Wealth Leadership Team

Our wealth management leadership team is personally invested in your success. They provide guidance to a culture that’s committed to earning your trust and helping you achieve more.

Joe Thompson

Head of Truist Wealth, Truist Financial Corporation

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Joe has oversight responsibility for teams that deliver holistic wealth management solutions to affluent, high and ultra-high net worth individuals, families and business owners in the U.S. and abroad, as well as distinct solutions for individuals and businesses in the medical, legal, sports and entertainment industries.

Joe joined Truist predecessor SunTrust Bank subsidiary SunTrust Robinson Humphrey (STRH) in 1991 and held numerous positions in the Financial Services Group prior to being named head of Investment Banking and later head of Corporate Banking. In August 2014, he was named the head of Private Wealth Management at SunTrust Banks, Inc.

His previous experience prior to STRH includes the mergers and acquisitions department at Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. He is a member of the board of trustees of the National YoungArts Foundation.

Joe earned a Bachelor of Arts from Williams College and a Master of Business Administration from the Harvard Business School.

Stephanie M. Adams, CTFA, CISP, CMFC, AIF

Head of Wealth Platform & Operations

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Stephanie is responsible for establishing the overall strategy and direction for the Wealth Platform & Operations team, which includes Brokerage, Trust, Investment and Specialty Operations, along with the Wealth Advisory Support and Platform Effectiveness teams.

Prior to transitioning into her current role, Stephanie served as Executive Director of Trust Services for the BB&T Wealth & Retirement Division, where she led the Personal Trust, Retirement & Institutional Services and Trust Support Services teams. She has over 28 years of experience in trust and wealth management and has held various leadership roles at other financial organizations.

Stephanie earned her BBA (magna cum laude) and MBA from Morehead State University. In addition to her industry certifications, she has passed Level 1 of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) examination.

Brian Aker

Head of Wealth Transformation

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Brian leads the Wealth Transformation team, which drives strategic and transformational initiatives and owns the advisor platform experience and data & analytics capabilities for Truist Wealth.

Previously, Brian was the Chief Administrative Officer – Retail for BB&T Securities. He has more than 25 years of investment industry experience, including leadership roles with other financial institutions.

Brian received his BA from the University of Richmond and his MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University. He also completed Securities Industry Institute (SII) program at Wharton.

Ralph Borrello

Head of Wealth Advisor Group

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Ralph leads the Wealth Advisor line of business. Wealth Advisors are responsible for delivering a broad array of financial capabilities through a local team-based specialist model including; financial and estate planning, tax sensitive investment management, trust, special asset management, philanthropic services and risk management, as well as credit and banking services. Typical clients include high net worth individuals and families, owners of closely-held businesses, senior corporate executives, and professionals.

Prior to assuming his current role, Ralph led predecessor BB&T Wealth and Retirement Division. He has more than 30 years of financial services experience and has held various roles with other wealth management firms.

Ralph earned his BA from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law. He’s also a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at the Booth School of Business, University of Chicago.

Bryan Cram

Head of Wealth Brokerage

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Bryan leads the wealth brokerage business, Truist Investment Services, Inc., which is responsible for delivering investment, planning and wealth management strategies designed to meet the unique needs of Truist Wealth clients.

Previously, he served as President of the Private Client Group and BB&T Investments, as well as President & CEO of BB&T Securities. With more than 25 years of experience, Bryan has held a variety of key leadership positions managing the firm’s combined operational, technology, product and brokerage platforms.

Bryan earned his BS from the University of Colorado at Boulder. In addition, he attended the Securities Industries Institute through the Wharton School of Business, and the BB&T Banking School at Wake Forest University.

Brian Dowhower

Head of Specialty Wealth, Institutional and Omni Groups

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Brian has oversight responsibility for the Specialty Wealth, Institutional Services, and Asset Management lines of business within Truist Wealth. In addition, Brian oversees certain shared services within Truist Wealth, including the Strategic Client Group, the Center for Family Legacy, wealth lending, and wealth omni, which includes remote advice, service and support, and execution of Truist Wealth’s digital priorities.

Prior to transitioning into his current role, Brian was an investment banker at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey (STRH) with coverage and leadership responsibilities in the financial services, technology and financial sponsor groups.

Brian earned his BA from the University of Virginia and a Juris Doctor from Washington & Lee University.

John Geraghty

Chief Fiduciary Officer

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John is responsible for the Trust, Financial Planning and Investment Advisory Teams.  With more than 35 years of industry experience, he’s led many aspects and specialties of the Private Wealth Management business, including several of our key markets. 

John is a Member of the Truist Affiliated Foundations Board and The New World Symphony of Miami Beach, Florida. His other interests are centered on child advocacy issues and mentoring young adults. He also served on the board of LifeYield, a technology company based in Boston, Atlanta Police Foundation, as well as Director of the Trust Management Association. 

John earned his BA/BS from Shepherd University.

Sean Mackenzie

Risk Administration Officer

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Sean is responsible for the development and implementation of first-line risk management strategies and programs to identify, manage, and remediate significant risks that could impact Truist Wealth. He is also responsible for first-line centralized quality assurance activities supporting broker dealer and trust activities.

A 25-year veteran, Sean joined Truist predecessor SunTrust in 2008, having held numerous risk-related positions during his tenure. He was previously Head of Risk Administration and Strategic Execution for Private Wealth Management (PWM), the Segment Risk Officer for Consumer and PWM, Line of Business Risk Officer for Wealth and Investment Management, and a Managing Director in SunTrust Audit Services.

Sean earned his BA from Villanova University.

Leah Wehinger

Head of Investment Advice and Solutions Group

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Leah is responsible for the strategy and delivery of investment expertise and solutions for Truist clients. Together, the Investment Advisory Group, Investment Consulting Group, Wealth Brokerage and Retirement Products, Wealth Syndicate and National Sales form a team of experienced professionals who provide unique investment insights, compelling strategies, and actionable guidance to help clients meet their investment goals.

Leah’s wealth management experience includes sales strategy, client experience, advisor productivity and growth initiatives, and origination and distribution of investment solutions for high-net-worth individual and institutional investors.

Leah earned her BA from the College of William and Mary. In addition, she has attended the Securities Industries Institute at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of the CBA Executive Banking School.

Joe Thompson, President, Truist Investment Services, Inc., Truist Advisory Services, Inc., Brian Aker, and Brian Dowhower are Registered Representatives, Truist Investment Services, Inc.

Ralph Borello, Bryan Cram, and Leah Wehinger are Registered Representatives, Truist Investment Services, Inc., Investment Adviser Representatives, Truist Advisory Services, Inc.

Check the background of the Truist Investment Services, Inc. on FINRA's BrokerCheck

Check the background and experience of Truist Investment Services, Inc.’s investment professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck