Stacey L. Wall, President and CEO
Stacey received a B.B.A. from the University of Mississippi in 1981 and is a 1993 graduate of Cannon Financial Institute in Advanced Trust Investments. Prior to founding Pinnacle Trust in 1997, he served as Chief Investment Officer for a regional financial institution with responsibility for approximately $1 billion under investment management.
Stacey is a member of the Advisory Council of SEI Investments of Oaks, Pennsylvania, and the University of Mississippi Philanthropy Advisory Council. He is a past president of the Board of Directors of the Gateway Rescue Mission. Stacey has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Independent Trust Companies and the Metro Business Chronicle. He a past member of the Investment Policy Board of the General H. Louis Wilson Fund of Millsaps College, the Millsaps College Estate Planning Council, the Estate Planning Council of Mississippi, and the Belhaven College Foundation Estate Planning Advisory Council.
During his career, Stacey has been a guest speaker for various groups throughout the southeast as well as a frequent guest on various radio programs. He is a past host of the “Pinnacle Trust Hour” radio program and was a featured speaker at the 1998 National Association of Independent Trust Companies Annual Conference in New Orleans. Stacey has nearly 30 years of experience as an investment professional.
After the waterfall decline of October, 2008, the second largest drop in the stock market in history, Stacey correctly called for the cyclical rebound that began in March of 2009. In June of 2003, The Clarion Ledger reported, “Stacey Wall… the President and CEO of Jackson-based Pinnacle Trust has built an excellent reputation for predicting the market. Once again, he was right on the money – literally.”
In February of 2000, Stacey predicted the end of the technology and internet stock explosion. “Ninety percent of internet stocks are overvalued”, Stacey said during his annual economic forecast in January, 2000. “The mania will end. It always does. And not with a whimper, but a bang.” Just one month later, the NASDAQ – the index most associated with internet and technology stocks – peaked and began a slide that ended 22 months later after a nearly 80% decline.
In the mid-90s, Stacey forecast the massive technological boom that has exponentially increased business productivity in the United States. In 1999, he labeled Y2k “Y2not!” as Stacey correctly predicted concerns regarding computer conversions were overblown.
David W. Russell, Senior Vice President & Trust Officer
David Russell is a veteran financial planner with over 25 years of experience providing comprehensive wealth management advice to individuals, business owners and nonprofit organizations. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1982 with a Bachelors degree in Banking and Finance. David has spoken to professional associations such as the Mississippi Estate Planning Council, The Financial Planning Association, and the Mississippi Bar Association; as well as to civic and nonprofit audiences around the country.
David understands how the intricacies of the markets and economy affect your ability to “outlive your resources.” He has provided financial and estate planning advice to over 500 families from all walks of life throughout his career.
Out of his personal experience with both clients and his own family, he has developed an understanding of the challenges facing widows as well as those facing the adult children of aging parents. His topic, “what you need to tell your kids” resonates with many who are facing this issue.
He currently serves as senior editor of The Mississippi Fiduciary, a blog for the professional estate planning community.
Jeremy Nelson, CTFA, Vice-President & Investment Officer
Jeremy currently serves as a Vice President & Investment Officer for Pinnacle Trust. Jeremy’s primary role is working with clients to create financial strategies that help them achieve their life goals. He also chairs the Pinnacle Trust Investment Committee, where he reviews and directs the firm’s investment process.
In May 2004 Jeremy received his B.S. in Business Administration with a Minor in Finance from Belhaven College, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Originally from Golden, B.C. Canada, he attended Belhaven on a four-year golf scholarship. In 2007 he completed the American Bankers Association (ABA) National Trust School, and, in 2008, he completed the ABA Graduate Trust School. In 2008, he also earned the Certified Trust & Financial Advisor (CTFA) designation. Jeremy is currently pursuing his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
In 2005, Jeremy was named as one of Jackson’s “Young Guns: The Best of the Twenty Somethings” by Metro Business Chronicle. He is a member of the Belhaven College Dean’s Alumni Advisory Council and serves as the President-Elect for the Financial Planning Association of Mississippi. He will serve as President in 2011.
