Experience

Makes all the difference

John Stanford, CEPA

Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

Financial Advisor

I was born in Rockledge, FL, and spent my formative years with my parents and younger sister in Indian Harbor Beach, FL, where our lives were filled with sunshine and sports. My mom and dad were both educators before retiring and venturing school into the world of entrepreneurship, starting a successful children’s clothing company.

Growing up, sports were a big part of my life. I excelled at racquetball, becoming a national junior champion—a proud achievement that fueled my competitive spirit and love for the game.  When not on the court, I worked at my parents' business where I learned the value of hard work and dedication.

After graduating Melbourne High School, I went on to attend Florida State University. There, I pursued a dual major in Geography and Finance, laying the foundation for my future career.

After earning my diploma, I went immediately into the world of financial services, joining the firm AG Edwards in 2000.  However, in May of 2014, Jack and I took the next step in our careers by joining UBS, a decision that has been both rewarding and fulfilling.  Today, we strive to be the premier wealth management team in our industry advising successful Deloitte professionals nationwide.

Outside of the office, my life is a blend of family, golf, and giving back. Family travel is a priority, creating lasting memories with my wife Cara and our teenage daughters Delaney and Sophie.  When not traveling, I enjoy time spent playing golf and serving on our club’s golf and greens committee.  Additionally, I am deeply passionate about giving back through the Make an Impact Foundation, making a difference in the lives of others is something I find truly rewarding.

In my downtime, you can find me cheering on my beloved Florida State Seminoles or indulging my love for sports cars. These passions fuel my spirit and remind me of the importance of pursuing what brings joy and fulfillment.

Registered States:
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • DE
  • FL
  • GA
  • IL
  • IN
  • KS
  • KY
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MN
  • MO
  • MS
  • NC
  • NJ
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • OK
  • PA
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • UT
  • VA

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2024, 2025The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in April based on information from a 12 month period ending June of the prior year.
  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2024, 2025, 2026The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.

Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

6100 Fairview Road
Suite 900
Charlotte, NC 28210

Email Me

john.stanford@ubs.com
John Stanford, CEPA
6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210

Jack William Butler, CFP

Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

Financial Advisor

I was born and raised with my younger brother in Winston-Salem, NC, where my parents met and worked at Wachovia, instilling in me a deep appreciation for finance and business from an early age. As a kid, my world revolved around soccer. I spent countless hours on the field, honing my skills and developing a love for teamwork and competition.

From an early age, my parents made it clear that if I wanted something, I would have to work for it.  That motivated me to take my first job at a tool distribution factory, where I learned the value of hard work and responsibility.  I went on to attend high school at Forsyth Country Day where I not only excelled on the soccer team, but also served as student class president, honing my leadership skills and passion for serving others.

After completing high school, I went on to the University of South Carolina.  There, I studied finance, further deepening my understanding and love for the financial world. During this time, our country entered a financial crisis and I was fortunate to obtain a wealth management internship.  Immediately, I knew I had found my calling by realizing the impact I could make in helping others navigate complex financial landscapes.

In 2014, John and I joined UBS where we continue our mission: to be the premier wealth management team in our industry advising successful Deloitte professionals nationwide.

My family is my rock. I am blessed with a loving wife, Jillian, and three wonderful children, Eliza, Pierce, and Georgia. Outside of the office, I prioritize family time, cherishing moments with my loved ones. I also stay active with workouts and never miss a Charlotte FC game, indulging my love for soccer. My faith is central to my life, and I am deeply involved with our church and other faith-based organizations, finding purpose in serving others.

Registered States:
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • DE
  • FL
  • GA
  • IL
  • IN
  • KS
  • KY
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MN
  • MO
  • MS
  • NC
  • NJ
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • OK
  • PA
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • UT
  • VA

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2024, 2025, 2026The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in January, based on information from a 12 month period ending March of the prior year.
  • Forbes Top Next-Gen (Generation) Wealth Advisors Best-in-State, 2024, 2025The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in August based on information from a 12 month period ending in March of the award year.

