Understanding

For over 20 years, Russ Wilson has served as a financial advisor building long-lasting relationships that enable him to walk alongside his clients to achieve their financial goals. After finding himself in classrooms from East Tennessee to England, Russ developed a passion for learning which has turned into helping others learn and grow. At Wages Wilson Wealth Management, he leverages his education to provide clear, financial advice for his clients and work through the complex financial situations clients often face.

Russ received his MBA from Goizueta Business School at Emory University. He was also the recipient of the Transatlantic Business Exchange Scholarship and completed a course of study in international business at the University of Westminster in London, England. Russ holds his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certification which is a designation awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. to professionals that have completed extensive training and experience requirements and are held to rigorous ethical standards.

In addition, Russ attained his CIMA® and CPWA® designations from the Investments & Wealth Institute™. The CIMA® designation recognizes Russ as an advanced investment consultant and wealth management advisor, while the CPWA® designation attests to his specialized knowledge regarding the complex challenges high net-worth clients face, including sophisticated estate, tax, and investment issues.

Outside of the office, Russ serves on the Executive Board of Directors for InterFaith Health Clinic which provides affordable medical and dental care to the working uninsured. Russ enjoys participating in endurance sports and watching his daughters grow up. Russ and his wife, Nicole, live in Knoxville with their three daughters.

Bill Wages' career began in 1983, the year that witnessed the official birth of the Internet, the first mobile cell phone call, and the final new episode of M*A*S*H.

Over the course of Bill's 30+ year career, he has successfully helped his clients and their families manage their wealth and investments through good times and bad – including through four recessions, three nationwide financial crises, seven major drops in the stock market, and six United States Presidents.

He holds his B.S. in administrative and industrial management from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Wishing to hone his skills further, he completed the Senior Financial Advisor program at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Later, Bill earned the Advanced Investment Strategist Certificate in Portfolio Risk Management through the Investment Management Consultants Association®.

Bill is a longtime Knoxville resident and native of Chattanooga, Tennessee and is happily married to his wife, Cynthia.

Amanda Grubb has always had a passion for helping people. After graduating from Union University with a Bachelor's in psychology, Amanda began her career in community-based mental health care where she worked with children and their families faced with complex behavioral issues.

During her time in the non-profit world, Amanda enjoyed serving in both clinical and administrative capacities where her love for people and attention to improving systems could be expressed. Amanda joined Wages Wilson Wealth Management in 2018 bringing a passion for high-quality client experience and facilitating the communication and thoughtfulness the team aims to provide every individual.

In 2021, Amanda received her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certification which is a formal designation awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.. A CFP® is a financial planner who possesses one of the most rigorous certifications for financial planning knowledge and can help individuals in a variety of areas in managing their finances.

Amanda and her husband, Michael, live in Knoxville, with their two children, Caylee and Miles. In her free time, Amanda enjoys exercising, reading philosophy, and playing the viola and piano.

Krissi Novello comes to Wages Wilson Wealth Management from Chicago, Illinois. Her family relocated here in 2021 to be closer to her sister. Prior to becoming part of the team, Krissi has worked as an Executive Assistant in other fields including education and sales.  Her previous experiences have prepared her well for her client service role on the team.  Krissi brings a contagious enthusiasm and a constant supply of positive energy to the team and her interactions with clients.  She has a high attention to detail and enjoys the opportunity to be helpful and build lasting relationships with the families we are fortunate to work with.

During her free time, she loves to read novels, play fetch with her three dogs, and run outdoors. Krissi and her husband, Phil, live in Knoxville with their two children, Gaetano and Gules.

Hi, I’m Christine Gilmore, one of the team’s Client Service Associates. With over 20 years of experience in administration, I’m passionate about providing exceptional service to our clients. Whether it’s managing schedules, coordinating projects, or helping clients stay on track with their financial goals, I’m here to ensure everyone has a smooth and positive experience every step of the way.

Originally from Phoenix, AZ, I hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA from Arizona State University. Now residing in Knoxville with my husband, Jeff, and our son, Zachary, I cherish my time outside of work by diving into a good book, swimming, or exploring sunny beaches.

Cheryl Nelson and her husband, Mike, have a strong commitment to family and are dedicated foster parents to three little girls along with having four grown children: Madison, Morgan, Kaitlin and Connor. They also have four beloved grandchildren: Ansleigh, Lainey, Hunter, and Hayden. The family shares a love for dogs, with four in their household, including Freeman, named after Cheryl's favorite former Atlanta Braves player, Freddie Freeman.

Cheryl quickly discovered that her true passion in her career is helping others navigate their daily challenges. She is dedicated to assisting clients in achieving their wealth management goals. As a Senior Wealth Strategy Associate, Cheryl plays a key role as a Relationship Manager on the team. She draws on her extensive leadership experience from previous roles as Market Administrative Officer and Market Supervisory Officer to provide exceptional service through consistent and thoughtful communication.

With over 26 years of experience in wealth management, Cheryl is especially passionate about helping clients address gaps in their estate plans, often collaborating with estate planning attorneys to ensure comprehensive solutions. Additionally, she understands the complexities of divorce and is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst CDFA®. Cheryl holds Series 7, 63, 65, 9, and 10 securities licenses, as well as an insurance license for health, variable life, and annuities.

Cheryl is also deeply involved in her community, volunteering with Junior Achievement and CASA of East Tennessee. When not at work, Cheryl and Mike enjoy traveling to Connor’s baseball games and spending quality time with their family.