Broker Check

About Us

About Us 
A Partner On
Your Life Journey.

We take pride in helping people achieve their financial goals. Our firm, established in 2018 by Kevin Ferguson CFP® and Maury Shapiro CLU, ChFC, is built on decades of experience and a commitment to high-quality service.

Our Founders

Kevin Ferguson leads our wealth management unit, serving clients since 1995 and managing approximately $320 million in advisory accounts. As an SEC-registered investment advisor, we partner with Charles Schwab for clearing and custody.

Maury Shapiro heads our risk management unit, providing expertise in life, disability, long-term care, and group insurance since 1985. Maury and his team cater to both individual and small business clients.

Our Approach 
A Team That
Understands You

We understand that entrusting your finances to someone else can be stressful. That's why we focus on building close, personal relationships with each client. Our advice and services are customized to meet your unique needs and objectives. We oversee both strategy and detailed implementation to ensure you achieve your financial goals.

Our Commitment

With a deep understanding of wealth and risk management, we anticipate your needs and provide a secure, professional experience. Our goal is to deliver a level of excellence and quality service that makes you feel cared for and confident in your financial future.

We love what we do, and we are here to help you navigate your financial journey with trust, reliability, and integrity.

Meet The Team
Who You’ll Be Working With

Kevin Ferguson
CFP®

Principal

ABOUT KEVIN:
Kevin began his career in the industry in 1995 when he joined Carlyle Wealth Management where he served as Senior Vice President and worked with the firm’s principal on day to day management of $120M in assets.

In 2001, he was recruited to the Atlanta branch of AXA Advisors LLC to address their initiatives to enhance the firm’s wealth management capabilities. During his tenure with AXA, Kevin created Your Wealth Partners, a group of seven advisors and twelve staff members who provided the day to management of over $400M of assets in accounts for both individual and corporate/trust clients.

In 2018, with a vision to further expand our capabilities in planning, wealth, and risk management, I established Ferguson Shapiro LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisory firm. Through our new clearing and custody relationship with Charles Schwab, we enhanced our research, technology, and staffing to better customize the services and products available to our clients.

In development of investment strategies, the firm’s primary emphasis in portfolio construction is consistency of performance over time. Kevin and the group apply sophisticated analytical skills and tools to understand existing portfolios and to structure suitable improvements to better meet client’s needs. Typical considerations include tax efficiencies, and changes in economic and/or technical factors within the capital markets.

Kevin is a graduate of the University of Georgia. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation through the Certified Planner Board of Standards and is an active member of the Georgia financial planning association. He has lived in Atlanta since 1976 and is an avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast.

Maury Shapiro
CLU, ChFC

Partner

404-812-7777

Maury@FergusonShapiro.com

ABOUT MAURY:

I have been an insurance agent for 39 years.  Little children do not dream of becoming insurance agents and I was certainly no different.  Fortunately for me, my high school youth group advisor thought that I might be good at this and offered me the opportunity to come into his business when I finished college.  I am so appreciative to this day!

I thoroughly enjoy the relationships I have with my clients.  Learning about their families, their businesses, and their goals has always been interesting to me.  Talking through needs and wants, educating clients on insurance concepts and options, solving problems, and becoming a trusted advisor has been very fulfilling. 

I grew up here in Atlanta and went to Briarcliff High School.  I graduated from Georgia State University.  I am married to Staci (also a Georgia native from Macon).  We raised three boys and we’re now proud grandparents to two perfect grandchildren!

When not talking about insurance, I have been a past volunteer in various positions with the Marcus Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.  I have played in a weekly card game for many years, and play tennis, pickleball, and keyboards in a garage band.

Ryan Florence
CFP®

Partner

404-835-7725

Ryan@FergusonShapiro.com

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (#233340)

I specialize in Senior Transitions and Financial Planning, centered on client service and a deep understanding of each client's unique circumstances. I recognized early in my career the growing need for prudent advice for our growing senior population. Transitioning into the golden years can be challenging for spouses and adult children. I have worked extensively in this field since 2007, creating a network of trusted resources to help simplify and provide best practice options.

