Corporate Team | SageSpring Wealth Partners

Meet Our Corporate Team

SageSpring Wealth Partners’ purpose is to serve the unique needs of our clients, and we achieve that goal every day thanks to our team of dedicated and dependable people. SageSpring is made up of our Corporate Team based in Franklin, Tennessee, as well as individual wealth advisory teams that operate around the country, so you can connect with us wherever you are.

Executive Leadership Team | Operations Team | Compliance Team | Marketing Team | Accounting Team |
Advisor Development Team | Board of Directors

Executive Leadership Team

As we continue to serve more clients, we’re able to build a reputation for providing the very best in financial planning thanks to our executive leadership team. They work tirelessly to plan and strategize the health and growth of our firm, and create an encouraging environment that sustains the success of our advising teams.

Learn more about the dedicated members of the Executive Leadership Team.

Jeffrey T. Dobyns

CFP®, CLU, CHFC

President

615-861-6102

Mark Deering

CFP®

Senior Executive Vice President & Managing Partner

615-861-6101

Winston Justice

CIMA, CAIA

Chief Executive Officer, SageSpring Private Wealth

615-861-6112

Brad Bowlin

Chief Growth Officer

615-884-3637

Brian Harding

Chief Financial Officer

615-778-9093

Brad Clayton

Chief Compliance Officer

615-884-3635

Chris Warner

Chief People Officer

615-861-8868

Operations Team

Our operations team works side-by-side with our financial planners to help us make the best use of our resources, and–most importantly–your time.

Learn more about the dedicated members of the Operations Team.

Chris Warner

Chief People Officer

615-861-8868

Michelle Johns

Facilities Manager

615-861-6110

Andrew “AJ” Williams

Information Technology Coordinator

615-778-9983

Will Kear

Desktop Support Specialist

615-884-3683

Michelle Ponce

Client Services Manager

402-513-7003

Venita Cagle

Client Services Associate

615-861-3522

Compliance Team

Our compliance team makes sure our policies and procedures are up to date, and that we’re familiar with all the regulations and requirements that govern the work we do, so we can ensure our clients understand every step of our process.

Learn more about the dedicated members of the Compliance Team.

Brad Clayton

Chief Compliance Officer

615-884-3635

Deborah Jenkins

Compliance Manager

615-861-6104

Yancey Wade

Compliance Manager

615-861-8875

Marketing Team

Through market research and understanding what matters to clients, our marketing team helps us reach new clients with the appropriate
messaging and visuals, and engage existing clients with value-adding opportunities.

Learn more about the dedicated members of the Marketing Team.

Sarah Esposito

Director of Advisor Experience

615-861-6098

Jessica Roberson

Corporate Marketing Manager

615-861-8876

Accounting Team

We depend on our detail-oriented accounting team to monitor and track our business transactions. By analyzing every exchange and noting any irregularities or unusual activities, they increase efficiency and help us maintain transparency, so we can get our clients the best results possible.

Learn more about each of the dedicated members of the Accounting Team.

Brian Harding

CPA

Chief Financial Officer

615-778-9093

Patricia Beal

Controller

615-861-8867

Advisor Development Team

Our advisor development team makes sure our advisors are well-equipped to grow and sustain your investments. Our firm is only as good as its advisors, so we encourage them to pursue multiple licenses and certifications to better serve the needs of our clients.

Learn more about each of the dedicated members of the Advisor Development Team.

Mark Deering

CFP®

Senior Executive Vice President & Managing Partner

615-861-6101

Matt Atchison

Senior Executive Vice President

402-505-7700

Brad Barnes

CFP®

Executive Vice President

615-432-4434

Cash Tunstall

CFP®

Executive Vice President

615-861-6115

Tyler Nace

CFP®, CHFC

Senior Executive Vice President

972-987-1265

Zach Hurd

CFP®

Partner & Senior Executive Vice President

615-861-6118

Board of Directors

Our board of directors keeps a close eye on the health and performance of our firm, so that we can continue providing clients with the service they deserve for years to come.

Learn more about each of the dedicated members of the Board of Directors.

Jeffrey T. Dobyns

CFP®, CLU, CHFC

President

615-861-6102

Mark Deering

CFP®

Executive Vice President & Managing Partner

615-861-6101

Cash Tunstall

CFP®

Executive Vice President

615-861-6115

Brad Barnes

CFP®

Executive Vice President

615-432-4434

Michael J. Purifoy

CPA, CFP®

Senior Executive Vice President

615-432-4431

© 2024 SageSpring Wealth Partners.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

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Michael J. Purifoy

CPA, CFP®

Senior Executive Vice President, SageSpring Wealth Partners | Wealth Advisor, RJFS
615-432-4431

Michael J. Purifoy

Senior Executive Vice President, SageSpring Wealth Partners | Wealth Advisor, RJFS

Michael Purifoy provides clients with the comprehensive financial expertise that has helped make SageSpring Wealth Partners one of the top-producing branches of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. As a member of the Executive Leadership Board, Michael also devotes his time and expertise to the strategic direction of the team.

