Our Company

our-story

Our Company

A leading independent broker/dealer, SA Stone Wealth Management Inc. (“SA Stone”), member FINRA/SIPC, together with its affiliated SEC-registered investment advisor, SA Stone Investment Advisors Inc., provides an integrated platform of technology, comprehensive wealth management and investment services to registered representatives, investment advisor representatives and registered investment advisors nationwide. The firm supports more than 650 independent professionals with best-in-class service and products. SA Stone is a wholly owned subsidiary of StoneX Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SNEX) (formerly INTL FCStone Inc.), which through its subsidiaries, is a leading provider of execution, risk management, market intelligence, and post-trade services across asset classes and markets around the world. More information about StoneX Group Inc. is available at www.stonex.com.

CEO Welcome

“It isn’t one individual who makes a company, it’s a team, and I couldn’t be more proud of our team. It’s their hard work and dedication to supporting our advisors that makes working at SA Stone a privilege. We are dedicated to providing the world-class services our advisors need in order for them to better serve their clients and grow their businesses.”
Jay Carter, CEO, SA Stone Wealth Management

 

Our Leadership

Jay W. Carter

Chief Executive Officer

Jay Carter serves as President and CEO of SA Stone Wealth Management and joined the firm in 1998 (under Sterne Agee). He began his career as a Registered Representative for a national financial planning firm in 1993. Prior to joining SA Stone, he served as Vice President of Business Development for a national brokerage firm that focused on investment programs in financial institutions. He also served four years in the U. S. Army as a Russian Linguist. Mr. Carter earned a BA with a double major in Managerial Finance and Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi, graduating cum laude.

Email Jay

Marcus Richardson

Chief Operating Officer

Marcus Richardson has more than 18 years of experience in the financial services industry. He currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of SA Stone Wealth Management and joined the firm (under Sterne Agee) in June 2006. Prior to joining SA Stone, Mr. Richardson held various positions such as financial analyst, trader, and securities principal. Mr. Richardson graduated from Samford University with a BS in Business Administration and a minor in Computer Science. He resides in Birmingham with his wife and two children.

Email Marcus

Brian Parker

Chief Compliance Officer

Brian Parker serves as Chief Compliance Officer of SA Stone Wealth Management and joined in 2012 (under Sterne Agee). Prior to his current role, Brian served as Director of Supervision. He built his financial career working in brokerage support and compliance for a large regional firm prior to joining SA Stone. Brian holds a BS Degree in Finance from the University of Alabama.

Email Brian

John F. Calvano

Chief Compliance Officer, SA Stone Investment Advisors Inc.

John Calvano serves as Chief Compliance Officer of SA Stone Investment Advisors Inc., an SEC registered investment advisor affiliated with SA Stone Wealth Management. He joined SA Stone in 2006 (under Sterne Agee) and served as the Chief Operating Officer of Sterne Agee’s trust company. Mr. Calvano began his financial services career in 1984 working with Bear Sterns in New York. He later worked with a regional bank as brokerage operations manager and mutual fund products manager. In the 1990’s Mr. Calvano has worked as a marketing director and product manager for several mutual fund companies. In 1999 he began work with a regional bank leading their proprietary mutual fund complex and serving as president and CEO of the fund family. John lives in Birmingham with his wife of 29 years, four children and two grandchildren. He currently holds Series 7, 24, 63 licenses.

Email John

Mark Hugo

Chief Supervision Officer

Mark Hugo serves as Chief Supervision Officer for SA Stone Wealth Management and joined SA Stone as part of Sterne Agee’s acquisition of WRP Investments in 2014. Prior to SA Stone he was Director of Business Development for WRP Investments, Inc. Mark has been in the financial services industry since 1990 during which time he served as Executive Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and FINOP. Mark’s extensive and diverse background in operations, compliance, business retention and recruiting, give him a unique ability to support and guide financial advisors in this ever-changing industry. Mark holds a Series 7, 24, 27, 53, 63, 65, and insurance licenses.

