Our Story
Our business has been built on the special relationship of trust and confidence. At Firethorn, we continually make every effort to ensure that our clients receive the highest level of investment advice and service. Our business model allows us to evolve and innovate in order to constantly and consistently deliver a best in class experience to our clients.
Firethorn Wealth Partners is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. As an RIA, we have elected to adopt the fiduciary standard of client care. We are legally and ethically obligated to place our client's interests above all others with complete and universal transparency. The reputation of our firm is dependent upon this pledge.
As an independent and privately owned company, our firm is free of the natural conflicts of interest that arise from public shareholders and /or parent company relationships.
Our Team
Jerry Rogers CFP®, AIF®
Since 1997, Jerry has served as a Financial Advisor who serves affluent individuals, families, and their closely held entities. Jerry attended Georgia Tech where he graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management. Prior to beginning his career in financial services, he assisted small businesses in the acquisition and implementation of data processing systems for accounting and inventory control. He later became the owner and publisher of Augusta Magazine. After selling the magazine, he began his career in financial services. Jerry is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner and an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® He holds his series 7, 63, and 65 registrations, as well as a Georgia Life, Accident & Sickness, and Variable products license.
He is a member of the Rotary Club of Augusta, where he served as president. He attends First Presbyterian Church of Augusta and serves on the board of deacons. Jerry enjoys spending time with his wife, three children, and grandchildren, and is an avid golfer.
706.426.4118 [O] • jerry@firethornwp.com
Scott Benjamin CFP®, CIMA™, CCFC
Co-Director of Alternative Investments
CEO
Scott has been a Financial Advisor since 1997, beginning with Interstate Johnson-Lane (predecessor of Wachovia Securities), a Charlotte, North Carolina based investment firm. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and a Certified Investment Management Analyst. He provides elite service and strategic guidance to clients ensuring an integrated approach to their overall financial goals.
Scott earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from New Mexico State University and holds his Series 7, 63 and 65 registrations as well as his Georgia Life, Accident & Sickness and variable products license. Scott is an avid golfer and enjoys traveling with his wife and two young children. He is also involved with the Exchange Club of Augusta and a past board member of Child Enrichment and Ronald McDonald House charities.
706.426.4157 [O] • scott@firethornwp.com
Kevin Sweeney
Co-Director of Alternative Investments
President & COO
Kevin has been in the financial services industry since 2012. He is a graduate of Auburn University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and holds his Series 7, 63 and 65 securities registrations as well as his Georgia Life, Accident & Sickness and variable product license. Kevin works with all types of individuals and families to create a tailored experience, while allocating their money among financial assets aligned with individual return and risk objectives based on each client’s time horizon and risk tolerance.
Kevin is committed to his local community and currently serves as a board member for the First Tee of Augusta, an organization focused on introducing the game of golf and its inherent values to young people.
706.426.4114 [O] • kevin@firethornwp.com
Melinda McRee
Director of Operations
Melinda has been in the financial services industry since 1997. She is a graduate of Auburn University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She holds her Series 7, 63 and 65 registrations as well as Georgia Life, Credit and Variable products license.
Melinda is a past board member of the Junior League of Augusta. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband and son.
706.426.4243 [O] • melinda@firethornwp.com
William Reza Abolghassem
Wealth Advisor
Reza has been in the financial services industry since 2018. He is a graduate of the Terry College of Business at The University of Georgia where he graduated Cum Laude with a B.B.A. in Finance. Prior to joining Firethorn Wealth Partners, Reza worked in Commercial Banking at Center State Bank in Atlanta as a Credit Underwriter focusing primarily on commercial real estate transactions. Reza brings a unique skillset to the Firethorn team given his experience in credit underwriting and commercial real estate.
In his free time, Reza enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife Sarah and their dog Bailey. Reza was born and raised in Augusta.
706.830.8523 [M] • 706.504.9765 [O] • reza@firethornwp.com
Kate Brabenec
Social Media
Kate is new in the financial services industry. She is a graduate of The University of Alabama where she earned her dual degree in dance and public relations. Kate interned at Firethorn during the summer of 2020. In addition to working at Firethorn, Kate teaches ballet and jazz technique to variety of dancers who train at Pulse Dance Center. Kate brings an artistic skillset to the Firethorn team, and she is eager to implement earned media strategies across various social media platforms for Firethorn.
In her free time, Kate enjoys taking barre classes, choreographing, and spending time with her friends and family. Kate was born and raised in Augusta.
706.826.2077 [O] • kate@firethornwp.com
Our Mission
The goal with the creation and evolution of Firethorn is to prioritize the interests of our clients (not shareholders) above our own. We believe this is the way to create long term business success with a sterling reputation. We will work tirelessly to create an objective, collaborative, innovative and superior business model and process.
We remain focused on transparency, honesty, hard work and blunt self-assessment. This will deliver a business that can be trusted and relied upon for current and future generations with impeccable character, culture and values.
