Meet the Team - Willingdon Wealth Management

Sean Kayes

Business Development Officer
(704) 464-5979
Sean@willingdonwealth.com

Sean received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from East Carolina University in 2013. After graduation Sean served as Director of Volunteer Development for the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity in Memphis, TN for two years. In this role he provided direct support to over 180 alumni associations across 32 states. Most recently, Sean held a business development and client service management role with Composites One in Atlanta, GA.

Outside of the office Sean enjoys running, backpacking, golfing, and fishing. He is also involved with his local church and leads a weekly men’s group. Sean is an avid fan of all ECU sports and the Carolina Panthers.

David Poudrier

David Poudrier, CFP®

Wealth Advisor

704-464-5983
dpoudrier@wwmus.com

Linkedin Profile

David is a wealth planning professional with 9 years of experience in the financial services industry focusing on building strong personal relationships with clients and educating them on wealth management topics. Prior to joining Exencial Wealth Advisors in 2019, David worked for Fidelity Investments and most recently served as V.P. Financial Consultant for Charles Schwab.

David has a clear understanding of his fiduciary responsibilities and believes that trust and transparency are the cornerstone of the client-advisor relationship. He strives to provide his clients with white glove client services paired with personalized financial planning and custom investment management. His commitment to each client includes:
• Frequent and proactive communication
• Efficient response and resolution to questions and concerns
• Quality guidance on financial goals

David is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and received a BA in Finance from Coastal Carolina University. David is an avid sports fan, enjoys live music and is passionate about health, fitness and spending time with his rescue dog, Bayley.

Pete Trontis

Pete Trontis, CFA

Portfolio Manager
704-464-3747
ptrontis@willingdonwealth.com
LinkedIn Profile

Pete joined Exencial Wealth Advisors in 2017 as a portfolio manager for the Enhanced Yield strategy. Prior to joining Willingdon, he was a research analyst for Horizon Investments where he focused on global equity research and supported the firm’s trading and performance reporting operations. Prior to Horizon Investments, Pete was a Market Risk analyst for Wells Fargo Securities. He began his career as an analyst for Liquid Credit Products at Bank of America.

Pete holds a BS in Finance and a BS in Economics from DePaul University where he graduated cum laude. He also holds an MBA from Duke University where he graduated in the top 10 percent of his class and was designated a Fuqua scholar. He is a CFA charterholder and a member of the CFA Society of North Carolina.

Peter J. Hunt

Peter J. Hunt, CTFA, CFP®

Director of Operations and Client Services & Partner

(704) 766-0574
pete@willingdonwealth.com

LinkedIn Profile

Pete received his Masters in Business Administration from Campbell University in 1998. He received his undergraduate degree in Trust Management and minor in Financial Planning from Campbell University in 1998, as well. Pete is a member of the American Bankers Association, and a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor. He is a member of the Charlotte Estate Planning Council and serves on the steering committee for Estate Planner’s Day at Queens University. Pete has also earned the professional designation of Certified Financial Planner™ and is a member of the Charlotte Chapter of the Financial Planners Association.

Pete spent 5 years with Bank of America’s Trust Department in Tampa, FL as an account opening coordinator and team leader. He spent an additional 3 years with Bank of America’s Wealth Management in Charlotte, NC as a local Trust Officer. Prior to joining Exencial Wealth Advisors, he spent the previous 3 years with First Charter Bank as a Trust Officer in Charlotte, NC.

Pete joined Exencial Wealth Advisors in February of 2009. His primary responsibilities include business development, customer service, estate planning and financial planning. Pete’s commitment to providing the highest level of personal service to our clients is an integral part of our future success.

Pete and his wife Leslie have four children, three daughters, Ava, Claire and Audrey and a son, Coleman.

