About Us | Our Team

Growing up as the son of a Baltimore County bricklayer, Gary learned lifelong lessons about money at an early age. His family’s frequent financial struggles (deepening with the death of Gary’s mother when he was just eight years old) forced them to periodically rely on welfare, with little or no extra cash for emergencies. It was an experience that instilled a profound belief in the values of hard work, putting family first, and saving and investing for a more secure future—values that ultimately shaped his career.

Gary attended Towson University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with a concentration in finance. He quickly realized that, as a financial advisor, he could help others avoid mistakes and achieve financial security; it's something he feels strongly about. And for the past twenty-four years, Gary has done just that, specializing in working with pre- and post-retirees to help them maintain an enjoyable lifestyle during their retirement years.

A lifelong learner, he has continued to hone his expertise over the years, obtaining several specialized designations including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ professional, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor^SM, and Accredited Investment Fiduciary^®. His extensive experience has made him a highly sought-after investment commentator for news outlets such as Money Magazine, Bankrate.com, Yahoo Finance, Maryland Public Television’s Business Connection, The Business Monthly, and others as well as a regular columnist for the Baltimore Business Journal. Gary has been honored with numerous awards and accolades, including the Forbes’ 2019, 2020, and 2021 Best-In-State Wealth Advisor award.¹ 

To help raise money for charities dear to his heart, Gary wrote the acclaimed Amazon best seller* The Art of Retirement (with foreword by NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott). The book uses the story of Michelangelo’s incredibly long (and challenging) life and famed art as a metaphor to compare the reader’s life to a masterpiece while emphasizing the importance of creating a resilient, well-crafted portfolio. All profits from The Art of Retirement are donated to the Y in Central Maryland, Augie’s Quest, the Maryland SPCA, and the Brigance Brigade Foundation.

Gary is exceedingly active in the community and serves on numerous nonprofit boards including the Association Board of Directors of the Y in Central Maryland, and the Investment Committee for Mount Saint Joseph High School Endowment.

Gary, his wife, Lee, and their three children—Abigail, Nicholas, and Emerson—live in Howard County, Maryland, along with their goldendoodle, Cali. In his spare time, Gary enjoys spending time with his family, exercising, and surfing.

*Ranked #62 in Retirement Planning books for 2013

*The 2019 and 2020 ranking of the Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisors¹ list was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due-diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively and on a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria (including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms). Overall, 32,000 advisors were considered, and 4,000 (12.5 percent of candidates) were recognized for the 2020 ranking of the Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list. The full methodology² that Forbes developed in partnership with SHOOK Research is available here.

^{*The 2021 ranking of the Forbes’ Best–in–State Wealth Advisors1 list was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in–person and telephone due–diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively and on a ranking algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria (including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms). Overall, approximately 32,725 advisors were considered, and 5,000 (approximately 15.3 percent of candidates) were recognized. The full methodology2 that Forbes developed in partnership with SHOOK Research is available at www.forbes.com.} 

¹This recognition and the due-diligence process conducted are not indicative of the advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. Winners are organized and ranked by state. Some states may have more advisors than others. You are encouraged to conduct your own research to determine if the advisor is right for you.

²Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. SHOOK does not receive a fee in exchange for rankings.

Gary is proud to have been recognized as a Leaders Level advisor for 2020—a distinction based on annual production attained by just 6 percent of advisors affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network.

Each year, Commonwealth, the Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer that helps us process investment transactions on your behalf, recognizes Leaders Level advisors by inviting them to an exclusive gathering of their peers, leading industry experts, and Commonwealth home office staff. Leaders Level advisors benefit from an intensive learning and networking experience designed to help them hone their expertise, share best practices, and provide ever-higher levels of service, education, and leadership to their clients.

Brian was born and raised in Baltimore County. At nine years old, his life changed dramatically when his mother suddenly suffered a stroke. Going from a dual to a single income household was challenging, but it equipped Brian with an insight into how life and financial situations can suddenly change. Learning independence (e.g., cooking meals, cleaning/ironing clothes, and budgeting money) at a young age led him in search of a career where he could help others.

He saw how hard his father worked to provide for his family and learned what it took to achieve success. Therefore, he decided to embark on a career where he can challenge himself by helping others achieve financial success. Therefore, after working at T. Rowe Price for about 2 years, Brian chose to join Williams Asset Management as an associate financial planner in 2016 and has since transitioned into a lead financial advisor.

Brian is dedicated to helping his clients identify their unique retirement goals and educates them on how to get there through comprehensive financial planning. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from The Joseph A. Sellinger, S.J. School of Business and Management at the Loyola University of Maryland. He also earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ (CFP^®) certification in April 2019. His financial background and advanced certification help him guide those who are uncertain about where they are financially and put them in a place where they can gain confidence in their financial future.

