Customized solutions for complex wealth

Redone update 5.6.22

We’re a multigenerational team with diverse experience that collectively spans decades. SSG Wealth Management provides our clients—successful families and business owners—with the knowledge and advice they need to navigate their complex financial lives. Over the years, our team has worked successfully with our clients’ entire families. We believe that education is key to helping each generation understand the importance of planning— knowing where they are today and what they can do to help prepare and protect their loved ones and the future they’ve earned.

Experience matters
We want you to benefit from our years of experience investing in every type of market and developing financial plans that address a range of priorities and challenges. Whether you’re investing for retirement, structuring your estate, transitioning from your business or evaluating financing options, you can count on us to deliver customized solutions backed by the vast resources of UBS and advice to help you pursue the goals that matter most.

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  • Bill Smith

    William "Bill" Smith

    Managing Director–Wealth Management

    Financial Advisor

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    • AL
    • AR
    • AZ
    • CA
    • CO
    • CT
    • DC
    • DE
    • FL
    • GA
    • IL
    • IN
    • MA
    • MD
    • MI
    • MO
    • MT
    • NC
    • NJ
    • NY
    • OH
    • OR
    • PA
    • SC
    • TX
    • VA
    • VT
    • WA
    • WI

    Insight grounded in experience
    Over the last 20 years, Bill has helped many successful entrepreneurs and families pursue their business transition, liquidity planning and other related wealth management goals. Today, as a lead Advisor with SSG Wealth Management Group, Bill continues to work with entrepreneurs on their early-stage and exit planning goals and the estate planning strategies they need to help protect the proceeds from their sale

    Credentials that build confidence

    • Private Wealth Advisor (PWA)
    • Series 7 and 63 securities licenses
    • Graduate, Foundations of Investment Management Program, Stanford University School of Business
    • B.S., business administration, UNC Chapel Hill

    Making a difference
    Bill has been involved with a number of organizations that support entrepreneurship.  He is a past board member of the Council for Entrepreneurial Development and a past judge for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards.

    A member of the UNC Chapel Hill golf team while in college, after graduation he played professional golf  for four years. Bill has continued his work with the golf program at his alma mater, serving as the Chairman of the UNC Executive Cup multiple times. He was also a founding member of the 1928 Society (which supports both men's and women's golf programs).

    While Bill loves his work, he is also passionate about spending time with his wife, Jennifer, and their three kids.  He and his family enjoy hiking, tennis and golf. 

     

    • Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors, 2021, 2022, 2023
      The Barron's rating is awarded annually in March and is based on information from the prior year Q3. 
    • Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023The 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.

    • UNC Chapel Hill, B.S., Business Administration
    • Wealth Advisor
    • Private Wealth Advisor
    3700 Glenwood Avenue
    Suite 300
    Raleigh, NC 27612
  • Bruce Sharpe

    Bruce Sharpe

    Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

    Financial Advisor

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    • AL
    • CA
    • CO
    • CT
    • DC
    • DE
    • FL
    • GA
    • IL
    • IN
    • MA
    • MD
    • MI
    • MO
    • MT
    • NC
    • NJ
    • NY
    • OH
    • OR
    • PA
    • SC
    • TX
    • VA
    • VT
    • WA
    • WI
    • WV

    Insight grounded in experience
    More than 40 years ago, Bruce began his career as a credit analyst. He always loved the markets and credits that to those few shares of stock his uncle gave him when he was five years old. After various managerial and commercial banking positions, he joined UBS, and is known for his professionalism, easy going nature and simply just being there for his clients when they need him.  When asked what his favorite hobby is, Bruce emphatically responds, "I like to work." Today, having a real ability to speak comfortably with every generation, he focuses primarily on clients' intergenerational wealth transfer goals.

