Experience Counts

George “Mackay” Salley, CFA

Mackay discovered his passion for investing when he was assigned to work in the Pension department during his time at DuPont in the late 1960’s.

Mackay serves as Smith Salley’s Chairman, Growth Manager and Chief Investment Officer. To get to where he is today, Mackay earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Citadel. Mackay received his MBA from The Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. A CFA Charterholder, Mackay is also a member of the North Carolina Society of Financial Analysts.

Prior to joining Smith, Salley & Associates, Mackay was a Director and Vice President of Franklin Street Partners in Chapel Hill, NC. During his time at Franklin Street he was portfolio manager for the Franklin Street Partners Small Cap Fund. Before joining Franklin Street, Mackay was Senior Vice President and manager of special investment products at Wachovia Trust Services where he worked for 19 years. Mackay has over 38 years experience in portfolio management and equity research while working with Franklin Street Partners, Wachovia, Delaware Trust and the DuPont Pension Fund.

Upon attaining his degree from The Citadel, Mackay completed two years of active duty in the US Army artillery and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for service in Vietnam with the 1st infantry division. Mackay loves his wife, Eleanor, his children and grandchildren, beyond that he enjoys flying his plane. He has been an active pilot for over 55 years and loves to travel and see his 4 grandchildren.

Mackay and Eleanor reside in Clemmons, NC and attend Clemmons United Methodist Church. Mackay heartily enjoys serving in his community and singing in the choir.

To contact Mackay you can email him at mackay@smith-salley.com.

G. Gregory Smith, Jr.

Gregory’s drive and commitment to detail has served him well as the founder of Smith Salley. His dedication to his clients’ long term success is second to none and sets the tone for the firm. Prior to starting Smith Salley, Gregory was a portfolio manager at Franklin Street Partners in Chapel Hill where he gained experience in portfolio management and equity research having co-managed the Franklin Street Trust Small Cap Fund and provided research for the Core Equity Fund.

In 1997, Gregory received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance from North Carolina State University. He also earned an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Continuing his affiliation with the Kenan-Flagler Business School, Gregory currently serves as an Advisory Board member for the Applied Investment Management Program.

Gregory was raised in Greensboro graduating from the Greensboro Day School.  He is an avid outdoorsman and is involved with the Coastal Conservation Association having served as president and chairman of the Triad chapter and as an executive Vice President on the State Board.

Gregory is also an active member of Ducks Unlimited and attends Westover Church.  He and his wife, Janet, are actively involved with Caldwell Academy, a K-12 classical Christian school where their two children attend.

To contact Gregory you can email him at gregory@smith-salley.com.

James S. Agnew “Jim”

Portfolio Manager, Analyst

Jim comes to Smith, Salley & Associates with 50 years of experience in research and portfolio management. Jim retired from CCB/SunTrust after 35 years with the bank after working in various capacities, most recently as senior portfolio manager in the Wealth and Investment Management division.

Jim specializes in value equities as well as taxable and tax free fixed income securities. Jim received his bachelor’s degree from Georgia Tech. His post graduate work includes an LLB from Woodrow Wilson Law College and a Masters Degree in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech. Jim was instrumental in the development of the CCB Trust and Investments division, where he worked for over 35 years and managed over $250 million in assets. He has 50 years of investment experience in all areas of Trust and Investment Management. Jim is a member of the Durham Toastmasters, Westminster Presbyterian Church and Hope Valley Country Club in Durham, NC.

To contact Jim you can email him at jim@smith-salley.com.

Andrew D. Davis, CFA

Portfolio Manager, Chief Compliance Officer

Andrew serves as our Chief Compliance Officer and his other responsibilities include investment idea generation and portfolio management. He joined Smith, Salley and Associates, LLC in March of 2006 with ten years of experience in both fixed income and equity research and portfolio management. Prior to joining SS&A, Andrew managed personal and institutional portfolios for SunTrust Banks in Charlotte, NC. During his nine years with the bank Andrew was a member of the fixed income strategy committee and the value equity stock selection committee. He co-managed a taxable fixed income mutual fund and an actively managed Value Equity Strategy. Andrew received his undergraduate degree in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a minor in marketing from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Andrew, a CFA Charter holder, is a member of the CFA North Carolina Society.

Andrew enjoys golf, running and hiking with family in his leisure time. He and his wife Dana are involved with the Red Dog Farm animal rescue and help support the Future Fund, which is an initiative of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, and the Coastal Conservation Association.

To contact Andrew you can email him at andrew@smith-salley.com.

E. Scott Batchelor Jr., CFP®

Certified Financial Planner™, Trader, Analyst

Scott got his start with Smith Salley as a summer intern while attending the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina in 2005.  In May 2006, upon earning his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from UNC, Scott came on as a full time member of the team.  Scott was hired to develop the Financial Planning side of the practice and in early 2009 he completed the Certified Financial Planner™ certification and now oversees the planning functions of the firm.

As a CFP® practitioner, Scott is responsible for walking clients through the many “softer” issues of wealth management.  Whether he is putting together retirement spending models or helping devise a funding strategy for a child or grandchild’s education, Scott stands at the intersection of how our clients invest and why they invest.

Scott grew up in Raleigh, became an Eagle Scout and met his best friend in 6th grade only to marry her 12 years later.  Scott, Mary Chandler, and their daughter now call Greensboro home. When they are not traveling to see family or camping in the mountains, Scott and his family are regular attenders at Grace Community Church.

To contact Scott you can email him at scott@smith-salley.com.

H. Brian May

Portfolio Manager, Analyst

Prior working at SS&A, Brian was senior portfolio manager for Jonathan Smith & Co. in Greensboro. In his 14 years at Jsco, he gained experience in equity research, portfolio management and client care. At SS&A, Brian’s primary focus is on equity research and portfolio management.

Brian is the last of nine children and grew up in Hickory, North Carolina. His wife, Anna, is now a teacher’s assistant at Caldwell Academy where three of his four children currently attend. Brian has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Appalachian State University, and a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. Brian was part of the original team that formed Caldwell Academy of Greensboro, North Carolina, a K-12 classical Christian school. He also serves as an Elder and former Chairman of the Elder Board of Grace Community Church.

To contact Brian you can email him at brian@smith-salley.com.