Mark Lewis

What has been a particularly rewarding moment in your career?

In my 25+ year career with Registered Investment Advisor firms, I have been in non-client facing roles. Periodically, however, I have been included in client meetings. In one such meeting, a radiologist was nearing retirement and wanted to share his story with us. He shared that he never felt wealthy until that very moment. He said he graduated medical school with a mountain of debt, joined a medical practice with an even larger mountain of debt, put his head down to focus on his patients’ needs and left his financial advisor to do what they do best. Now, nearing retirement, not only could he comfortably meet his living expenses, but he could also share his hard-earned wealth with family and philanthropic causes. It was heartwarming to hear how he felt comfortable leaving his financial plan to us which allowed him to focus on his area of expertise.

Where did you grow up? Where do you live now?

I am devoted to the great state of North Carolina! I am a native of Asheville. I spent summers in Atlantic Beach where the draw of saltwater called. During and after college, I lived in Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach before returning to Asheville in 1996. Mountains to the sea and back. Here’s to North Carolina: land of the long leaf pine, cotton fields, and rhododendron, from Mount Mitchell’s summit to the marshlands down east, where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great. (Excerpted from the official state poem.)

What’s a destination in the world that you aspire to visit?

You might think I never want to leave North Carolina. Not true! At the top of my bucket list is the Côte d’Azur. I am itching to spend time in the villages of Antibes, Èze, and Menton from a home rental high above Monaco! This very trip was derailed due to COVID-19 and needs to be rescheduled pronto.

When you’re not working, you’re…?

When I’m not working or enjoying the Asheville scene, I’m hoping to get out on the water. Freshwater or saltwater, it doesn’t matter. During and after college, I worked on private yachts and earned my 100-ton Master’s license (aka Captain’s license). From 13’ Boston Whalers to 70’ Hatteras yachts, there’s nothing better than messing about in boats.