The Brightest & Most Caring

The Brightest & Most Caring

We've assembled what we think is a group of the brightest and most caring financial planners and investment professionals in the country. They each have an interesting personal story and reason they got into this business. We thought you’d like to get to know them a little better.
We've assembled what we think is a group of the brightest and most caring financial planners and investment professionals in the country. They each have an interesting personal story and reason they got into this business. We thought you’d like to get to know them a little better.
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Ronald D. Pate

Co-Founder & President
Pate & Smith Investment Group
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To understand why I formed Pate and Smith Investment Group we have to go back over 3 decades. I have been a personal financial advisor since 1990. Up until 1998 I had an office in Mt. Olive, N. C. At that time I decided to better serve my clients and allow me to take more time off with my family and friends, I needed to make some changes. As a result of those thoughts I formed Pate and Smith Investment Group.

This has worked out very well for our clients and for both of us.

I was raised on a farm in Duplin County, N.C. where I learned how to work hard. My parents taught me to be kind and caring toward the people around me. I still live on that family farm today. As a young boy I earned the Eagle Scout and Duty to God awards. In my twenties I served four years in the military. After my service and while I was in college I started my first business. I have been a small business owner ever since.

One day during one of my college accounting classes it hit me that a lot of people know how to make money but few know how to manage and preserve that money from taxes and overpriced insurances. Also, even fewer know how to wisely invest for retirement. I decided that day that I wanted to help myself and others make wise choices with their money.

That vision was the first step I took to get me where I am today.

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Ronald D. Pate

Co-Founder & President
Pate & Smith Investment Group

To understand why I formed Pate and Smith Investment Group we have to go back over 3 decades. I have been a personal financial advisor since 1990. Up until 1998 I had an office in Mt. Olive, N. C. At that time I decided to better serve my clients and allow me to take more time off with my family and friends, I needed to make some changes. As a result of those thoughts I formed Pate and Smith Investment Group.

This has worked out very well for our clients and for both of us.

I was raised on a farm in Duplin County, N.C. where I learned how to work hard. My parents taught me to be kind and caring toward the people around me. I still live on that family farm today. As a young boy I earned the Eagle Scout and Duty to God awards. In my twenties I served four years in the military. After my service and while I was in college I started my first business. I have been a small business owner ever since.

One day during one of my college accounting classes it hit me that a lot of people know how to make money but few know how to manage and preserve that money from taxes and overpriced insurances. Also, even fewer know how to wisely invest for retirement. I decided that day that I wanted to help myself and others make wise choices with their money.

That vision was the first step I took to get me where I am today.

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Jerry Grantham

Adviser

Jerry is a native of Wayne County. He has been an adviser for over 35 years and a licensed insurance agent for almost 50 years. He has gained a lot of wisdom associated with insurance and investment over the years and shares that information in a way that is easy to understand.



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Jay Faison

Adviser

Jay recently joined our firm but we have been associates for many years. He is a native of Clinton, N. C. and graduated from Mount Olive University. Jay currently is a board member of the Boy Scouts of America troop 27. In his spare time he enjoys hiking and camping with his sons along with jogging, playing basketball and reading.

Jay is an investment professional that specializes in final expense planning.

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George Cogdell

Adviser

George is a graduate of Atlantic Christian College (Barton). He joined our firm early on and has been in the financial services business since 1992. He is a native of Goldsboro and enjoys working with individuals and families with retirement and college planning.

George also works with businesses helping them with business succession planning and employee benefits.

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Dr. Kevin Baker

Associate

For the past two years Dr. Baker has had an office in our building complex. He is a very good Chiropractor and adjusts some of our staff on a regular basis. He is also very smart on many subjects. As well as being a doctor of chiropractic he holds a degree in engineering from North Carolina State University and is a qualified tax preparer. He pays us rent in gift certificates that we give out to our clients as thank you gifts.

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Eva Anderson

Office Manager

Eva is a native of Denmark. She joined us in January of 2018. She has been a real asset to our company. She loves people and works hard to give first class service and kindness to each and every client.

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Janice F. Walker

Office Consultant

Janice is our office consultant. She has worked with me more years than she will allow me to mention (30). She is a hard worker and dedicated to giving our clients first class service.

We regularly get complements from our clients and guests about her kind and caring personality.

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Jerry Grantham

Adviser

Jerry is a native of Wayne County. He has been an adviser for over 35 years and a licensed insurance agent for almost 50 years. He has gained a lot of wisdom associated with insurance and investment over the years and shares that information in a way that is easy to understand.

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Jay Faison

Adviser

Jay recently joined our firm but we have been associates for many years. He is a native of Clinton, N. C. and graduated from Mount Olive University. Jay currently is a board member of the Boy Scouts of America troop 27. In his spare time he enjoys hiking and camping with his sons along with jogging, playing basketball and reading.

Jay is an investment professional that specializes in final expense planning.

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George Cogdell

Adviser

George is a graduate of Atlantic Christian College (Barton). He joined our firm early on and has been in the financial services business since 1992. He is a native of Goldsboro and enjoys working with individuals and families with retirement and college planning.

George also works with businesses helping them with business succession planning and employee benefits.

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Dr. Kevin Baker

Associate

For the past two years Dr. Baker has had an office in our building complex. He is a very good Chiropractor and adjusts some of our staff on a regular basis. He is also very smart on many subjects. As well as being a doctor of chiropractic he holds a degree in engineering from North Carolina State University and is a qualified tax preparer. He pays us rent in gift certificates that we give out to our clients as thank you gifts.

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Eva Anderson

Office Manager

Eva is a native of Denmark. She joined us in January of 2018. She has been a real asset to our company. She loves people and works hard to give first class service and kindness to each and every client.

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Janice F. Walker

Office Consultant

Janice is our office consultant. She has worked with me more years than she will allow me to mention (30). She is a hard worker and dedicated to giving our clients first class service.

We regularly get complements from our clients and guests about her kind and caring personality.

Schedule a FREE consultation TODAY!

Let's discuss your needs and our investment management services.

Schedule a FREE consultation TODAY!

Let's discuss your needs and our investment management services.