Email Mark

Michael Lytle , CFA

Chief Investment Officer

Michael Lytle joined SA Stone in 2022 as Chief Investment Officer. Michael leads the portfolio management process including managed portfolios of mutual funds and ETFs and individual security portfolios of stocks and bonds.  The team is also responsible for market commentary, advisor support on investment-related topics, and due diligence covering third-party managers. Prior to joining SA Stone, he lead the advisory team for an institutional consulting firm helping design and implement multi-asset class portfolios. He started his career in the asset management department of a large regional bank managing fixed income portfolios. Mr. Lytle earned a BS from Berry College and the CFA Designation in 2002.

Email Michael

Matthew Hill , JD, MBA, AIF

Director of Fiduciary Services

Matthew Hill serves as SVP, Director of Fiduciary Services for SA Stone Wealth Management. He began his career as an employment attorney helping the disabled and those facing discrimination. Prior to joining SA Stone, he worked for a Third-Party Administrator dealing with Qualified Retirement Plans helping clients design beneficial and compliant solutions. He also served in the trust department of a large regional bank doing compliance on trusts, bond issuances, and retirement plans. Mr. Hill earned a BS from the University of Alabama in his first three years out of high school, and both a JD and MBA in the next three years from Cumberland School of Law and the Brock School of Business.

Email Matthew

Maribeth Williams

Senior Vice President, Client Relations

Maribeth Williams joined SA Stone in 2001 (under Sterne Agee) as an employee in the Operations department. Now, as SVP of Client Services for SA Stone, Maribeth is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of all administrative and operational services within the department. She also manages the on-boarding and transition of qualified financial advisors to SA Stone. She attended the University of Alabama in Birmingham and received her B.S. Degree in Financial Management.

Email Maribeth

Stephanie Bova

Senior Vice President, Administration

Stephanie serves as SVP of Administration for SA Stone Wealth Management and joined SA Stone as part of Sterne Agee’s acquisition of WRP Investments in 2014. Stephanie began working for WRP Investments in 1996 and was the firm’s Director of Operations. She was responsible for commissions, registrations, accounting and was Head of HR. Stephanie’s current role of SVP of Administration includes overseeing the firms Registration Department, New Advisor Onboarding and Transition team, and is the HR Liaison for SAFS. Stephanie has her FINRA Operations Professional exam, Series 99.

Email Stephanie

Matt C. Kelley

Head of Business Development

Matt Kelley serves as Head of Business Development for SA Wealth Management and joined SA Stone as part of Sterne Agee’s acquisition of WRP Investments in 2014. Matt leads the firms’ growth strategy and national recruiting team. He has served in similar roles within both large and mid-sized brokerage organizations, most recently with Cetera and Ameriprise. He resides in greater Cincinnati, OH, earned his BA in Business Administration from Thomas More and holds his Series 7, 24, 52 and 65 licenses.

Email Matt

Steve O’Neill

Director of Business Development

Stephen O’Neill serves as SA Stone Wealth Management’s Director of Business Development. Steve joined SA Stone in 2009 and brings more than 25 years of successful marketing and recruiting expertise to the firm. Previously, he served as Senior Sales Manager for TD Ameritrade Institutional, responsible for sales strategy and recruiting efforts of “break away brokers”. Prior to TD Ameritrade, Mr. O’Neill served as Senior Vice President of Cambridge Investment Research, responsible for overall recruiting efforts of the firm. He is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana and graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with a degree in business.

Email Steve
our-story

Wealth Solutions Group

  • We listen first
  • We work to fully understand your practice
  • We respond with solutions to meet your specific needs

The SA Stone Wealth Solutions Group is designed to be a holistic resource center providing seamless support and expertise for our advisors and the clients they serve. Comprised of subject matter experts from various backgrounds within the financial services industry, our goal is to provide you with valuable product and portfolio consulting, as well as, training in technologies that will help you elevate the experience and advice you provide your clients.