Michael assists his clients in building wealth through comprehensive financial planning with a specialty in professional money management, tax planning strategies and exceptional client service. He has an extensive list of qualifications that attest to his capabilities, including:

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ practitioner through the Certified Financial Board of Standards, Inc.

Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA).* Michael is a member of the Nashville Chapter of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants

Recognized in 2012-2019 as a member of the Raymond James Financial Services “Executive Council” for dedication and service to clients and high levels of professional performance**

Certified Investment Management Consultant through the Raymond James Institute of Investment Management Consulting

Holder of Series 7, Series 66, Life and Annuity Insurance licenses

Registered representative with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC

A native of Knoxville, Michael attended one of the nation’s top public accounting programs and holds both a master’s degree in accounting and a degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee, where he served the student body through leadership positions in student government and contributed much of his time to the Knoxville community through Young Life. Prior to joining our team, Michael served as senior financial auditor for Ernst & Young LLP, one of the world’s largest professional services and accounting firms, where he was selected to serve on the team of HCA Inc., a Fortune 100 company.

Michael is an active member in his church and has held local leadership positions with national non-profit organizations. He and his wife Lindsey have three boys, Jacob, Luke, and Sam. Michael enjoys spending much of his time with his family, playing golf, and cheering on the Vols.

*CPA services are not provided by Raymond James.

**Executive Council is based mainly upon assets under management, education, credentials and fiscal year production. Requalification is required annually.

Mark Deering

CFP®

Senior Executive Vice President & Managing Partner, SageSpring Wealth Partners | Financial Advisor, RJFS
615-861-6101

Mark Deering

Senior Executive Vice President & Managing Partner, SageSpring Wealth Partners | Financial Advisor, RJFS

Mark Deering is dedicated to providing each of his clients with a personal and comprehensive plan to help reach their financial goals. His extensive knowledge and experience in preparing for and working towards achieving financial freedom in retirement has helped countless clients make the vision of their future a reality.

Mark’s career began in the ’90s as a college student paying for school by running a small business selling educational books during the summers through Southwestern Advantage. During this experience, Mark developed the skills and character needed to build and lead a successful team and became a sales manager for Southwestern for several years. After earning a degree in Business & Economics, as well as Biblical Studies, from Wheaton College, Mark was invited to join Southwestern Investment Group. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™professional, Mark uses the same attributes that he developed selling books—determination, exceptional customer service, and problem solving, to name a few—at Deering Wealth Team to partner with his clients in helping them reach their financial goals and experience freedom.

Mark has grown in many roles throughout his career at SageSpring (formerly Southwestern Investment Group) as a Vice President, Senior Vice President, Executive Vice President, and Senior Executive Vice President over the years. He also served as the firm’s National Sales Director from 2016-2022, helping oversee the training and development of SageSpring’s advisors through different phases of their career. Since 2023, in addition to leading the Deering Wealth Team’s financial planning services, Mark became the Managing Partner of SageSpring to help guide our company’s vision as we continue to grow. As a leader in the industry, Mark has also been a member of the Raymond James Leaders Council** consecutively since 2015 and has been named to Forbes’ list of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors since 2018*.

Mark exemplifies a true passion for service professionally and personally. He has served as a board member of the TN Voices for Victims, SageSpring Board of Directors, and SageSpring Leadership Board. Mark is also an active member of his church and has served as both an Elder and the Treasurer.

On days off, when there are no Carolina basketball games on, Mark can be found at home with his wife, Rachel, their three children, and two dogs. He especially enjoys spending time outdoors where there are plenty of trees around.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP^®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™, CFP^® (with plaque design), and CFP^® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

*The Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors 2024 ranking, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. This ranking is based upon the period from 6/30/2022 to 6/30/2023 and was released on 4/3/2024. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years of experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Out of approximately 44,990 nominations, roughly 8,500 advisors received the award. This ranking is not indicative of an advisor’s future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients’ experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Compensation provided for using the rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or Shook Research, LLC. Please visit https://www.forbes.com/best-in-state-wealth-advisors for more info.

**Membership is based on prior fiscal year production. Re-qualification is required annually. This recognition may not be representative of any one client’s experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of future performance. Financial Advisors do not pay a fee in exchange for membership.

Jeffrey T. Dobyns

CFP®, CLU, CHFC

President, SageSpring Wealth Partners | Financial Advisor, RJFS
615-861-6102

Jeffrey T. Dobyns CFP®, CLU, CHFC

President, SageSpring Wealth Partners | Financial Advisor, RJFS

Jeff Dobyns is President and Founder of SageSpring Wealth Partners. Passionate about serving his clients, he strives to truly get to know them, understand their goals, and provide them with financial confidence before developing and executing ongoing, strategic financial plans.

In order to meet the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in the industry, Jeff is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, a Chartered Life Underwriter, a Chartered Financial Consultant, and a participant of the Dave Ramsey SmartVestor referral service
program.

Jeff has held executive positions with financial planning firms for more than two decades. He served as VP of Investments of Lykins Financial Group CPAs before founding SageSpring in 2002. Jeff has been recognized for his unwavering commitment to his clients, and as a leader among Raymond James financial advisors, earning membership in Raymond James Chairman’s Council every year since 2008.

