Our Firm
Over 95 years of combined financial advisory experience
The expertise, accomplishments, and dedication of the professionals in our firm have led to a reputation for superior client service. Our clients benefit from more than 95 years of combined experience providing clients with investment and risk management, and financial planning services. Delivering an exceptional client experience is, and always will be, our primary objective.
Please view the bios below for more information about our team.
John Garwood CFP®
Partner and Private Wealth Advisor
John is a native of North Wilkesboro, NC and an alumnus of Appalachian State University's Walker College of Business. John and his wife, Meredith, now live in Weddington and have 2 children – Johnathon, who is a graduate of Clemson University and received his Masters of Accounting from Appalachian State, and Anna who is a graduate of UNC -Chapel Hill with a Business Degree.
John has been in the Wealth Management business for over 25 years. He joined Northwestern Mutual in 2005 and has obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional designation. He enjoys golf, tennis, travel, and attending college football games in the fall.
John remains an active supporter of Appalachian State. In 2014, he had the honor of speaking at the dedication ceremony for Appalachian’s Garwood Hall; named in honor of his late father, Senator John A. Garwood. John has previously served on the NC Life and Health Insurance Committee. John and Meredith served on the Kenan Flagler Business School Parents Council at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. John and his family are members of Weddington United Methodist Church.
Turner Dayton CFP®, RICP®, CLU®
Partner and Private Wealth Advisor
Turner is originally from Spruce Pine, a small mountain town in western North Carolina. Upon graduating from Wake Forest University in 2007, he started his career with Northwestern Mutual Investment Services. Early in his career, Turner earned his CFP®, RICP®, and CLU® designations. Through his time with Northwestern Mutual, he has enjoyed helping his clients simplify their financial lives and reach their goals.
He and his wife, Lauren, met while attending Wake Forest University. They currently reside in the Dilworth neighborhood of Charlotte with their three children, Porter, Hampton, and Parrish. When Turner is not in the office, he spends much of his time travelling to Colorado where Lauren grew up. He also enjoys golfing, traveling internationally, and watching Wake Forest sports.
Turner, Lauren, Porter, Hampton, and Parrish are members of Myers Park Presbyterian Church.
John R McLaughlin JrCFP®, RICP®, CLU®, ChFC®
Partner and Private Wealth Advisor
John was born and raised in Charlotte and is a graduate of the University of UNC-Chapel Hill. John has been married to Kathy for 37 years and they have 3 grown daughters, Katie, Ali and Erin.
John stared his career with Northwestern Mutual in 1983 and received his Chartered Life Underwriting (CLU®), Chartered Financial Consultant, (ChFC®), and Retirement Income Certified professional (RICP®) designations from The American College.
John has been with Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. for over 20 years. He has his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional designation (CFP®), his series 7, 6, and 63 and is part of the Fee based Planning group through NMWMC. John’s area of expertise is working with business owners and successful individuals with their risk management and investment planning with an emphases on retirement and wealth management strategies.
Throughout his career John has been actively involved with various industry groups and civic organizations such as AALU, FSP, Johnson YMCA and the Advisory Board at Catholic Charities. John is a member of Carmel Country Club and enjoys, golf, fishing, cooking, watching Carolina sports and is avid college football fan. John and his family are members of St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
Tartt Brown CLTC®
Partner and Financial Advisor
Tartt is an Alabama native and an alumnus of Auburn University. Tartt married Leigh Pelle in 1984 and they have three sons, all Auburn grads, and a wonderful Daughter in Law. Austin, BA in Finance, and Brittany live just outside Atlanta, Daniel, BA in Ag Econ, lives in Birmingham, and Christopher, BA in Business Management, also lives in Atlanta.
Tartt, a life long Northwestern client, began his Northwestern career in May 1999. He and Leigh enjoy traveling, hiking with their dogs, Grace and Lilly, lake life, and college football.