Eligibility is based on quantitative factors and is not necessarily related to the quality of the investment advice. For more information on third party rating methodologies, please visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures

6100 Fairview Road
Suite 900
Charlotte, NC 28210

Email Me

jack.butler@ubs.com
Jack William Butler, CFP
6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210

Cheryl Grava

Senior Wealth Strategy Associate

Cheryl joined our team in 2024 and works closely with John, Jack, and our clients to help them understand, utilize, and maximize their Deloitte benefits and programs. Cheryl is a tremendous asset to our clients and our team in our pursuit to provide exceptional service and advice.

Most recently, she served as the Managing Director of the Deloitte Wealth Office. There, she helped countless Partners, Principals, and Managing Directors navigate their wealth and Deloitte benefits. She brings over 25 years of experience working with high-net worth PPMDs providing clarity around their financial plans. 

Outside of UBS

Cheryl is an avid traveler and tennis player. She enjoys spending time outside the office on the court, walking her two dogs, and spending time with family and friends. 

Registered States:
  • GA
8000 Avalon Blvd
Alpharetta, GA 30009

Email Me

cheryl.grava@ubs.com
Cheryl Grava
8000 Avalon Blvd,Alpharetta,GA,30009

Hannah Thomas

Team Administrator

Hannah joined John and Jack at UBS in 2021 and currently serves as Team Administrator. She assists the ultra-high net worth clients of the team in helping to meet their investment, estate planning, and philanthropic goals. Hannah brings her talents in client service, communication, and professionalism in pursuit of the team’s goal to provide a world-class client experience.

Outside of UBS

Hannah is originally from Mooresville, North Carolina and now lives in Charlotte with her fiancé Pierce. Outside of work, Hannah enjoys spending time needlepointing, traveling, and entertaining friends and family at home. Hannah and Pierce are alumni of the University of South Carolina and enjoy attending football games in Columbia.

Registered States:
  • CA
  • DE
  • FL
  • GA
  • KS
  • KY
  • MD
  • MS
  • NC
  • NY
  • OK
  • SC
6100 Fairview Road
Suite 900
Charlotte, NC 28210

Email Me

hannah.thomas@ubs.com
Hannah Thomas
6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210

Abbie Rossi

Client Associate

Abbie is dedicated to helping our clients with the onboarding process and client experience. Abbie is devoted to our clients in making sure their experience with our team is seamless and enjoyable. Abbie is committed to continuously expanding professional horizons. Abbie embodies a well-rounded approach to both work and personal interests.

Outside of UBS

Abbie is originally from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and resides in Charlotte with her husband, Jason. Outside of work, Abbie cherishes quality time with family and enjoys exploring new destinations through travel.

6100 Fairview Road
Suite 900
Charlotte, NC 28210

Email Me

abbie.rossi@ubs.com
Abbie Rossi
6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210

Wells Armes

Client Associate

Wells was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2023. Throughout college, Wells worked in the athletic departments at the University of Georgia and University of North Carolina.

He joined the team in 2024 as a Client Associate. He is dedicated to helping our clients with the onboarding process and providing a top-notch client experience. Wells’ draw to financial services was the opportunity to foster long-term relationships, help others, and his enjoyment in following the markets.

After graduation, Wells was part of the Charlotte Fellows program. Charlotte Fellows is a nine-month leadership development program that encompasses faith, service, and work. During the program, he worked in private equity and wealth management. In addition, Wells served at non-profits in the Charlotte community.

Outside of UBS

In his free time, Wells is a member and actively involved at Hope Community Church. He also enjoys playing golf, spending time with friends, and pulling for the UNC Tar Heels and Georgia Bulldogs.

6100 Fairview Road
Suite 900
Charlotte, NC 28210

Email Me

wells.armes@ubs.com
Wells Armes
6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210

Our resources

  • image

    Erik Seeney

    Executive Director

    Wealth Planning Strategist

  • Shawna Hamilton

    Senior Strategist

    Family Advisory and Philanthropy Services

    Professional History

    As a Senior Strategist, Shawna co-leads Family Advisory and Philanthropy Services for the West Division. Shawna works closely with advisors to support families on achieving their goals in optimizing money, centering values, and living their philanthropic intent. The Family Advisory and Philanthropy Services team serves as a thought partner to advisors and their exceptional client families on wealth transitions, family governance, family office strategies, and philanthropy.

