As Chief Investment Officer, K.C. Nelson leads Hamilton Point’s investment strategy and chairs the Investment Committee. He also works directly with clients, helping them navigate wealth management decisions with clarity and confidence. He designs diversified portfolios that balance risk and return, remain attentive to costs and taxes, and align with each client’s long-term goals. K.C. brings more than 20 years of experience in wealth management and investment strategy, having managed multi-billion-dollar funds across equities, fixed income, and alternative investments. His market insights have been featured by CNBC, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, and the Financial Times.



K.C. is an active member of the Duke University community, serving as Chairman of the Duke Children’s Hospital National Leadership Council and as a member of the Duke Medicine Board of Visitors. Outside of work, he enjoys teaching fitness classes at CorePower Yoga in Chapel Hill and spending time on the tennis court.

Chief Investment Officer

K.C. Nelson

As President and CEO, Rick Woods serves as a financial advisor to business owners, families, and nonprofit organizations. He co-founded Hamilton Point and serves on the Investment Committee, guiding strategy and ensuring clients receive comprehensive wealth management tailored to their needs. Rick’s career has centered on understanding the value and complexities of businesses, both public and private. He has advised on corporate transactions and worked for a fund investing capital in private businesses. His background, combined with his CFA and CPWA designations, positions him as a trusted advisor for high-net-worth clients.



Beyond Hamilton Point, Rick is active in the Chapel Hill and surrounding communities through leadership and volunteer service. He serves on the boards of the Methodist Home for Children and North Carolina FC Youth and volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, reflecting his commitment to North Carolina and the local community.

Rick Woods, CFA, CPWA®

As a Director at Hamilton Point, Nate Byrd partners with families, business owners, and nonprofit organizations to provide financial planning, retirement income planning, and nonprofit financial planning. He helps clients prepare for the future with disciplined investment strategies and clarity around complex decisions. As a generational wealth advisor, he also supports families seeking to preserve and grow assets across multiple generations. Nate serves on Hamilton Point’s Investment Committee, applying a research-driven approach to security selection and portfolio diversification for clients.



Nate volunteers locally on the finance committee for Habitat for Humanity of Orange County. He is the Vice President for the Marydell Homeowners Association, and is an Advisory Board member for the Applied Investment Management Program at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. He is an active Rotarian and is the fundraising chair for the Southwest Durham Rotary Club, having previously served as club president, program chair, and assistant district governor for Rotary District 7710.

Nate Byrd, CFA, CFP®

Shannon established Hamilton Point&#8217;s Austin, TX office where she provides comprehensive investment and financial planning advice to clients. She is also a member of the Hamilton Point investment committee. Previously, Shannon was a Managing Director at Cambridge Associates where she advised foundations, endowments and family offices with assets ranging from $40 million to $2 billion. Her experience includes constructing customized portfolios, manager structures and asset allocations, and advising on governance and spending policies.



Shannon currently&nbsp;serves as a board member of the&nbsp;Hillside Early Education Center and enjoys teaching financial literacy.

Shannon T. Wardlaw, CFP®

Tracy Davies provides comprehensive financial planning to Hamilton Point clients and serves on the Investment Committee. She partners with clients to align investment portfolios with long-term goals and to create plans that simplify decision-making, reduce stress, and provide clarity for the future. Tracy works with business owners, physicians, and families offering retirement readiness strategies and in-depth financial planning. She is also deeply committed to financial planning for women in transition, helping them gain confidence through thoughtful guidance.



Tracy is actively involved in organizations that support women, education, nonprofit causes, and community development. She is a member of the Habitat for Humanity Development Committee, 100 Women In Finance NC, 100 Women Who Give a Hoot, and Women’s Abundance Collective. Tracy is also a ForevHERTarheels Mentor and Nantucket Conservation Foundation Alumni Association Board Member.

Tracy Davies, CFP®

As Associate Vice President at Hamilton Point, Marci Hansen plays a key role in client service and account management. She works directly with clients to answer questions, coordinate account activity, and ensure information is clear and up to date. Marci also supports advisors by helping maintain efficient operations and a consistent, high-quality client experience. Her goal is to make every client interaction organized, transparent, and positive.



Outside the office, Marci is active in the Chapel Hill community, serving as CHCCS PTA Council Treasurer, Chair of the Smith Middle School PTA Audit Committee, and Treasurer of the Chapel Hill Social Club.

Marci Hansen

Lauren brings to the firm nearly 20 years of experience in client relations and account management for entrepreneurial companies. At Hamilton Point, she assists with client service and reporting, while also providing support for general operations initiatives.

Lauren Smith

Providing research, analysis and trading expertise, David is a member of the Hamilton Point Investment Committee and a portfolio manager.&nbsp; He also assists the firm in reporting, operations and technology implementations.



David is a past Treasurer of OCASL Foundation Board and currently serves as a volunteer coach for NCFC.

David Stephan, CFA

As Vice President, Megan Tarrant oversees Hamilton Point&#8217;s reporting infrastructure, operational processes, and external partnerships. Since joining in 2016, she&#8217;s built systems that enable advisors to serve high-net-worth families and nonprofit organizations effectively. She directs communications strategy and cultivates relationships with professional partners and local community organizations. Her role bridges the technical precision of operations with the relationship-building that supports Hamilton Point&#8217;s growth.



Megan serves as Co-Lay Leader of University United Methodist Church and an Executive Officer of the Morris Grove Elementary School PTA. She is a Past Treasurer of the University United Methodist Preschool Board and Former Trustee of University United Methodist Church.

Megan Tarrant

Team-Based Approach

Andrew C. Burns, a founding principal of Hamilton Point, left an indelible mark on all facets of the business.

He insisted on quality at every level, from the strength of the companies in our investment strategies to our meticulous approach to client service. Andy was a model for how business relationships should be developed and nurtured. He treated everyone with great respect, taking care to answer questions and allowing each investor to develop a tangible understanding of their portfolio, whether they were a novice or investment aficionado. He set the tone of our office culture by example every day – caring for our team and our clients as he did his own family. Andy liked to say, “All that matters is what comes next.” His enduring influence is woven into the fabric of Hamilton Point and our team will honor his legacy in our investment approach and service to others for years to come.

K.C. Nelson

At Hamilton Point

Experience & Perspective

Outside the Office

Connect with K.C.