Information Technology Specialist, a position he has held since joining the company in 2022.  Prior to joining the company, Austin worked as a Support Analyst for Concept Technology – a managed services provider for 180+ companies in Middle Tennessee.  Austin has additional experience as Internal Information Technology Support for Truxton Trust in Nashville, TN. Austin received a Master of Arts in American History from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY.

Trust & Wealth Associate, a position she has held since joining the company in 2011. Previously she worked as a legal assistant for the law firm of Manier & Herod.  Prior to that she served as a Vice President and Trust Officer for US Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management and its predecessors from 1989 to 2009.  Trish is a graduate of Cannon Trust School and previously held the Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) designation.

Investment Associate of Equitable Trust Company, a position he has held since joining the company in 2023. Brendan is a graduate of the University of Alabama where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Management Information Systems.

Investment Associate of Equitable Trust Company, a position he has held since joining the company in 2021. Jackson received a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance from Centre College in Danville, KY.

Tax Coordinator, a position she has held since joining the company in 2023. Rebecca received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. After graduating, she worked at Arthur Andersen in Healthcare consulting out of Atlanta for a couple of years. She then returned to Nashville and transitioned to teaching and tutoring high school math for twenty years. Over the past five years prior to joining Equitable, Rebecca worked with both Gaines CPAs and Checks & Balances, Inc doing bookkeeping and accounting services for clients with diverse personal and business needs.

Partner and Investment Advisor of Equitable Trust Company, a position he has held since joining the company in 2003. Ed is a Director of Equitable Trust Company and also serves as Co-Chief Investment Officer. Previously, he was a First Vice President and Senior Investment Officer in the Private Client Services division of SunTrust Banks, where he also managed SunTrust Banks’ mid-cap growth equity strategy. Ed began his investment management career in 1983 with The Robinson-Humphrey Company. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Washington & Lee University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Emory University. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst^® designation.

Relationship Manager, a position she has held since 2020.  Dana joined Equitable Trust Company in 2001, handling fixed income trading and serving as associate administrator for client accounts. Prior to joining Equitable, Dana was a Vice President with Valubond, one of the original fixed income trading platforms. Previously, she was a Vice President with J.C. Bradford & Co, where she worked institutional Municipal Bond Sales after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from Vanderbilt University.

Portfolio Manager of Equitable Trust Company, a position he has held since 2021.  Jack began as an Investment Associate with the company in 2017. Jack received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a minor in Finance from The University of the South in Sewanee, TN.

Chief Compliance Officer at Equitable Trust Company, a position she has held since 2023.  Melanie originally joined Equitable Trust Company as a Trust and Wealth Associate in 2013 and has also served as the Estate Administration Coordinator since 2022.  Prior to joining Equitable Trust, Melanie began her career as a paralegal for a boutique law firm in Savannah Georgia that focused on estate planning and estate administration.  She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mercer University and completed her paralegal studies through the Emory University Paralegal Certificate Program.  She is a graduate of Cannon Trust School and holds the Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA) designation from the American Bankers Association.  Melanie is a current student at Nashville School of Law.

Nancy is an investment advisor at Equitable Trust, a position she has held since joining the firm in 2022.  Prior to joining Equitable she spent the past twenty-eight years as an investment manager in the private wealth division of Truist (formerly SunTrust Bank).  Nancy received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Belmont University with a focus on Economics and Management.  She holds the CTFA designation and is a Certified Financial Planner™.

Partner and Trust & Estate Advisor of Equitable Trust Company, a position she has held since joining the company in 2019. Katy was named Co-Chief Fiduciary Officer in 2021. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President and Trust Advisor at SunTrust Private Wealth Management in Memphis and Nashville. Prior to that, Katy was an associate with the law firm of Holton & Mayberry in Nashville, where she focused her practice on trusts and estate planning, tax and charitable planning, and probate administration. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia, a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Virginia School of Law, and a Master of Laws in Taxation from New York University School of Law.

Trust & Wealth Associate, a position she has held since joining the company in 2018. Prior to joining Equitable, she was a Portfolio Assistant with Lee, Danner & Bass, Inc., a registered investment advisor firm. Sue is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree.

Partner and Trust & Estate Advisor of Equitable Trust Company.  Stephanie was named Co-Chief Fiduciary Officer in 2021. Previously, Stephanie practiced with Howard Mobley Hayes & Gontarek, PLLC and was a member of Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP, where she focused her practice on trusts and estate planning, tax planning, business succession planning, and probate administration.  Stephanie received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Middle Tennessee State University, a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree, cum laude, from the University of Tennessee College of Law, and a Masters of Laws in Taxation from the University of Florida. She is included in Best Lawyers in America in the category of Trusts and Estates law.

