Meet Our Team
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Roger S. Barnes, CMFC®, CRPC®
Huntsville Office
“I started my practice with First Financial Group of the South in 1983. For 40 years I have helped families, couples and individuals plan for life's most important financial goals: kids through college, mom and dad's retirement, financial security after the loss of a spouse. Through it all: 1987 Black Monday; 2000 Dot-Com Bubble; 2008 US Stock Market Crash; I have maintained one basic principle, “Knowing what I know today, if it was my money how would I do this?” My clients' financial concerns, goals and objectives is the mold for every decision we make together!”
Roger began his career with First Financial Group of the South, A Wealth Management Firm, in Birmingham in 1983. “For me, it was a very exciting time because the firm was just beginning to lay the new foundation for its future in comprehensive financial planning.” Roger earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Birmingham Southern College in 1979. In 1985, he moved back to his hometown of Huntsville, Alabama, serving as the Managing Partner for the newly opened First Financial Group of the South office. As a team, First Financial Group of the South combined experience represents over 150 years in the financial services industry. Roger has completed course work with The American College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. He holds the College for Financial Planning CHARTERED MUTUAL FUND COUNSELORSM and CHARTERED RETIREMENT PLANNING COUNSELORSM designations. His registrations include Series 6, 22, 63, and 7, and he is licensed in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas. “We are advocates of asset allocation for our clients' investments. Generally speaking, I prefer to use diversified portfolios for my clients' core holdings.”
Roger married Suzanne in 1995 and they have two sons, Sam born in 1999 and Matthew born in 2002. They are active at Holy Spirit Church in Huntsville where Roger serves on the Parish's Finance and Budget Committee and serves on The Holy Spirit Regional Catholic School Foundation Board.
(256)-704-4618
[email protected]
Matthew R. Barnes
Huntsville Office
Matthew Barnes is an aspiring financial professional currently working as an Assistant to Roger Barnes. He is continuing his education at the Culver House School of Business at the University of Alabama, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Finance with a minor in Wealth Management. Matthew's dedication to academic excellence has earned him a place on the Dean's List at the University of Alabama.
With a passion for personal wealth management, Matthew is learning the ropes of the financial advising world under the guidance of his father, Roger Barnes. Having a father who is a practicing financial advisor, Matthew was immersed in the realm of investments and savings from a young age. His enthusiasm for the financial industry has remained a steadfast passion, and he eagerly anticipates embarking on his professional journey. Matthew is eager to absorb knowledge from his father, leveraging their shared expertise to deliver personalized solutions for their valued clients.
(256)-536-0011 ext. 118
[email protected]
Linda Thrasher
Huntsville Office
Kay has been a part of the team since June of 2016. She retired from the US Army Space and Missile Defense Command with 35 years' service as secretary to the Chief Information Officer. Kay is married to her husband, Johnny, and they have a son and daughter, 7 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. They enjoy traveling, especially cruising, and spending time with family and friends.
(256)-536-0011
[email protected]
J. Charles Dunham, CFP®, CRPC®, ChFC, CLU
Birmingham Office
Chuck is a Birmingham native who joined First Financial Group of the South, Inc in October of 1983. Chuck graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with a double major in business and economics. He received a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1978. Chuck has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional certification and has earned the Certified Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC®) designation as well as the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designations. Chuck served as President of the North Alabama Financial Planning Association [FPA] Chapter in 1999 and 2000 during the consolidation of the FPA's two predecessor organizations, the International Association of Financial Planners (IAFP) and the Institute of Certified Financial Planners (ICFP). Personalized financial planning, especially in the retirement area, for individuals and their families allows Chuck to share his knowledge, experience, and vision with clients, so that they may feel confident about their financial future. Chuck has built a successful private practice by creating and delivering value to his clients.
Chuck and his wife of 45 years, Mary, reside in Birmingham. They enjoy spending time with their three children, Maleah and husband Scott (Nashville), Jon and wife AshLeigh (Birmingham), and Goose and wife Hannah (Birmingham), as well as their three grandchildren, Townes (2), Aria (1) and Delilah (1).
