Our Team
When you become a client of Clarity, you gain not just one advisor, but the support and knowledge of our entire team of dedicated professionals. With a passion for delivering custom solutions and tailored guidance, we are honored to be the partner in your corner for life. Our firm is built with longevity in mind, meaning our multigenerational team of advisors will be with you now and for decades to come.
*We appear on this list under the name Ferguson Bailey Private Wealth Management Group
John Ferguson, Wealth Manager has over 18 years of experience helping clients achieve their financial goals and manage their wealth while working for UBS Financial Services, Merrill Lynch and most recently as a Private Wealth Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo Advisors. This collective work experience was invaluable and helped John build the knowledge base, wealth management processes and service model to deliver a world class experience to existing and new clients with the founding of Clarity Private Wealth Solutions of Steward Partners.
John has been recognized by Forbes as one of the Best-In-State Wealth Advisors* in 2020, 2021 and 2022. And also, been featured in Business Alabama magazine and Mobile Bay Monthly magazine.
Throughout his career, he has enjoyed the challenges and gratification of working with successful business owners, corporate executives, retirees, professional athletes, and organizations like non-profits. He works to build long-lasting and trusted relationships with his clients so that he has a true understanding of their personal and financial goals. John takes great pride in helping families develop a written financial plan that encompasses their investments, income tax situation, estate plan, and legacy or other charitable wishes. He then helps coordinate these affairs with internal and external resources like CPA’s, Estate Planning Attorneys, and other professionals on the client’s behalf.
John holds three separate designations, each requiring their own set of rigorous training and examinations. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®), a Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA®), and a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®).
John graduated from Rhodes College in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics. During his four years of college John played receiver for the Varsity Football Team where he learned many lessons about discipline, patience, hard work and perseverance.
The local community is very important to John. Away from the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Liz, and three daughters, Blake, Livy, and Sophie. He serves on the Distinguished Young Women Board and Executive Committee, as a member of the Finance Committee at Christ Church Cathedral in Mobile, and as a member of the Board of St. Paul’s Episcopal School Foundation.
For forty years Charlie has had the privilege of helping clients address and meet their long-term financial goals and objectives. As a fiduciary, Charlie is charged with meeting the highest standards of integrity and objectivity in the industry. Charlie’s main focus is comprehensive, holistic wealth planning for current and future generations of high-net-worth families and business owners.
Education
Charlie graduated from the University of Alabama in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Soon after, he began to work for a boutique investment firm where he concentrated primarily on fixed income investments. In 2015, he partnered with John Ferguson and long-time client associate Kellie Thompson to form what is now Clarity Private Wealth Solutions.
Awards
2023 Forbes Best in State Private Wealth Teams*
Philanthropy
Charlie is an active volunteer with Ransom Ministries as a mentor to participants, teaching spiritual principles about work and relating to others. He is also active with JH Outback, where parents and their sons or daughters and spouses spend an undistracted weekend to grow closer to their loved ones and God. He also volunteers at Waterfront Rescue Mission, which provides services and programs to the homeless.
Personal
Charlie and his wife Lila live in Fairhope. They enjoy spending time on their farm in Clarke County with their three children and spouses and their six grandchildren, Lila, Virginia, Jack, Callie, Ann Everette, and Caroline.
*We appear on this list under the name Ferguson Bailey Private Wealth Management Group
Kellie Thompson has served in the financial services industry for over 30 years. As the key point of contact for clients, she is always striving to ensure a positive client experience as she handles day-to-day administrative, operational, and trading needs.
Away from the office, Kellie enjoys spending time with family and friends. Her son, JT, is married to Caroline and they live in St Petersburg, Florida. Her daughter, Katie, recently graduated college and lives in Mobile. Additionally, Kellie is a member of Dauphin Way United Methodist Church.