Experience Makes all the difference

At The Highland Group, we are experienced financial advisors who work diligently to help business owners, corporate executives and their families step confidently into their financial futures.

Michael Benjamin "Ben" Sanford, CIMA®, CEPA®

First Vice President - Wealth Management
Financial Advisor
Senior Portfolio Manager
Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®)
Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®)
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615-750-8137

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Ben is a lifelong student of the markets and investing. He works closely with clients to develop comprehensive financial plans and build diversified investment portfolios. Ben enjoys forging good relationships with his clients and seeing them reach their desired milestones. By working with a relatively small number of families, Ben is able to deliver highly responsive service.


Ben provides planning, portfolio management and equity compensation plan guidance to corporate executives and professionals. He obtained the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®) designation in order to help business owners prepare for and execute a successful transition. The entrepreneurial and independent aspects of Ben’s career enable him to understand his clients’ needs and motivations.


Ever since he joined an investing club in the sixth grade, Ben has felt drawn to the markets. Over his 20 years as a financial advisor, Ben has witnessed extraordinary market cycles, including some of the worst declines in history. As a result, he prioritizes capital preservation and risk management, and seeks to design resilient portfolios for his clients.


While he thrives on the in-depth details of investing and planning, Ben finds the relationships with his clients to be the most rewarding part of his job.


Outside of work
Ben and his wife, Jelena, have three children. He enjoys flying airplanes, and earned his private pilot’s license in 2018. Ben is the founder and president of TopFlight Aviation, Inc., a Nashville-based flying club. He also enjoys playing tennis, cooking and spending time with his family. Ben helps in the community by serving as a Cub Scout den leader.


At a glance
– Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®)
– Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®)
– B.A. in economics, Mississippi State University


Registered States:
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CT, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WY


Lechelle Moore, CFP®, CEPA

Senior Vice President - Wealth Management
Financial Advisor
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®)
615-750-8151

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My greatest desire is to help people and make a difference thorough my work, one family at a time. I’ve been a financial planner for over 25 years, and I have enjoyed walking through time together with my clients. I am thrilled to watch them achieve their dreams, and honored to know that I was a small part of the process.
I am dedicated to supporting individuals and families as they pursue their personal and professional goals. As a Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP®), I work in partnership with my clients to design comprehensive plans that seek to address the big picture, as well as details that are often overlooked.


“ I enjoy celebrating life’s accomplishments with my clients, whether it’s a birth, wedding, graduation, career change, sale of a business or retirement.”
– Lechelle L. Moore

My approach to wealth management includes retirement income planning, estate planning strategies, insurance needs assessments and philanthropic strategies, as well as private banking. As clients approach retirement, we begin to add healthcare planning and long-term care insurance. Once we’ve developed a high-level strategy, I design customized investment solutions for each client, based on their risk tolerance and time horizon.


Financial planning is my life’s work
Right out of college, I joined Banker’s Trust in New York, where I designed 401(k) plans for large institutions. Working at the institutional level helped me understand the big picture, but I became more interested in working with individuals. I pursued my certification from the CFP Board in 1995 in order to help clients navigate the complexities of financial markets and planning. I served as President of the International Board of Certified Financial Planners (ICFP) in 2000, and have been a member of the group, now known as the Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) since 1995. I spent six years with the Private Bank of First American Bank/AmSouth Bank, which had exclusive rights to provide financial advice to members of the Tennessee Titans from 1997 to 2002. Prior to working at UBS, I was at SunTrust Bank for 12 years, where I served as the lead financial advisor for the Medical Private Bank and was a member of the Chairman’s Club. I moved my practice to UBS in 2015 in order to offer my clients the global resources of one of the world’s largest wealth management firms.


Outside of office
I am a passionate board member of Raise the Roof Academy, a school in
Uganda that educates and cares for more than 1,000 children. I’ve been the
chairperson of the teen shelter at Oasis Center in Nashville for over seven
years. My other community work includes volunteering with youth programs
at Brentwood United Methodist Church, serving as a mentor for the Women’s
Initiative at Deloitte, working as a member of the New Neighbor League, and
fundraising for the Nashville Symphony Guild.
My husband, Phil, and I have been married for 25 years. We love watching
our two sons, Chris and Austin, play sports. I also enjoy water sports,
swimming, golf and snow skiing.