    Credentials that build confidence

    • Series 4, 6, 7, 24, 53, 63 and 65 securities licenses
    • B.A., history,  UNC Chapel Hill
    • M.B.A., East Carolina University

    Making a difference
    While he has been and continues to be a board member for numerous community, arts and educational organizations throughout his life, Bruce is particularly dedicated to the Interfaith Food Shuttle, a local food bank.

      • East Carolina University, M.B.A.
      • UNC Chapel Hill, B.A. History
        3700 Glenwood Avenue
        Suite 300
        Raleigh, NC 27612
      • Benjamin Goldstein

        Benjamin Goldstein

        Senior Vice President–Wealth Management

        Financial Advisor

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        • AK
        • AL
        • CA
        • CO
        • CT
        • DC
        • DE
        • FL
        • GA
        • IL
        • IN
        • LA
        • MA
        • MD
        • MI
        • MO
        • MT
        • NC
        • NH
        • NJ
        • NY
        • OH
        • OR
        • PA
        • SC
        • TX
        • VA
        • VT
        • WA
        • WI
        • WV

        Insight grounded in experience

        Having built his wealth management practice from the ground up, Ben has a solid understanding of the needs and goals of the individuals he serves. He's walked with his clients through both the high points and challenges in their lives. As a Financial Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM (CFP®), Ben understands the human element in working with his clients. He is not your typical CFP professional. While he delivers strategic thinking and numbers-based analysis, Ben's focus is on people and relationships. He enjoys connecting his tactical expertise with the human side of wealth management—learning what matters to his clients, what makes them worry, what brings them joy. He is a born teacher and his approach is always one of collaboration and education.

        Though only in his early-forty's, Ben already has more than twenty years of experience at the firm. This means that he offers clients the expertise of a seasoned advisor while having many years ahead of him to work with his clients throughout their retirement and golden years.

        Successful individuals and families work with Ben to:

        • Develop and implement comprehensive financial plans to help them reach their financial dreams.
        • Obtain an independent second opinion from a top financial advisor in their community.
        • Make educated decisions in today’s uncertain political, economic and social environment.
        • Integrate their current CPA and Attorney with Ben's expert team in order to streamline and optimize the financial decision-making process.

        Credentials that build confidence

        • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®)
        • Series 7, 31, 63 and 65 securities licenses
        • State of North Carolina, Life, Accident and Health Insurance Licensed
        • B.S. Business Management, North Carolina State University

        Speaking engagements

        Ben is frequently an invited speaker to various organizations throughout North Carolina. Recent speaking engagements include:

        • Progress Energy (now Duke Energy) - Fortune 500 company. Invited speaker that rotated among corporate headquarters, nuclear power plants, and administrative offices across North Carolina and South Carolina giving educational presentations to their senior employees on retirement planning topics.
        • North Carolina Association of CPA's (NCACPA) - Frequent speaker to their conferences, providing continuing education to CPAs maintaining their professional license. Audiences have ranged in size to as many as 400 CPAs.
        • Various investment clubs and local retirement groups on a wide range of financial topics.

        Making a difference

        Ben is passionate about making an impact in the lives of his clients and community.

        • Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle- Active Board Member
        • Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle- Serves as a Big Brother and mentor in a one on one relationship with a child
        • American Corporate Partners (ACP) - Ben serves in a mentor relationship as he is paired with a veteran transitioning from active military duty to the business world.
        • Better Business Bureau- trained and volunteered as an Arbitrator to resolve disputes between businesses and consumers.
        • YWCA- designed and gave presentations on financial topics to women residing in the shelter.
        • NC Symphony- Fundraising
        • Safe Haven- Animal rescue and kitten foster volunteer

          • North Carolina State University, B.S. Business Management
          • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
          3700 Glenwood Avenue
          Suite 300
          Raleigh, NC 27612
        • Wynne Sharpe

