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Our Team

We’re proud of the talent that we have assembled over the past 30 years at Sugarloaf. However, despite our accomplishments and deep experience, nothing brings us more satisfaction than helping our clients live their dreams. Everybody has different goals and definitions of what it means to be successful. Know this: “Invested in You” is more than a slogan; it’s our core belief, and it’s a part of everything we do.

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Jason Connolly, AIF®
Managing Principal
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Taylor Manry, CFP®
Principal
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Adam Wilson, CFP®
Principal
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Todd Smallwood
Chief Compliance Officer
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Preston Henry, CFP®, CIMA®
Director of Financial Planning & Investments
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Christopher Kohne, CFP®, CPA
Senior Wealth Advisor
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Kyle Gaines, CFP®
Investment Advisor Representative
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Nick Schuessler, CFP®
Private Wealth Advisor
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Jessica Jones
Client Service Manager
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Sherri Lancaster
Client Service Manager
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Christina Rodriguez
Director of Client Service
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Emory Linder, CFP®
Financial Planner
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Mollie Hagerty
Client Service Associate
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Jason Connolly, AIF®

Managing Principal

Jason has been in the financial services industry for over 25 years. Throughout his career, he has helped clients navigate both extreme bull and bear markets. His extensive experience includes estate planning and settlement, retirement income planning, estate and wealth transfer planning, and more.

He is a graduate of Furman University, where he was a member of the Gilpatrick Honor Society. Jason is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary™ from the Center for Fiduciary Studies at the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz Graduate School of Business. He is also a member of the Georgia Chapter of the Financial Planning Association.

Furthermore, Jason has been a board member for the Furman Alumni Giving Council and served on the professional advisory board for The Community Foundation of Northeast Georgia. He is also proud to be an elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

When not helping his clients achieve their financial goals, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, fly fishing, and working with his three hunting dogs, Clem, Abe, and Scout.

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Taylor Manry, CFP®

Principal

If someone was ever born to be a financial planner, it’s Taylor. His dad started J.D. Manry & Associates, which eventually became Sugarloaf Wealth Management. Taylor officially joined the firm in 2007, although he’s been a part of it since his childhood.

Taylor enjoys the challenge of helping clients find solutions for each of their unique circumstances, especially in the areas of retirement, investments, and estate planning.

Taylor graduated with honors from Auburn University with a degree in finance and is a Certified Financial Planner™. He is also a member of the Financial Planning Association of Georgia.

Taylor is a fifth-generation native of Gwinnett county and resides in Walton county with his wife, son, and two dogs. As a passionate Auburn fan, Taylor enjoys cheering on the Tigers every fall.

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Adam Wilson, CFP®

Principal

As a Principal at Sugarloaf Wealth Management, Adam helps our clients with a variety of financial planning needs, especially estate planning, retirement planning, and risk management. He also assists with alternative investments such as private equity, as well as commercial and residential real estate.

Before joining our team nearly two decades ago, Adam was an advisor with AXA Advisors in Atlanta. He has been a Certified Financial Planner™ since 2008. Georgia Bulldog fans love working with him not only because of his expertise but also because he is a graduate of The University of Georgia with a degree in finance.

Adam has represented the firm on multiple boards over the years within our community. Currently, he serves on the board of the Community Foundation for Northeast Georgia as well as the Titan Club. He is married with a son and daughter and is very active in his church. One day, when his schedule isn’t as full, he hopes to pick back up on another passion of his—golf.

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Todd Smallwood

Chief Compliance Officer

Todd has served investors in the financial industry for over 30 years, most recently as IA Compliance Officer at Advisor Group and Deputy CCO of Triad Advisors and Triad Hybrid Solutions. He has previously served as CCO of 4 different RIA firms and has extensive experience with operations and trading with firms such as Invesco and Merrill Lynch.

Todd was raised in the northeast, but has called Georgia home since 1998, which is longer than any state he has lived in. He is one of many Smallwood’s (23) to graduate from Syracuse University where he had dual majors in Economics and Philosophy.