    Shawna joined UBS in 2021 from Pacific Foundation Services where she was a Senior Program Officer and Philanthropy Advisor. Before that, Shawna had two roles within Silicon Valley Community Foundation. The first was in fundraising, the second was guiding a global Habitat for Humanity grant program and providing advisory support to Cisco Systems' employees worldwide. Prior to her service in philanthropy, Shawna lived in New York, spending time at a hedge fund and co-launching an Ethiopia-based education nonprofit.

    As a native of Santa Barbara, California, Shawna’s family spans across the West. She is an active volunteer to several community organizations and lives in San Francisco.

    Education
    Shawna received a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from The New School, and a Bachelor of Science in International Business from California State University Northridge.
  • Sheree

    Sheree Woods, CFP®

    NMLS #797777

    Senior Wealth Management Banker, UBS Bank USA

    Current role and areas of expertise

    Sheree joined UBS Bank USA in 2016, and she is currently a Senior Wealth Management Banker covering the Atlanta PWM, Charlotte PWM, Philadelphia PWM, Southern Virginia, Georgia and the Carolinas offices.

    Leveraging her extensive background in relationship banking, Sheree is focused on providing Financial Advisors and their clients with a variety of banking and lending options, where suitable, to complement their overall wealth management objectives. By presenting both asset and liability management strategies, Sheree is able to highlight all that UBS Bank USA has to offer to help ensure awareness of opportunities on both sides of the balance sheet.

    Professional history

    Sheree began her career in financial services in 1994. Prior to joining UBS, Sheree spent five years as a Private Banker at Morgan Stanley. Sheree has held positions as a Commercial Lender for BB&T and Wachovia. She also served as a Market Executive for Coastal Banking Company.

    Education and personal information

    In Sheree’s role as a Senior Wealth Management Banker, her NMLS # is 797777. She holds permissive Series 7 and Series 66 securities licenses, and CFP®. Sheree also holds a BBA in Finance from Georgia Southern University.

    Outside the office, Sheree stays active through gardening, tennis and boating. She also enjoys cooking, entertaining and gathering with friends and spending time with her two adult stepsons, Levi and Addison and daughters-in-law, Laura and Kylie. Sheree is an avid tennis player.

    Sheree resides in Sandy Springs, Georgia with her husband Kendall, a 2x IRONMAN and 12x 70.3 IRONMAN, and has fun crewing for his IRONMAN events. Sheree and Kendall also volunteer with the Kyle Pease Foundation.

    Senior Wealth Management Bankers are employees of UBS Bank USA. UBS Bank USA is a subsidiary of UBS Group AG. UBS Bank USA, Member FDIC, NMLS No. 947868. Equal Housing Lender.

     

  • Kirtana Patel

    Executive Director

    Life Insurance Planning Consultant

    As the Life Insurance Planning Consultant, Kirtana is responsible to provide Financial Advisors and their clients with objective advice on life insurance plan design, strategies, and implementation. Through a comprehensive financial plan, Kirtana offers guidance to clients on topics such as estate planning, life insurance, retirement planning, and long-term care.

    Kirtana has 15 years of experience in the Life Insurance & Financial Services industry. Kirtana began her career in financial services with various life insurance companies such as Northwestern Mutual and Guardian Life. This led to her most notably working at Merrill Lynch Bank of America whereby she was the UHNW Wealth Structuring Insurance Specialist covering 3000 FAs. Prior to joining UBS, Kirtana was a General Agent herself working at Crump Life, Truist Financial as a Regional Insurance Specialist.

    She earned her degree in Economics and Statistics at Rutgers University and has obtained her Series 7 and 66 securities licenses as well as her life insurance and annuity licenses. In addition, Kirtana has earned her CFP® designations. Kirtana currently resides in New Jersey with her husband and three boys.

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