[email protected]
John C. “Goose” Dunham
Birmingham Office
Goose is new to the financial advising world and is learning to be a top rate Comprehensive Wealth Advisor from his father, Chuck Dunham. Chuck has over 35 years of experience and knowledge that he is passing on to Goose. With a background in engineering, Goose brings structure, an attention to detail, and creative thinking to his role in financial services. He is excited to continue learning the industry in order to provide well-informed care to his clients. Goose has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Alabama and has worked in paper manufacturing and logistics for the past 10 years. Growing up with a financial advisor for a father, Goose was introduced to the world of investing and saving quite early. The financial industry has always been a passionate hobby of his and Goose is excited to finally make it a career. He looks forward to learning the industry from his father in order to provide custom solutions to their clients.
Goose and his wife of 5 years, Hannah, have recently moved back to Birmingham after living and working in Chattanooga, TN, for the last 4 years. They have a 1-year-old daughter, Delilah, and two rescue pups, Beaux and Riley.
(205)-278-8231
[email protected]
B. Dale Henderson, CRPC®, CFS®
Opelika Office
B. Dale Henderson has been a financial advisor and wealth manager since August of 1985. Prior to joining First Financial Group of the South, he was in management in a privately-held corporation in Birmingham. Dale graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in communication. Dale and his wife Deb live in Dale's hometown of Auburn, AL and enjoy Auburn football in the fall and traveling around America.
Dale has earned his reputation by finding practical solutions to help meet his clients' financial challenges. His diverse business and educational background, coupled with the support of an outstanding technical staff, enables him to advise individuals and business owner clients in areas including retirement income planning, wealth accumulation and management, asset protection including life and disability coverage, employee benefits and legacy planning. Dale attained the Certified Fund Specialist® designation in 1995 and, in September of 2007, earned his Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor® designation. He has been a member in good standing with the Financial Planning Association since 1994.
(334)-321-0078
[email protected]
Seth B. Wolnek, JD*, CFP®, CRPC®
Birmingham Office
Seth has been a member of First Financial Group of the South since 1997 with a personal financial planning practice focused on individuals and small business owners who are committed to improving their financial lives. Seth earned his CFP® in 2001 and his CRPC in 2008. Prior to joining the firm, Seth practiced law primarily in the Washington, D.C. area, working with the law firm of Morrison & Forester. He also served as a Legislative fellow with US Senator Frank Lautenburg. Seth received a Bachelors of Arts (BA) degree in Political Science from The American University in Washington, D.C. and his Juris Doctor (JD)* from the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in Huntington, NY. Seth is admitted to the bar in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Alabama. He is also an active member of The Estate Planning Council of Birmingham. Seth is married to Michelle Bearman-Wolnek, a Birmingham, AL native and they have Two children, Meyer(9) and Raquel(7). In additional to his professional endeavors, Seth is actively involved with local charitable organizations. Among various leadership positions, Seth is currently serving as the President of Temple Beth-El, Birmingham, AL.
(205)-803-3333
[email protected]
Megan L. Spain, CFP®
Opelika Office
Megan graduated from Auburn University summa cum laude with a B.S. in Finance and Marketing in 2008. Megan has been doing planning for small business owners for the past 10 years. Her team of advisors work hard to create a financial plan to help their clients accumulate wealth, reduce taxes, and continue a legacy for their families. In 2016, she obtained her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certification from The American College. Megan is Series 7, 66, and insurance licensed in multiple states across the country.
Since Megan was a little girl her dream was to have a ranch one day. Horses and a love for the outdoors are in her blood. Her dreams and farm experience have fueled her passion for helping agribusiness owners and multi-generational farming operations address their concerns over growing their operations, retirement planning, and succession and estate planning. Through comprehensive financial planning, she focuses on her clients' needs to provide a unique financial plan that helps meet their specific goals and objectives. Her goal is to establish long lasting relationships with her clients and their families to ensure a sense of security for their future and the future of their family and operation.
In addition to her work with small business owners and agribusiness owners, Megan serves on the Junior Board of Visitor's for the UAB School of Nursing and supports several non-profit organizations such as Special Equestrians, National MS Society, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, and the YWCA.
Megan currently resides in Pelham, AL. When she is not at home or working, you can find her at the farm or running at a barrel race.
(205)-229-6169
[email protected]
Jennie Henderson
Opelika Office
Jennie Henderson joined First Financial Group in August of 2009. She graduated from Auburn University in 2008 with a degree in English.
Jennie enjoys spending time with her husband, Jeremy, and children, Sadie, Phoebe, and Quinn.
Cassie Davenport
Birmingham Office