Kelly Wright joined Pinnacle in August 2016 as our Director of Financial Planning, and was promoted to Director of Wealth Management in 2020. He has over 25 years of experience in creating financial plans and managing the development of financial planning efforts. Kelly is a member of our Management Team and primarily works with our Wealth Managers and Planning Associates in providing our planning and wealth management services. He has been a CFP® since 1992 and has an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Loyola University Maryland and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland. In addition to his other activities, he serves on the board of the Maryland Financial Planning Association.
How did you get into financial services?
When I was young, I had a fascination with how things worked. I would take apart appliances just to see how they were put together. After studying mechanical engineering in college and then working in the defense industry, it became apparent to me that the flow of money was a huge factor in what makes things work.
I followed that realization into the financial world—first in insurance and investment, and then into planning. I earned an MBA in Finance as well as a CFP® designation, and now focus on financial planning matters.
Why do people need wealth management?
Wealth management is a combination of investment management and financial planning. Our advisors have spent decades developing knowledge and skills in these areas. Thanks to their dedication, our clients can focus on what they do best (and enjoy most) while relying on Pinnacle’s top-notch team to handle their financial issues. Not only does this save clients’ time, but it can also ease their stress by preventing them from falling into financial potholes that they would not have otherwise seen.
What do you do for fun?
I still enjoy understanding what makes things work, so I find myself tinkering with the car or tackling home improvement projects. I can’t say I really enjoy it all the time, but it does give me a sense of accomplishment.