Brian currently resides in the Canton neighborhood of Baltimore City with his girlfriend, Cameron. When he is not helping clients plan for their retirement, Brian likes to stay fit and active by going to the gym and playing golf on the weekends. Also, being from Baltimore, Brian enjoys sitting down with either friends or family and eating steamed crabs. If you ask him where is the best place to get crabs in the greater Baltimore area, his response would be Bird River Inn & Crab House, a quaint crab house located in Middle River.

Dan grew up in Baltimore County as one of four kids. Both of Dan’s parents started their careers as nurses, but once the kids started coming, Dan’s mom decided to stay at home to raise them. Fortunately, Dan’s dad started his own business while in nursing school, which provided enough income to make this possible. While his father’s business provided enough income to support the family, Dan’s parents still had to manage their money prudently to meet the financial goals they had set for themselves.

Among their top priorities was paying for college for all four of their kids. This required hard work, frugal decision-making, and disciplined saving and investing to achieve. Ultimately Dan’s parents were able to put all four of their children through college without anyone needing to take out loans. Growing up in a house where fiscal responsibility was always a priority, and seeing the outcomes of good money management, inspired Dan to pursue a career where he could help other families accomplish what his own family had been fortunate enough to accomplish.

Dan attended St. Mary’s College of Maryland where he majored in economics and minored in mathematics. After beginning his career with Merrill Lynch and earning his Series 7 and 66 licenses, Dan decided to pursue the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation to further his knowledge of investments. After spending the next few years of his career with Morgan Stanley, Dan realized that he would be much happier working for a smaller firm—as opposed to another big investment bank—where he could have a more personal connection with his clients.

Dan joined the Williams Asset Management team in March 2021 to fill the role left by Mark Atkinson’s retirement. Dan now serves as the firm’s head trader, manages and monitors our asset allocation models, and is a member of the firm’s investment committee.

Dan lives in the Locust Point neighborhood in Baltimore City. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer, hiking, and camping. He has run a few marathons as well and is very dedicated to working out and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. He also volunteers on weekends for the Healthy Harbor Initiative to help with their oyster gardening effort to clean up Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay.

Matt attended Randolph-Macon College where he graduated with a BA in business with a concentration in finance along with a minor in economics. Throughout his education and experiences, finance and stock market investment have always piqued his interest. After careful consideration and research of his career options, Matt found that building long-lasting relationships is a priority of his, which led him to his goal of becoming a financial advisor.

Growing up in Fenwick Island, DE, he witnessed firsthand the hard work of his role models—his mother and other adults close to him growing up—and also the importance of a vigorous work ethic and the value of financial freedom. Matt’s desire to learn and explore the world of the financial services industry led him to pursue a career with Williams Asset Management with the ultimate goal of leading others in their own pursuit of financial freedom.

As a client service associate at Williams Asset Management, Matt plays an integral role in the financial planning process. Working with our associate financial planners and financial advisors, he helps the team provide first-class client service and operational support.

Matt resides in Howard County, MD. Outside of the office, he enjoys spending his free time learning new things, catching fish, playing golf, and spending quality time with his family and friends.

Lisa’s roots run deep in the Baltimore community. Growing up in Owings Mills, from a young age she witnessed the drive and dedication that her father put forth as a small business owner in the automotive industry. Lisa worked side by side with her father for many years, giving her well-rounded experience in multiple facets of running a business. Lisa attended Frostburg State University and majored in liberal studies with a focus in consumer behavior and minors in marketing, management, and business administration. After college, Lisa returned to the area and began her professional career at T. Rowe Price, working there for nearly four years as a senior administrative assistant. Lisa then further honed her customer service skills working in the airline industry as a flight attendant for a major US carrier.

Lisa is an organizationally minded individual, having gained certifications from the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals. Drawing on her positive mindset, Lisa is an eager problem solver, deftly tackling any challenge that comes her way. She places a high premium on close relationships and long-term opportunities, two qualities that drew her to Williams Asset Management. As the administrative associate in our office, Lisa assists primarily by onboarding new clients as well as maintaining existing client relationships and making sure key client information and documentation are up to date.

Lisa lives in the Baltimore area with her husband, Josh, and two rescue dogs, Sydney and Sanchez. In her free time, she likes to keep active on her Peloton and loves to sing karaoke. Lisa enjoys traveling with her family and holds a special place in her heart for the active fun that Asheville, North Carolina, offers.

Our partnership with Commonwealth Financial Network^®, a leading Registered Investment Adviser–broker/dealer, provides us access to a team of investment research specialists who assist us in our efforts to provide you with the best possible service. Each of the professionals on this team brings a breadth of experience in the industry and within his or her own specialization.

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