Experience

Makes all the difference

Rick Verdone Jr.

Managing Director–Wealth Management

Financial Advisor

After 27 years with Smith Barney, Rick moved with Rankin Wealth Management to UBS in 2009. He is responsible for portfolio construction, retirement income strategies, equity and fixed income research and estate planning.

Rick earned his M.B.A. in finance from Tulane University and a B.S. in industrial relations from UNC Chapel Hill. He has Series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses and life, health and variable annuity insurance licenses. Rick was born and raised in Charlotte, where he attended Charlotte Country Day School. He and his wife have three children.

Registered States:
  • AL
  • AR
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DE
  • FL
  • GA
  • HI
  • KY
  • LA
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MO
  • NC
  • NJ
  • NY
  • OH
  • OK
  • RI
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • VA
  • WA

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023The 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

rick.verdone@ubs.com
Rick Verdone Jr.
6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210

Joseph Zentner, CFP, CPM

Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

Financial Advisor

Joe has been with Rankin Wealth Management since 1996, starting at Smith Barney and then moving with the team to UBS in 2009. He is responsible for retirement income strategies, team management, portfolio construction and equity and fixed income research.

Joe earned his B.S. in mechanical engineering from The Ohio University. He earned the Certified Financial Planner™ and Certified Portfolio Manager designations as well as the Series 7, 31, 63 and 65 securities licenses and life, health, and variable annuity insurance licenses. Joe and his wife, Bonnie, are parents to three daughters.

Registered States:
  • AL
  • AR
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • DE
  • FL
  • GA
  • KY
  • LA
  • MD
  • MI
  • NC
  • NJ
  • NY
  • OH
  • OK
  • RI
  • SC
  • SD
  • TN
  • TX
  • VA
  • WA

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023The 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

joe.zentner@ubs.com
Joseph Zentner, CFP, CPM
6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210

Ellen Rankin

Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

Financial Advisor

Ellen joined Rankin Wealth Management in 2012 and is responsible for portfolio construction, equity and fixed income research, and business development. Prior to joining the team at UBS, Ellen served as a Director in Fixed Income at Credit Suisse in New York where she focused on structuring and risk management of bespoke securitized products derivatives.

Ellen earned her M.B.A. in investment management from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, and her B.A. in neuroscience from Colgate University. She is Series 3, 7, 24, 63, 66 and life, health, and variable annuity insurance licensed.

Born and raised in Charlotte, Ellen is an active member of her community. She is the Incoming 2020-2021 Board Chair of the Women's Impact Fund and serves on the Good Friends Charlotte and YWCA Endowment Boards. Ellen is also a Sustainer member of the Junior League of Charlotte and a member-at-large of the Mint Museum Auxiliary.

Registered States:
  • AL
  • AR
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • DE
  • FL
  • GA
  • IL
  • KY
  • LA
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MO
  • NC
  • NJ
  • NY
  • OH
  • OK
  • RI
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • UT
  • VA
  • WA

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • Forbes America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors, 2021The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in February based on information from a 12 month period ending September of the prior year.
  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2023, 2024The 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, 2023The 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 Women Wealth Advisors Best-in-State, 2022, 2023, 2024The Forbes rating is compiled by Shook Research and awarded annually in February based on information from a 12 month period ending September 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

ellen.rankin@ubs.com
Ellen Rankin
6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210

Mason Rankin, CFP

Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

Financial Advisor

With over 15 years in the financial services industry, Mason began his career as a Financial Analyst with Progress Energy in 2002. He joined Rankin Wealth Management at Smith Barney in 2005 before moving with the team to UBS in 2009. Mason is responsible for portfolio construction, equity and fixed income research, estate planning and client service management.

Born and raised in Charlotte, Mason earned his B.S. in business administration from UNC Chapel Hill. He earned the Certified Financial Planner™ designation as well as Series 7, 31 and 66 securities licenses and life, health, and variable annuity insurance licenses. Mason is married and a father to three children.

Registered States:
  • AL
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • DE
  • FL
  • GA
  • HI
  • KY
  • LA
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MO
  • NC
  • NH
  • NJ
  • NY
  • OH
  • OK
  • PA
  • RI
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • VA
  • WA
  • WY

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023The 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

mason.rankin@ubs.com
Mason Rankin, CFP
6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210

Michael Gould, CFA, CFP, CRPC, CPM

First Vice President–Wealth Management

Financial Advisor

Mike began his career with Ameriprise Financial in 2004 and joined Rankin Wealth Management at Smith Barney in 2007 before moving with the team to UBS in 2009. He is responsible for portfolio construction, equity and fixed income research, portfolio trading, and insurance and annuity analysis.

