Private Wealth Advisors
Ryan has been helping individuals realize their financial goals since 1981. He earned a bachelor’s degree in financial and estate planning from Brigham Young University (BYU) and a master’s degree in taxation from Georgia State University (GSU). For six years, he worked with a privately owned financial services firm that worked with high income, high net worth families that lived across the United States. During that time, he earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) designations. In 1988, he chose to develop a financial planning practice at Northwestern Mutual (NM) (Smith Capital Advisors (SCA)) and started working with senior executives, professionals, and business owners in Atlanta. SCA now works with clients in more than 35 states. Ryan finds great satisfaction helping clients achieve personal financial security through the establishment and implementation of written financial plans which are then funded with world-class insurance products and institutionally based investment portfolios. Ryan was once again named one of Barron’s Top 1200 Advisors in 2022, and was also named as one of Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors in 2022. Ryan and his wife, Darlene, were married in 1986. Ryan has two daughters, Alexandria (husband Jake and daughters Everleigh and Colette) and McKenzie (husband Rhett and sons Kingston and Cairo), and a son, Regan (wife Kember and son Isaac). Alexandria graduated from Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) with a degree in interior design and lives and works in Mesa, Arizona. Her husband, Jake, is an IT professional representing Qumulo. McKenzie graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) with a degree in dietetics and obtained a master’s degree in dietetics and nutrition at the University of North Florida (UNF). McKenzie’s husband Rhett is a member of SCA and the Driscolls live in Alpharetta, GA. Regan graduated from BYU with a degree in Finance prior to joining SCA. Regan’s wife, Kember, is a CPA and works with EY. Ryan enjoys spending time with his family, reading, exercising, and traveling. Ryan is an active member in the community and has enjoyed involvement in community activities including church and Boy Scout service, and coaching youth athletic teams. Currently, Ryan provides service multiple days per week working with and mentoring approximately 165 young single adults in the metro Atlanta area ages 18-31.
Phillip has been an advisor with Smith Capital Advisors (SCA) since 2012. Prior to joining SCA, Phillip earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Georgia, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, and has earned the Chartered Financial consultant (ChFC®), and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®) designations. Phillip also earned a master’s degree in taxation from Georgia State University, graduating with a 4.24 cumulative GPA. Phillip and his wife, Elaine, have four children—daughters, Eliza and Grace, and sons, Brandon and Walker. Phillip actively participates in his local church and has been mentoring a youth group ages 12–18 for the past 7 years. Phillip enjoys being a dad, spending time with his wife and family, doing community service, and participating in sports and all things outdoors! Phillip is licensed in all product lines with which SCA assists clients.
Hamilton has been an advisor with Smith Capital Advisors (SCA) since 2014. Hamilton was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia and attended the University of Georgia where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from the Terry College of Business graduating Cum Laude. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, and has earned the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), and Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) designations. Hamilton met his wife Susanna at UGA. They have one daughter, Pearson. Together they enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling to the beach and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs! Hamilton also loves to play golf—a passion he attributes to his Augusta roots. Hamilton is fully licensed in all product lines with which SCA assists clients.
Rhett became an advisor with Smith Capital Advisors (SCA) in 2016. Rhett was born and raised in a small farming community in Idaho where he experienced the satisfaction of hard work! Prior to joining our team, Rhett earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Brigham Young University (BYU). He started with Northwestern Mutual in 2011, beginning as a financial representative intern with the Northwestern Mutual Edgewood Group in Provo, UT before transferring to The Koch Group in Jacksonville, FL. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, and has earned the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), Chartered Life underwriter (CLU®), and Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) designations. Rhett also earned a master’s degree in taxation from Georgia State University (GSU), graduating with a 4.1 cumulative GPA. Rhett and his wife, McKenzie, have two sons, Kingston and Cairo. Rhett enjoys all forms of athletics, reading, exploring metro Atlanta with his family, and working in the yard! Rhett is licensed in all product lines with which SCA assists clients.
Regan became an advisor with Smith Capital Advisors (SCA) in 2018. Prior to joining SCA, Regan earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from Brigham Young University. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, and has earned the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), and Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) designations. Regan and his wife, Kember, enjoy traveling, the outdoors, and reading. Regan is licensed in all product lines with which SCA assists clients.