John Ford

Partner and Chief Financial Officer of Equitable Trust Company, a position he has held since joining the company in 2018. Previously, John worked at Mars within their Finance and Supply Chain functions. Prior to that, he held design and planning roles with Barge Waggoner Sumner and Cannon and Clinard Engineering. John received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee. He holds an MBA from Vanderbilt with concentrations in Finance and Marketing.

Trust & Wealth Support Specialist, a position she has held since joining the company in 2023. Prior to joining Equitable, she was living in Denver, CO and working as a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments. Caitlin held various other positions during her tenure at Fidelity Investments including Relationship Manager, College Planning Specialist, and Customer Relations Advocate. Caitlin is a graduate of The University of Alabama and earned her degree in Financial Planning.

Partner and Investment Advisor of Equitable Trust Company, a position he has held since joining the company in 2000. Previously, Bruce was a Senior Investment Officer at Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company and a portfolio manager in the Trust Department of First Citizen Bancorp, Raleigh, North Carolina. He received a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Business Administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Administrative Assistant of Equitable Trust Company, a position she has held since joining the company in 2023. Prior to joining Equitable, she was a nanny and personal assistant to private families. She graduated from the University of Tennessee where she received a Bachelor of Health and Human Sciences in Child and Family Studies.

Financial Planning Advisor, a position she has held since 2023. Prior to Equitable Trust, she was a Client Service Associate at Morgan Stanley in Birmingham, AL. Alex received her Master of Business Administration at the University of Kentucky, where she also completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science. Alex is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.

Trust & Wealth Associate of Equitable Trust Company, a position she has held since joining the company in 2021.  Prior to Equitable, she held similar trust associate roles with The Northern Trust Company (Atlanta, GA) and SunTrust Bank (Nashville, TN).  Mary is a graduate of Tennessee State University where she received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Economics and Finance.

Partner and Investment Advisor of Equitable Trust Company, a position he has held since joining the company in 2018. Ross has taken on the responsibility of Co-Chief Investment Officer as of 2022.  Previously, Ross worked in New York as a Vice President in the Investment Management Division of Goldman Sachs. Prior to that, he started his 14 years at Goldman Sachs as an Analyst in Global Investment Research. Ross received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Accounting from Washington & Lee University. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst^® designation.

Partner and Trust & Estate Advisor of Equitable Trust Company, a position she has held since joining the company in 2003. Cindy is also a Director of Equitable Trust Company. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President and Manager of Wealth Management Services with National Bank of Commerce (Nashville) and as Vice President at SunTrust Bank with responsibilities in trust and estate administration and wealth management. Cindy began her career in trust and estate administration in 1981 with Commerce Union Bank. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trevecca Nazarene University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the Nashville School of Law. She is a graduate of the Southern Trust School and the National Graduate Trust School at Northwestern University. She is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA) and Certified Financial Services Counselor (CFSC).

Partner and Trust & Estate Advisor of Equitable Trust Company, a position she has held since the organization of the company in 1991. Darlinda is a Director of Equitable Trust Company and also serves as Chief Compliance Officer. Previously, Darlinda served as a Portfolio Manager and Financial Consultant with Shearson Lehman Brothers, where she managed investments for qualified pension plans. From 1976 to 1986 Darlinda was an investment representative with Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, Inc. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Belmont University. She is a graduate of Cannon Trust School at Notre Dame University and is a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor (CTFA).

Partner and Investment Advisor of Equitable Trust Company, a position he has held since joining the company in 2015. Previously, Jeremy worked as a Senior Analyst for the Long/Short Opportunity Fund at Courage Capital Management and as an Analyst at Jetstream Capital. Prior to that, Jeremy worked in New York as an Associate at FdG Associates, and as an Analyst in investment banking at Harris Williams & Co. in Richmond, VA. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley. Jeremy holds the Chartered Financial Analyst^® designation.

Trust and Wealth Associate, a position he has held since joining the company in 2023. Before joining Equitable Trust, Ken was an Assistant Vice President and Senior Fiduciary Support Specialist at Truist Bank. Prior to Truist, Ken worked at LaSalle Bank in Chicago from 1988 to 1994 as loan officer and then went to Houston, TX as a Sales Professional with the Neiman Marcus Group while owning Errands Etc., LLC  from 1994 to 2004. Ken moved to the Nashville area to join Bank of America in 2004 until his move to SunTrust/Truist Bank in 2013.   Ken attended the University of Kentucky for undergraduate school.  Additionally, Ken graduated from the ABA Illinois Institute of Lending, Bank of America MAPS management program, and the ABA Trust School.

