Experience Counts

George "Mackay" Salley, CFA

Mackay discovered his passion for investing when he was assigned to work in the Pension department during his time at DuPont in the late 1960’s.

Mackay currently serves as Smith Salley’s Chairman. To get to where he is today, Mackay earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Citadel. Mackay received his MBA from The Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. A CFA Charterholder, Mackay is also a member of the North Carolina Society of Financial Analysts.

Prior to joining Smith, Salley & Associates, Mackay was a Director and Vice President of Franklin Street Partners in Chapel Hill, NC. During his time at Franklin Street he was portfolio manager for the Franklin Street Partners Small Cap Fund. Before joining Franklin Street, Mackay was Senior Vice President and manager of special investment products at Wachovia Trust Services where he worked for 19 years. Mackay has over 38 years experience in portfolio management and equity research while working with Franklin Street Partners, Wachovia, Delaware Trust and the DuPont Pension Fund.

Upon attaining his degree from The Citadel, Mackay completed two years of active duty in the US Army artillery and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for service in Vietnam with the 1st infantry division. Mackay loves his wife, Eleanor, his children and grandchildren, beyond that he enjoys flying his plane. He has been an active pilot for over 55 years and loves to travel and see his 4 grandchildren.

Mackay and Eleanor reside in Clemmons, NC and attend Clemmons United Methodist Church. Mackay heartily enjoys serving in his community and singing in the choir.

To contact Mackay you can email him at mackay@smith-salley.com.

G. Gregory Smith, Jr.

Gregory’s drive and commitment to detail has served him well as the founder of Smith Salley and current CEO. His dedication to his clients’ long term success is second to none and sets the tone for the firm. Prior to starting Smith Salley, Gregory was a portfolio manager at Franklin Street Partners in Chapel Hill where he gained experience in portfolio management and equity research having co-managed the Franklin Street Trust Small Cap Fund and provided research for the Core Equity Fund.

In 1997, Gregory received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance from North Carolina State University. He also earned an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Continuing his affiliation with the Kenan-Flagler Business School, Gregory currently serves as an Advisory Board member for the Applied Investment Management Program.

Gregory was raised in Greensboro graduating from the Greensboro Day School.  He is an avid outdoorsman and is involved with the Coastal Conservation Association having served as president and chairman of the Triad chapter and as an executive Vice President on the State Board.

Gregory is also an active member of Ducks Unlimited and attends Westover Church.  He and his wife, Janet, are actively involved with Caldwell Academy, a K-12 classical Christian school where their two children attend.

To contact Gregory you can email him at gregory@smith-salley.com.

James S. Agnew "Jim"

Member & Portfolio Manager

Jim comes to Smith, Salley & Associates with 50 years of experience in research and portfolio management. Jim retired from CCB/SunTrust after 35 years with the bank after working in various capacities, most recently as senior portfolio manager in the Wealth and Investment Management division.

Jim specializes in value equities as well as taxable and tax free fixed income securities. Jim received his bachelor’s degree from Georgia Tech. His post graduate work includes an LLB from Woodrow Wilson Law College and a Masters Degree in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech. Jim was instrumental in the development of the CCB Trust and Investments division, where he worked for over 35 years and managed over $250 million in assets. He has 50 years of investment experience in all areas of Trust and Investment Management. Jim is a member of the Durham Toastmasters, Westminster Presbyterian Church and Hope Valley Country Club in Durham, NC.

Andrew D. Davis, CFA

Chief Investment Officer, Member, Portfolio Manager & Fixed Income Manager

Andrew serves as our Chief Investment Officer and senior fixed income manager. He joined Smith Salley in March of 2006 with ten years of experience in both fixed income and equity research and portfolio management. Prior to joining SS&A, Andrew managed personal and institutional portfolios for SunTrust Banks in Charlotte, NC. During his nine years with the bank Andrew was a member of the fixed income strategy committee and the value equity stock selection committee. He co-managed a taxable fixed income mutual fund and an actively managed Value Equity Strategy. Andrew received his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a minor in marketing from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Andrew, a CFA Charter holder, is a member of the CFA North Carolina Society.

Andrew enjoys golf, running and hiking with family in his leisure time. He is an former member of the Irving Park Elementary PTA where his children attended school. Andrew also supports the Future Fund, which is an initiative of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, and the Coastal Conservation Association.

To contact Andrew you can email him at andrew@smith-salley.com.

E. Scott Batchelor Jr., CFP®

Certified Financial Planner™, Member & Portfolio Manager

Scott got his start with Smith Salley as a summer intern while attending the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina in 2005.  In May 2006, upon earning his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from UNC, Scott came on as a full time member of the team.  Scott was hired to develop the Financial Planning side of the practice and in early 2009 he completed the Certified Financial Planner™ certification and now oversees the planning functions of the firm.

As a CFP® practitioner, Scott is responsible for walking clients through the many “softer” issues of wealth management.  Whether he is putting together retirement spending models or helping devise a funding strategy for a child or grandchild’s education, Scott stands at the intersection of how our clients invest and why they invest.

Scott grew up in Raleigh, became an Eagle Scout and met his best friend in 6th grade only to marry her 12 years later.  Scott, Mary Chandler, and their four children now call Greensboro home. When they are not traveling to see family or camping in the mountains, Scott and his family are regular attenders at Grace Community Church.

