About Us

We believe knowledge is a prerequisite to true financial well-being

For over 25 years, Narwhal Capital Management has been helping clients in the metro Atlanta area and beyond manage their investments and take charge of their financial health. Though economic outlooks and market trends vary, we remain steadfast in our commitment to serving clients through the model of stewardship. Our goal is to provide a personalized portfolio with risk-appropriate investments developed from a knowledge not only of markets, but of you, the client. Relationship-based portfolio management, proactive service and an emphasis on education are foundational to our vision for you and Narwhal.

Deeper client relationships

A history rooted in deeper client relationships and true personalization

Narwhal Capital Management was founded by Matt Burton in 2005. During his previous 11 years as an investable asset manager, he uncovered an alarming lack of personalization in the wealth management industry. With the establishment of Narwhal Capital Management, Burton was determined to create something personal. The result is that every portfolio is customized to the client - we are not selling a basket of ETFs or mutual funds or pre-packaged services.

Since 2005, we’ve grown our service offering and implemented key changes to better serve our clients. We removed account minimums in 2013, added a full-service tax and accounting department in 2014, and began offering financial planning services in 2018. From our talented team members and comprehensive services to our core philosophy of personalization, we believe we’ve created something truly unique.

Investment Committee

Matt Burton, CFA

Founder

Matt began his career in asset management at Matsco Incorporated, a Delaware holding company (and Narwhal’s predecessor) in 1994. After 11 years at the helm of Matsco’s investment portfolio, he founded Narwhal Capital Management in 2005. Today, the majority of Matt’s time is spent on portfolio management. The most seasoned member of the portfolio management team, Matt’s nearly 30 years of managing investments across all asset classes vests itself in a well-rounded appreciation for disciplined, methodical money management. Matt received a bachelor’s degree from Samford University and an MBA from the J. Mack Robinson College of Business at Georgia State before earning his Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Matt is an avid outdoorsman, a lover of poetry, a student of theology and a family man. He is a published author and the artist behind the photographs portrayed on this website. He and his wife Mary have five children, Luke, Mary Grace, Will, Esther and Lydia.

Andrew Hall

President

Andrew’s career with Narwhal began as an intern during the summers of 2008 and 2009. He was hired in a full-time capacity in 2011. Andrew oversees the strategic direction of the firm and enjoys a role split between portfolio management, client engagement and operations. He previously served on the Advisory Board for the Mercer University Student Managed Investment Fund and completed the Charles Schwab Executive Leadership Program as a member of the 2019 class. Andrew and his wife Amanda live nearby in Marietta with their two kids.

Benjamin Nye, CFA, FRM

Chief Investment Officer, Portfolio Manager

Ben arrived at Narwhal from a small investment firm in Eugene, Oregon, where he cut his teeth investing in individual stocks, bonds and derivatives. He earned the right to use the CFA designation in 2016, holds his Series 65 license and is a certified Financial Risk Manager. Ben received a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Washington and a MBA from Emory University's Goizueta Business School. In his free time, he plays competitive tennis, mentors for Mentoring for Leadership and is a frequent contributor to The Investing Podcast.

Thomas Russell, CPFA

Director of Fixed Income, Portfolio Manager

Tom joined the Narwhal team in the fall of 2018. He has a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Kennesaw State University. Tom has spent his career trading fixed income on both an institutional and retail level, specializing in Municipal Bonds. He holds Series 7 and Series 66 Licenses. Tom lives in Marietta with his wife, Maeve. When he’s not in the office, he enjoys playing rugby, traveling and watching Tennessee football.

Sam Frost, CFA

Sr. Portfolio Manager

Sam joined the Narwhal team in the summer of 2016 after completing his MBA program at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business. Sam earned a B.S. in mathematics from Mississippi State University, where he was a member of the baseball team and a four-time nominee to the SEC Academic Honor Roll.

Harrison Pettigrew

Jr. Portfolio Manager

Harrison joined Narwhal in the fall of 2022. Prior to Narwhal, Harrison worked at a small hedge fund focused on idiosyncratic value stocks. Harrison received his Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Georgia Tech as well as a minor in Finance. In his free time he enjoys the outdoors, playing piano, jiu-jitsu and triathlons, and yoga.

Client Service and Engagement

Natalie Rogers, SHRM-CP

Director of Client Service and Operations

Natalie joined the Narwhal team in Spring 2021 after working for a large investment firm in Atlanta for over seven years. Highly motivated, with a desire to learn and grow, she uses her top-notch organizational skills to help her colleagues, more effectively and efficiently, serve clients. On top of managing our client service team, Natalie manages our HR and Operational needs. She holds a degree in Music Performance from Kennesaw State University that she uses in her spare time singing with the ASO and the Atlanta Opera. Natalie and her husband, Alex, live in Kennesaw with their Great Dane Berkley and their two boys, Brayden and Banks.

