Meet the Magnolia Financial Group Family
Maybe it’s old-fashioned, but we’ll say it anyway: family matters.
Founding partner Trent Adams grew up spending his summers in Louisiana, climbing his grandfather’s Magnolia tree and learning about the value of a dollar. He remembers watching his grandfather’s daily routine, which rarely changed: coffee, a trip to the Post Office, the return to his chair to watch the news, and a diligent review of the daily paper. Trent’s first memory of investing is of his grandfather checking newspaper stock prices, and it stuck with him.
Years later, Trent has dedicated his life’s work to helping individuals, families, and businesses plan financially for what matters most. At Magnolia Financial Group, we believe it’s important to share personal experiences that help clients understand the why behind what we do. We lead by example, and take our responsibilities to heart. In Trent’s case, his own personal financial plan became critically important when, in March 2016, he was diagnosed with a paradigm shifting brain tumor. To say the news came as a shock is an understatement—Trent and his family were reeling. Within days, he was scheduled for surgery at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
Trent calls his battle with cancer the “unexpected and worthwhile journey” that forever changed the way he sees life. Looking ahead, Trent has a rare perspective he wants to share. He counsels clients every day on the importance of planning ahead, and now he can provide personal insight to back up his recommendations. He says, “Hug your families. Go the extra mile to make memories and mend fences—at any cost. You only get so many trips around the sun, so make them count."
On August 1st, 2019, Magnolia Financial Group and R.M. Smith & Associates joined forces to offer their clients an enhanced financial planning experience.
Mark Smith and Trent Adams met in 2015 upon joining Integrated Financial Group, a consortium of independent financial planners who believe that many minds are greater than one when preparing clients for a "work-optional lifestyle." Since that time, Mark and Trent have sought council in each other and fostered a collective experience between their teams. As their camaraderie grew, it became apparent it was time to come together under one roof and be a permanent resource to each other and their clients.
At Magnolia Financial Group, don’t doubt for a minute we’ve got your best interests at heart.
Our roots run deep, and so does our dedication to clients.
Trenton Adams, CFP®
Partner
833-202-2797
As founder and partner of Magnolia Financial Group, Trent Adams is focused on helping families and businesses plan for what matters most.
Trent received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from Auburn University in 2004, and earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM designation in 2011. With over 15 years’ experience in the financial services industry, Trent helps clients evaluate their goals, resources, and key concerns so he can build a financial plan that matches their needs.
Service, preparation, and education are the cornerstones of Trent’s practice, and he’ll tell you to expect some hard conversations when working with him. Trent knows firsthand the importance of a solid financial plan, as his own personal financial plan supported him through a brain tumor diagnosis, surgery, and treatment in 2016.
In addition to educating clients, Trent teaches CFP® Certification Classes at Terry College of Business at University of Georgia, lending his experience in recruiting, training and developing top advisors. He’s passionate about helping others start and enhance their careers, because he knows he would not be where he is today without the guidance of other experienced professionals.
Trenton lives in Peachtree Corners, GA with his wife, Brittany, and twin boys, Hunter and Mason.
R. Mark Smith, LUTCF
Partner
770-587-4416
As founder and partner of Magnolia Financial Group, Mark Smith is dedicated to helping families and businesses prioritize their financial goals and objectives - no matter the stage of life.
Mark attended the University of South Carolina, Spartanburg on a soccer scholarship and received a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Finance in 1993. He began his career over 25 years ago with John Hancock, but quickly shifted to operating as an independent financial advisor. As an independent advisor, Mark works for his Clients, not an insurance company, bank or brokerage firm.
He brings deep experience in providing clients with sound financial strategies that can help them plan for their futures. Insurance, investment, retirement, estate and financial planning are a few of the key pillars to Magnolia’s practice.
Mark lives in Sandy Springs with his wife, Megan, and their two daughters, Lucy and Tatum.