When Todd isn’t building or repairing something, he can often be found enjoying boating, fishing, or live music. Todd and his wife Tasha live in Atlanta and have 3 children, two in college and one in high school.

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Preston Henry, CFP®, CIMA®

Director of Financial Planning & Investments

Preston joined Sugarloaf Wealth Management as our Director of Financial Planning in 2020. With success in advising clients in all stages of their financial lives – Preston helps deliver a consistent financial planning and investment experience to our clients. Most recently he served as a Wealth Management Advisor at TIAA.

Preston earned his BBA in Economics from UGAs Terry College of Business and an MBA from Piedmont College. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER and CERTIFIED INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT ANALYST.

It’s through his time as a husband, father, and serving in the church where he gains perspective and clarity on how to best love others and steward resources.

Preston enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 children, riding his mountain bike in the fall, and most any other outdoor activity.

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Christopher Kohne, CFP®, CPA

Senior Wealth Advisor

Chris has been in the financial planning industry since 1997 and spent 20 years with Lincoln Financial Advisors before joining Sugarloaf Wealth Management in 2018. Before that, he spent 14 years in various auditing, accounting management, and financial analysis positions with Georgia-Pacific Corp. in Atlanta.

Through his experience, Chris has learned how to put his knowledge and understanding to work for his clients, helping them realize their dreams, guiding them towards a successful retirement, and leaving a lasting legacy. Chris accomplishes this by focusing on family asset management, retirement income distribution strategies, and estate planning and, most of all, treating clients the way he would want to be treated.

Chris is a graduate of Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business where he earned a B.S. in Accounting. He’s also a huge Indiana Hoosiers basketball fan and a part-time musician (guitar). When not in the office, Chris spends his time volunteering in a variety of community and church activities. He and his wife, Debbie, live in Duluth and have two daughters.

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Kyle Gaines, CFP®

Investment Advisor Representative

Kyle heads our office in Athens, Georgia, and focuses on helping families and small businesses achieve their financial goals. He has more than 20 years of experience in banking and finance, with the past 10 in financial planning, and offers guidance in investment management, retirement planning, risk management, and more. Estate and tax planning are also part of the comprehensive services offered through our firm.

Kyle earned a B.A. in History from Duke University and an MBA with a concentration in Business Economics from Georgia State University. He is also a Certified Financial Planner™. Before joining Sugarloaf Wealth Management, Kyle spent five years at Merrill Lynch.

Kyle’s love for his community goes well beyond serving clients in the Athens area. He is a graduate of the Leadership Oconee Program and served three years at a local elementary school through the Oconee Mentor Program. He also enjoys coaching his children’s youth sports teams, volunteering in their school, and serving at his church.

In his spare time, Kyle enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, and golfing. He and his wife, Mimi, have three children and live in Oconee County, Georgia.

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Nick Schuessler, CFP®

Private Wealth Advisor

Nick understands sports and the unique circumstances that come from being a professional athlete. His experience and unique perspective as a former professional athlete make Nick the perfect choice to lead our Sports and Entertainment wealth management practice.

Before joining Sugarloaf Wealth Management, Nick gained experience in public accounting at Deloitte & Touche in Atlanta. He is a graduate of Clemson University where he earned both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in accounting.

Nick is CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and has completed University of Georgia’s Certified Financial Planner™ Certificate Educational Program through the Terry College of Business. At Sugarloaf, Nick creates comprehensive planning and investment solutions tailored to the specific needs of professional athletes and entertainers. The services include risk analysis, tax planning, asset allocation strategy, and cash flow management. He also assists with alternative investments such as private equity, as well as commercial and residential real estate.

Nick returned home to Atlanta following his football career. He was a three-year letterman and member of Clemson’s 2016 National Championship Football team and spent time with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Outside of the office, Nick enjoys traveling, golfing, mentoring local athletes, spending time with his family, and serving at Passion City Church in Atlanta. Nick lives in Buckhead with his wife, Cameron.