          B. Wynne Sharpe

          First Vice President–Wealth Management

          Financial Advisor Associate

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          • AL
          • CA
          • CO
          • CT
          • DC
          • DE
          • FL
          • GA
          • IL
          • IN
          • MA
          • MD
          • MI
          • MO
          • MT
          • NC
          • NJ
          • NY
          • OH
          • OR
          • PA
          • SC
          • TX
          • VA
          • VT
          • WA
          • WI

          We are a multi-generational team with diverse experience that collectively spans decades. SSG Wealth Management provides our clients—successful families and entrepreneurs —with the knowledge and advice they need to navigate their complex financial lives. Over the years, our team has worked successfully with our clients’ entire families. We believe in the importance of planning with focus on liquidity, longevity, and legacy - understanding where you are today is critical to prepare, build, and protect for the future.

                3700 Glenwood Ave
                Suite 300
                Raleigh, NC 27612
              • Steve Hailey

                Stephen "Steve" Hailey, CFP

                Investment Associate

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                • CA
                • FL
                • IN
                • NC
                • NY
                • PA
                • SC
                • VA

                Stephen has been with UBS Financial Services since 2000. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of North Carolina Wilmington , a Masters in Business Administration from Campbell University and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. Stephen has previously been an active member of The UNC Wilmington Alumni Board. He lives in Raleigh with his wife, Jennifer, and daughters, Samantha and Lindsey. In addition to family activities, he enjoys running and involvement in youth sports.

                  • Campbell University, M.B.A.
                  • University of North Carolina WIlmington, B.S. Finance
                    3700 Glenwood Avenue
                    Suite 300
                    Raleigh, NC 27612
                  • Cindy Edwards

                    Cynthia "Cindy" Edwards

                    Team Administrator

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                    • CO
                    • CT
                    • NC
                    • TX
                    • VA

                          3700 Glenwood Avenue
                          Suite 300
                          Raleigh, NC 27612
                        • Melanie Linzel

                          Melanie Linzel

                          Client Associate Senior

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                          • CA
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                          • DE
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                          • GA
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                          • MI
                          • NC
                          • NY
                          • SC
                          • TN
                          • TX
                          • VA
                          • WI

                          Melanie joined UBS in May 2013 as a Senior Registered Client Service Associate for Benjamin Goldstein. She brings over 20 years of industry experience to our team. Melanie enjoys all aspects of providing service to clients while deepening relationships.   In her spare time, she enjoys spending time at the beach and cooking. She also volunteers her time with the Triangle Wine Experience benefiting the Frankie Lemon School and the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.  Melanie was born and raised in Raleigh and now lives in Raleigh with her husband, Scotty, and their sheltie rescue, Sprocket.

                                3700 Glenwood Avenue
                                Suite 300
                                Raleigh, NC 27612
                              • Kim Blaes

                                Kimberly "Kim" Blaes

                                Client Associate

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                                        3700 Glenwood Avenue
                                        Suite 300
                                        Raleigh, NC 27612
                                      • Moira Trott

                                        Moira "Mo" Trott

                                        Client Associate

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                                        • CT
                                        • FL
                                        • MT
                                        • NC
                                        • SC
                                        • TX

                                              3700 Glenwood Avenue
                                              Suite 300
                                              Raleigh, NC 27612
                                            Multigenerational planning for families

                                            Multigenerational planning for families

                                            Portfolio management and risk control

                                            Portfolio management and risk control

                                            Financial stewardship shaped by service

                                            Financial stewardship shaped by service

                                            Legacy—Wealth for others

                                            For needs that go beyond your own—to help you improve the lives of others

                                            What will your legacy be?
                                            It’s never too early to plan ahead. A Legacy strategy can help you gain more control over your financial future and what you leave behind, so you can move forward with confidence.

                                            Learn more at ubs.com/wealthway.

                                            Backed by the strength of UBS

                                            A global leader in wealth management

                                            $3.9 trillion

                                            In invested assets globally 
                                            As of 12/31/2022

                                            51 countries

                                            Our global footprint

                                            Global leader

                                            UBS is a world-leading wealth manager

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