AdaptFirst Investments LLC

Ryan Gehsmann is a financial advisor with AdaptFirst Investments LLC in Greensboro, NC, holding a Series 66 designation and nine years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Hornor Townsend & Kent Inc, Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, and Waddell & Reed Inc. Outside of advising, he owns a lawn care business, coordinates lacrosse tournaments, and prepares tax returns. AdaptFirst Investments serves individuals and small businesses with portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services, including outsourced CIO and CFO functions. The firm uses a value-oriented investment approach based on technical and fundamental analysis and offers additional services such as bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial coaching.

Walter Lasley is a financial advisor at AdaptFirst Investments LLC with 43 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at Momentun Independent Network, Neidiger, Tucker, Bruner, Inc., and Linsco/Private Ledger Corp. Outside of advising, he manages a resort residence unit in Garden City, SC. AdaptFirst Investments serves individuals and small businesses with portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services including outsourced CIO and CFO roles. The firm employs a value-oriented approach using both technical and fundamental analysis and offers additional services such as bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial coaching.

Bobby Wright is a Series 65 licensed advisor at AdaptFirst Investments LLC with five years of industry experience. He has worked at AdaptFirst since 2021 and also serves as president of Joe Wright CPA, an accounting and tax preparation firm he founded in 2013. AdaptFirst Investments serves individuals and small businesses with portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services including outsourced CIO and CFO work. The firm combines technical and fundamental analysis with a value-oriented approach and offers additional services such as bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial coaching.

Robert Masten is a financial advisor with AdaptFirst Investments LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and 17 years of industry experience. He was previously with Masten Capital Management for 13 years before joining AdaptFirst in 2021. Outside of advising, he is a co-owner of a solar farm. AdaptFirst Investments serves individuals and small businesses with portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services including outsourced CIO and CFO roles. The firm uses a value-oriented investment approach combining technical and fundamental analysis, and provides additional services such as bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial coaching.

Tristen Gadberry is a financial advisor at AdaptFirst Investments LLC with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at LPL Financial Services, Trilogy Financial Services, Trilogy Capital Inc, and OB Sports Management. Outside of advisory work, Gadberry is a licensed real estate agent and a life insurance agent. AdaptFirst Investments serves individuals and small businesses with portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services including outsourced CIO and CFO work. The firm employs a value-oriented investment approach using both technical and fundamental analysis, and offers additional services such as bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial coaching.

James Byers is a CFP® with 19 years of industry experience, currently serving at AdaptFirst Investments LLC since 2019. His prior roles include positions at Innovation Partners LLC and Prudential Insurance Company of America. Outside of his advisory work, he is an adjunct professor at North Carolina A&T State University and serves as chairman of the finance committee for a religious nonprofit organization. AdaptFirst Investments serves individuals and small businesses with portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services including outsourced CIO and CFO work, while also providing bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial coaching. The firm uses a value-oriented, medium-term investment approach combining technical and fundamental analysis and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary management.

Leslie Garner is a CFP® professional with 10 years of industry experience, currently serving at AdaptFirst Investments LLC since 2019. Prior to this, Leslie worked at Innovation Partners LLC and held positions with The Prudential Insurance Company of America and Pruco Securities LLC. Outside of advising, Leslie is an adjunct professor at NC A&T University and has entrepreneurial experience in children’s books and specialty items through Live Life in the Black. AdaptFirst Investments serves individuals and small businesses with portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services including outsourced CIO and CFO work. The firm uses a proactive, value-oriented investment approach and provides additional services such as bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial coaching.

Jared Gibbs is a financial advisor at AdaptFirst Investments LLC with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at American Federal Mortgage as a Mortgage Loan Officer, where he assisted borrowers with loan applications and financial document analysis. AdaptFirst Investments serves individuals and small businesses by providing portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services including outsourced CIO and CFO roles. The firm employs a value-oriented investment approach and offers additional services such as bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial coaching.

George Kitchen is a financial advisor with AdaptFirst Investments LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and 19 years of industry experience. He has worked at MassMutual Investors Services since 2017 and Metlife Securities from 2010 to 2017. Outside of his advisory role, he is also involved in individual life insurance sales. AdaptFirst Investments serves individuals and small businesses with portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services including outsourced CIO and CFO functions. The firm uses a value-oriented investment approach supported by in-house research and offers additional services such as bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial coaching.

James Eddington is a financial advisor with AdaptFirst Investments LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 11 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Intercarolina Financial Services and MassMutual. Outside of advisory work, he co-owns an insurance brokerage firm, The Insurance Coach, which provides life, disability, long-term care, and health insurance, as well as group benefits services. AdaptFirst Investments serves individuals and small businesses with portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services including outsourced CIO and CFO roles. The firm employs a value-oriented investment approach supported by in-house research and offers additional services such as bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial coaching.

Charles Freeman is a CFA® charterholder with 23 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at AdaptFirst Investments LLC since 2017 and previously held roles at Intercarolina Financial Services, The Leaders Group Inc, and Holderness Investments Co. Outside of his advisory work, Freeman is a co-owner of an axe throwing range and bar, serves as president of the local Society for Financial Service Professionals chapter, and plays bass guitar. AdaptFirst Investments serves individuals and small businesses with portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services including outsourced CIO and CFO roles. The firm offers additional services such as bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial coaching, using a value-oriented investment approach supported by in-house research and licensed model solutions.

Gregory Schlaudecker is a financial advisor with AdaptFirst Investments LLC in Jamestown, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 35 years of industry experience. His career includes roles at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Emerald College Planning, and Intercarolina Financial Services. Outside of advisory work, he operates Emerald College Planning, a business focused on advising families on reducing college expenses, and serves in leadership roles in local professional and community organizations. AdaptFirst Investments serves individuals and small businesses with portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services such as outsourced CIO and CFO work. The firm uses a value-oriented investment approach combining technical and fundamental analysis, offers both discretionary and non-discretionary management, and extends services to include bookkeeping, tax preparation, and financial coaching.