As a CFP®, I also understand that most investors do not have the time or interest to fully research and understand all their options. That’s why I am committed to guiding families through their financial decision-making by helping educate them on opportunities and risks in the marketplace.

I was born in Decatur Georgia and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Georgia. I hold the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation through the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. My wife Sarah and I have lived in Decatur since 2008 and have two children, Stella and Grant. I was chairman of the Board of Directors for the Decatur YMCA (2021), a member of the Rotary Club, and a volunteer for numerous local events and charities. I am an avid fisherman and sports enthusiast, and I love outdoor adventures with my family. 

Sarah Wylde
CFP®, CPA

Director of Financial Planning and Tax

404-567-6997

Sarah@FergusonShapiro.com

ABOUT SARAH:

I thrive on the new challenges and changes that come my way almost daily. I see a financial plan as a complex puzzle, and I love figuring out how to put the pieces together to best serve my clients and their goals. 

As a Decatur native who grew up half a mile from the Decatur Square, I never wanted to leave this vibrant community. I graduated from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta with a dual degree in Accounting and Behavioral Science and Human Resource Management and became a CPA in 2014. Before joining Ferguson Shapiro, I previously worked as an audit associate at CohnReznick, a tax associate at BMMP, and an inspection analyst at the PCAOB.

Missing client relationships and eager to delve deeper into financial planning, I joined Ferguson Shapiro in April 2019 as the Director of Financial Planning.  Since then, I have utilized my tax experience as well to help clients achieve their financial goals by keeping them updated on the ever-changing world of tax.  

I enjoy spending time with my husband, Bjay, our 2 adorable and sassy girls, Charlie and Evey, and our 4 dogs, Cash, June, Ziggy, and Mac. I love to travel and relax as much as a mother of 2 young kids can.

James Boswell
CIMA®

Director of Trading and Reporting

404-567-5998

James@FergusonShapiro.com

ABOUT JAMES:
James attended the University of Alabama graduating with a double major in finance and economics. He obtained his Master’s in Finance from J Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State. Prior to joining the Ferguson Shapiro team, he served as a business analyst at Troutman Sanders where he used a variety of business intelligence tools to drive profits by analyzing large data sets. In addition, James brings 10 years of experience trading across a variety of markets including stocks, bonds, options, futures, and forex. Hobbies include reading, traveling, and Alabama football.

Patrice Allison

Brokerage Operations Manager

404-567-6998

Patrice@FergusonShapiro.com

ABOUT PATRICE:

For over 10 years, I have had the privilege of heading operations for our firm. My role encompasses all aspects of account establishment, registration changes and updates, estate settlement issues, funding, transfers, disbursements, and any related service needs. As a graduate of Emory University with a bachelor’s degree in English, I strive to provide the best possible service to our clients, aiming to make a positive impact with each interaction.

I take the time to listen and genuinely care about making our clients' experiences with our firm positive ones. You can count on me to see the job through, ensuring every detail is handled with precision and care.

Living in Decatur with my husband, I enjoy a good book, movies, and keeping up with our two grown children. I also find joy in working in my yard. Outside of work, I am passionate about animal welfare and have been volunteering with Furkids, a local no-kill animal shelter, for over 15 years.

Lili Zhu

Operations Specialist

404-874-3469

Lili@fergusonshapiro.com

As a user experience designer with over 20 years of experience in market branding, visual design, product design, and software development, I blend artistic sensibility with functional precision to craft user-centric digital experiences. My journey spans diverse industries, including FinTech, EdTech, AI technology, healthcare, e-commerce, retail, and manufacturing.

Two years ago, I entered the finance industry as the Lead Product Designer for FinFlx's mobile app. This role allowed me to leverage my creative background, which includes a Master of Fine Arts degree from Indiana University, my belief in designing with empathy, and my passion for technological innovation. I was able to identify customers’ pain points and help them navigate both the financial and digital worlds successfully.

Since joining Ferguson Shapiro in February 2024, I have witnessed the direct correlation between financial well-being and overall quality of life. It is a privilege to work in an industry that grows and thrives with individuals and families. Interacting directly with clients allows me to expand my user experience knowledge into customer experience design.

