Business News: Campbell, Rooks merge local investment firms

Campbell, Rooks merge local investment firms

Campbell Asset Management, LLC and Rooks Wealth Management, LLC have merged their independent investment advisory firms to create Campbell Rooks Wealth Management, LLC. The two firms combined have been providing investment advisory services for more than three decades.

“The combination of our two firms will allow us to more effectively serve our clients and help them achieve their long-term financial goals,” said Jim Campbell, managing partner of Campbell Rooks.

Brad Rooks, managing partner of Campbell Rooks, said “the need for sound investment and planning services has never been more necessary” with baby boomers transitioning from working to retiring.

“Their biggest concern is whether or not they have the assets to comfortably retire,” Rooks said. “Most firms in this business are either all investments or all financial planning. Having expertise in both under one roof allows for a much more individualized experience.”

Campbell Rooks Wealth Management is an SEC-registered firm providing clients with financial planning, estate planning and investment advisory services. They also assist businesses in the design and implementation of qualified retirement plans such as 401k’s and defined benefit plans.

The newly merged firm is located at 301 Forest Ave. on the North Shore.

Phipps earns honor from speakers group

Vincent Ivan Phipps, owner of Communication VIP Training and Coaching in Chattanooga, has earned the Certified Speaking Professional designation from the Global Speakers Federation. The honor is the highest award for the 26-year-old trade group. Certified Speaking Professionals must document a proven track record of experience and expertise, as well as a commitment to ongoing education, outstanding client service and ethical behavior. Phipps will be honored at Influence 2016, the NSA’s annual convention in Phoenix. Phipps is a Chattanooga native, graduate of Notre Dame High School and instructor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He was also the youngest and first African-American to serve as the president of the Tennessee Chapter of the National Speakers Association.

Rogers retires from development group

Dus Rogers will leave the Jackson County Economic Development Authority (JCEDA) next month after working as the organization’s president and CEO for almost 15 years.

Rogers has accepted a position with Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative (FTC) in Rainsville, Ala., as manager of business development and customer service and will begin his new job in August. He has lived in Jackson County since 1988 and joined JCEDA in September 2001 after working for 15 years as the county coordinator of the Jackson County Cooperative Extension Service.

Last year was a banner year for Jackson County with new and existing industry projects totaling 329 new jobs and a total capital investment of over $688 million. Rogers led the recruitment effort for Google when they announced in June 2015 that it would build a $600-million data center in Jackson County. It will be Google’s seventh data center in the U.S. and its 14th globally. It’s expected to have a major impact on Jackson County and throughout the state.

During Rogers’ tenure, he was instrumental in the development of Jackson County Industrial Park in Hollywood, Ala. “Dus has been an outstanding leader for economic development, and he is known for his skills and can-do attitude throughout the state,” said JCEDA Board Chairman and NACC President Dr. David Campbell. “He has contributed so much to Jackson County. We will benefit for years to come from the work he has done.”

Pendleton names Brown as principal

Pendleton Square Trust and Family Office has hired Hugh Brown as a principal and trust officer. Brown joins Pendleton Square following a 20-year career in corporate and commercial banking. He has worked with dozens of family-owned businesses, often during times of significant transition such as acquisitions, organic growth and divestiture.

He spent the first 12 years of his banking career working with large corporate entities around the country and returned to Chattanooga in 2008 to work more closely with business owners and their families in an advisory capacity.

Brown sits on the board of the Chambliss Center for Children, where he serves on the executive committee as assistant treasurer. He also is a member of the McCallie School Alumni Council. He earned his bachelor of arts in economics from Emory University and his master of business administration, with a concentration in finance and investments, from Georgia State University.

Raulston joins bank as mortgage originator

Tina Raulston has been hired a new mortgage originator at First Volunteer Bank in Chattanooga. Raulston has 21 years of mortgage lending experience and can handle FHA, VA, USDA and conventional mortgage loans. She and her husband, Marshall, live in Soddy-Daisy and attend the Unity of Chattanooga Church.

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