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We’re a group of bright, talented professionals from varied backgrounds, united in our desire to be our best selves.

Jay Annis

CFP®, CIMA®, AIF®

Principal & Co-Founder

Jay Annis

CFP®, CIMA®, AIF®

Principal & Co-Founder

Jay is responsible for AGW’s compliance filings with the SEC, is a member of the firm’s investment committee and serves as lead consultant for a number of client engagements.

Prior to co-founding AGW in 2009, Jay spent more than 15 years providing institutional investment consulting services to qualified plans, foundations, endowments and private clients at CapTrust Financial Advisors, First Union Securities (the predecessor to Wells Fargo Securities) and Salomon Smith Barney.

Jay graduated with honors from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. He has also completed multiple post-graduate courses at the Wharton School of Business, including the Certified Investment Strategist and Certified Investment Management Analyst programs. He is a Certified Financial Planner^®, Certified Investment Management Analyst^® and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary^®.

Jay is active in the industry as a member of the Investments & Wealth Institute® and is a graduate of Leadership Tampa. He serves his community through his involvement as a Board Member for Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla (YMKG) and as a Trustee for St. Mary’s Episcopal Day School. Jay is also a member of First Presbyterian Church Tampa.

P. J. Gardner

CFA®, CFP®

Principal & Co-Founder

P. J. Gardner

CFA®, CFP®

Principal & Co-Founder

P.J. is responsible for AGW’s investment research and strategy, leads the firm’s investment committee and manages a number of client relationships.

PJ co-founded AGW in 2009 after more than 15 years advising foundations, endowments, qualified plans and private clients on investment policy, asset allocation, investment manager research, and performance measurement and evaluation. He has held previous positions at CapTrust Financial Advisors, First Union Securities (the predecessor to Wells Fargo Securities) and Salomon Smith Barney.

P. J. graduated with honors from The University of Florida with a degree in finance and a Master of Business Administration. He has also completed multiple post-graduate courses at the Wharton School of Business, including the Certified Investment Strategist program.

He is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA^®) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP^®). A well-regarded thought leader, P. J. has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal and other business and financial publications.

P. J. is active in the industry through CFA Tampa Bay, and the Investment Management Consultant’s Association (IMCA^®). He serves his community through the Conn Memorial Foundation, Florida United Methodist Foundation, Florida Department of Financial Services – Division of the Treasury, Hyde Park Methodist Church, and several other social organizations.

Paul Whiting, Jr.

CFA®, AIF®

Principal & Co-Founder

Paul Whiting, Jr.

CFA®, AIF®

Principal & Co-Founder

Paul is responsible for the firm’s operations activities and serves on the investment committee.

Prior to co-founding AGW in 2009, Paul spent 15 years in private equity and strategy consulting, where he developed a wealth of knowledge in capitalizing, monitoring, and leading private companies. He has invested in and been a director of companies with revenues ranging from $25 million to $500 million within a variety of industries, including telecommunications infrastructure, commercial maintenance, and healthcare.

He previously held positions at Seabreeze Holdings, Inc., One Equity Partners (a private equity subsidiary of Banc One, now J.P. Morgan), Continental Illinois Venture Corporation (a private equity subsidiary of Bank of America), Parthenon Group, and Eaton Vance Management.

Paul earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Boston College and a Master of Business Administration from The Tuck School at Dartmouth College. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst® and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary®.

Paul has a strong desire to give back to his community and has been a trustee of the Tampa Bay History Center, Tampa Bay History Center Foundation, Frameworks of Tampa Bay, and Tampa Preparatory School

Chelly Anglada

Executive Assistant

Kathy Bryant

Director of Client Relations

Melissa Mayer

Senior Client Relations Associate

Melissa Mayer

Senior Client Relations Associate

Melissa provides strategic marketing support to the firm and services the needs of clients and their family members with an attentive, personalized approach.

Melissa has more than ten years of experience across many facets of financial services. Prior to AGW, she worked for Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan Securities, where she led client service teams.

Melissa earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Miami with a double major in Human Resource Management and Business Management and Organization.

Marija Johnson

Client Relations Associate

Marija Johnson

Client Relations Associate

Marija provides experienced recruiting support and assists with the human capital needs of AGW. She also provides a detailed and personalized client service experience to our clients and their family members.

Marija has more than ten years of success in accounting and financial services. Before AGW, she worked for PwC LLP and KPMG LLP, leading sourcing and recruiting initiatives to assist with firm needs. She was a top-ranked producer possessing expertise in human resources, recruiting, marketing, and client service.

Marija earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida with a major in Advertising and a concentration in Business Administration.

Chase Fowler

AIF®, CIMA®

Consultant

Chase Fowler

AIF®, CIMA®

Consultant

Chase joined AGW in 2019 and is an Investment Consultant working with both institutional and private clients. Chase provides analytical and administrative support on several of AGW’s largest endowment and foundation relationships, leads several private client engagements, and is involved with strategic planning and investment strategy as a member of AGW’s Investment Committee.

Prior to AGW, Chase worked as a credit analyst for Wells Fargo Specialized Industries in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he performed credit analysis, underwriting, and portfolio management for the Healthcare, Higher Education, and Nonprofits team.