James A. Bailey

James A. Bailey, CFP®

Senior Wealth Advisor & Portfolio Manager

(704) 659-7811
jim@willingdonwealth.com

LinkedIn Profile

Jim joined Exencial Wealth Advisors in 2016 when the firm he co-owned, Portfolio Capital Management, merged with Willingdon. Jim has over 20 years of investment experience which began in 1996 at Interstate/Johnson Lane where he served multiple roles. In 1999, Jim began working with Portfolio Capital Management where he served as a Portfolio Manager and Chief Compliance Officer. He is also a veteran of the United States Navy.
Jim is a graduate of Youngstown State University with a BSBA degree. He also has earned the professional designation of Certified Financial Planner™ and is a member of the Charlotte Chapter of the Financial Planners Association.

Jim is involved in portfolio management, research, client service, and financial planning at Willingdon.
Jim and his wife, Kristy, are active within their community primarily through their church. Jim and Kristy have four children and two grandchildren.

Jon Burckett - St. Laurent

Jon Burckett-St. Laurent

Senior Portfolio Manager

(704 )464-5981
jon@willingdonwealth.com

LinkedIn Profile

Jean-Bernard (Jon) Burckett-St. Laurent joined Exencial Wealth Advisors in 2019 as Senior Portfolio Manager for the Exencial Wealth Advisors Options Strategy. He has over 17 years’ experience in derivatives trading across exchange-listed stocks, ADR’s, ETF’s / ETN’s, futures and indices including US equities, commodities, emerging markets and foreign developed markets. Jon has significant expertise in all aspects of options trading from developing strategies to automating trade execution to portfolio risk management. Prior to joining Exencial Wealth Advisors, Jon co-founded a proprietary trading firm where he worked as managing member and options market-maker under the umbrella of Cutler Group LP. Previously, he worked at Bluefin Trading LLC as an options market-maker and specialist. He started his career on the floor of the American Stock Exchange in 2001. Jon received a BA in History from Harvard College.

Hamilton Davis

Hamilton Davis
Senior Portfolio Manager

(704) 464-5981
ham@willingdonwealth.com

LinkedIn Profile

Hamilton (Ham) has been involved in the fixed income markets on the sales, strategy, and trading side for 35 years, the last 24 of which were spent at Wells Fargo Securities, LLC where he was Managing Director and head of the US Treasury Trading and MM desks. Wells Fargo became a Primary Dealer while he was leading the desk and earlier in his career he held trading positions at Fuji Securities and Continental Illinois bank. His joining the firm is a reunion with long-time friend and former colleague Ted Ake.

Ham earned his BA in Economics and German from Washington and Lee University and his MBA in Finance from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.

Ham and his wife, Kiki, have three children (one in college, two in high school). Ham is a sometime musician and cyclist and is actively involved in his church as well as Habitat for Humanity and Hiinga.

Ham joined Willingdon in October 2018 and he will be working with Ted and Jeff on the Equity Option and Fixed Income portfolio strategies and with the client service team.

Matthew Haddad

Matthew Haddad, CFA

Portfolio Manager

(704) 464-5990
Matt@willingdonwealth.com

LinkedIn Profile

Matt is a seasoned investment professional with over 11 years of experience spanning public equity, private equity, currency, fixed income, derivative, and real estate investments.

Matt is a CFA charterholder. He received a BA degree in Economics with minors in Physics and Psychology from Middlebury College in 2005.

Matt joined Willingdon after 10 years at BMGI, the investment office for Bill & Melinda Gates and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust. Matt was one of the most senior members of BMGI’s investment team that managed over $100 billion in assets. Matt focused on public equity investments in his last 4 years at BMGI and has extensive experience in research and fundamental analysis. He also brings experience across investment, trading, and operations functions, having held a number of different positions at BMGI early in his career.

Matt began his career as a consultant at McLagan Partners and a financial analyst at Holland America Cruise Lines.

Matt and his wife Ariel have a son Hani. They are active in the community including being members of the Innovators Network, which funds early stage cancer research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA.