Melissa Dotson, CFP®, CSLP®

Financial Planning Associate

Melissa came to Narwhal in the summer of 2018 following the completion of her master’s degree in financial planning from the University of Georgia, where she also earned her bachelor’s degree in consumer economics. Her interest in the field started with learning about consumer behavior, specifically its relation with complex moneymaking decisions. Melissa recently received her CFP® Certification in January 2021. Working with a CFP® professional can help you find the path to achieving your financial goals. Your goals may evolve over the years as a result of shifts in your lifestyle or circumstances such as an inheritance, career change, marriage, house purchase , or a growing family. Melissa is here to help you through that process. When she’s not working, Melissa enjoys cycling, cooking, and spending time with her beagle and two nieces.

John Grayson

Account Executive

John started at Narwhal as an investment intern in the summer of 2019 while working to complete his MBA at Auburn University. After finishing his schooling, John joined the Narwhal team in a full-time role as a client service associate in the summer of 2020. John has been tasked with servicing a portion of Narwhal’s younger client base as well as expanding the company’s management of outside 401k plans. Along with his MBA, John holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Auburn.

Mohammed Reza

Account Executive

Moe started at Narwhal in the fall of 2022 as an investment intern and joined the Narwhal team in a full-time role in April of 2023 after graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in Finance and an emphasis in Pricing and Valuation. Moe is tasked with servicing a portion of Narwhal’s client base and evaluating and doing research on investments as a member of the Investment Committee. In his free time, Moe enjoys going to Braves’ games, playing golf, hiking, and watching the Georgia Bulldogs win National Championships.

Tax and Accounting Services

Jonathan McKay, CPA

Director of Tax and Accounting Services

Jonathan joined Narwhal’s staff in January 2017. He comes to Narwhal with 15 years of experience in the accounting field. Throughout his career, he has performed various roles ranging from job cost accounting to serving as Controller. After obtaining his B.A. in accounting from Kennesaw State University, Jonathan was also able to earn his CPA certificate. When Jonathan is away from the office, you’ll find him and his wife, Lisa, having fun with their two boys, Corbin and Porter.

Donald Skola, CPA, EA, MTx

Tax and Accounting Associate

Donald joined Narwhal in February of 2021. He brings 15 years of experience in tax compliance and consulting in public accounting specializing in high net worth individuals and their related businesses along with commercial real estate taxation. He received both his BA in Accounting and his Masters in Taxation from Georgia State. Donald is very active as a member of the Grand Lodge of Georgia Free and Accepted Masons. In his free time, you can most likely catch him with a line in the water, either on Georgia's lakes or offshore marlin fishing in Cabo San Lucas.

Sylvia Priest

Director of Trust Services

A member of the Narwhal team since January 2015, Sylvia previously worked at C.W. Matthews Contracting Company. The resident expert on trust documents and execution, Sylvia spends most of her time assisting Narwhal’s accounting department. A Scottish culture enthusiast, Sylvia participates in many local Highland festivals and appreciates a good Scottish Country Dance as much as a fine single malt.

401(k) Advisory Services

Luke Burton

Director of 401(k) Services

Luke joined Narwhal’s client services team in the spring of 2019 after working as a wrangler on a West Colorado guest ranch. He holds a B.S. in psychology from Davidson College and competed for four years on the Davidson men’s swim team. His role at Narwhal focuses on serving 401(k) clients and their employees. In his own time, Luke enjoys all things related to fitness and the great outdoors.

Andrew Wilson

401(k) Associate

Andrew joined Narwhal in the summer of 2023. Andrew received his Associate’s degree in Commercial
Construction Management from Gwinnett Tech and worked for Holder Construction and Balfour Beatty Construction. Prior to Narwhal, Andrew transitioned from construction to finance by working with Primerica’s investment team. His role at Narwhal focuses on servicing and growing the 401(k) clientele and their employees. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and spending time with his wife, Carolyn, and three children, Rosa, Zara and Ajay.

Operations

Jonathan Hicks

Chief Compliance Officer

Jonathan joined Narwhal Capital Management as an intern in the spring of 2018. After completing his senior year at Kennesaw State University, Jonathan returned to Narwhal as the firm’s Associate Portfolio Analyst. Jonathan oversees day-to-day portfolio analysis tasks while simultaneously supporting the Investment Committee. He holds a Bachelor’s of Finance from Kennesaw State University.

Logan Johnson

Operations Associate

Logan started at Narwhal in January of 2022. After spending nearly a decade serving churches throughout the state of Georgia, he developed a real estate research company. His goal at Narwhal is to help the team develop a real estate investment strategy in the future. In his spare time, Logan enjoys cooking and playing pickleball.

Let’s start the conversation.

At Narwhal Capital Management, you’re more than just a portfolio, and it’s not all about the numbers. Let’s start with a meeting about your needs and future goals.