Tax & Compliance Specialist, a position she has held since joining the firm in 2004. Prior to joining Equitable she was a Vice President for SunTrust Equitable Securities in the Compliance Department handling registration and continuing education for all SunTrust brokerage divisions. Before that she was with E.F. Hutton in the local Nashville office. Her first job after graduating from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois was with Clayton Brokerage in St. Louis, Missouri.

Jonathan joined the Equitable Trust firm as a Special Assets Advisor in 2022. Prior to his work at Equitable Trust Jonathan served as Trust Special Assets Property Manager at First Citizens Bank in Raleigh, NC and practiced as an attorney specializing in real estate and debt-creditor law. Jonathan earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from North Carolina State University and his law degree from Campbell University’s Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law.

Trust & Wealth Associate with a focus on Trust Administration, a position she has held since joining the company in 2005. Previously, she served as a Trust Officer as well as a Risk and Compliance Officer with Bank of America and as an Investment Associate with Lee, Danner, & Bass, Inc. She began her career in banking in 1985 with Commerce Union Bank where she worked in the trust and investment department. She received a Business Administration Associate of Science degree in 1985 from Nashville State Community College.

Trust & Wealth Support Specialist, a position she has held since 2024. Prior to joining Equitable, she was a Title Processor with Chapman & Rosenthal Title, Inc., a real estate title and escrow firm in Nashville. McKenzie is a graduate of The University of Tennessee where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.

Chief Culture Officer and Trust & Estate Advisor, joined Equitable in 2023. Most recently, Hunter practiced as an estate planning attorney at Howard Mobley Hayes & Gontarek in Green Hills. Hunter currently serves as Professor of Estate Planning at Nashville School of Law, has taught an upper-level estate planning course at Belmont University College of Law, and serves on the editorial team for the annual update to one of Tennessee’s principal resources for judges and attorneys: Pritchard on Wills & Administration of Estates (7^th Edition). Hunter is a local graduate of The Ensworth School and Montgomery Bell Academy, and has degrees from Davidson College (B.S.), University of Kentucky (J.D.) and New York University (LL.M. in Taxation). Hunter is a nationally-recognized teacher and author for the Enneagram personality tool.

Operations Associate, a position he has held since joining the firm in 2022. Previously, Andrew was an Implementation Analyst for IHS Markit in the Private Capital Markets division. He received a Bachelors Degree from The University of Mississippi with minors including Managerial Finance, Political Science, and English.

Trust & Wealth Associate, a position she has held since joining the company in 2021.Prior to joining Equitable, she was a Senior Client Specialist with First Horizon Bank in Nashville. Sarah has over 14 years of banking experience. Sarah is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University where she received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

Partner and Trust & Estate Advisor of Equitable Trust Company, a position he has held since joining the company in 2020.  Previously, Clarke was the Chief Financial Officer of a single-family office in Nashville.  In that role, he managed the family’s tax advisory, estate planning, financial reporting, and charitable foundation.  Prior to that, he worked at a large public accounting firm managing financial audits for a variety of businesses.  He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Accounting from the University of Alabama, a Master of Accountancy from the University of Alabama, and is currently obtaining a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Nashville School of Law.  Clarke is a Certified Public Accountant.

Partner, Chief Innovation Officer and Operations Manager of Equitable Trust Company. Previously, Steve worked as a consultant for Sikich and a Director, Wealth Management Products for Fi-Tek, LLC. Prior to that, he was Principal, Director of Operations and IT for The Trust Company. Steve received a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from The University of Toledo and an MBA from University of Notre Dame.

Operations Associate, a position she has held since joining the firm in 2019. Previously, Tina was responsible for training systems and technology in the Real Estate field. She began a career in Operations administration and management at J. C. Bradford & Company in 1982 working primarily in the Reorganization Department managing and overseeing day to day activities in regards to processing financial information in client accounts.

Partner and Trust & Estate Advisor of Equitable Trust Company, a position he has held since joining the company in 2013. Wick was named Co-Chief Fiduciary Officer in 2021. Previously, Wick was a Vice President and Trust Officer at Cumberland Trust and Investment Company, where his responsibilities included personal trust administration, wealth management, and business development. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington and Lee University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law.  Wick is a Certified Financial Planner™.

