GRAGG & GRAGG - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Business Advisory Service
Shane joined Gragg Financial in early 2021 as Director of Business Advisory Services. He brings over 25 years of Corporate Accounting, Operations, and Consulting experience to the team. He has an Accounting degree from Bob Jones University (Greenville, SC) and an MBA in Business Analytics from Clemson University.
He has served publicly traded companies as well as small businesses. His background in mergers and acquisitions brings a lot of operational experience on how to make business more efficient and profitable. He enjoys assisting his clients and coming alongside them as a team member.
Donna is a Shelby native and was hired by the Founder Gary Gragg in 1987. She has experienced all the growth and evolution of the firm. In that time, she has done it all and seen it all. She is a seasoned veteran Accounting Manager and enjoys working with her clients as well as sharing stories of old. Everybody loves talking with Donna!
Donna's years of serving the citizens and businesses of Cleveland County are a resource that no other firm provides. Her extensive technical knowledge and experience serving clients is being passed down to other Gragg Financial team members as we build out the second generation of Gragg Financial.
Bryon enjoys helping his clients develop and live a custom financial plan tailored to their individual needs, goals, and desires. With over 25 years of experience providing financial advice, he has the knowledge and professional team members to address each client's unique problems and provide them with unique solutions. Bryon is passionate about putting financial pieces together, whether it is investments, income taxes, estate planning or insurance. His financial team includes an extensive group of money managers, estate attorneys, and pension consultants as well as other CPAs to make sure his clients are receiving accurate, comprehensive, and objective advice.
As a trusted advisor to both individuals and closely held businesses, Bryon believes that great care and responsibility must be followed when one is entrusted with giving financial advice. Once a long-term plan is developed, Bryon is there to guide his clients through life's uncertain journey, taking a balanced approach to make sure their goals stay in sight.
Bryon graduated from Appalachian State University with a BS in Business Administration in Accounting. He is a Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) as accredited by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and his firm is licensed with the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). He is a member of the Atrium Health Board of Commissioners, a member of the Atrium Health - Cleveland Advisory Board, former Chairman of the Healthcare Foundation of Cleveland County, former chairman of the Cleveland County Family YMCA, former board member of the Cleveland Community College Foundation and a Rotarian with the Shelby Rotary Club. Bryon learned leadership skills as an Eagle Scout and believes in the message of "Leave this world a little better than you found it". Bryon, his wife Allison, and youngest son Miles reside in Shelby, North Carolina while his oldest son Easton serves in the United States Air Force.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- Personal Financial Specialist
- PFS
As managing partner of Gragg Financial, Jay Gragg is committed to providing quality, customized services to his diverse clients. Since joining the firm in 1994 and becoming a partner in 2000, Jay has assisted in the transformation of Gragg Financial from a traditional CPA firm focusing completely on taxes and the preparation of financial statements to a broad-based financial planning and investment advisory firm.
In a business which is traditionally thought of as very dry, Jay strives to make it both an enjoyable and educational experience for his clients. He has been referred to by clients as, "The only CPA I've ever met with a sense of humor." Most of his time is dedicated to educating clients, assisting them in identifying their needs, guiding them through the process and making sure they stay aware of what is really important as they strive to reach their goals.
In addition to being a CPA, Jay is also a Personal Financial Specialist accredited by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. Of the degree in Sociology he jokes that "It's not as useless in my current business as you might think, we're all about helping people!" He sums up his work by paraphrasing Walter Lippmann: People are sitting in the shade today because someone before them had the foresight to plant a tree.
Jay is an Eagle Scout and believes in giving back to the community, he serves various non-profit organizations in the area. He is past president of the Shelby Rotary Breakfast Club, the Children's Homes of Cleveland County, and the Cleveland County Arts Council. He has also served, or is serving, on such diverse organizations as Destination Cleveland County, The Uptown Shelby Association, Life Enrichment Center of Cleveland County, and the Transportation Administration of Cleveland County. In his spare time Jay enjoys reading and music. As an avid collector of music, he has one of the most diverse collections in the area ranging from compact discs, to 78s dating back to the 1920s. Jay and his beautiful wife Amanda like to travel in their spare time, usually on the hunt for great live music and Indian food.
Kathy has worked with numbers her entire life. Her first job was in the accounting department of a national retail chain in Ohio. She also worked in the banking industry in Ohio as an accountant, and was instrumental in the successful growth and eventual merger of her company with the banking giant, 5/3rd Bank.
In 2006, Kathy's husband Mark was offered a new position in a company based in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Kathy, Mark and their daughter, Tara made the move down South. Kathy was able to find a new home at Gragg Financial in 2007. The family environment and unquestionable integrity at Gragg Financial has solidified Kathy's appreciation and fondness for the staff and their stated mission to help others.
Larry is a native of Lexington, SC and graduate of University of South Carolina with a BS in Accounting. He moved to Shelby to work for Fox Distributing Company where he served for over 35 years He held the positions of Vice President, CFO, and General Manager when he retired, and since 2017 he has been serving Gragg Financial on a part-time basis where his years of expertise are extremely valuable.
Larry and his family are very active at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Shelby where he teaches Sunday School and serves on many committees. He's an active member of the Shelby Breakfast Rotary and many other non-profit boards. Larry loves serving in the community.
Job Titles:
- Portfolio Management Assistant / Shannon
In 2019, Shannon began her career at Gragg Financial after spending 21 years working with the Cleveland County Family YMCA. She earned the role of Executive Director of the Ruby C. Hunt YMCA and for years worked closely with staff and members to achieve their highest potential. This experience made for an easy transition to Gragg Financial where she also works directly with staff and clients.
She is a Cleveland County native, where she graduated from Crest High School and Gardner-Webb University with a BS in Business Administration. She is an active member of Pleasant City Church, Boiling Springs Area Rotary Club, and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.