DATA & RESEARCH

PRODUCT SOLUTIONS

CONSULTING & SUPPORT

150

YEARS OF COMBINED INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

110

INVESTMENT
SOLUTIONS AVAILABLE

12

SUBJECT MATTER
EXPERTS

1

TEAM OF EXPERTS SOLELY FOCUSED
ON SUPPORTING YOU

Meet The Wealth Solutions Group

Michael Lytle , CFA

Chief Investment Officer

Specialty: Portfolio Construction

Michael Lytle joined SA Stone in 2022 as Chief Investment Officer. Michael leads the portfolio management process including managed portfolios of mutual funds and ETFs and individual security portfolios of stocks and bonds.  The team is also responsible for market commentary, advisor support on investment-related topics, and due diligence covering third-party managers. Prior to joining SA Stone, he lead the advisory team for an institutional consulting firm helping design and implement multi-asset class portfolios. He started his career in the asset management department of a large regional bank managing fixed income portfolios. Mr. Lytle earned a BS from Berry College and the CFA Designation in 2002.

Email Michael

Chase Woodruff

Investment Analyst

Specialty: Market Research

Chase Woodruff joined the SA Stone Investment Team in 2022. Chase assists in the portfolio management process including managed portfolios of mutual funds and ETFs and individual security portfolios of stocks and bonds.  The team is also responsible for market commentary, advisor support on investment-related topics, and due diligence covering third-party managers. After graduating from the University of Alabama Birmingham with a degree in Financial Management, Chase started his career with the international clearing division of StoneX. He is also a CFA level two candidate.

Email Chase

Sarah Nilsen

Specialty: Market Research

Email Sarah

Maribeth Williams

Senior Vice President, Client Relations

Specialty: Transitions, Onboarding, and Advisor Services

Maribeth Williams joined SA Stone in 2001 (under Sterne Agee) as an employee in the Operations department. Now, as SVP of Client Services for SA Stone, Maribeth is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of all administrative and operational services within the department. She also manages the on-boarding and transition of qualified financial advisors to SA Stone. She attended the University of Alabama in Birmingham and received her B.S. Degree in Financial Management.

Email Maribeth

Matthew Hill , JD, MBA, AIF

Director of Fiduciary Services

Specialty: Trust and ERISA Consulting

Matthew Hill serves as SVP, Director of Fiduciary Services for SA Stone Wealth Management. He began his career as an employment attorney helping the disabled and those facing discrimination. Prior to joining SA Stone, he worked for a Third-Party Administrator dealing with Qualified Retirement Plans helping clients design beneficial and compliant solutions. He also served in the trust department of a large regional bank doing compliance on trusts, bond issuances, and retirement plans. Mr. Hill earned a BS from the University of Alabama in his first three years out of high school, and both a JD and MBA in the next three years from Cumberland School of Law and the Brock School of Business.

Email Matthew

Kelli Arrington

Advisor Support Manager

Specialty: Billing Support

Kelli started at SA Stone in Operations in 2008 and joined the Wealth Solutions Group in 2017. While working as part of a Regional Service Team and in Correspondence Billing, she gained valuable knowledge in many areas of our firm. This knowledge enables her to be a reference for advisor’s daily service needs with Envestnet that includes agreements, proposals, terminations, cash raises, and platform training. She also assists in ensuring monthly billing and FA payouts are correct while analyzing data to confirm that managed accounts are coded and billed correctly. Kelli graduated from Virginia College with a degree in Human Resource Management and enjoys spending time boating and traveling with her husband and two children.

Email Kelli

Matt C. Kelley

Head of Business Development

Specialty: Branch Development and Succession Planning

Matt Kelley serves as Head of Business Development for SA Wealth Management and joined SA Stone as part of Sterne Agee’s acquisition of WRP Investments in 2014. Matt leads the firms’ growth strategy and national recruiting team. He has served in similar roles within both large and mid-sized brokerage organizations, most recently with Cetera and Ameriprise. He resides in greater Cincinnati, OH, earned his BA in Business Administration from Thomas More and holds his Series 7, 24, 52 and 65 licenses.

