Our Team

Every member of the PYA Waltman team seeks to serve as the catalyst for positive change in the life of each one of our clients. When you entrust our team with your personal or business finances, you will experience consistency, respect, dedication, and transparency.

J. William Waltman, Jr.

President

J. William Waltman, Jr., CFP®, CPA

President

wwaltman@pyawaltman.com

Bill is the President of PYA Waltman and provides investment and financial planning counsel to high-net worth individuals and institutions. He received his B.S. in Accounting from Indiana University and is a Certified Public Accountant and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. Bill is also a member of the Financial Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Bill loves coming to work every day, knowing his clients are receiving unparalleled and personalized service. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Sedes Sapientiae Foundation, Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Planned Giving Advisory Committee, and the University of Tennessee Economics and Finance Advisory Councils.

When he’s not in the office, Bill enjoys riding road and mountain bikes, hiking, reading and traveling with his wife, Kristine, and their five children.

“Do what you love. Know your own bone; gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it, and gnaw it still.” – Henry David Thoreau

Eric Foster

Director of Institutional Services

Eric Foster, CFP®, CPA

Director of Institutional Services

EFoster@pyawaltman.com

Eric is PYA Waltman’s Director of Institutional Services and Portfolio Manager. He joined the company in its early days and is honored to work with such a hardworking and disciplined clientele including institutions and individual clients. He received his B.S. in Business Administration and M.A. in Accounting from the University of Tennessee. Eric is a Certified Public Accountant, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM professional and is a member of the Financial Planning Association.

When he’s not in the office, Eric and his wife, Cara, enjoy snow skiing, camping and greatly enjoy watching their four kids participate in their numerous activities. Eric and his family also work with Safe Families for Children which provides emergency housing for at-risk children in the community.

“The stock market is a highly efficient mechanism for the transfer of wealth from the impatient to the patient.” – Warren Buffett

Melissa Ballard

Director of Financial Planning Services

Melissa Ballard, CFP®

Director of Financial Planning Services

MBallard@pyawaltman.com

As the Director of Financial Planning Services, Melissa’s goal is to help our clients connect their money to their lives. She works with clients and their team of professionals to create a framework that aligns their financial plan with what’s most important to them. Melissa earned her Business Administration degree from Queens University of Charlotte and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM.

When she’s not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Jim, their daughter, Audra, and their goofy “pony” dog, Norman. Melissa also loves to travel, to be outdoors and to volunteer her time at Harmony Family Center and at her church.

"Don’t let your happiness depend on something you may lose." - C.S. Lewis

Jessica Ott

Chief Compliance Officer & Director of Client Service

Jessica Ott

Chief Compliance Officer & Director of Client Service

jott@pyawaltman.com

As the Chief Compliance Officer at PYA Waltman, Jessica works with all aspects of the firm to maintain policies designed to comply with federal and state securities law. Jessica also serves as the Director of Client Service overseeing firm wide procedures focused on providing an excellent client experience. She successfully completed the Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional (IACCP) program and is a member of the National Society of Compliance Professionals.

Originally from Knoxville, Jessica enjoys spending time with her husband, Tyler, and their two children searching for little known spots in the Great Smoky Mountains or taking in a movie on opening night.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Proverbs 3:5

Doug Yoakley

Wealth Management Consultant

Doug Yoakley, CPA

Wealth Management Consultant

dyoakley@pyawaltman.com

Doug serves as a Wealth Management Consultant at PYA Waltman. Doug is a Certified Public Accountant and has provided tax and estate planning services to a wide variety of business organizations, individuals, and industries in over 35 years of public practice, paving the way for his involvement at PYA Waltman.

Doug graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.A. in Accounting, and is a member of the AICPA, the Knoxville Estate Planning Council, the Bernstein Society Advisory Council for UT Hospital, the University of Tennessee Chancellors Associates and serves on the boards of Knox Area Rescue Mission, Knoxville Leadership Foundation, The Philadelphians, The Change Center and Fellowship Church.

When he's not in the office, Doug enjoys playing tennis and traveling. He and his wife, Sara have three grown children and two grandchildren. He is also part-owner of the Knoxville Ice Bears, a professional ice hockey team, and serves on the Board of Mountain Commerce Bank.

“Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” -John Wooden

Mary Alex Ballard

Portfolio Administrator

Mary Alex Ballard

Portfolio Administrator

maballard@pyawaltman.com

As a Portfolio Administrator, Mary Alex provides support for our financial plan analysis and scenarios. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Finance from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and is currently working toward her Master’s degree in Public leadership and Ethics.

When she is not in the office, Mary Alex loves trying new restaurants, hanging out with friends, and anything spontaneous. She also enjoys traveling and cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers.

“Vision leads to venture, and history is on the side of venturesome faith. The person of vision takes fresh steps of faith across gullies and chasms, not “playing safe” but neither taking foolish risks.” - J. Oswald Sanders

Hannah Bryant

Financial Planning Associate

Hannah Bryant

Financial Planning Associate

hbryant@pyawaltman.com

As a Financial Planning Associate, Hannah provides support for our financial plan analysis and scenarios. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Liberty University.

When she is not at the office, Hannah enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with friends and family. She also loves vinyl records and searching second-hand stores for new additions to her collection.

“The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.” - Corrie ten Boom

Hunter Bunnell

Portfolio Administrator

Hunter Bunnell

Portfolio Administrator

hbunnell@pyawaltman.com

As a Portfolio Administrator, Hunter provides support for our financial plan analysis and scenarios. He also conducts required regulatory testing for our firm. He graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Financial Planning.

When he is not in the office, Hunter enjoy hiking, traveling, binge-watching TV shows, and spending time with his wife, Jordyn, and their pets, Evie and Callie.

"Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too" -Voltaire

Lisa Higdon

Client Service Associate

Lisa Higdon

Client Service Associate

lhigdon@pyawaltman.com

Lisa serves as a Client Services Associate and is the initial point of contact when you visit our office. In addition to welcoming visitors, Lisa is responsible for scheduling, invoicing, document management and maintaining our online marketing efforts. Lisa holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Management from Florida Atlantic University, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

When she is not in the office, Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband, Chris. She also loves to frequent local coffeeshops, travel and explore new cities, and spend time with family and friends.

“Cherish yesterday, Dream tomorrow, Live today.” - Richard Bach

Jake Hoheisel

Financial Planning Associate

Jake Hoheisel

Financial Planning Associate

jhoheisel@pyawaltman.com

As a Financial Planning Associate, Jake provides support for our financial plan analysis and scenarios. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a double major in Finance and Financial planning from Liberty University.

When he is not in the office, Jake enjoys playing golf, watching documentaries, finding new restaurants, and spending time with friends.

"Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago." - Warren Buffett

Claire Kluth

Financial Planning Associate

Claire Kluth

Financial Planning Associate

ckluth@pyawaltman.com

As a Financial Planning Associate, Claire provides support for our financial plan analysis and scenarios. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Liberty University in Finance, Financial Planning, and Economics

When she is not in the office, Claire loves making new friends, exploring new places, and reading for hours, all fueled by chai oat milk lattes. She also enjoys annoying her husband, Evan, with her never ending desire for Rom-com movies and country music.

“You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read” - Charlie “Tremendous” Jones

Austin Koplan

Research Analyst & Portfolio Manager

Austin Koplan, CPA

Research Analyst & Portfolio Manager

akoplan@pyawaltman.com

Austin is a member of the PYAW Investment Committee assisting in investment research, trading, and analyses. Austin is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Science in Accountancy from Wake Forest University.

When he is not in the office, Austin enjoys exercising, playing games with family, and traveling. Austin enjoys traveling with friends and family to places like Sedona, Seattle, and New York City. Austin also enjoys venturing outdoors and going on hikes with his wife. Austin’s other interests include: his dogs, football, and attempting to bake.

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

Brianna Laverty

Marketing and Events Fellow

Brianna Laverty

Marketing and Events Fellow

blaverty@pyawaltman.com

Brianna has joined PYAW as a Marketing and Events Fellow. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Integrated Digital Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in French from Mississippi State University.

When she is not in the office, Brianna enjoys reading, writing poetry, and spending time in coffee shops and outside as often as possible.

"I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live" - Ecclesiastes 3:12

Aaron Nolan

Financial Advisor

Aaron Nolan, CFP®

Financial Advisor

anolan@pyawaltman.com

As a Financial Advisor, Aaron provides analysis and detailed reviews that help our team to provide tailored and personal guidance. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a double major in Economics and Financial Planning from Liberty University. Aaron is also a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^TM professional and a member of our firm’s investment committee.

When he’s not in the office, Aaron enjoys playing golf and tennis, reading, playing the piano, and attending live theatre.

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond” – Lou Holtz

Aaron Sams

Senior Research Analyst & Portfolio Manager

Aaron Sams, CFA

Senior Research Analyst & Portfolio Manager

ASams@pyawaltman.com

Aaron is the Senior Research Analyst and Portfolio Manager and member of the firm’s investment committee. Aaron is responsible for overseeing investment research and managing the firm’s model portfolios.

He earned his Chartered Financial Analyst ® designation and is a member of the local CFA society.

Outside the office, Aaron enjoys spending time with his wife, Bethany and their four children, reading, traveling and working outdoors on his property.

“Investing is most intelligent when it is most businesslike.” Benjamin Graham

April Smith

Relationship Manager

April Smith, FPQP

Relationship Manager

ASmith@pyawaltman.com

Excellent client service is the heart of PYA Waltman. As a Relationship Manager, April works to ensure no stone is left unturned. From client onboarding to asset movement, April ensures all client questions are answered. April holds the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP) designation.

Outside the office, April enjoys spending time with her husband, Bryan on their small farm raising chickens, ducks and goats. She also spends her time cuddling babies in the NICU at East Tennessee Children's Hospital.

“Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and leave the rest to God.” – Ronald Reagan

Connie Stacy

Client Liaison

Connie Stacy

Client Liaison

cstacy@pyawaltman.com

Connie serves as the Client Liaison. She enjoys working with clients on a personal basis and has over 20 years of executive level administrative experience. She is a member of the International Association of Administrative Professionals.

When not in the office, she enjoys traveling to see her four grown children and their families. Connie also loves entertaining friends and family, spending time in the mountains of East Tennessee with her husband Vic and binge watching HGTV.

"The happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more." H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Read Bio

Payton VeStrand

Financial Advisor

Payton VeStrand

Financial Advisor

pvestrand@pyawaltman.com

As a Financial Advisor, Payton provides analysis and detailed reviews that help our team to provide tailored and personal guidance. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Financial Planning from Liberty University. Payton is also a member of our firm’s investment committee.

When he is not in the office, Payton enjoys spending time with his wife, Ashton, reading a good book, and following college football.

“There are no traffic jams on the extra mile.” – Zig Ziglar

Michael Forshee

Intern

Michael Forshee

Intern

mforshee@pyawaltman.com

Michael joined PYAW as an intern this summer. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville with an anticipated graduation date of May 2024. As an intern, Michael provides support for our financial planning engagements by researching and organizing data, as well as preparing presentation material for client meetings. He will also work within the firm’s financial planning software applications and will be tasked with individual projects to support the firm’s client service.

Originally from Brentwood, Tennessee, he enjoys hiking, golfing, traveling, spending time with friends, and cheering on the Vols.

"If you live each day as it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right" - Steve Jobs