About the Group

Independent
and local

Dawn Starks established Starks Financial Group in 1999 as a small, independent practice. She chose to be aligned with Raymond James Financial Services, a well-respected national broker-dealer firm, in order to offer clients the best of both worlds – a very personalized experience, but with world-class resources. We are female-owned. We offer smart, comprehensive financial planning that balances financial goals with personal values. We are fiercely independent. We do not sell proprietary products. Raymond James is our broker-dealer, but we do our own research and use third-party sources to examine all available investments to find what’s right for you.

We are independent, and we are local.

Our greatest sources of pride, however, are our personal service, down-to-earth approach, and forthright style of communicating with our clients. We believe empowering you with financial knowledge and literacy helps ensure you understand how we make your resources work hard on your behalf.

Meet the team

History

When I established my financial planning business in Asheville, NC, in 1999, I knew from the start I wanted to help empower people with financial knowledge – the knowledge needed to make smart decisions with their money. Knowledge that helped empower them in their planning for the future.

Over the years, we have grown as a practice and added expertise in many areas of financial planning and investment management, working with hundreds of couples, individuals, retirees, divorcees, and business professionals.

Now it’s time to help you.

Values

Authenticity

We believe each individual’s financial goals and needs are unique and deserve our utmost attention and care — as well as our wisest counsel and advice — delivered with our commitment to professionalism, respect and integrity.

Integrity

We are trustworthy, honest, transparent, and kind.

Teamwork

We collaborate with each other and with each client to help offer financial clarity as well as confidence.

Compassion

We give back to our community through charitable giving and community volunteering.

Simplicity

We help our clients understand their finances and financial future in a down-to-earth manner that isn’t intimidating, avoiding Wall Street jargon.

Read our latest blog updates

Are We a Good
Fit for You?

We are down-to-earth, welcoming people and will get to know you very well before we make any suggestions about what to do with your investments. We encourage our clients to use their money to live life well.

Retirees

We are financial planners, not just financial advisors. We don’t just tell you how to invest; we help you understand your whole financial picture by creating a thorough financial plan to make the most of your hard-earned resources.

Same Sex Couples

We have over 40 years of experience doing financial planning for same-sex couples. Some planning issues are unique to same-sex couples. We look from all angles to find solutions for you, from estate planning to marriage and tax questions.

Women

We have special expertise in financial planning for women. As a female-owned practice, we understand financial issues and challenges that are unique to women. Part of our mission is to help fully empower women with financial skills so they can take control of their financial lives.

Financial Delegators

Many of our clients are not interested in being involved with all of the details of their financial lives. They prefer to turn over management of their investments to us, and they defer to our guidance. They do this because they trust us, and they trust us because we have an impeccable reputation and history.

Socially Responsible Investing

We can help you invest in a sustainable and socially responsible way. This has been a big part of our practice from the very beginning and we are committed to matching your investments with your values.

Commitment to Community

We are committed to giving to our community through charitable donations and pro bono resources. We also work within the community to provide financial literacy to others, helping create self-empowerment and financial management independence.

Our Process

Our Team

We offer broad, comprehensive financial planning and investment management.

Dawn G. Starks, CFP®

President, Starks Financial Group

Dawn.Starks@RaymondJames.com

Dawn is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner and financial advisor who has worked with individuals and couples in all stages of life for over twenty years. She established Starks Financial Group in 1999.

Dawn earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Business Administration degree from Western Carolina University (WCU). In 2017, she earned the RICP® designation, Retirement Income Certified Professional®.

She is the past board president of OnTrack Financial Education and Counseling of Western North Carolina (formerly Consumer Credit Counseling Services). She also served as the investment advisor for the Biltmore Company for several years and as an adjunct faculty member for both WCU and Mars Hill University. Dawn was instrumental in developing the Certificate in Financial Planning program at WCU. She is a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

Due to her long commitment to giving back to our local community, Dawn was recently chosen to receive the 2017 Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the WNC Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals for National Philanthropy Day. Additionally, She is honored and humbled to have been recognized by Forbes as a Best-In-State Wealth Advisor for North Carolina in 2018 and 2019***. She was also named to the Working Mother magazine and SHOOK Research’s “Top Wealth Advisor Moms” list in 2017 and 2018**.