Education and credentials
– B.S. in finance and economics, David Lipscomb University,
magna cum laude
– Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP®) since 1995
– Series 7, 31, 63 and 66 securities licenses
– Life and health insurance licenses
– Graduate of the Accredited Investment Fiduciary Program, 2003
– UBS Director’s Council, 2019
– President’s Volunteer Service Award, Bronze Medal, 2014


Registered States:
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CT, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WY


Brandon Scott Sullivan, CFP®, CEPA, CSBC

Vice President - Wealth Management
Financial Advisor
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®)
Corporate Stock Benefit Consultant
615-750-8167

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Brandon has over 13 years of experience as a financial advisor. Brandon holds the designation of Corporate Stock Benefit Consultant and has an expertise of executive benefits and equity compensation plans.  He designs and implements the financial plan to suit the lifestyle and legacy the family wants to achieve.  He frequently spends time volunteering at local and national charities and currently serves on the Board of Directors at Hands on Nashville and a board member of the finance committee at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Franklin, TN.  Brandon lives in Franklin, Tennessee and is married with two children. He enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid golfer and outdoorsman.


Registered States:
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CT, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MS, MT, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WY


Jarrett K. Strickland, CFP®, AWMA©

Financial Advisor
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
Accredited Wealth Management Advisor℠
615-750-8022

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It’s the important things—our families, our values, the impact we have on others—that connect us. And although making sense of it all can be hard, asking the right questions can make things clearer. So when Jarrett speaks to you about wealth management, he wants to learn about those life questions that are on your mind. “When should I prepare to sell my business? Is it better to leave my kids everything or nothing? How do I set up a charitable fund? Will my family be OK when I’m gone? ”Together, we can find the answers. Whatever your concerns, he can help you create a comprehensive financial plan to address your important priorities. For over a decade, Jarrett has put his experience to work for each family in his care, helping them find the best way forward to pursue the goals that truly matter.

Capabilities to impact your life and wealth

Jarrett provides financial planning, investment advice, succession planning, equity compensation plan guidance to corporate executives, business owners and professionals. He obtained the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification in order to help his clients execute successful succession plans and manage their wealth over multiple generations. He delivers comprehensive wealth management with a focus on these areas:

– Longevity planning, with insurance planning and income strategies

– Wealth transfer strategies, for inheritance and business succession

– Life transition planning, for marriage, divorce or loss of a loved one

Outside of the office Jarrett and his wife Marnique enjoy exploring the vast live music scene of Nashville, traveling abroad, collecting local art, dancing and kayaking. Jarrett has a special interest in cooking so when traveling he learns new recipes from local cooks to share them with friends, family as well a clients. He would love nothing better than sharing a meal, some time and his expertise with you and your family.


Registered States:
AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI, WY


Virginia "Nell" Hughes

Client Service Associate
615-750-8080

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As the team's Wealth Management Associate, Nell provides the initial point of client contact for all things financial and administrative. She specializes in anticipating client needs, providing solutions, and delivering proactive and responsive service.

Nell is a native of Jackson, MS.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Alabama and began her career at UBS in 2011. Nell currently serves on the UBS CSA Coaches Committee. As a coach, she trains other CSAs (Client Service Associates) in our area on processes and procedures while promoting best practices in client services and solutions.

Nell is a  member of the Get Involved Committee at UBS and has served as project manager for numerous UBS Community Service events benefiting Junior Achievement of  Middle Tennessee, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Special Olympics, United Way and many more.

Nell lives with her husband in Nashville, TN. She enjoys hiking, travelling, reading and loves animals.

 


Registered States:
CA, CT, FL, GA, HI, IN, LA, MA, MD, MN, MS, NC, ND, NJ, NV, NY, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA


Deborah Lenahan

Client Service Associate
615-750-8174

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Deborah Lenahan joined UBS in September of 2012. She assists clients on a daily basis, always striving to be efficient and reliable as well as attentive to each person and their individual needs. She and her husband, Jim, have four amazing daughters. Deborah attends Lakeshore Christian Church. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and attending her grandchildren's activities.