Prior to joining Colonial in 2001, Bert worked as an Equity Research Analyst with Wachovia Securities, Inc. In 2003, he earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Bert became a principal of the firm in 2007 and serves as both a trust officer and portfolio manager. He is a native of Spartanburg and a graduate of Washington and Lee University. Bert and his wife Katherine have three teenage children give back extensively to the Spartanburg community. Bert has served as Chair of the Board the Chapman Cultural Center and the Spartanburg County Foundation and a Deacon and Elder at First Presbyterian Church.