To contact Scott you can email him at scott@smith-salley.com.

H. Brian May

Portfolio Manager, Chief Compliance Officer

Prior working at SS&A, Brian was Chief Operating Officer and Senior Portfolio Manager for Jonathan Smith & Co. in Greensboro. In his 14 years at Jsco, he gained experience in equity research, portfolio management, client care and operations. At SS&A, Brian’s primary focus is on portfolio management and compliance.

Brian is the last of nine children and grew up in Hickory, North Carolina. His wife, Anna, is a third grade teacher at Caldwell Academy where one of his four children currently attend. Brian has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Appalachian State University, and a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. Brian was part of the original team that formed Caldwell Academy of Greensboro, North Carolina, a K-12 classical Christian school. He has served as an Elder and former Chairman of the Elder Board of Grace Community Church where he and his family currently attend. Brian also actively supports Hope Academy, a private, non-denominational, Christian school for at risk children in the greater Glenwood neighborhood of Greensboro, NC.

To contact Brian you can email him at brian@smith-salley.com.

Andrew Donovan

Portfolio Manager & Associate Financial Planner

Andrew joined Smith, Salley & Associates in June of 2015 and is serving as an associate financial planner and financial advisor as he pursues the Certified Financial Planner™ designation.  In addition, he works closely with Scott Batchelor in client development.  Andrew is also a member of the Investment Committee.

Previous to joining SS&A, Andrew spent seven years in the commercial insurance business with a local firm.  He received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina and went on to earn his MBA from Ohio University.  Originally a native of Cary, NC, Andrew and his wife Allison have two daughters and call Greensboro home.

J. Blake Guyler, CFA

Senior Equity  Analyst & Portfolio Manager

Blake joined Smith, Salley & Associates in March of 2014 with a focus on equity research and portfolio management. Blake’s career in the investment industry started in the investment consulting business and as Pension Manager at NCR Corporation in Dayton, OH. For the ten years prior to joining SS&A he served as an Equity Research Analyst at Sterling Capital Management (division of BB&T Bank) and at Dean Investment Associates. Blake earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from The Ohio State University and a Masters of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Cincinnati’s Linder School of Business. Blake, a CFA charterholder, is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA North Carolina Society. Blake and his wife Kelly were born and raised in Middletown, OH both graduating from Bishop Fenwick High School in 1993. After moving from Ohio to Raleigh, NC in 2006, Blake, his wife and their three children now call Greensboro home. The Guyler family attends St. Pius X Catholic Church and their children go to the Northern Guilford Schools. Blake enjoys golf, triathlons, and helping to coach his children’s soccer teams. To contact Blake you can email him at blake@smith-salley.com.

George L. Wyatt

Fixed Income  Analyst, Client Service Specialist

George’s primary focus at the firm is on the execution of the fixed income strategies and bond portfolios.  He also serves as our lead trust and estate planning  trouble shooter for our clients.  His other duties include trading, portfolio administration, investment analysis, and client service.  George joined Smith Salley in July of 2013 with 5 years of experience in trust administration, risk management and planning. Prior to joining SSA, he was Trust Administrative Officer II with U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management in Boston.  George received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Campbell University, majoring in Trust and Investment Management and minoring in Financial Planning

George was born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC graduating from Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School along with his future wife, Natalee, in 2004.  As noted earlier, George received his Bachelor of Business Administration from the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business at Campbell University which offers the country’s only concentrated major in Trust & Wealth Management. George and Natalee are once again calling Winston-Salem home as they are raising their son Eli in their hometown.  George is a member of Forsyth Country Club and is an avid golfer.  He and his family attend St. Leo the Great Catholic Church.

To contact George you can email him at george@smith-salley.com.

Cody Oikemus

Investment Analyst

Cody joined Smith, Salley & Associates in September of 2014 as an investment analyst. His primary focus is equity research, conducting due diligence on potential investment opportunities, and assisting Portfolio Managers in implementing equity strategies for client accounts. In addition, he works closely with Portfolio Managers and Client Service Specialists to create client presentations. Cody is also a member of the Investment Committee.

Cody grew up in Charlotte and in 2014 he graduated with honors from the Poole College of Management at North Carolina State University with a BSBA and a concentration in Finance. While at NCSU, Cody was a member of the club golf team. He is a regular attendee at the Summit Church in the Research Triangle.

Murray M. Hewell

Fixed Income Analyst

Murray joined Smith, Salley & Associates in of September of 2016 with over 30 years of experience in fixed income markets. Murray is a native of Greenville, South Carolina and a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina where he graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration. Murray’s career began with Wachovia Bank in 1980.  In 1982 he moved into fixed income management by joining the Bond & Investments group at Wachovia.

In 1988 Murray co-founded First Winston Securities and was both a partner and principal. First Winston was acquired by Hatteras Financial in 2014 and at that time Murray became President and Chief Compliance Officer of First Winston until 2016 when Annaly Capital acquired Hatteras.

Murray will be responsible for fixed income research, security selection and allocation, and contribute to the overall strategy implementation in our fixed income strategies. His primary areas of expertise are in Government Agency, Municipal, and Agency Mortgage Backed Securities.

Murray and his wife, Eileen, currently reside in Winston-Salem where they enjoy golf, fishing and travel. They are the proud parents of two boys, John and James. To contact Murray you can email him at murray@smith-salley.com.