MEET THE TEAM
Our team at Blue Ridge Wealth Planners is made up of qualified financial professionals who are passionate about helping individuals and families achieve their ideal retirements.
wealth planning
Bob Fugate, CFP®
Wealth Planner, Founder
Bob Fugate
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionalBob Fugate founded Blue Ridge Wealth Planners in 2004 and has since grown a strong team of financial professionals who have helped thousands of families throughout East Tennessee lead fulfilling and financially confident retirements. Today, Bob no longer needs to work in the day-to-day operations of the business and instead focuses on one of his most fulfilling activities - educating others. In this pursuit, Bob has taught in classrooms at universities and community colleges around the state including the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Lee University, Northeast State Community College, Walters State Community College, and many more.
After balancing a long career in agriculture with undergraduate and graduate education in finance and economics, Bob began working full time in financial services in 1998. Because of the limitations he encountered within the captive brokerage industry and a genuine desire to work for the best interests of his clients rather than a specific company, he became an independent advisor and founded his own firm with a focus on coordinating the efforts of financial professionals in every field of retirement in order to create comprehensive and personalized financial plans for every family that walks into a conference room with his team. To Bob, cookie cutters just don't work for retirement.
We don't have money for money's sake. From travelling the world to helping our grandkids go to college, we have money to help us achieve our goals. Whether you're seeking advice on income, investments, taxes, healthcare, or legacy planning, Bob Fugate has a passion for educating others and empowering them to achieve their goals and dreams.
John Vandergriff
Wealth Planning Team Lead, Owner
John Vandergriff
As a former football player for the University of Tennessee under Coach Phillip Fulmer and high school state champion wrestler, John Vandergriff brings an important team mentality to Blue Ridge Wealth. John worked in various ministry and coaching positions for five years before joining the team in 2012.
Combining his ministry experience and his financial training from Bob, John has worked with many clients in his time at Blue Ridge Wealth. He is a dually licensed Insurance Agent and Investment Advisor Representative and is currently working to earn his CFP® Certification. John also holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from The University of Tennessee.
In addition to working at Blue Ridge Wealth, John continues to actively teach in his church, and he enjoys filling his extra time golfing, exercising, watching sports, and enjoying marriage with his wife, Ashley, Bob's youngest daughter.
Chris Morris, MBA
Senior Wealth Planner
Chris Morris
Originally from Tennessee and raised in the Philippines, Chris Morris joined Blue Ridge Wealth Planners in October of 2019. Chris graduated from the University of Tennessee receiving his MBA in Finance while serving as a portfolio manager to one of the University's endowment funds. Chris spends much of this spare time either exercising at the gym, reading about history and philosophy, and enjoying leisure with his wife Destiny and their one year old son, Morgan.
Jonathan Mills, CFP®
Wealth Planner
Jonathan Mills
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional Jonathan Mills came to Blue Ridge in 2020 after working as an equity analyst for two years. He is a Knoxville native that graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Finance and Business Analytics. While in school, he served as a portfolio manager for one of the school's student led endowment investment funds. Outside of work, Jonathan enjoys spending his free time exercising, traveling with his wife, Marena, and cheering on the Tennessee Vols.
Austin Ballenger
Wealth Planner
Austin Ballenger
Austin started at Blue Ridge in the spring of 2024. He has lived in Knoxville all of his life and is a fan of all things Tennessee. He attended Liberty University where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Finance. He is married to his high school sweetheart and spends his days chasing around their three kids. Austin enjoys spending time with his family and friends, all things sports related, rock climbing, and playing any kind of game.
Macey Smith
Wealth Coordinator
Macey Smith
Macey started at Blue Ridge in early January, 2024. She grew up in the greater Cincinnati area and is a lifelong Bengals fan. She moved to Knoxville at the end of 2022 upon graduating from Morehead State University with a finance degree. She enjoyed her time as a member of MSU’s dance team and now enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and two kittens.