Viki Haas

Client Service Manager & Compliance Officer

(704) 659-7817
Viki@willingdonwealth.com

Viki received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and a minor in Accounting from the University of Elon. After graduation, Viki held various roles in client service at GE Capital, Branch, Bank & Trust and Commercial Credit Corp. Prior to joining Willingdon, Viki served as Director of Advertising Credit for the Hearst Corporation in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Viki joined Willingdon in 2010. She focuses on client onboarding, customer service, operations and compliance management.

Viki enjoys being involved in her local community and has been active with Lake Norman Hospice & Palliative Care for many years. She and her husband Blain live in the Lake Norman area and have two children, Alexa and Austin.

Spencer Noble

Equity Trader and Client Service Associate

704-464-5973
Spencer@willingdonwealth.com

Spencer graduated with academic high honors from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Management with a concentration in Finance. Prior to her career at Exencial Wealth Advisors, Spencer worked in financial services, sales and member relations at multiple financial institutions. She also has extensive experience working in client service, project management, and healthcare administration.

Spencer’s hometown is just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania therefore, she is a faithful fan of the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins. Outside of the office, she enjoys fitness, travel, mission work and working with children.

Ted Ake

Theodore Ake

Managing Director & Partner

(973) 635-1353
ted@willingdonwealth.com

LinkedIn Profile

Ted brings extensive fixed income and investment strategy knowledge to Willingdon from his 35-year career in US Fixed Income markets. Previous to joining Willingdon, Ted was Managing Director at Societe Generale Securities in New York City, where he built and managed the worldwide US cash rates trading desk which obtained Primary Dealer designation from the Federal Reserve and US Treasury. Prior to Societe Generale, Ted was Managing Director at Mizuho Securities USA in New York, where he was responsible for worldwide management of trading in US Treasuries, US Agencies, Mortgage-Backed Securities, and Corporate Bonds. Ted traded US Treasuries and Agencies in Charlotte for Wachovia Securities. He traded in Chicago as Managing Director of Rates trading for EVEREN Securities, as a Proprietary trader for Fuji Securities USA and a US Treasury trader at Continental Illinois National Bank. Ted traded in San Francisco for Midland Montague Government Securities, PLC where he traded Treasury Bills.

Ted earned his BA in Political Science and Economics from Northwestern University and his MBA in Finance from The University of Illinois.

Ted and his wife, Valorie, are active in their community primarily through their church and Habitat for Humanity. Ted and Val are also active in Bible Study in Charlotte. They have two children, TJ and Catherine. In his spare time, Ted enjoys travel and is an avid golfer.

Ted joined Willingdon in March 2012. He is responsible for Fixed Income portfolio management, Equity Option strategies, Global Economic strategy, and client service.

Mike Kayes

Mike Kayes, CFA

Founder & President

(704) 766-0590
mike@willingdonwealth.com

LinkedIn Profile

Mike began his investment career in the early 1980s in Columbus, OH as a research analyst at the Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio. He founded Exencial Wealth Advisors in 2003, and continues to utilize his extensive experience in research and fundamental analysis to play a leadership role in the firm’s overall investment process. Mike also has primary responsibility for the management of the Core Equity Portfolio. In addition, Mike writes a monthly newsletter, Willingdon Views, in which he shares his views about the economy, markets, and other topical issues.

Mike earned his BA from St. Bonaventure University in 1981 and his MBA from the University of Michigan in 1983. He is a CFA charterholder and a member of the North Carolina Society of Financial Analysts.

Mike is active in the community through his church and his participation in Lift 4:10, a one-on-one sports ministry, as well as sports mission trips to Guatemala. Mike is also the Co-Founder of Stewards of the Game, a Christian youth sports ministry. He is the author of several books including: Coaching Youth Basketball with Faith and Fundamentals, Calling Tom Canning, My Most Meaningful Bible Verses, Eleven in Heaven, The Lord’s Prayer, Slowly, and Life Lessons From Tom Taber.