Russ Wood
Partner
Russ Wood joins the MFG Family following a pivot from nearly two decades as a wholesaler and Regional Vice President at Jackson National Life Distributors. Russ possesses special skills making complex financial products easy to understand. Considering his genuine likeability, sense of humor and passion for people, Russ’s transition to financial planning was an easy one. He’s known to point out that everyone has two ears but only one mouth, so you should listen twice as much as you talk. When it comes to investment and asset management, Russ wants people to know what they have and why they have it – for Russ, it’s essential to provide straightforward strategies that fit each client’s financial plan.
Russ holds his series 7 and 63 with LPL Financial and is registered as an Investment Advisor Representative with IFG Advisory, LLC.
Outside the office, Russ’s hobby is family. He stays active and connected coaching youth sports, being the Assistant Den Leader to his son’s Cub Scout Pack, skiing, and golfing when he has the chance. He lives in Maine with his wife, Lindsay, and children, Conner and Ellie, but makes regular trips to the southeast to work at Magnolia Financial Group’s offices in Roswell, Georgia. Russ is a New England sports teams’ fan and has been known to cheer for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Nikki Cape
Client Relationship Manager
As Magnolia Financial Group’s Client Relationship Manager, Nikki Cape excels at maintaining a level of service that doesn’t disappoint.
Nikki works closely with clients and strategic partners, providing comprehensive service for each account. After receiving her Bachelor of Science from Auburn University in 1995, Nikki gained valuable experience as a Convention Services Manager for the Renaissance Atlanta Hotel, later working in retail sales before joining Magnolia Financial Group in 2015. Nikki’s talent and willingness to serve others allows Magnolia Financial Group to provide clients with the attention they deserve.
Nikki lives in Peachtree Corners, GA with her husband, Jeff, and twin girls, Evie and Ella.
Aundie Duckett
Executive Assistant | Insurance Coordinator
770-587-4416
Aundie has worked in the financial industry since the early ’90s. She began her career with Sun Life as a New Business Underwriter. In 1999 she started working with Joel Weitnauer and has been working with Mark Smith since 2010. Her primary focus is seeking to provide superior client care and supporting advisors with insurance services.
Aundie is a Georgia native. She lives in Kennesaw with her husband, Jeff, and has two children; Abbie and Patrick. When she’s not working, she enjoys running and cheering on the Atlanta Braves.
June Walker
Retired Partner | Executive Council
833-202-2797
June Walker is a Retired Partner and member of the Executive Council for Magnolia Financial Group. Accumulating nearly 50 years’ combined experience in financial planning and retail sales and management June brings a wealth of knowledge to the Magnolia Financial Group family, offering business guidance and strategic operations support.
June has been married to his wife, Sandra for over 50 years. They have 2 sons, 3 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. June is a deacon, teaches Sunday School, and directs the choir at Stedman Baptist Church in Tallapoosa, GA. Sandra plays the church piano and organ. They live in Douglasville on their family homestead.
Joel Weitnauer
Retired Partner | Former Executive Council
Joel Weitnauer was born in Atlanta. Upon graduating from Georgia Tech in 1965, he began his career with John Hancock. His practice specialized in business and estate planning. Joel was a life and qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table and served as chairman of John Hancock’s Agent’s Committee. He is also a past president of the Life Leaders of Georgia and the Atlanta Association of Life Underwriters and a current member of the Atlanta Estate Planning Council.
Joel and his wife, Rachel, have two sons and four grandchildren. Joel enjoys playing golf, hunting, and spending time with his family.
Joel Weitnauer is not affiliated with Magnolia Financial Group, IFG Advisory, LLC, or LPL Financial.
Heather Hawthorne
Director of Marketing
Heather started working with Integrated Financial Group in 2012 as consultant. Her expertise in brand development,
copywriting, and content marketing solidified her role as Director of Marketing in January 2019. Heather works closely with IFG’s Executive Team to foster IFG’s culture, manage their brand, and support advisor members like Magnolia Financial Group with marketing services to help them grow their practices.
When she's not writing or wrangling her middle schoolers – Thomas and Mia – you can find Heather out exploring Atlanta's
jazz scene and hanging with friends. Proudly Canadian and soulfully Southern, Heather's other loves include coffee, kindness,
the Lowcountry, Jack Russells, thrift stores, and people who think for themselves.