Email Matt

Mayo Woodward

Investment Products Manager

Specialty: Investment and Packaged Products, Financial Planning

Mayo Woodward joined SA Stone in 2019 as Investment Products Manager. He brings more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry to the role. Mayo uses previous experience as a Financial Advisor and Regional Sales Director to help SA Stone advisors grow their businesses through best practices in financial planning and product support. Prior to joining SA Stone, Mayo held leadership positions with three other regional firms and wirehouses. He attended Emory University in Atlanta and received a BS in Sociology and a minor in History. Mayo holds FINRA licenses 7, 63, 65, 24, 9, 10, and Life-Health and Property-Casualty licenses.

Email Mayo
our-story

Our Company History

  • 1901 – George B ward organizes a securities firm, predecessor to Sterne, Agee & Leach.
  • 1914 – Mervyn H. Sterne founds M.H. Sterne Securities Firm.
  • 1916 – Mervyn H. Sterne and George B. Ward merge firms to form Ward, Sterne & Company.
  • 1919 – Rucker Agee joins the firm.
  • 1921 – Edmund C. Leach opens an office for the firm.
  • 1924 (INTL) – Saul Stone, a door-to-door egg wholesaler, forms Saul Stone and Company, predecessor to FCStone.
  • 1930 (INTL) – In the 1930s, Saul Stone and Company becomes one of the first clearing members of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME).
  • 1936 – Ward, Sterne & Company joins the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD).
  • 1955 – Henry S. Lynn acquires a seat on the New York Stock Exchange. Alonzo H. Lee becomes an associate member of the American Stock Exchange.
  • 1965 – Firm incorporates as Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc.
  • 1978 (INTL) – A new entity called Farmers Commodities Corporation (FCC) is formed to accommodate the grain hedging brokerage services.
  • 1981 (INTL) – International Assets is established as an internationally focused boutique brokerage firm.
  • 1990 – Sterne, Agee & Leach consolidates with First Birmingham Securities.
  • 1993 – F&G Investment Services, eventually Sterne Agee Financial Services, is acquired.
  • 1994 – (INTL) International Assets is listed on NASDAQ.
  • 1996 – The holding company of Sterne Agee Group, Inc. is formed.
  • 1998 – Sterne Agee Asset Management is formed.
  • 2000 – Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc. acquires John R. Taylor Financial Group, Inc., McAllaster& Associates, CG Maton Financial Services (eventually to become Sterne Agee Financial Services).
  • 2000 – (INTL) FCC acquires Saul Stone and Company to become FCStone, one of the nation’s largest commercial grain brokerage firms.
  • 2009 – International Assets Holding Corporation and FCStone Group, Inc. merge.
  • 2011 – Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc. acquires Anderson &Strudwick.
  • 2011 (INTL) – International Assets Holding Corporation changes its name to INTL FCStone Inc.
  • 2014 – Sterne Agee Financial Services, Inc. acquires WRP Investments, Inc. of Youngstown, Ohio.
  • 2015 – Sterne Agee Group, Inc. is acquired by Stifel Financial Corporation, Inc.
  • 2015 (INTL) – The company completes the acquisition of G.X. Clarke & Co., an institutional dealer in U.S. government securities, feceral agency securities and mortgage-backed securities. INTL FCStone Inc. consolidates its securities, rates and FCM business into INTL FCStone Financial Inc.
  • 2016 – INTL FCStone completes acquisition of Sterne, Agee & Leach, Inc. and its independent broker-dealer, Sterne Agee Financial Services, Inc. from Stifel Financial Corporation.
  • 2017 – Sterne Agee Financial Services, Inc. and Sterne Agee Investment Advisors, Inc. become SA Stone Wealth Management Inc and SA Stone Investment Advisors Inc.

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide world-class independent wealth management products and services. We believe in your choice to grow your business in the way that best suits you and your clients. Whether your business model is traditional brokerage, advisory or hybrid, we are committed to providing you a flexible and customizable work environment with the highest level of support and assistance. Access to multiple affiliation choices enables advisors to customize their level of support, services, fees and payouts to fit with how they wish to serve their clients.

Let's Start
the conversation

  • By submitting this form, you are consenting to the use of your personal information by SA Stone and its affiliates in accordance with our Privacy Policies.
    View our Privacy Policies here