Mary Lynn Kayes

Chief Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer

(704) 766-0584
mlk@willingdonwealth.com

LinkedIn Profile

Mary Lynn received her Masters in Business Administration from the University of Dayton in 1985 with a concentration in finance. She received her undergraduate degree in accounting from Rochester Institute of Technology in 1982.

Mary Lynn has held financial analyst positions at American Electric Power and Ross Labs, a subsidiary of Abbott Labs. She serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at Willingdon. Her analytical skills and attention to detail have proven to be important drivers of our firm’s success.

Mary Lynn is active in the community through her church. She is married to Mike and they have three grown children.

Kaye Haverstock Tahiliani

Wealth Advisor

704-659-7816
Kaye@willingdonwealth.com

LinkedIn Profile

Kaye is a wealth planning professional with 10 years of experience in the financial services industry. Before joining Exencial Wealth Advisors in 2017, she worked for TIAA-CREF’s Individual Advisory Services and at Ameriprise Financial as both a Registered Support Assistant and a Financial Advisor. Kaye has extensive experience with holistic financial planning, working with clients to identify and implement strategies that meet their unique needs and objectives. The financial planning process involves providing solutions that include investment guidance, retirement income strategies, and generational wealth and legacy planning.

Prior to her career in finance, Kaye graduated from Ithaca College in 2006 with a degree in Sport Management and a minor in Finance. She worked for the Baltimore Ravens immediately following graduation and also completed an internship with the United States Olympic Committee. Kaye is still a passionate sports fan and travels regularly during the summer months to compete in semi-professional beach volleyball tournaments.

Jason Brown

Jason Brown, MBA

Senior Wealth Advisor

704-766-0591
jason@willingdonwealth.com

Jason joined the financial services industry in 1999 serving individual, business, trust, and small endowment clients. During his tenure, he worked at Smith Barney, Wells Fargo Advisors, and Investment Professionals, Inc. Jason received an MBA in Business Finance from UNC-Charlotte Belk College of Business and a BSBA degree from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Jason enjoys helping clients identify and accomplish their financial goals and objectives. This involves pursuing long-term, trusted relationships with clients through building, diversifying, and monitoring client’s investment portfolios as well as conducting ongoing account review to measure progress.
As a family oriented husband and father, Jason and his wife, Erin, are parents to six children. The Brown’s are participating members in their church and have the privilege of serving in various ministries. Family time is often invested on the soccer pitch for family pick-up games and coaching opportunities with a local soccer club.

Craig Wezenski

Craig Wezenski, MBA

Director of Business Development & Partner

(203) 298-8523
craig@willingdonwealth.com

LinkedIn Profile

Craig is a seasoned financial professional who has over 20 years of experience. He received his Masters in Business Administration in Finance from University of New Haven in 2004. Craig received his undergraduate degree in Finance, with a minor in Psychology, from Bryant University in 1997.

Prior to joining Exencial Wealth Advisors, Craig worked for Fisher Investments, Fidelity Investments and Ameriprise. He began his career at Ameriprise, where he spent 9 years in various financial and management roles. He then joined Fidelity Investments, where he spent 8 years. His most recent role was as a Vice President, Senior Account Executive managing $1.5 billion for over 400 families. During his tenure at Fidelity, Craig was the recipient of the Fidelity Achiever Award, awarded to him multiple years. This award is one of Fidelity’s highest recognition awards.

Craig has spent the majority of his career helping individual clients meet their financial goals and achieve financial freedom. He will explain Exencial Wealth Advisors’s approach and how it compares to other money management options currently available to you. Craig will review your current financial situation, discuss your personal investment goals and objectives, and help determine how Exencial Wealth Advisors can best benefit you.

In his spare time, Craig enjoys spending time with his wife, son and daughter. Craig is an avid outdoorsman, loves to give back to his Community, and is a Committee Member for his sons Cub Scout Pack. Some of his hobbies include spending valuable family time doing the following: golfing, fishing, camping, and boating.

