For 20 years, I built a career in banking — 17 of those at Eastman Credit Union in East Tennessee, where I helped families with lending, banking, and their first steps toward investing. In 2018, I discovered Financial Independence, and it changed everything. I restructured our finances, optimized our tax strategy, and built toward FI while still working full time. When we got there, I left banking to build the advisory firm I wish I'd had along the way. I earned my CFP® and became an IRS Enrolled Agent because I wanted to bring financial planning and tax expertise together under one roof. I built OptimalPath Advisors as a fee-only, flat-fee firm because I believe your advisor's cost should reflect the work — not the size of your portfolio. My approach is advice-first and fiduciary. Every client starts with a comprehensive financial plan that includes a Financial Independence Score — a single, clear number (inspired by pension-style funded ratios) that tells you exactly how on track you are. No abstract Monte Carlo probabilities. Just a real number you can act on. From there, you choose the level of ongoing support that fits. Navigator clients get year-round planning, quarterly check-ins, and tax preparation included — while keeping control of their own investments. Summit clients get everything in Navigator plus hands-on investment management, rebalancing, and tax-loss harvesting. Both tiers include tax prep at no extra cost. I work best with FI-minded professionals — DIY investors, early retirees, equity comp recipients, and busy families who want clear direction without product sales, commissions, or percentage-of-assets fees. I live in East Tennessee with my wife, Amanda, and our two dogs, Molly and Peach. We spend as much time as possible outdoors — in the mountains, on trails, and visiting National Parks across the country. Whether you're building toward FI, navigating an early retirement transition, or figuring out what comes next after hitting your number, I'm here to help you move forward — intentionally and in control.

Chad Rutherford is Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments. In this role, he partners with clients to build, implement, and maintain financial plans tailored to their specific financial goals. He has been with Fidelity Investments since 2015, progressing through roles including Financial Consultant, Senior Relationship Manager, and Relationship Manager. Prior to joining Fidelity, he worked as a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones from 2014 to 2015.

Carter Lawrence is a Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he collaborates with Financial Consultants to develop customized wealth management plans tailored to clients' future goals. He joined Fidelity Investments in 2023 and has held roles including Financial Representative and Relationship Manager before assuming his current position in 2024. In his role, Carter focuses on helping clients plan for their financial futures by working as part of a wealth management team. His experience spans various aspects of client relationship management and financial representation, providing a foundation for his consulting work. Outside of his professional work, Carter enjoys cooking and baking, participating in family activities, playing football, and engaging with music and movies as an instrumentalist and enthusiast.

Rebecca Frazier is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she has been serving clients since 2010. She specializes in growing and preserving wealth for individuals, families, and business owners, focusing on areas such as college education planning, family wealth management strategies, retirement income, and socially responsible investing. Rebecca emphasizes integrity, honesty, and professionalism in managing her practice, aiming to help clients achieve both their financial and personal goals. Rebecca began her career in the financial services industry in 1991. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing from East Tennessee State University (1991) and a Master’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance from King University (2014). Her professional credentials include the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification, Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC) designation, and Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU) designation. She has been recognized multiple times by Forbes as one of America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors and included on the Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors list for Tennessee. Additionally, she was named to the 2024 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams list as part of The Frazier Group. Rebecca is involved with Therapy Dogs International and resides in Jonesborough, Tennessee with her husband, Tom, and their daughter, Alexandra, who is also part of her advisory team. Outside of work, she enjoys biking, cooking, gardening, hiking, music, running, swimming, traveling, yoga, and spending time with her family.

Joshua Stevenson is a Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, where he collaborates with clients to develop comprehensive financial plans tailored to their needs. He has been with Fidelity Investments since 2020, progressing through roles including Financial Representative, Relationship Manager, and Planning Consultant before his current position. Throughout his tenure at Fidelity, Joshua has gained experience in various aspects of financial planning and client relationship management. His approach focuses on partnering with clients to create financial strategies they find both reliable and comfortable. Outside of his professional life, Joshua enjoys baseball, football, family activities, and exploring culinary experiences.

Alexandra Frazier is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where she has worked since 2017. She focuses on providing investment advice aimed at positively impacting her clients' lives. Alexandra works alongside her mother and is part of The Frazier Group, which was named to the 2024 Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams" list. Her areas of expertise include college education planning, family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, women and wealth, and retirement income. Alexandra holds professional designations as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a Juris Doctorate degree from Drake University Law School. Although she does not provide legal advice in her role at Merrill Lynch, her legal background informs her approach to estate planning and working with clients' attorneys and Merrill trust and estate planning specialists. Outside of her professional work, Alexandra enjoys football, reading, and spending time with her family. She is also a passionate animal lover and spends time with her three Labrador Retrievers and two cats.

John Douglas is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He develops personalized financial strategies tailored to each client’s goals, leveraging insights from Merrill and solutions from Bank of America. His client focus areas include college education planning, family wealth management, legacy planning, retirement income, philanthropic planning, socially responsible investing, and tax minimization. John holds a bachelor's degree in Economics and a master’s degree in Business Administration from East Tennessee State University. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant and a Personal Investment Advisor. In addition to his professional work, John dedicates time to volunteering in his community. His personal interests include fishing, football, reading, and spending time with his family.