Julia Kaye
Wealth Coordinator
Bryce Hodge
Wealth Coordinator
Client Relations
Josh Bigwood
Client Relations Team Lead
Josh Bigwood
Josh Bigwood joined Blue Ridge Wealth Planners in 2019. He is a native of Knoxville with a background in customer service. Before becoming a member of the Team, he was a student of theatre, and enjoys acting both on stage and in film.
Kristian Buckner
Admin
Kristian Buckner
Kristian came to Blue Ridge Wealth Planners with several years of financial services experience behind him and a wonderful ability to connect with others, making him a great asset to the Client Relations team. He is a Knoxville native, and he graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Theatre. Kristian enjoys discussing film, television, and music, making short films, and playing music with his friends.
Dianna Parker
Admin
Dianna Parker
Dianna started at Blue Ridge in the fall of 2023. She grew up in Kingston, a small town outside of Knoxville. She has 10 plus years in customer service. Outside of work, Dianna loves traveling with her family. She is currently working on visiting all 50 states.
Greg Adkins
Onboarding
Greg Adkins
Greg Adkins is on the Service team. He is a native East Tennesseean and has been in the financial services industry for over two decades. Greg graduated Cum Laude from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration. In his free time, Greg enjoys serving at a local church, traveling abroad and spending time with friends and family.
Emily Lorino
Onboarding
Emily Lorino
Emily came to Blue Ridge in the spring of 2021. She was born and raised in Knoxville and attended the University of Tennessee where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance. Emily enjoys spending time with her friends and family, canoeing, kayaking, and going to the beach.
Mary Esther Maxwell
Onboarding
Mary Esther Maxwell
Mary Esther Maxwell is part of the Service team here at Blue Ridge Wealth. She is from Middle TN originally, but ventured East for her education. With a Bachelors degree in Plant Sciences from the University of Tennessee, she has worked in a different industry, but is excited to now help people here at Blue Ridge. If not at work, you can find Mary Esther outside, trying new restaurants, playing with flowers, being with people, or serving at church.
Kaylee Roberts
Admin
Kaylee Roberts
Kaylee started at Blue Ridge Wealth in the summer of 2024. She was born and raised in Lenoir City, right down the highway. She attended the University of Tennessee, pursuing Environmental Sustainability and has spent many years working in roles that honed her service, training and management skills. In her free time, Kaylee enjoys traveling to new places, adventuring in the mountains with friends, and snuggling up to watch documentaries.
Rachel Anderson
Admin
Taylor Barnes
Admin
marketing
Brad Fugate, MBA
Marketing Team Lead, Owner
Brad Fugate
Bob's son Brad has been working full time as the Managing director at Blue Ridge Wealth since completing his Master of Business Administration degree in finance from the University of Tennessee in 2014. He oversees Blue Ridge Wealth's marketing efforts and handles the design and implementation of various systems and procedures within the company.
Brad earned his undergraduate degree in audio production and enjoys writing and recording music with his wife, Rachel, and the rest of their band.
Olivia Sine
Marketing
Olivia Sine
Olivia Sine joined Blue Ridge Wealth Planners at the end of 2018. She is originally from Memphis but decided to make Knoxville home after graduating from the University of Tennessee with her Bachelor of Arts in History. Her attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects make her invaluable to our team in her role as our founder's executive assistant. Olivia enjoys painting, spending time with her friends, and exploring Knoxville.
portfolio management
Zach Hill, MBA
Portfolio Management Team Lead
Zach Hill
Zach Hill is our Portfolio Management Team Lead. He is originally from Kingsport, TN but has lived in Knoxville since 2009. Zach graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelors degree in Finance and received his MBA with a concentration in finance from UT as well. His background with institutional investing and working with a fintech software startup makes him a perfect fit to lead our Portfolio Management team. Most of Zach's free time goes towards running Remedy, a local coffee shop, and Zero/Zero Wine Bar, which he and his wife own together.
Joseph Haas, CFA
Portfolio Manager
administrative
Ashley Vandergriff
Administrative
Robin Fugate
Administrative
Rachel Fugate
Administrative