Built by Someone Who's Walked the Path
OptimalPath Advisors is a flat-fee, advice-first firm founded on a simple idea — that everyone deserves conflict-free financial guidance at a fair price, from someone who actually understands what financial independence looks like from the inside.
The Story
For 20 years, I built a career in banking. Seventeen of those were at Eastman Credit Union in East Tennessee, where I helped families with lending, banking, and their first steps toward investing. I was good at my job and genuinely cared about the people I worked with. But something was missing.
In 2018, I discovered the concept of Financial Independence — the idea that with intentional saving, smart investing, and a clear plan, you could reach a point where work becomes optional. Not someday in your mid-60s, but potentially much sooner. That idea changed everything for me.
I went all in — restructuring our finances, optimizing our tax strategy, and building toward FI while still working full time. When we got there, I left banking to build the advisory firm I wish I'd had along the way.
I earned my CFP® certification and became an IRS Enrolled Agent because I wanted to bring financial planning and tax expertise together under one roof. I built OptimalPath Advisors as a fee-only, flat-fee firm because I believe the advisory industry's incentive model is broken — your advisor's fee shouldn't grow just because your portfolio does.
Today, I help people who are on the same path I walked — building toward FI, navigating early retirement decisions, or figuring out what comes next after they've hit their number. I do it for a flat fee, with complete transparency, and with the perspective of someone who's been through it personally.
The Principles Behind the Practice
OptimalPath Advisors was designed around the same values we encourage our clients to follow.
Your Fee Should Reflect the Work
We charge flat fees because your cost should be based on the complexity of your situation and the value of the advice — not the size of your portfolio. A $2M client and a $500K client with similar needs get the same service at the same price.
Advice First, Always
Every recommendation starts with your financial plan — not a product or a portfolio. We're legally and ethically bound to act in your best interest as a fiduciary, and our fee-only model means we never earn commissions or kickbacks.
Enough Is a Strategy
We built this practice around the same principle we advise our clients to follow — know your number, design your life around it, and don't let the pursuit of more get in the way of what's already enough. That philosophy shapes everything we do.
Life in East Tennessee
I live in East Tennessee with my wife, Amanda, and our two dogs — Molly, a Lab mix, and Peach, a Golden Retriever. We love to travel and spend as much time outdoors as possible, whether exploring the mountains in our backyard or visiting National Parks across the country.
The OptimalPath brand isn't just a name — it reflects how we try to live. Finding the right trail, enjoying the journey, and knowing when you've reached a summit worth stopping at. That's financial independence to us, and it's what we help our clients work toward every day.
Professional Background
20+ years in financial services. Built to serve clients with expertise across planning, tax, and investments.
Memberships and certifications reflect professional affiliations and do not constitute an endorsement of OptimalPath Advisors. CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® are certification marks owned by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.
Ready to Find Your Path?
Schedule a free 20-minute intro call. No pressure, no pitch.