Shelly joined Equitable Trust as a Trust and Wealth Associate, a position she has held since 2021. Prior to joining Equitable, she was an Estate Planning Legal Assistant at a small boutique law firm in Nashville. Shelly is a graduate of SUNY Fredonia in New York with a Bachelor of Arts in History. 

Partner and Trust & Estate Advisor of Equitable Trust Company, a position he has held since joining the company in 2014. Previously David was General Counsel and Chief Operating Officer of an international print and digital media company. From 1998 to 2008, David was a partner in the law firm of Harwell Howard Hyne Gabbert & Manner, PC where his practice focused on corporate and securities, mergers and acquisitions, private equity and technology licensing. David started his career in Arthur Andersen’s tax division in Nashville. David earned a BS, magna cum laude, in Accountancy from the University of Mississippi and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Tennessee.

Partner and Family Office Advisor at Equitable Trust, a position she has held since joining the firm in 2020. In the fifteen years prior to that, she was employed with Keel Point, LLC, a family office and investment advisory firm based outside of Washington, DC. While at Keel Point, Emily was focused on providing counsel to family office clients in such diverse areas as philanthropy, estate, tax, insurance, investment advisory, and intergenerational wealth education and planning. Prior to that, she was with Ernst & Young in their tax advisory and compliance group,  and prior to that she was an investment advisor with Morgan Stanley. Emily is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.

Trust & Wealth Associate, a position she has held since joining the company in 2020. Prior to joining Equitable, she has held Client Service / Personal Assistant positions in the entertainment and fashion industries in NYC, LA and now Nashville. Tiffany is a graduate of Murray State University where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations and Marketing.

Chief Executive Officer and President of Equitable Trust Company. John is also a Director of the company. Prior to joining Equitable Trust in 2004, John was with Deutsche Bank in London and New York. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Human and Organizational Development from Vanderbilt University. John is a Certified Financial Planner™.

Operations Associate, a position she has held since joining the firm in 1993. Prior to joining Equitable, Penny worked as an Administrative Assistant in Research at JC Bradford & Co. Before joining JC Bradford, Penny worked at Comdata Network.

Founder and Chairman of Equitable Trust Company. Tom has served as a Director of Equitable Trust Company since its organization in 1991. He was Managing Director of the Private Client Group of Equitable Securities Corporation and successor SunTrust Equitable Securities Corporation. From 1979 to 1988 Tom was Vice President and Manager of Shearson Lehman Hutton’s Nashville office. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in history from Vanderbilt University.

Director of Financial Planning of Equitable Trust Company, a position she has held since joining the company in 2022. Previously, Pamela worked at eMoney Advisor as a Financial Planner, where she collaborated with advisors across the country by creating financial plans and providing guidance on their planning processes. Prior to that, she was the Financial Planner and Technology Coordinator for Seven Springs Wealth Group. In her role, she created financial plans and assisted with over 150 client relationships, as well as implemented new technology to improve the firm’s internal processes. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Family Financial Planning with a minor in Sociology. Pamela is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.

General Counsel of Equitable Trust Company, a position he has held since retiring in 2023. Rick is a Director of Equitable Trust Company. Previously, Rick was a Partner and Trust & Estate Advisor of Equitable Trust Company, a position he held since joining the company in 2011. Prior to Equitable, he practiced law with the Nashville firm of Manier & Herod from 1994 to 2010. Prior to that, Rick was with Third National Bank in 1984 and then with Commerce Union Bank and its successors from 1986 to 1994. His responsibilities included management of the Nashville office, personal trust and estate administration, and business development. Rick received a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee Technological University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Duke University School of Law. He earned Martindale Hubble’s highest rating for legal skill and ethics and was included in The Best Lawyers in America in the category of Trusts and Estates Law.

Partner and Investment Advisor of Equitable Trust Company, a position he has held since joining the company in 2012. Previously, Scott worked in New York as an Equity Analyst with Hawkshaw Capital Management and as Vice President of Tildenrow Partners. Prior to that, Scott was an Equity Sales Associate with RBC Capital Markets. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Columbia University. Scott is a Certified Financial Planner™.

Receptionist, a position she has held since joining in 2018. Martha is a graduate of Southern Methodist University.

Director of Tax at Equitable Trust Company, a position he has held since joining the firm in 2022. Previously, Tyler worked at Cherry Bekaert LLP, a regional public accounting firm. In that role, he managed a high-net-worth-centric book of business, working with his clients on tax compliance, planning, and strategy development.  Tyler received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Accounting from Youngstown State University. Tyler is a Certified Public Accountant.