Dustin is extremely organized and detail-oriented. He is also straightforward and honest with his clients – attributes you certainly want in a financial advisor. His goal is to meet and exceed his clients’ goals and expectations.
In addition to helping his clients get from point A to point B, he serves as the main point of contact for all things financial and beyond, providing specialized services utilizing resources within our group and our firm. “I relish the family group atmosphere where we can lean on each other for a common goal,” Dustin said.
He communicates with his clients consistently through both good and bad markets. His communication actually increases in times of volatility and uncertainty, when his logical and rational strategies and guidance are even more in demand. He pays attention to the details during portfolio reviews and wealth planning meetings to ensure that his clients are fully informed and that all bases have been covered.
Dustin also takes the lead role in managing our portfolio strategy, implementation and execution. To help him formulate consistent viewpoints for our group, he maintains our internal and external investment, market, economic and government research. As “the numbers guy,” he also manages the financials of our business.
Before Dustin joined Raymond James in 2019, he was a wealth management advisor and assistant vice president at Merrill Lynch. He also worked as a financial advisor with a local independent group. His introduction to the financial services industry was an internship with Merrill Lynch in 2003 while in college.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and the professional designation of Certified Investment Management Analyst® from the Yale University School of Management’s Executive Education. He is also a Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM. Dustin is currently a Master of Business Administration candidate at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Dustin is originally from Albemarle, North Carolina, and today lives in Stanfield, North Carolina, with his wife, Courtney, and children, Hank and Lucy. In his free time, he enjoys anything outdoors, particularly golfing, hunting, fishing and hiking, as well as spending time with his family. He is a board member and finance chair for the Stanly County Board of Education, board chair of Live Again Ministries, and a member, past president, and former board chair of the Rotary Club of West Stanly.
Q&A's: A more personal perspective
What are your must-have travel items?
Personal sheets, blanket and pillow if traveling overnight. Tissue paper in my vehicle. I carry ChapStick in my pocket every day.
What is your favorite kind of trip? Why?
Family trips with my extended family – aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. We started this in 2007 with a trip to Billings, Montana. Each year on the trip, we draw names to see who gets to pick the next one. We’ve had some really cool trips. Some were more local and affordable, others further away and more expensive, but all have been extremely memorable. With such a large family (my grandfather was the last of a generational line of farmers) and everyone scattered in different states with many other commitments, this is the one week a year that we all spend together. It’s great to say the least.
How do you spend your time outside of the office?
With my wife and kids most of the time. I travel to see my mother, siblings and nieces/nephews in Florida two to three times per year. Also, civic and ministry commitments, and constant outdoor sporting activities.
If you weren’t doing what you do today, what other job would you have?
Doing anything where I could be my own boss, be happy, help others and be financially independent. I originally started college in the pre-veterinarian program for two years at East Carolina University with plans for postgraduate veterinarian school at NC State. That eventually changed to business school at UNCC and my introduction to Merrill Lynch.
What’s the one thing that might surprise others about you?
I am a former Top 100 cornhole player nationally in the American Cornhole Organization (ACO). I unofficially retired from cornhole in 2011.
If you could spend a week anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Likely with my wife vacationing in a remote location that had limited to no phone and internet service. We could disconnect from all the craziness in the world for a week.
What’s the one thing you couldn’t live without?
My wife and kids.
How do you define success?
Financial independence, happiness, fulfillment in helping others. I need to be challenged. Defining, implementing, executing and meeting that challenge, whether for me or someone else, makes me feel confident, proud and successful. I don’t need trophies to prove my success, but rather memories to remind me of where I’ve been, where I am at today, and where I want to go.
Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute) is the owner of the certification marks “CIMA” and “Certified Investment Management Analyst.” Use of CIMA and/or Certified Investment Management Analyst signifies that the user has successfully completed The Institute’s initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for investment management professionals.
