I’ve had the unique experience of growing up in Canada and moving to the United States to pursue what many consider the American dream. Today, I’m proud to be a dual citizen of both countries. That journey, both personal and professional, has been shaped by a deeper search for something lasting: purpose. It’s become the foundation for how I think about life, relationships, and my career.
From Alberta to East Tennessee
I grew up in Medicine Hat, Alberta. For those unfamiliar, Southern Alberta is a region known for its flat prairie land rich in natural resources. Medicine Hat, often called the “Gas City,” is recognized for its abundance of natural gas production just north of city limits. It’s located about three hours southeast of Calgary, Alberta’s largest city and the gateway to the Rocky Mountains.
One of my favorite places growing up was Banff, a beautiful mountain town tucked in the heart of the Rockies. The photos are stunning, but being there in person is even more remarkable. If you ever get the chance, I highly encourage you to consider going, you won’t be disappointed.
Medicine Hat experiences hot, dry summers and shorter winters compared to other parts of Canada. We didn’t see much of the spring or fall seasons. It felt like we jumped straight from summer into winter. I stayed active year-round, focusing on hockey during the long winter months and playing multiple sports throughout the summer. Golf quickly became my passion, and I took advantage of every playable day, rain or shine. Fair-weather golfers didn’t get out much in Canada.
Golf is what ultimately brought me to East Tennessee. After receiving a call from Coach Waters at Maryville College, I made the decision to move 2,000 miles from home to join the Fighting Scots. Knowing I could golf nearly year-round made the move a little more appealing. From 2014 to 2018, I had the privilege of competing on the college golf team while studying in a community that quickly began to feel like home.
Building a Life and Searching for Fulfillment
In the summer of 2017, I met my wife, Abby. She’s a proud graduate of the University of Tennessee and taught me the true meaning of “Good Ole Rocky Top.” We got engaged in 2018 and married the following year. Today, we live in Knoxville with our two golden retrievers, Campbell and Peach.
Abby works as a Physician Assistant in General and Vascular Surgery in Oak Ridge. One thing I’ve always admired about her is the sense of fulfillment she finds in her work. She often shares how much she values the culture of her office and the people she gets to work alongside. For years, I searched for that same feeling. I wanted to wake up excited about the day ahead and feel connected to the work I was doing.
A Career Rooted in Purpose
After college, I began my career at Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, working with homeowners who had purchased Clayton Homes. That role gave me early insight into the importance of financial stability and clear communication.
Soon after, I transitioned into a securities trader role at a local broker-dealer. I passed the SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 exams and spent my days reviewing trade blotters, releasing transactions, and supporting advisors with time-sensitive investment decisions. Working in that role taught me how important it was to be precise. One small oversight could lead to substantial consequences. It is why I learned to live by the phrase, “measure twice, cut once”.
While I enjoyed the technical side of investing, I felt a strong pull toward something more personal. I wanted to work directly with clients to help them make confident financial decisions and to be a long-term partner in their lives. That desire led me to serve as an assistant advisor at a couple of firms in Knoxville. Each of those experiences helped deepen my knowledge of financial planning, investments, and client service, but I was still looking for a firm whose values matched my own.
Finding Family and Purpose at LeConte Wealth
Everything changed when I received a message from Hoy Grimm, a managing partner at LeConte Wealth. He invited me to lunch, and that conversation turned into an in-depth interview process with calls, meetings, and personality assessments. From the very beginning, I could tell this firm was different. I was honored to receive the opportunity to work for their company and get through the extensive vetting process to join their family.
At LeConte, I found a team that works together instead of competing against one another. Each person brings a unique skill set and perspective, and we rely heavily on collaboration. Wealth management here isn’t about selling a product, it’s about building something meaningful with people we care about.
Our approach, Purpose-Built Planning, is more than just a framework. It’s how we invest, how we run projections, and how we approach tax strategy. We invest with intention, not speculation, using each client’s specific goals and risk profile to build diversified, tax aware portfolios. Every projection is designed to answer real-life questions like “Can I retire comfortably?” or “Will our money last through the years we care most about?” And every tax decision is made with your lifetime in mind, not just this year’s return.
Purpose isn’t just a philosophy at LeConte, it’s the lens through which we help clients make meaningful decisions. For those nearing or in retirement, that means identifying what truly matters and aligning your resources to support that vision.
But what makes this place truly special is not just the process, it’s the people. At LeConte, I’ve found a team that feels like a family. We challenge each other, support one another, and celebrate every client’s success as a shared win. The culture here reminds me that you are not alone and with the right team, it can make all the difference.
Just a month into my role here, I’ve discovered what Abby has experienced for years: a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment in my career. That shared appreciation for meaningful work has strengthened our relationship. I’m grateful to have found not only a calling but also a community that shares that mission.
Coming Full Circle
Looking back on my journey from Canada to Tennessee, I now see how purpose has guided every step. I left home and moved 2,000 miles away in search of opportunity, but what I truly found was a place to belong. I found purpose in this community, in my marriage, and in my career.
Most of all, I’ve found peace knowing I’m surrounded by incredible people, (both at home, and at work) who treat me like family. Looking at the life Abby and I have built here in East Tennessee, I know I’ve created something meaningful, far from where I started. And I’m proud to share that feeling with the team I now call family at LeConte Wealth.
If you’re looking for a team that understands what matters most, whether it’s peace of mind, leaving a legacy, or simply making the most of retirement, we’d be honored to walk alongside you on that journey.