Jeffrey B. Hibbeler

Jeffrey B. Hibbeler, CFA
Senior Portfolio Manager

(704) 464-5976
Jeffrey@willingdonwealth.com

LinkedIn Profile

Jeff joined Exencial Wealth Advisors in 2018 as a Senior Portfolio Manager for Fixed Income. He brings an extensive fixed income background and over 20 years of experience in the investment management industry.

Previous to joining Willingdon, Jeff was a Portfolio Manager for 11 years on the Core Fixed Income Team for Columbia Threadneedle Investments, managing portfolios for high-net-worth and institutional clients. Prior to his fixed income role, Jeff was the Institutional Performance Measurement Manager for a predecessor organization of Columbia Threadneedle, where he was responsible for managing performance reporting and attribution analysis across all investment platforms. Jeff began his career as a Performance Measurement Service Manager at Infovisa, Inc.

Jeff received a B.S. in Business Administration from Nebraska Wesleyan University, where he graduated with high distinction. Jeff holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA North Carolina Society.

Jeff and his wife, April, have two daughters and are active in their community primarily through their church and support of the Ada Jenkins Center, a not-for-profit organization helping those in poverty gain economic independence. Jeff has also coached for several seasons in the Cornelius-Davidson girls basketball league.

Karen Boschert

Karen Boschert, CRPC®

Wealth Advisor

(704) 464-5974
karen@willingdonwealth.com

LinkedIn Profile

Karen Boschert is a wealth planning professional with over 10 years of experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Exencial Wealth Advisors in 2018, Karen worked for Fidelity Investments for over nine years a Director, Retirement Planner and Account Executive. She also worked with TD Ameritrade as Private Client Investment Consultant. Karen obtained her Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) designation in 2016 and has extensive experience with holistic financial planning, working with families to identify and implement strategies that meet their unique needs and objectives. The financial planning process involves providing solutions that include investment guidance, retirement income strategies, and general wealth and legacy planning.

Prior to her career in finance, Karen graduated in 2003 from Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH with her Bachelor of Arts. Giving back to the community is important to Karen. She has worked for a non-profit organization in Cincinnati, OH as a grant writer and fundraiser and she also manages a scholarship fund in her family’s name for Elder High School in Cincinnati.

About Us

Meet the Exencial Wealth Advisors Team

Mike Kayes

Jeffrey B. Hibbeler

Pete Trontis

Jon Burckett-St. Laurent

Mary Lynn Kayes

Peter J. Hunt

Craig Wezenski

Viki Haas

Sean Kayes

James A. Bailey

Jason Brown

Kaye Haverstock Tahiliani

Karen Boschert

David Poudrier

Spencer Noble

For current views on the economy and markets,
please subscribe to our newsletter

Sean Kayes

David Poudrier, CFP®

Pete Trontis, CFA

Peter J. Hunt, CTFA, CFP®

James A. Bailey, CFP®

Jon Burckett-St. Laurent

Matthew Haddad, CFA

Viki Haas

Spencer Noble

Theodore Ake

Mike Kayes, CFA

Mary Lynn Kayes

Kaye Haverstock Tahiliani

Jason Brown, MBA

Craig Wezenski, MBA

Karen Boschert, CRPC®

About Us

Meet the Exencial Wealth Advisors Team

Mike Kayes

Jeffrey B. Hibbeler

Pete Trontis

Jon Burckett-St. Laurent

Mary Lynn Kayes

Peter J. Hunt

Craig Wezenski

Viki Haas

Sean Kayes

James A. Bailey

Jason Brown

Kaye Haverstock Tahiliani

Karen Boschert

David Poudrier

Spencer Noble

For current views on the economy and markets, please subscribe to our newsletter

For current views on the economy and markets,
please subscribe to our newsletter