Originally from China, my hometown of Hangzhou is a beautiful garden city on the East Coast, with West Lake at its center. Growing up in an artistic family, with both of my parents as art professors and artists, I learned to appreciate the beauty of the world and strive for a creative life.

I currently live in Alpharetta, Georgia, with my boyfriend of ten years, with whom I share a deep passion for adventure, art, and travel. I am also proud to have a daughter who graduated from NYU and now excels as a marketing analyst. My family is a source of great joy and inspiration; they catch me when I fall and support me as I reach for new heights.

Kelsey Vicini-White

Operations Manager: Individual Benefits

404-812-7777

Kelsey@FergusonShapiro.com

ABOUT KELSEY:

Driven by a passion for helping others, I am dedicated to assisting individuals and their families in planning for their future financial needs, ensuring they have the security and peace of mind they deserve. With seven years of experience in the insurance industry and newly licensed as a Health and Life Insurance Agent, I am committed to providing exceptional service and support to my clients, ensuring they receive the coverage they need.

Originally from California, I relocated to Georgia with my husband in 2015. I hold a degree in business and marketing from the International Academy of Design and Technology, where I developed a deep understanding of client needs. My strong people skills were honed through various roles in management.

My experience as a healthcare representative at Kennestone Hospital, where I screened patients and processed claims, has given me valuable insight into my current role as Operations Manager of Individual Benefits. This background has deepened my understanding of the complexities of managing benefits and highlighted the importance of clear communication and compassionate service. 

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my son, traveling, and soaking up the sun on Lake Lanier with my family and friends. These activities help me recharge and stay connected with the people and places that matter most to me.

Bethany Diamond

Operations Manager: Group Benefits

404-812-7777

Bethany@FergusonShapiro.com

ABOUT BETHANY:

My goal as a licensed Health and Life Insurance Agent is to provide exceptional service and support to our clients, ensuring they have the coverage and peace of mind they need.

I am a proud graduate of the University of Georgia. Go Dogs!  Before joining Ferguson Shapiro, I honed my customer service skills in the fitness industry, where I taught group classes, trained individual clients, and educated other fitness professionals both nationally and internationally through workshops, conventions, and magazine articles. This diverse background has equipped me with the skills to effectively connect with clients and address their unique needs.

I am deeply committed to my community in Sandy Springs, currently serving as the Chairperson of the Sandy Springs Board of Ethics. An alumna of Leadership Sandy Springs, class of 2020, I am actively involved with Leadership Perimeter (formerly Leadership Sandy Springs) and the Sandy Springs Society, both of which support local non-profits financially and through volunteer opportunities. Recently, I enjoyed volunteering at the Juneteenth Celebration in Sandy Springs.

In 2004, I founded Ovarian Cycle, now a signature fundraising event for the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. A two-time Ironman triathlete, now, I enjoy walking with friends and my dogs. My husband and I have three kids, two daughters-in-law, and three perfect grandchildren between us. Our two dogs, Alice and Gertrude, are also a big part of our family. In my free time, I love walking my dogs, volunteering in my community, entertaining, and spending time with friends and family.

Karyn Cravens
CFP®, JD

Manager of Financial Planning and Client Service Operations

678-561-4926

Karyn@FergusonShapiro.com

Helping clients achieve their goals and dreams is the most rewarding part of my career. I am passionate about guiding individuals and families through the complexities of estate, business, and retirement planning to ensure they have a secure and prosperous future.

I am a graduate of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, where I studied finance. I also earned my law degree from Emory University School of Law. After practicing estate and business planning law in private practice, I transitioned to the financial services industry with The Equitable. For over 10 years, I consulted with financial advisors, clients, and other professional advisors in the areas of estate, business, and retirement planning and then paused my career to raise my daughter. After becoming an empty nester in 2023, I was excited to rejoin the workforce and continue my journey in financial advising.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading, cooking, and going to the beach. I live with my husband Dave in Lakewood Ranch, FL. Our daughter, Kathleen, is currently studying at the University of Central Florida to become a mechanical engineer.

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