Every year since 2011, Dawn has been named a member of the Raymond James Leaders Council.* Dawn has been invited to present to her peers in the financial industry several times at national conferences, and she has taught the required annual CFPÒ ethics course numerous times.

Dawn hosted a call-in financial radio show, “Money Matters,” for more than five years on News Radio 570 WWNC. In addition, she was the financial editor for that radio station and served as the featured financial professional for TV News 13 WLOS for two years. She remains a highly sought-after speaker for community events and seminars.

Dawn lives in Swannanoa with her husband, Greg, daughter, Rowan, and their pets – a cat, Nala, and a Golden Retriever, Piper. In her free time, she loves to spend time outdoors, writing, reading, or homeschooling Rowan.

*Membership is based on prior fiscal year production. Re-qualification is required annually. The ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of advisors future performance. No fee is paid in exchange for this award/rating.

**Data provided by SHOOK™ Research, LLC as of October, 2018. The Working Mother and SHOOK research ranking is based on an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative data. SHOOK Research considered wealth advisers who are mothers with at least one child living at home and under the age of 18 with a minimum 5 years of industry experience. Ranking algorithm is based on qualitative measures derived from telephone and in-person interviews and surveys: service models, investing process, client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, etc.; and quantitative criteria, such as assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisers rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research LLC. Research Summary (as of 10/2018): From a total universe of 300,000 advisors, based on our thresholds we received 26,000 nominations, of which approximately 20% (5,200) were women and less than half (< 2,600) at the time were mothers with children under the age of 18 and living at home. A final list of the top 300 Advisors was then compiled based upon the quantitative criteria. Raymond James is not affiliated with Working Mother or Shook Research, LLC. This ranking is not indicative of an advisor’s future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients’ experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating.

***The Forbes ranking of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria and quantitative data. Those advisors that are considered have a minimum of 7 years of experience, and the algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, AUM, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices in their practices and approach to working with clients. Portfolio performance is not a criteria due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Out of 29,334 advisors nominated by their firms, 3,377 received the award. This ranking is not indicative of advisor’s future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients’ experience. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Raymond James is not affiliated with Forbes or Shook Research, LLC.

Jennifer Adams, CFP®, CDFA™, CSRIC®

Financial Planner

Jennifer.Adams@RaymondJames.com

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner, Jennifer helps our clients pursue a comfortable and fulfilling retirement by developing customized financial plans. In 2014, she obtained her Chartered Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA™) Designation. Since then, she has worked with clients navigating all aspects of divorce planning and helping divorcees create a financial plan for their new future. In 2021, she obtained her Chartered SRI Counselor (CSRIC®) designation. Starks Financial Group has implemented Sustainable Investing in their practice since 1999, but Jennifer looks forward to sharing a new and innovative approach to investing alongside your values.

Jennifer joined Starks Financial Group in 1999 after completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Financial Planning, at Western Carolina University. In addition to Series 7, 24, and 63 securities licenses, she holds North Carolina life, health, and long-term care insurance licenses. Jennifer oversees all operations of our practice.

In the community, Jennifer is a current member of the Helpmate board (Buncombe County’s agency for prevention of domestic violence), having served for the past five years. She chairs the agency’s Business Committee, connecting with local businesses to support Helpmate in their goal of ending domestic violence.

A native of Western North Carolina, Jennifer lives in Waynesville with her husband, Nathan, and their daughter, Emery. They enjoy spending their free time with evening walks around Haywood Community College and Lake Junaluska.