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Jessica Jones

Client Service Manager

The greatest strength of Sugarloaf Wealth Management is our culture of collaboration and support. Jessica, our Client Relationship Manager, is at the core of that culture, helping each advisor deliver the exceptional service our clients deserve. She also coordinates various events for the firm and manages other essential office duties.

Before joining our team, Jessica was an executive administrator at Ameriprise Financial Services. She received her B.A. in Business Administration and Marketing from Salem Women’s College in Winston-Salem, NC.

Jessica is also a proud mother, but don’t let her gentle spirit and warm smile fool you. She is also ultra-competitive, especially when it comes to adult-league softball and bowling. One thing is for sure: Sugarloaf hit a home run when we hired Jessica.

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Sherri Lancaster

Client Service Manager

Sherri Lancaster joined Sugarloaf Wealth Management in 2012 and has over 20 years of financial industry experience. She is an integral part of delivering the service, care, and professionalism that we promise our clients. She assists in everything from preparing paperwork, moving money, and responding to various client requests to placing trades – pretty much everything that keeps our office running smoothly.

Before joining our team, Sherri was a Financial Representative with Fidelity Investments and a Paraplanner at Ameriprise. She began working in the financial industry in 2002 but prior to that she taught mathematics. She has a bachelor’s degree in education and holds multiple securities licenses.

Sherri has two grown daughters, and a fur baby (cat). She is active in her church, with animal foster and rescue, and enjoys reading, walking, watching live music, and volunteering for organizations that she is passionate about. A die-hard Jeopardy fan, avid reader, and connoisseur of all sorts of interesting information. Sherri is the one you want on your team for trivia night.

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Christina Rodriguez

Director of Client Service

Christina joined the Sugarloaf team in early 2021.  Her passion for precision and efficiency combined with over 16 years of experience in the financial planning industry, makes her an invaluable part of our team.  Christina plays an integral part in ensuring the day-to-day tasks, necessary to serve our clients well, are completed with excellence.  She also maintains the integrity of portfolio data, handles account billing, and ensures the efficiency of our processes.

Before joining the team, Christina spent the last 15 years at an independent RIA firm in California.  There she was the Client Service Manager/Portfolio Administrator.  She received her bachelor’s degree from California State University, Fullerton.

Christina has a full life outside of Sugarloaf, which includes 4 children and two energetic dogs.  In her free time, you can find her enjoying the outdoors with her family and friends.

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Emory Linder, CFP®

Financial Planner

Emory joined Sugarloaf Wealth Management as an Associate Financial Planner in 2022. Emory is responsible for building, monitoring, and assisting the lead Advisor to implement the financial plan.

Emory recently graduated from the University of Georgia’s Financial Planning program in 2020. He is passionate about personal finance, investing, and applying its principles to real situations. Emory enjoys creating complex financial solutions for our client’s unique needs.

Emory lives in Athens and enjoys spending time with his friends and family, fixing cars, travelling, and being involved in his local church.

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Mollie Hagerty

Client Service Associate

Mollie joined the Sugarloaf team as Client Service Associate in April 2022. Her role is instrumental in providing comprehensive client support, which includes new client onboarding, account service requests, and maintaining accurate records in our CRM platform. She also assists with managing the office and general office operations. Her strong and diverse background enables her to provide a seasoned perspective and effective client service.

A native Floridian, Mollie grew up in Tallahassee: the capital city of Florida and a college town, home to Florida State University Seminoles. Before joining our team, Mollie was an Administrative Assistant at a national insurance firm and a Client Relations Associate at a private wealth management firm. She has a B.S. in Health Services Administration from Florida International University.

In Spring 2021, Mollie and her husband, Chris, bid farewell to the FL palm trees and moved to the Peach State. They currently reside in Alpharetta with their dog, Winston. Outside the office, Mollie can be found hiking or exploring the many trails of North Georgia (with Winston), digging through cookbooks, reading, writing, working on an art or home project, and gardening.