J. Mark Nickell

Mark is a graduate of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and holds an accounting degree. Prior to founding the firm in 1994 he worked with Arthur Andersen and KPMG for twelve years where he gained considerable experience assisting corporations, small businesses, and individuals with financial planning. He has been a CPA since 1983.

In 1996, Mark received the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation, which has become the most respected and recognized investment credential in the world.

Mark earned the designation Personal Financial Specialist in 1993. In 1996, he received the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation, which has become the most respected and recognized investment credential in the world. He is a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (www.napfa.org); the Personal Financial Planning Division of the American Institute of CPAs; the CFA Institute (www.cfainstitute.org); the Nashville Estate Planning Council; and the Tennessee Society of CPAs, where he chaired the Personal Financial Planning Committee. Mark is a founding member of the Investment Advisors Peer Council.

He is currently on the board at Belmont University’s Center of Business Ethics. Mark also serves on the board of the CFA Society-Nashville and is Past President

Mark was born in Louisville, Kentucky and was reared in Crossville, Tennessee. He and his wife, Kaye, have two grown children who currently live in Franklin.

Mark loves the outdoors, and especially enjoys hiking and backpacking in Yellowstone National Park.

Creating a financially secure path throughout major life transitions

A recent widow was overwhelmed with financial details following her husband’s death. It was late 2007—financial uncertainty was in the air, and she had more debt than she felt comfortable with. She had two properties she wanted to sell in a challenging real estate market. Read more >>

Thomas Nickell

Thomas Nickell grew up in Williamson County and graduated from The University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Communication Studies, and a minor in Business.

While working closely with Mark on client service matters, Thomas is primarily responsible for applying cutting edge technology, which allows Mark to devote his full energy to client issues and opportunities.  Specifically, through application of Tamarac’s powerful Advisor Xi platform, Thomas facilitates disciplined portfolio construction and management, while promoting  transparency and client engagement.

Combining Thomas’s technology and communication skills, with Mark’s decades of financial expertise, has allowed the firm to streamline our operational efficiency, allowing more time for Mark to work directly with clients.

When he’s not at the office, Thomas enjoys strengthening bonds with friends and family.  In the fall, you are likely to find him at Neyland Stadium, supporting his alma mater, or cheering on the Tennessee Titans.  He also has a passion for the outdoors, and during the spring and summer, he loves boating and camping on Percy Priest Lake, kayaking on the Harpeth, and exploring Nashville’s newest neighborhoods.