Raymond James is not affiliated with the above listed organizations.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

David Werle, CFP®, CSRIC®

Financial Planner

David.Werle@RaymondJames.com

Dave has been a financial planner with Starks Financial since 2012. He has earned and maintains the following certifications and licenses:

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner
Series 7 and 66 Securities licenses
Chartered SRI Counselor™ (Sustainable and Responsible Investing)
North Carolina life, accident and health, and long-term care insurance licenses

In his work at Starks Financial, he has a special focus on helping clients with sustainable and responsible investing and is a member of the Investment Committee. He was also a founding member of the Raymond James Sustainable Investing Advisory Council.

His previous experience includes work as a market analyst, as an economic development planner, an income tax preparer, and a financial counselor with a non-profit agency. Outside of the office, he has been active in several community organizations. He is currently a member of the OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling Board of Directors and Executive Committee. He was a “Big” in Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC and a member of the Volunteer Water Information Network for many years.

After growing up in Milwaukee, Miami and mostly the Chicago area, Dave earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Psychology from Vanderbilt University. After returning to Chicago after college, he grew weary of the bleak winters and moved back south to Asheville in 1992, just in time for the blizzard of the century.

Dave now lives in East Asheville with his wife, Ann. He can be found searching for a cool, clear swimming hole, an excellent concert, a new hiking trail or a tasty slice of pizza. He’s also a big fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Asheville Tourists and, despite great patience and persistence, still has not caught a foul ball during a game.

The CFP Board has specific requirements for using any of their Certification Marks. Please ensure you are following their specific guidance when using any CFP/CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER designation marks. The CFP Board has specific requirements for using any of their Certification Marks.

Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional. Raymond James Financial Services does not endorse and is not associated with any of the entities listed above.

Madison Moore, Associate Financial Planner

Branch Associate

Madison.Moore@RaymondJames.com

Madison is an Associate Financial Planner and holds the Series 7 and 66 securities licenses. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2016 with two Bachelor of Arts degrees, in Exercise and Sport Science and in Psychology. Following graduation, she took some time to travel across the country; a favorite landing point was right outside of Portland, Oregon where she visited the beautiful Multnomah Falls. Then she moved to Greensboro where she helped her sister care for a new baby, worked at a used bookstore, and started an online business selling second-hand vintage clothes. Having gained several new life skills and accumulated lots of fun experiences, Madison decided to follow in her dad’s footsteps by starting her career in finance. She has been with Starks Financial since September 2020, working with our financial planners on clients’ financial plans and ongoing financial reviews.

Madison was born in Charlotte, North Carolina and now lives in Asheville. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, thrifting, and hiking. Favorite area hikes so far are Zion National Park and Cathedral Rock. She is also a big music and movie enthusiast. Her choices for three folk albums to have on a deserted island are Karen Dalton’s “In My Own Time,” Sibylle Baier’s “Colour Green,” and Robbie Basho’s “Visions of the Country”.

Kathryn Beach, CFP®

Associate Financial Planner

Kathryn.Beach@RaymondJames.com

Kathryn joined Starks Financial Group in 2019. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner and holds the Series 7 and 66 securities licenses. She also holds North Carolina life and health insurance licenses.

Kathryn began working with people and their finances in 2012 when she served as an AmeriCorps volunteer for two years with a housing development non-profit in Hazard, Kentucky. A move to the mountains and cooler weather of the Asheville area in 2014 allowed her to continue on this career path as she worked at OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling of Western North Carolina. With OnTrack, Kathryn focused on counseling in Spanish for Latinx clients, student loan counseling, and working with the NC Foreclosure Prevention Fund to assist homeowners affected by the Great Recession. She also developed her financial coaching skills, which can help people envision their goals and reinforce positive financial behavior change.

In the community, Kathryn serves on the board of Girls on the Run of WNC (one branch of an international non-profit inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running).

Kathryn grew up near Raleigh, North Carolina and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also received a Minor in Spanish. She lives in West Asheville with her husband, Pete, and their two feisty cats, Ginseng and Fancy. She spends her free time gardening, reading, cheering on the Tar Heel basketball team, and exploring the outdoors any way she can. Some of Kathryn’s favorite books include The Parable Series by Octavia Butler and anything by David Sedaris.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certifications marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP®(with plague design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the US, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s intial and ongoing certification requirements.