Born and raised in Greensboro, Mike graduated with a B.S. in business administration from UNC Chapel Hill. He earned the Chartered Financial Analyst®, Certified Portfolio Manager® and Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM designations. He has Series 7 and 66 securities licenses as well as life, health, and variable annuity and long-term care insurance licenses. Mike and his wife, Jenny, have two sons.

Registered States:
  • AK
  • AL
  • AR
  • AZ
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DC
  • DE
  • FL
  • GA
  • HI
  • IA
  • ID
  • IL
  • IN
  • KS
  • KY
  • LA
  • MA
  • MD
  • ME
  • MI
  • MN
  • MO
  • MS
  • MT
  • NC
  • ND
  • NE
  • NH
  • NJ
  • NM
  • NV
  • NY
  • OH
  • OK
  • OR
  • PA
  • PR
  • RI
  • SC
  • SD
  • TN
  • TX
  • UT
  • VA
  • VI
  • VT
  • WA
  • WI
  • WV
  • WY

Recognized as an industry leader:

  • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams, 2023The 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

mike.gould@ubs.com
Michael Gould, CFA, CFP, CRPC, CPM
6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210

Clayton Scholand, CFP

Vice President–Wealth Management

Financial Advisor

Clay began his financial services career in 1998 working with Legg Mason and Smith Barney. In 2009, he moved to UBS with Rankin Wealth Management. He is responsible for retirement income strategies, business services, investment management, and insurance and annuities.

Clay earned his B.S. in finance from Wingate University. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ and has Series 7, 63 and 65 securities licenses and life, health, and variable annuity insurance licenses. Clay has been married for over 10 years and has two children.

Registered States:
  • AL
  • AR
  • CA
  • CO
  • CT
  • DE
  • FL
  • GA
  • KS
  • KY
  • LA
  • MA
  • MD
  • MI
  • MO
  • NC
  • NJ
  • NY
  • OH
  • OK
  • PA
  • RI
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • VA
  • WA
6100 Fairview Road
Suite 900
Charlotte, NC 28210

Email Me

clay.scholand@ubs.com
Clayton Scholand, CFP
6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210

Susan Cross

Senior Client Associate

Susan began her career with Smith Barney and its predecessor firm, E.F. Hutton. She has more than 25 years experience in the financial services industry. She earned Series 7 and 66 securities licenses, as well as life, health, and variable annuity and long-term care insurance licenses. Susan and her husband, Brett, are competitive bowlers, enjoy country music and love animals.

Registered States:
  • AL
  • CA
  • CO
  • GA
  • HI
  • LA
  • NC
  • OK
  • RI
  • SC
  • TN
  • TX
  • VA
  • WA
6100 Fairview Road
Suite 900
Charlotte, NC 28210

Email Me

susan.cross@ubs.com
Susan Cross
6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210

Dana Keener

Senior Client Associate

Dana began her career in 2000 with Uvest Financial Services and joined Rankin Wealth Management at Smith Barney in 2004 before moving with the team to UBS in 2009. She earned a B.A. in finance from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte and holds Series 7 and 66 securities licenses. Dana and her husband, Justin, have two children and enjoy family beach trips and listening to country music.

Registered States:
  • NC
  • SC
6100 Fairview Road
Suite 900
Charlotte, NC 28210

Email Me

dana.keener@ubs.com
Dana Keener
6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210

Valerie Farlow

Client Associate

After 20 years in the travel industry, Valerie shifted careers into financial services, joining Smith Barney in 2001 and moving with Rankin Wealth Management to UBS in 2009. She received a degree from Wingate University and has lived in the Charlotte area for almost 50 years. Outside of work, she is actively involved in animal welfare and rescue.

6100 Fairview Road
Suite 900
Charlotte, NC 28210

Email Me

valerie.farlow@ubs.com
Valerie Farlow
6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210

Marshall Wyker

Senior Client Associate

Marshall, originally from Charleston, SC, graduated from Wofford College with a B.A. in Finance before moving to Charlotte. She began her career with Vanguard and then transitioned to Smith Barney in 2006. She moved with Rankin Wealth Management to UBS in 2009. Marshall and her husband, Bryan, have two children, and she enjoys playing tennis, working out and spending time at the beach with her family.

Registered States:
  • NC
6100 Fairview Road
Suite 900
Charlotte, NC 28210

Email Me

marshall.wyker@ubs.com
Marshall Wyker
6100 Fairview Road,Charlotte,NC,28210