Ryan Oates, CFP®, MBA, CPFA

As a founding member of Water Street Financial, I focus on working closely with high net worth financial planning clients, the growth and expansion of our firm, and work with Tommy to oversee the firm’s retirement plan division.

Because of my passion for what I do, I’ve spent my entire career in the financial services industry. Before founding Water Street Financial, I spent over 5 years with First Bank Wealth Management along with my partner, Chris Cotterell. During our time at First Bank, Chris and I worked together to grow the private client segment of the division and expand the bank’s offering to its clients.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in finance from George Mason University in 2002 and my MBA from Shenandoah University in 2017. I obtained the CFP® designation in 2020 to enhance my focus on providing exceptional financial planning to my clients. I’m also a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) meaning that I am targeted towards providing fiduciary advice to retirement plan clients. I also hold FINRA series 7 license through LPL Financial and series 66 through LPL Financial and Water Street Financial, along with life and health insurance licenses.

Outside of the office, you can usually find me at the golf course or enjoying outdoor activities with my wife Raychel and our son, Tyler. My passion is to travel and I especially love traveling to play golf around the world. I most recently went to Scotland and Ireland and am planning to go back again soon.