Beyond AGW, he also serves as an Associate Director for the Triad Foundation, Inc., an organization he has been involved with for over a decade, helping them with investment oversight and grantmaking decisions.

Originally from Tampa, Chase graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a degree in Business Administration (UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School). To supplement this degree, he has also earned industry specific credentials as a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®), and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®). Chase has also passed Level I of the CFA exam and plans to take Level II in 2024.

Jimmy Robbins

CFP®, CIMA®, AIF®

Consultant

Jimmy Robbins

CFP®, CIMA®, AIF®

Consultant

Jimmy is currently a Consultant with AGW Capital Advisors. In his Role as a Consultant, he is responsible for client development, portfolio management and performance measurement for the Firm’s clients. Jimmy originally started as an Investment Analyst with the firm in 2018, and was promoted to Consultant at the beginning of 2023. He is a Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®), Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®).

Jimmy graduated with honors from Sewanee: The University of the South with a bachelor’s degree in history. During his time at Sewanee, he was a 4-year letter winner for the baseball team and named team captain his senior season. In addition, Jimmy earned his Master of Science in Management from Wake Forest University, and has completed post-graduate courses at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business in its Certified Investment Management program.

Outside of the office, Jimmy is a board member of Mary Lee’s House, Hillsborough County’s first and only Child Advocacy and Protection Center. In addition, Jimmy is a member of the Jesuit High School Alumni Association and many other social and charitable organizations in Tampa Bay.

Shannon Holthaus

CPA

Chief Financial Officer

Shannon Holthaus

CPA

Chief Financial Officer

Shannon provides financial accounting oversight and supports business planning and growth for the firm.

Shannon started her career in the assurance practice of public accounting at PwC, where she served large public companies, mid-range private-equity backed companies, nonprofits and benefit plans.

Shannon earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University at Buffalo. She is a licensed certified public accountant in the state of Florida.

Rachel Toscano

CFP®, CIMA®, AIF®

Senior Associate

Rachel Toscano

CFP®, CIMA®, AIF®

Senior Associate

Rachel joined AGW in 2022 and currently serves as a Senior Associate, working with both institutional and private clients. In her role, Rachel delivers comprehensive investment research and analysis, plays a key role in leading the analyst team, actively contributes as a member of AGW’s Investment Committee, and supports the firm’s strategic planning and portfolio management.

Prior to joining AGW, Rachel was selected as one of sixteen Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) Interns at Charles Schwab in Orlando, Florida in 2021 – a competitive program designed to prepare college students for careers in the independent advisory business.

Rachel is originally from Duluth, Minnesota, and earned her Bachelors of Science in Finance from the College of Saint Scholastica. She has further enhanced her expertise by completing post-graduate coursework, including the Investment Management Theory & Practice program through the Yale School of Management, as well as studies at Dalton and Boston Institute of Finance. Rachel holds the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®), Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®), and Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designations.

Jared Lynn

AIF®

Analyst

Jared Lynn

AIF®

Analyst

Jared assists the analyst team with capital markets analysis, due diligence and preparing client deliverables.

Prior to AGW, Jared worked as a Graduate Assistant for the Florida State University men’s basketball team, assisting in the day-to-day operations and performing data input and analysis.

He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Stetson University and a Master of Science in Sport Management at Florida State University.

Todd Sessums

Associate

Todd Sessums

Associate

Todd assists the analyst team with capital markets analysis, due diligence and preparing client deliverables.

Prior to AGW, Todd worked as a portfolio specialist in the Asset Management Group at Raymond James, assisting with asset allocation and portfolio construction for private clients and institutions.

Todd earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration from Auburn University. He serves as a Junior Advisory Board Member for the First Tee of Tampa Bay. He is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®).

Courtney Verduci

Bookkeeper

Courtney Verduci

Bookkeeper

Courtney provides bookkeeping services for the firm.

Courtney started her career at BDO USA, LLP in Pittsburgh, PA with a focus on large corporate clients, nonprofits, and healthcare companies. Later, she provided internal accounting support at AtkinsRealis in Tampa, FL, focusing on federal and indirect tax compliance.

Courtney graduated with honors from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, and health services administration.

Nico Samarkos

Analyst

Nico Samarkos

Analyst

Nico assists the analyst team with capital markets analysis, due diligence and preparing client deliverables.

Prior to AGW, Nico worked as an Operations Analyst in the Global Securities Department at BNY Mellon, assisting with corporate action settlements for institutions.

Nico graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Finance, a Master of Finance, and a Master of Business Administration. While at Pitt, Nico was a member of the university’s baseball team and was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma national honor society.

Isa Yanes

Client Relations Associate

Isa Yanes

Client Relations Associate

As a dedicated Client Relations Associate, Isa is passionate about building strong relationships and ensuring exceptional service. Isa is committed to enhancing the client experience through effective communication, attention to detail, and problem-solving.

Before joining AGW, Isa completed several internships, including one at Mariner Wealth Advisors. She also served as the business manager for Central Missouri’s Student Managed Investment Fund.

Isa earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Central Missouri with a major in Finance, as well as completing her Master’s degree in Business Administration with a Finance concentration. During her time at UCM, she was also the captain of the women’s soccer team for three years.

Isaiah Scott

Analyst