Your Financial Health Experts

Growing up with seven other siblings taught John Dameron many life skills: perseverance that allowed him to build a successful business, patience to be a good listener, coach, father and mentor, and compassion to be able to put himself into others’ shoes. These attributes without exception would serve John well later in life as he pursued a path in financial services. Upon graduating from college, John started a career with Marriott, but seeking more autonomy over his future, he decided to change course. John became a partner at Spaugh Dameron Tenny in 2002. Through Herb’s long standing relationship with the Carolinas Medical Center, John began developing a series of lectures on financial management focused on the needs of physicians and medical residents. The classes were very well received and John has now lectured at over a dozen teaching hospitals nationwide. Today, Spaugh Dameron Tenny educates and advises physicians in more than 26 states – as clients relocate and establish practices or take new positions throughout the country. Coaching is a role that comes naturally to John whether at the office or at home. John’s greatest strength is his ability to encourage others to systematically plan for and reach goals they may not have considered attainable. Nowhere is this more evident that at Spaugh Dameron Tenny, where John listens carefully to his clients’ fears, dreams and aspirations. “I do my best to truly understand what keeps my clients up at night, and then guide them through the necessary steps to reduce their anxiety around personal finances.” John helps clients cultivate financial habits to support their long-term financial goals and works patiently alongside them to help them plan for their future. A former competitive athlete in college and high school, John still loves sports and is heavily involved in coaching his children’s soccer, baseball and basketball teams. Asked about the qualities that make him a particularly good coach, John explains: “I see the best in people. I believe the best about people. And I help them to believe the best about themselves. That positions them for success.” Outside of work John enjoys grilling (ask him about his homemade rubs!), boating and hunting. John’s son Fletcher is studying Communication, Public Relations at Appalachian State and son Tyler will be attending USC in the fall. John resides in Charlotte, NC with his wife Meredith and their son Lucas.

Even as a young boy, Shane exhibited the temperament that would lead to his eventual career path. Shane was the kind of kid who would meter out his holiday candy for weeks, and study toy catalogs for hours, thinking carefully about how to allocate his savings. Reflecting on a time when he bought a toy that ended up being a giant letdown, Shane says: “As painful as it was at the time, it was a great lesson! First, I learned to do my research; more importantly, I learned to be a good steward of my money.” Shane credits his father with encouraging him to act deliberately, and teaching him at an early age to make decisions that were in line with his values. Shane, who had originally aspired to be a television news anchor, had an aptitude for strategic thinking that drew him to financial advising instead. What attracts Shane to his work is the opportunity to engage with people, work with clients on developing a vision, and have a positive impact on people’s lives. Shane particularly enjoys teaching complex ideas. He completed additional study and the requirements to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and offer the comprehensive approach to planning he feels serves clients best. Today, Shane and his partners at Spaugh Dameron Tenny apply their approach to financial planning to the needs of physicians and other professionals in the medical field. Shane, who teaches a series of classes on financial management to physicians, sums up the role that he plays in his clients’ financial lives. “Doctors are extremely time-strapped, and important financial decisions sometimes do not get the consideration they deserve. We do our best work with clients who recognize that they need help, and who want to delegate the stress of managing their finances.” “Money can serve you well, but it can also be a source of major stress – impacting relationships, and your quality of life,” says Shane. “What I love about my work is that it can inspire clients to do more than just spend their money; it can help them feel secure, free, and in control.” Outside of work, Shane is active in his church, enjoys woodworking, riding horses and playing with any gadget made by Apple. Shane and his wife, Noël, reside in the South Park area of Charlotte with their four young children.

Helping others has always come naturally to Bryce Miller. A former volunteer firefighter, Bryce chose a career in financial planning because he genuinely enjoys helping people work toward their financial goals. “Many of our clients have goals that they feel are unattainable due to large amounts of student loan debt or poor past financial decisions,” Bryce says. “The most fulfilling part of my job is listening to our clients and helping them map out a plan to get from where they are now to where they want to be.” After graduating from Alfred State College with a degree in Financial Planning, Bryce moved from his hometown of Rochester, NY to Charlotte, NC to pursue his dream of becoming a financial planner. “I knew I wanted to move to Charlotte because I’ve always liked the warm Southern personality,” says Bryce. He adds: “Not to mention the warm Southern weather!” Previously a Planning and Research Analyst at Spaugh Dameron Tenny, Bryce’s strong analytical skills and outgoing personality made him a natural choice to become an advisor. In 2012, he earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. “Growing up, my dad showed me the value of hard work, but also the importance of a balance between work and family life,” Bryce explains. “Our clients work hard and it is my goal to help them make smart financial decisions so they can spend their time on what matters the most to them.” Outside of work, Bryce enjoys working out, making his signature Chicken Alfredo, and dominating his Fantasy Football League. He and his wife, Robyn, live in Indian Land, SC with their dog, Elliot, and cat, Dallas. (Named after Bryce’s favorite NFL team!)

“I’ve always had an appreciation for the value of money, and numbers come easily to me,” David Belinkie explains about his innate interest in the financial markets. “My dad is a financial planner, so I knew early on that I wanted to work in the financial field.” Soon after graduating from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Finance, David relocated to Charlotte to establish his own practice. In 2006, he attained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. Now as an advisor with Spaugh Dameron Tenny, David is part of a thriving practice that focuses on the financial management needs of physicians and medical residents. “I enjoy working exclusively with the medical community,” says David. He adds: “What I particularly like about the collaborative nature of a practice like ours is that it allows every team member to contribute their unique skill set to client situations.” For David, the client relationship grows even deeper when the financial plan is put into action. He feels very strongly about educating clients so that they have all the information they need to make suitable decisions for their specific situation. Once David has worked with a client to develop a financial plan, he remains actively involved in the implementation phase and ongoing monitoring of the plan. “I tend to worry about our clients so they don’t have to,” he admits. “I believe our clients select our practice for our specialty but ultimately they stay because of how we take care of them.” Outside of work, this self-professed football fanatic tries to spend as much time as possible with friends and family. David, who comes from a long line of talented singers, occasionally sings with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Originally from Richmond, Virginia, David currently resides in Charlotte.

Born and raised in Charlotte, NC, Will feels a great amount of responsibility to serve the community where he grew up. Keeping the longstanding family legacy alive, Will graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in Management and Society, and is a huge Tarheel fan! Outside of work, Will likes to stay active by lifting weights, playing disc golf and is always up for a new adventure. He has been sky diving 4 times. Will says, “I’m excited to join Spaugh Dameron Tenny because I am passionate about our wholistic approach to financial planning.”

Lou will help you analyze your existing group retirement plan structure and recommend changes to help achieve the plan objectives while providing personal service to physicians and employee participants. Lou’s favorite thing to do in his spare time is to “Work some more.” He loves living in Charlotte because it’s a clean, new city with family values, while Italy is the favorite place he’s ever been because it allowed him to get in touch with his family roots and learn about his heritage.