As a youngster growing up in Albany, Georgia, Alan Thornton’s grandmother, Laura Bob, introduced him to the idea that, if you want to make the world a better place, investing in one’s local community is a great place to start. Though he didn’t know it at the time, those valuable lessons would have a lasting impact.
“As a kid, when you no longer need or want something, you’ll throw it away,” says Thornton. “But I literally remember my grandma gathering coats and shoes that we no longer wore so she could donate them to local organizations. I didn’t know it at the time, but she was [setting an example] for us. And I noticed. And as I got older, it all began to make sense as to why she did that. Because it doesn’t matter what your means or resources are, everyone can do something to help a person who is less fortunate. My heart to serve, teach and ultimately become a financial planner really started from observing those acts of kindness.”
With those lessons learned, he and his wife, Jen, continued to do the same. They partnered with organizations that mattered to them when they lived in Texas, where Alan worked in fundraising for the University of North Texas. And they continued to do so after he left that profession to pursue a career in wealth management and financial services.
By 2022 the Thorntons had three children–twins Micah and Noel (now 10) and Asher (now 8)–making it an ideal time to relocate their young family to Nashville, Jen’s hometown. “Jen was born and raised here so we had been to Nashville to visit over the years,” says Thornton. “And timing wise, it was good to make the move before the kids became established in their schools.”
Once they were settled into their new home, the Thorntons continued to dedicate as much time as they could to organizations and causes that are important to them. And for Alan, that also meant growing his career with a company whose mission aligned with his personal values.
He found it at Mariner, a leading national financial services firm with offices in 43 states.
Mariner has a presence in five Tennessee cities, including the Nashville office at 905 Harpeth Valley Place in Bellevue, where Thornton serves as senior wealth advisor. His clients include executives, small-business owners and those who are looking for differentiated investment opportunities that thrive during times of economic uncertainty.
The Mariner Foundation is the manifestation of the company’s core value, To whom much is given, much is expected. It starts at the top with company founder and CEO Marty Bicknell, and every Mariner office across the country is empowered to act in the best interest of the communities they serve. At the corporate level, Mariner matches every dollar raised by the local offices. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated more than $8 million nationally.
“We have weekly office meetings and every year we’ll select an ‘office champion’ to represent us to the Foundation,” says Thornton. “We’ll decide on which organizations we want to serve this year, and we’ll schedule a day where we shut down the office so that we can go volunteer.
“It’s a great way for all of us to have a shared experience in something bigger than ourselves. It builds camaraderie, but more than that, it shows our support for the community.”
Last year the Mariner Foundation bestowed $61,000 in grants to organizations across Tennessee including Empowering Neighborhoods Partnership, Hands On Nashville, Room At The Inn and The Hope Station in the Nashville area.
“Mariner was founded to be a different kind of financial firm,” says Thornton. “Our true heart is to put client interests ahead of our own.”
They do it by providing access to a team of advisors that evaluates every aspect of a client’s wealth–investments, taxes, estate planning, trusts, risk management–and how they can be optimized to help them save more, pay less in taxes, and ultimately achieve their goals.
“We want to be the trusted advisor that can present the big picture to our clients,” says Thornton. “By understanding the totality of their situation, we can put together a plan that encompasses all parts of their financial lives. Whether they want to build generational wealth, start a business, or maximize their compensation and benefits package, they’ll feel confident that their plan, ultimately, will enable them to live out their dreams, and leave a legacy of their choosing.”
Just as Laura Bob would have wanted.
Alan Thornton and the Mariner team welcome the opportunity to serve new clients. Whether you’re well established or just starting out, call the office at 615.673.7795 to schedule your personal consultation, or visit MarinerWealthAdvisors.com/location/nashville-tennessee/.