisher Investments Private Client Group and Eastover Capital Management.

A native of Durham, NC, Todd holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from East Carolina University and earned his Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) designation from The American College in 2003. Todd and his wife, Sharon, have three grown children. They are members and serve as hosts of New City Church. Todd also enjoys skiing and playing tennis.

Cindi serves as a Wealth Advisor and provides Integrated Financial Planning. Her goal is to help clients better understand how their money works for them, whether from an investment, estate planning or tax perspective. 

Prior to working with Novare Capital, Cindi was Investment Operations Manager at Staton Financial Advisors, where she managed office work-flow to ensure that client, firm and compliance needs were met. Cindi earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation in 2017 and is FINRA Series 65 licensed. 

Cindi joined Staton Financial after six years with an independent financial planning firm in Charlotte. For 15 years prior, the focus of her career was in executive banking positions in a variety of areas – global treasury management, project management, corporate sales, and as a corporate relationship manager – at banking centers in Chicago, Los Angeles and Charlotte. Combined with her vast experience, Cindi utilizes her education from Indiana University Kelley School of Business and Trinity International University to support her clients’ needs. 

Passionate about organizations that serve at-risk youth and families, Cindi has served on numerous church, school and scouting committees. She also enjoys giving back to her community by working with young learners as they explore science, math and art.

John serves as a Wealth Advisor and provides Integrated Financial Planning Services.   He is a proven advisor with over 15 years of industry experience and extensive knowledge in financial planning and asset management.  John believes planning should be about delivering peace of mind to the clients he works with. His passion for easing his client’s anxiety is what motivates him to diligently provide guidance through cash flow planning, retirement planning, and portfolio management. 

John earned his undergraduate degree in Finance with a minor in Economics from Elon University and an MBA from Wake Forest. From retail brokerage operations to options trading and wealth management, he has extensive experience in the financial industry and our team appreciates his confidence and ease with which he communicates with clients. He holds the accreditation of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) and is a member of the Financial Planning Association of Charlotte.

When away from the office, John enjoys spending time with his wife and their four young children. Since John grew up in the foothills of North Carolina, he enjoys taking his family to the NC mountains whenever possible. He also enjoys playing golf, reading, listening to podcasts and music, watching the Atlanta Braves and chasing their kids around the house. 

Alex serves as a Wealth Advisor with over 10 years of financial planning and relationship management experience.  He believes that all clients should have a written financial plan whether they are in the early stages of saving, approaching retirement, or looking to utilize their assets throughout their retirement years. He is passionate about providing peace of mind through strategic cash flow and retirement plans.

Prior to joining Novare, Alex spent the majority of his career constructing and implementing financial plans for High Net Worth clients at Fidelity Investments in New York City.  Alex holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Wake Forest University and earned the Certified Financial Planner designation in 2015 to take his practice to the highest level.

Outside of the office, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife Lauren and their daughter Maddie. He is passionate about giving back and serves on the Pro Bono Committee for the Charlotte Financial Planning Association. He can also be found on the golf course or exploring the Dilworth community.

John Ryan, CFP®

Vice President

           

John serves as a Wealth Advisor and specializes in providing Integrated Financial Planning Services. With five years of professional experience, John is passionate about walking clients through the different stages of life and building customized financial plans to meet their needs. He believes every client should have a roadmap for their financial journey. 

 Prior to joining Novare Capital, John led the Selective Wealth Management regional office in Asheville, NC. John holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Liberty University and holds the accreditation of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®).

 In his free time, John enjoys traveling and exploring new areas. While growing up in Rhode Island, John became an avid sports fan of the Patriots, Celtics, and Red Sox. He also enjoys being involved in his local church community.  

Callie Huggins, CFP®

Vice President

           

Callie Huggins grew up in Augusta, GA, and pursued higher education at the University of Georgia, where she earned a B.S. in Psychology followed by a Master’s degree in Financial Planning. Shortly after graduation, she achieved the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) designation, marking the beginning of a dedicated career in financial planning.

Before joining Novare Capital as a Vice President and Relationship Manager, Callie started her career at Corient, where she focused on providing comprehensive financial planning and advice to small business owners. This experience allowed her to develop a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by entrepreneurs, which she continues to address in her clients’ lives today. 

Outside of work, Callie is passionate about empowering young women through mentorship and coaching particularly through travel volleyball teams. She also enjoys giving back to the community through her local church. Her happiest place can be found on the Charleston beaches with a good book.

Callie believes in the power of connection, both in personal and professional life, and strives to make a positive impact wherever she can.”

As a Senior Portfolio Manager, Brian has over 20 years of portfolio management and investment analysis experience. Prior to Novare Capital, Brian was Chief Investment Officer at Eastover Capital Management. He has extensive experience in both equity and fixed income securities.   

Brian earned his M.B.A from Wake Forest University, and a B.A. in Business Administration from Furman University. He was awarded the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) in 2000. Brian and his wife, Tricia, have two children and are members at Myers Park Presbyterian Church. He enjoys playing tennis and golf.

James serves as a Research Analyst on the Novare Capital Management team and has over 18 years of investment analysis experience, including sell side equity research and investment manager research. Prior to joining Novare Capital, James was an Associate Analyst at Stifel Nicolaus, where he researched and analyzed equities in the government technology industry, and was a Research Analyst at Legg Mason, conducting research and due diligence on investment managers and mutual funds.

James earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Trinity College in Hartford, CT. He was awarded the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) in 2007 and enjoys finding the best investment solutions for his clients. With a passion for building relationships, James interacts with clients in person or over the phone to answer questions regarding portfolio holdings or investment strategies. 

Outside of the office, James enjoys spending time with his wife, Katie, and their three children: Russell, Hallie and Georgia. They love taking road trips as a family to the beach or the mountains and attend Carmel Baptist Church. James enjoys playing tennis and racquetball and can often be found on the court. 

Brando Reyna is a Chartered Financial Analyst® who has over 20 years of experience in the world of financial investment management. He serves as the Chief Investment Officer for Novare Capital Management, a Charlotte-based investment advisor managing $1.3 billion in assets. Brando best describes himself as a “philosopher learning as much as I can about the world. I just happen to be applying it to the world of investing.” His duties as CIO include overseeing the firm’s investment processes while managing dividend growth portfolios through responsible investor-first practices.

Nick Lloyd, CFA

Portfolio Analyst and Trader

Nick serves as a Portfolio Analyst and Trader. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). Prior to joining Novare, Nick served 3 years working as a trader/paraplanner for Eagle Rock Wealth Management in New Jersey. He obtained his Series 7 and Series 66 licenses.

Nick is a New Jersey native now living in South End Charlotte. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, hunting, fishing, and watching Hokies and Giants football.

James Baynard serves as a Vice President on our investment team.  Before joining Novare, James was a Director of Investments at Kudu Investment Management in New York, where he supported the firm’s investment activities, including underwriting, due diligence, and portfolio management.  Prior to that, James completed an asset & wealth management program at J.P. Morgan and a leadership development program at GE Capital. 

James is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a B.S. in Economics and M.S. in Accounting from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Outside of the office, James enjoys spending time with his wife Anna and playing jazz/Afro-Cuban music on the drums – twice having the opportunity to play with Grammy-award winning musicians. 

Maggie Norris

Chief Operating Officer

Maggie Norris has more than 30 years of operational experience. Over her career Maggie has held a number of positions in public accounting and financial services including operational process improvement projects, customer experience enhancements, investor relations, finance, audit and assurance, merger due diligence, integration and post integration management and daily operations management.

Maggie is also active in local organizations, and currently serves on the board of the Lancaster County Council of the Arts, is a member of the Van Wyck, SC Planning Commission and past President for Women Executives. Maggie graduated from Thiel College in Pennsylvania with a BA degree in Accounting and Business Administration.

Maggie has a son and they both enjoy spending time outdoors in her conservation neighborhood. She also gets her “hands dirty” cooking a new recipe, in her garden and playing ball with her Boykin Spaniels.

Shelley’s attention to detail and passion for helping people with their individual needs are a few of the many things people appreciate about her. She has over 10 years of financial experience and is truly a valued member of our team. 

Shelley plays an important role as our Vice President of Finance and assists with answering administrative questions as well as prioritizing client service. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is also a Certified Health Coach. 

Outside of the office, Shelley is passionate about health and wellness, golfing, reading and cooking. A proud mother of two boys, Shelley and her family are active members at Myers Park United Methodist Church. 

Eric serves our clients as a Service Advisor. He is a Charlotte native who graduated from UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography with a concentration in Economics.

Prior to joining Novare Capital, Eric served as a financial consultant with TIAA and as a relationship banker with Wells Fargo. He obtained the Series 6, Series 63 and Series 65 licenses as well as the North Carolina insurance license.

In his free time, Eric enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids. He enjoys fishing with the children as well as watching Braves baseball.

Andy serves clients as a Service Advisor. He is a graduate of North Carolina State University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in English.

Andy has worked in the financial services sector since 2005, in both customer facing and operational roles. His experience includes working at TIAA, Vanguard and most recently Truist. He has obtained his Series 7, Series 63 and Series 65 licenses.

Andy lives in Cornelius, NC with his wife Jessica and his blended family of five children. His family includes twin stepdaughters, Sofia and Eliana as well as his own children, Sophia, Anderson and Zachary.

When not working, Andy enjoys visiting bed and breakfasts in North Carolina and especially loves spending time in the North Carolina Mountains.

Sophie Samra, CFP®

AVP, Senior Service Advisor

           

                     

 

Sophie Samra serves as one of our Service Advisors. She is a graduate of Winthrop University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

With 3 years of experience working in Financial Services, Sophie is passionate about delivering an excellent client experience. Prior to joining Novare Capital, Sophie served as a Wealth Management Associate with Wells Fargo Private Bank. 

Julie recently joined Novare Capital’s Service Team as the Service Team Assistant.  Julie has an associate degree in Medical Office Administration and ten years of administration and customer service experience. She serves as the primary contact for the office and enjoys assisting our clients face to face, or over the phone. 

Julie has one son they love going to the park, exploring new things to do in Charlotte, trying new restaurants and traveling. Julie also enjoys volunteering in her community. Her volunteer work includes Hands on Charlotte, March of Dimes, and Elevation Church. 

Cameron serves as a portfolio and service delivery analyst. He is a 2020 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where he received a Bachelor of Science in finance.

Prior to joining Novare Capital, Cameon served as a client service associate for Tamarac, specializing in reporting. In his free time, Cameron enjoys playing and watching golf, basketball, and football as well as hiking and traveling and spending time with family and friends.