Tartt is a firm believer in “paying it forward”. Toward that goal, he is actively involved in many aspects of planned giving in particular for Auburn University and private foundations and trusts.
Michael joined Parkwood Wealth Advisors at the start of 2019 after spending a year as a Financial Advisor with Northwestern Mutual. Originally a native of New York City, Michael graduated from The United States Military Academy at West Point and served as an Army Officer with the 82nd Airborne Division from 2013 until 2017. He completed his Series 7 and 63 licenses in 2018. Michael has been married to his wife Jennifer for 6 years and they had their first child in January of 2020. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities and volunteering with his Rotary Club.
Holly joined Northwestern Mutual in 2009 after graduating from Furman University. With over ten years of customer service experience, she has been a great asset to the team. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual, Holly worked for her family’s business in the lighting industry. She currently works part time for our team. While she is not working for the Parkwood Wealth Advisors team, she is spending time with her husband, Matt and daughter, Kenzie.
Anna has more than two years of experience providing financial advisory services in previous roles. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual, Anna worked as a consultant for KPMG LLP in their Transformation Delivery practice. While at KPMG, she provided multi-national organizations with financial and program management advisory services. Anna holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in management consulting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Anna has spent most of her life in the Charlotte, NC area. However, she moved to Atlanta, GA in 2018, where she currently resides. Outside of work, Anna volunteers with Make A Wish. She also enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and golfing.
Emily joined Parkwood Wealth Advisors in August 2020 and supports the business in scheduling appointments, client servicing, and specializing in our Insurance Operations. She has obtained her Life, Health, and Long Term Care licenses in North Carolina.
As a hospitality veteran for over 15 years, her diverse hotel industry background taught her quickly that everyone must be a team player, understand the needs and motivations of your clients, and to show empathy and genuine care in every interaction. These valuable skills transfer to her work for our clients and our team on a daily basis.
Emily is originally from Fort Walton Beach, Florida and will not hesitate to tell you that the beaches there are by far the best in the continental U.S. (Hawaii is what prevents her from saying the U.S). She moved to Asheville, NC in 2010 and has called Charlotte home since 2014.
When she is not working, you will find her spending quality time with her friends and family, traveling, hiking and exploring the Charlotte greenways with her dog, Bernard. She also enjoys concerts and a relaxing yoga class.
Originally from Toronto, Canada, Carol began her career in the insurance industry at Canada Life.
After moving to the United States, she took a hiatus to raise her children and do volunteer work primarily with CMS schools.
Upon reentering the work force, Carol began working with Northwestern Mutual and has over 20 years of customer service experience in the industry. She is currently licensed in North Carolina for Life, Health and Long Term Care insurance and holds her Series 6 and 63 securities licenses.
In her free time, Carol enjoys spending time with her two grown children Matthew and Jessica and her animals Molly and Tucker. She also enjoys reading, cooking and watching old movies.
Nick joined Parkwood Wealth Advisors at the end of 2021 as Director of Investment Operations after spending over 7 years in the industry at various financial institutions. He completed his Series 7 and 66 licenses in 2014. Nick graduated from Western Carolina University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Finance.
Outside of work he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and friends.
Vance started with Parkwood Wealth Advisors as an intern in September 2021. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2022 with a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and completed his FINRA Series 7 and 63 registrations. As an Associate Representative, Vance helps the team with financial planning and investment operations. In his free time, Vance enjoys spending time with friends and family, staying active, and is an avid college sports fan.
Sam joined Parkwood Wealth Advisors as an intern in August 2022, and has since joined the team as a full-time employee in August 2023. Sam primarily supports the business by preparing and facilitating financial plans and scheduling appointments. Sam is originally from Plumtree, a small town in the mountains of North Carolina. He moved to Charlotte in 2019 for the opportunity to pursue his passion in business. Sam will graduate from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in December 2023 with a bachelor's degree in finance. When he is not working, Sam enjoys traveling, playing basketball, and spending time with friends and family.