OUR HISTORY
Lanier Financial Group was founded in August of 2009.
The vision behind the development of Lanier Financial Group is that all people deserve to be served on a fiduciary level and work with an advisory team that is transparent, objective, and unbiased.
Although we offer many services to our clients, below are our areas of emphasis:
- Investment (Portfolio) Management
- Personal Financial Planning
- Divorce Planning
- Business Planning and Valuation
How We Serve Our Clients
At Lanier Financial Group we take pride in providing a high level of service to each and every client we work with.
Due to the fact that our clientele spans from coast to coast we take advantage of technology in order to ensure each client receives the attention they deserve. While we strive to provide face to face interaction it is not always feasible due to time constraints or physical distance. With that said we provide the security of cloud based document storage and sharing combined with video/web based conferencing tools to keep in regular contact with each person or entity we serve.
We firmly believe the more time we have to work on planning and portfolio management versus commuting provides better service and results for those we serve.
Nathan J. Hriczo, CDFA®
Managing Partner
Professional
Nathan founded Lanier Financial Group in August in 2009 with the vision of creating a comprehensive financial planning and investment advisory firm that works with clients on a fiduciary level. The main goal of Lanier Financial Group is to assist clients in achieving their financial goals by providing transparent, objective, and unbiased advice.
Prior to launching Lanier Financial Group Nathan began his career in Atlanta working as an operations manager for a mutual fund that specialized in commodities. The next progression in his professional career was taking an advisory role in Atlanta with a boutique financial planning firm that was backed by a Fortune 100 company.
Education
Nathan obtained a B.B.A in Finance with a concentration in financial planning at Georgia Southern University. During his time in school he became a student of the financial markets by expanding his education beyond the classroom. He focused his efforts on absorbing as much knowledge as possible regarding investment strategies, market theories, business and economic cycles. He is a self-proclaimed disciple of Benjamin Graham and Warren Buffett.
Personal
Nathan resides in Athens with his wife, two daughters, and dogs. He enjoys spending his time with his family as well as staying active both socially and philanthropically. Nathan is an avid golfer, lake rat, tennis player, and an actively engaged alumni of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He and his wife love expanding the efforts of many local non-profits that focus on families, children, and healthcare.
Corinne “Cissy” Alexander Hutchinson
Investment Advisor Representative
Professional
Cissy became the first female broker in Athens with J.C. Bradford & Co in 1990. Years later she began a 26 year tenure with a regional bank’s securities division. Cissy now serves as an Investment Advisor Representative with Lanier Financial Group where she shares her passion for the financial markets with clients.
Educational
Cissy graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Mathematics from the University of Georgia where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Chi Omega sorority.
Personal
Cissy is a native Athenian. She is a member of Vestry at Emmanuel Episcopal Church and serves as the Chair of Trustees for Oconee Hill Cemetery. She is married and has three children and six grandchildren.
Lewis “Lanier” Scruggs
Investment Advisor Representative
Professional
Lanier joined Lanier Financial in October of 2023 after a long 25 year career at Synovus Wealth Management. He specialized in asset allocation, retirement income planning and macroeconomic trends. He plans to continue providing specialized plans for each of his clients.
Educational
Lanier earned his B.B.A in Risk Management from the University of Georgia. From an early age, Lanier was always interested in the financial markets. He has read extensively on market trends and technical analysis and uses this knowledge to create the best portfolio for each of his clients.
Personal
Lanier is married to Carrie, who is a nurse practitioner in Athens, Georgia. They have 3 sons, Lewis, Jackson and Henry. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, cheering on his kids at their sporting events, teaching Sunday School, fishing and traveling.
Leah “Renee” Ruark
Financial Planner/Investment Advisor Representative
Professional
Renee serves as a Financial Planner and Investment Advisor Representative at Lanier Financial Group. Renee acts as a fiduciary to help clients plan, execute and realize their financial goals. By providing clients with a high level of service, Renee believes in a holistic approach to investing that explores all areas of a client’s financial picture. Renee makes it a priority to foster the long term relationships she has developed over her career with both clients and industry peers.
Prior to joining Lanier Financial Group, Renee was a Senior Investment Associate and Financial Advisor at a regional brokerage firm for 22 years in Athens, GA.
Educational
Renee earned a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Journalism from the University of Georgia, as well as a Masters Degree in Financial Planning from the University of Georgia. Renee holds a FINRA Series 7 and 66 license. Renee is preparing to take the CFP Exam and looks forward to expanding her knowledge at every opportunity so that she can better service her clients.
Personal
Renee resides in Jefferson, GA with her husband and Corgi. She enjoys traveling, camping, yoga, tennis and reading.
Amy Fulghum
Client Services Associate
Professional
Amy has been in the financial industry for over twenty years. She comes to Lanier Financial Group with a diverse background from working in the banking, lending, private wealth, and brokerage sectors. She enjoys getting to know her clients and forming long-lasting relationships.
Educational
Amy attended Georgia Southern University where she earned a B.B.A. in Finance.
Personal
Amy resides in Bogart, Georgia but escapes to her mountain home in Clayton, GA from time to time. She enjoys traveling, walking, reading and spending time with friends.
Melanie Pozorski
Operations Manager/Associate Advisor
Professional
Melanie serves as Lanier Financial Group's Operations Manager and an Associate Advisor. Her goal is to optimize firm operations which is driven by being exceptionally passionate about helping others and building strong relationships.
Prior to joining Lanier Financial Group, Melanie was the Operations Manager for a financial planning firm in Wisconsin.
Educational
Melanie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Silver Lake College. She also holds a FINRA Series 65 License. She has extensive knowledge of the financial industry and continuously pursues professional development opportunities to stay current with industry trends and best practices.
Personal
Melanie resides in Lebanon, Ohio with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys doing yoga, drawing, and going on family hikes.
David M. Miller, CPA
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Professional
David is the managing partner of Pathwise CPA Group. He routinely provides tax planning, compliance and counsel to Lanier Financial Group clients. His extensive knowledge in tax as an overall element of a financial plan maximizes monetary efficiency and is critical for a comprehensive plan.
Educational
David Miller received both his Bachelors and Masters in Accountancy from The University of Georgia. David has dedicated his career to tax, retirement planning, and financial consulting working with various CPA & Registered Investment Advisory firms in the greater Atlanta area.
David currently holds his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification and owns an independent insurance agency. He is also a licensed Realtor® in the state of Georgia and currently provides financial analysis for large real estate transactions for many of his tax clients in the Atlanta and Athens markets.
Personal
David’s hobbies include golf, traveling and UGA sports. He lives in Athens, GA with his wife and three children.
J. Wade Shields, MBA, MHA, CMPE
Medical Practice and Physician Advisor
Wade specializes in providing consulting and C-Level interim management to hospital employed medical groups and private medical practices. He has a consistent track record of accomplishments which exemplify a professional with a reputation for building ROI, creating efficient infrastructure and operations resulting in rapid financial improvements.
He has held Manager, Director and Senior Leadership positions for corporations such as HCA, Healthtrust and Columbia. He also has physician practice management experience in MSO operations; Administrator of a Multi-Specialty Physician Group; and Director of Network Development for a Multi-Specialty IPA.
Wade has earned the professional designation of Certified Medical Practice Executive as awarded by the American College of Medical Practice Executives. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia in business operations and master’s degrees in business and healthcare administration from Georgia State University. Wade is the co-founder of Practice Partners, Inc and jointly works with Lanier Financial Group's medical team.