Jeff devotes considerable time and resources to a number of causes. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Men of Valor, a prison ministry and mentoring program. He is on the advisory board of The Signatry of Middle Tennessee, which works with families to increase their charitable giving to their favorite causes, as well as the advisory board for
Halftime Institute of Nashville, an organization that coaches marketplace leaders to discern and engage in their life purpose. Jeff also serves on the board of Send Musicians to Prison, which shares hope, healing and restoration with the imprisoned through musicians & artists. He is a past board member of Porter’s Call, a Nashville charity that provides free counseling for musicians and their families, and the Martha O’Bryan Center, which empowers those in poverty to transform their lives through work, education, employment, and fellowship.

Jeff and his wife, Amy, are grateful to be raising their four children, Gracyn, Hunter, and twins Tanner and Logan at Christ Presbyterian Academy. Jeff enjoys being outdoors with his family- boating, hiking, skiing, hunting and fishing.

Ramsey Solution’s relationship and agreement is between SageSpring Wealth Partners only. Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. is not affiliated with the solicitor arrangement between Ramsey Solutions and SageSpring Wealth Partners. Membership is based on prior fiscal year production. Re-qualification is required annually. The ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of an advisor’s future performance. No fee is paid in exchange for this award/rating.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Boar’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Luke Aull

CFP®

Senior Executive Vice President, SageSpring | Financial Advisor, RJFS
615-637-2070

Luke Aull

Senior Executive Vice President, SageSpring | Financial Advisor, RJFS

Luke Aull is originally from Aiken, South Carolina and a graduate from The University of Tennessee. He graduated with honors pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in accounting with a French minor which he obtained while studying at The Sorbonne University in Paris, France. Before joining SageSpring Wealth Partners in 2005, Luke was a manager with The Southwestern Company, for 4 years.

As a Senior Executive Vice President of SageSpring, and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ practitioner, Luke provides investment and financial planning. His specialty is providing sound, conservative, confidential and comprehensive investment advice to clients – to help them effectively and efficiently save for retirement, employ tax planning strategies, and transfer their wealth.

Luke holds the Series 7 and Series 66 registrations, as well as life, health, annuity, and long-term care insurance licenses in Tennessee and other various states. Luke completed his CFP^® certification in 2010, he is a registered representative with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. and through Raymond James, completed his Investment Management Consulting designation. In addition, Luke attained Raymond James Executive Council each year from 2010 through 2013*, and Leadership Council every year from 2014 through 2021*. Luke’s focus is helping his clients manage wealth through comprehensive financial planning with a specialty in fee-based** professional money management, tax reduction strategies, and exceptional customer service.

Most importantly, when Luke isn’t helping pre-retirees and retirees with their finances, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Michelle, and their 7 children, Dori, Naomi, Isaac, Micah, Asher, Levi and Silas.

*Clients should periodically re-evaluate whether the use of an asset-based fee continues to be appropriate in servicing their needs. A list of additional considerations, as well as the fee schedule, is available in the firm’s Form ADV Part II as well as the client agreement.

**Qualification is based mainly on assets under management, education, credentials and fiscal year production. Re-qualification is required annually.

Jeffrey T. Dobyns

CFP®, CLU, CHFC

President, SageSpring

Jeffrey T. Dobyns

President, SageSpring

Beyond crunching numbers and investment strategies, at SageSpring, we’re about building relationships. When you encounter Founder & President of SageSpring, Jeff Dobyns, it’s easy to understand why this is at the very heart of who we are as a firm. You won’t find stuffy formalities with Jeff; instead, you can expect to find him sharing a warm smile, communicating a compelling vision, or patiently untangling life’s complex challenges with clients. He believes in truly getting to know clients, understanding their aspirations and priorities, and navigating their financial plans with a tailored, comprehensive approach. Our team members have often been caught taking notes on Jeff’s effortless relationship skills from a distance, and we admire them for striving to learn from one of the best.

Jeff’s financial expertise and wisdom are the perfect match to his innate people skills. Jeff holds the prestigious CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM certification, Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChLU®) designations, and has held executive positions with financial planning firms for more than two decades.

His dedication extends beyond the office to the boardroom and the local community, where Jeff is passionate about giving back. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Men of Valor, a prison ministry and mentoring program. Jeff also serves on the board of Send Musicians to Prison, which shares hope, healing and restoration with the imprisoned through musicians & artists. Jeff actively supports other initiatives in the community by sitting on the board of The Signatry of Middle Tennessee and the Halftime Institute of Nashville.

Witnessing his four children, Gracyn, Hunter, Tanner, and Logan, excel on the field is almost just as rewarding, if not more, than celebrating the victories of seeing his clients overcome obstacles and build wealth. Spending weekends boating on the lake, hiking mountain trails, and fishing with his family are the moments Jeff cherishes most. It’s this grounded perspective that reveals the true meaning of wealth for Jeff: not just numbers on a page, but the freedom to create experiences that enrich your life and the lives of those you love. When you choose the Dobyns McMillin Wealth Team, you choose more than financial expertise. You choose a partner who champions your dreams, celebrates your victories, and walks besides you on the path to achieving your unique goals.

**Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.