“I love to say that I have grown up with our clients. Gene Jester, Wealth Advisor, and I began our team over 20 years ago on September 6, 1996, the same day that Hurricane Fran blew inland and brought all kinds of destruction. While power was out all around us and fallen trees blocked the roads, we worked all weekend getting accounts ready to transfer from Gene’s former firm.”
Devoted to providing the very best service, Tracie’s joy comes from ensuring that all our clients feel welcomed and at home. Her relationship with our clients, as well as her role in the growth and development of the team are vital to the ongoing success of our practice.
After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Tracie came back to her hometown of Durham to look for an elementary school teaching position, a role that requires discipline, empathy, patience and gentle leadership. All are her natural gifts. While waiting for the right job, she accepted a temporary receptionist position with an investment firm. Good friends there told Gene about her; they met, and that was the beginning of our team.
Over the years, Tracie advanced easily from Assistant to Financial Advisor, Planning Specialist, and Branch Operations Manager, all while part of our team. This broad experience and her versatility have given her the confidence to take the lead in much of what we do.
In addition to her Bachelor of Elementary Education from UNC at Wilmington, Tracie has earned these professional registrations, licenses & designations: Series 7, 9, 10, 31, 63 and 65 Life, Health, Variable Annuity and Long Term Care licenses Financial Planning Specialist.
While she loves her work, Tracie loves her family more. She and Jamie, Dean of Admissions at Methodist University in Fayetteville, have two children—Magen and Jay. Magen is an accomplished dancer, and Jay is an avid lacrosse player. Ziggy, their tiny Havanese, is the other important family member and often the center of attention. With all of the grandparents living close by, there is no shortage of great family gatherings.
Tracie serves as a volunteer for lacrosse, dance, Hope Community Church, and Meg's Smile Foundation.
All of this means that the whole family is constantly on the go, and so in Tracie’s words, “Life is never boring.” But whenever their schedules allow, she loves to take the family back to Wilmington. Since her college days, Tracie has been a “beach girl,” and her favorite vacations are on the water.