Trust Company Talks

Tax rules shape real-life decisions, from how families give, to how business owners structure cash flow and the way parents save for a child's future.

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce sit down talk with Senior Wealth Advisor and Principal Jonathan Henry, CFP®, CPA to walk through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and what it may mean for clients and their families.

Jonathan explains where the law extends 2017 provisions and where it changes the playing field, including:

Marriage brings plenty of new beginnings, and finances are no exception.

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce sit down with Lindsey Stetson, CFP®, wealth advisor in our Charlotte office, to discuss how couples can approach money matters early in their marriage. Drawing on years of advising families, Lindsey outlines practical steps for building a solid financial base together, touching on essentials such as:

Smart fixed income management can make the difference between weathering market uncertainty and getting caught off guard.

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce are joined by Clay Young, founder of Charlotte-based Tannin Capital, for a conversation on municipal bonds, fixed income strategy and how technology has transformed bond portfolio management.

Drawing on over 25 years of experience, Clay explains how municipal bonds can serve as a steady foundation for wealth planning, offering tax efficiency and income potential while helping clients stay the course during market shifts.

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Good habits start early, especially when it comes to money.

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce sit down with Joseph Aulisi, CFP and wealth advisor at Trust Company of the South, to discuss the basics of personal finance and why starting sooner is crucial.

The conversation builds on Joseph's recent commentary, Ahead of the Curve: A Financial Roadmap for Young Adults, where he outlined practical steps young adults can take to budget, save, invest and manage debt early in life without becoming overwhelmed. Now in his early 30s...

What's really driving growth in the Triangle? And what does the future hold for one of the Southeast's fastest-growing regions?

In the latest episode of Trust Company Talks, Bill Noble and Burke Koonce speak with Sougata Mukherjee, president and publisher of the Triangle Business Journal. Together, they take stock of where the region stands today and what the road ahead might look like for business, real estate and workforce development.

Sougata shares his perspective on how local leaders are responding to economic shifts, where job creation is happening, and why transportation and talent...

Volatility has returned to the markets in full force. With abrupt tariff announcements, policy reversals and a 10% market rally following a sharp decline, investors have been left searching for clarity.

In a special episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce sit down with CEO Bill Smith and CIO Dan Tolomay to discuss what today’s turbulence means for long-term investors and how Trust Company is helping families stay grounded amid the noise.

Topics covered include:

Venture capital plays a distinct role in investment strategies, offering access to high-growth opportunities outside of traditional public markets.

In the latest episode of Trust Company Talks, Bill Noble and Burke Koonce welcome Ted Clark and Jon Terbell of FourBridge Partners to discuss how private market investing works, the nuances of venture capital and how families and institutions can approach these opportunities strategically.

With decades of experience managing private investments, including building the Babson College endowment's venture capital allocation, Ted and Jon share how FourBridge Partners identifies strong investment managers and builds long-term portfolios. They...

On this episode of Trust Company Talks, Bill Noble and Burke Koonce are joined by Senior Wealth Advisor and Principal, Jay Eich, to discuss tax strategy, estate planning and how the Trust Company team in Charlotte works closely with clients on complex financial decisions.

Jay shares how tax planning plays a central role in helping families structure wealth efficiently, including strategies for estate tax exemptions, charitable giving and preparing for potential policy changes. He also highlights how careful planning before a business sale can create opportunities to protect assets and reduce tax burdens.

Beyond numbers...

In the latest episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce sat down with Chief Investment Officer Dan Tolomay, CFA to discuss the highlights of 2024 and the outlook for 2025.

Reflecting on a strong year for markets, Dan noted that global equities rose approximately 20%, with U.S. large-cap growth leading the way. He attributed much of this performance to excitement surrounding artificial intelligence and the continued strength of a few key technology companies. However, he also emphasized the importance of looking beyond recent trends and maintaining a diversified approach to investments.

“Plan for wh...

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, Bill Noble and Burke Koonce welcome Trina Fullard, CEO of Charlotte Rescue Mission, to share her inspiring journey and the impactful work of the organization.

Trina describes how the mission, founded in 1938 by nine Charlotte businessmen, has evolved into a vital resource for individuals facing homelessness and addiction. Offering a four-month residential recovery program, Charlotte Rescue Mission equips men and women with the tools they need for a fresh start. Programs like Rebound for men and Dove's Nest for women focus on healing, education and future readiness, with options for...

In this bonus episode of Trust Company Talks, Bill Noble and Burke Koonce sit down with the Executive Director of the North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence, Christine (Chris) Mumma, for an inspiring conversation about advocating for the wrongfully convicted.

Chris shares the mission of the Center, which focuses on investigating claims of innocence, pursuing policy reform and providing reentry services for exonerees. The conversation brings attention to:

In the latest episode of Trust Company Talks, Bill Noble and Burke Koonce sit down with Ben Teague, vice president of strategic development at Biltmore Farms, to discuss disaster recovery, community resilience and the path forward for Western North Carolina after devastating storms.

Ben brings a wealth of experience in disaster recovery, having led economic development efforts during Hurricane Katrina, and shares how those lessons are shaping the approach to rebuilding in the face of recent challenges.

In this episode, the conversation explores:

In the latest episode of Trust Company Talks, Bill Noble and Burke Koonce welcome Jake DeKinder, head of client communications at Dimensional Fund Advisors—an investment firm managing over $800B in assets and one of our key partners at Trust Company.

Jake brings his extensive background in education and finance to share valuable insights about:

Jake stresses the importance of financial literacy and the need for a...

In the latest episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce explore the world of small business mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Charles Shook, founder of Trestle Capital Partners, and Leah Jane Barnwell, CRPC®, Trust Company's strategic initiatives manager, join them. They offer practical advice and personal stories for family business owners thinking about selling.

Leah Jane reflects on her family's journey with their manufacturing business, emphasizing the need to find a buyer who values the company's legacy and cares for the employees. She emphasizes that selling a family business is never just about t...

The latest installment of Trust Company Talks features an insightful conversation with Dan Tolomay, Trust Company's Chief Investment Officer. Hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce explore current market conditions and investment strategies, providing valuable guidance for investors in today's complex financial landscape.

Throughout this discussion, listeners will discover:

Tune in for practical...

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce are joined by Mick Mixon, a celebrated figure in North Carolina broadcasting. Known for his magnetic style and keen commentary, Mixon shares his journey from a young, curious kid in Chapel Hill to a prominent voice in sports broadcasting. Their conversation includes some of Mick's career lessons, personal anecdotes and a lot of laughter.

During their conversation, the group talked about:

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Burke Koonce and Bill Noble welcome the President, CEO, and majority shareholder of Trust Company of the South, Bill Smith. They discuss exciting developments at the firm, focusing on planning for the future. The conversation covers the importance of continued independence, maintaining client relationships over generations, and the firm's commitment to its core values.

During this episode, some of the topics discussed include:

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce are joined by Thomas Lyon, partner at Manning, Fulton & Skinner P.A., and Mark Phillips, founder and managing director of Lamkin Road. Their conversation explores the current state and impact of the M&A market, processes, valuation dynamics and the experiences and challenges faced by business owners. The group also discusses key advice for prospective sellers and buyers and the psychological aspects of selling a business.

Specifically, they talked through:

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce are joined by Dr. Heidi Schultz, a clinical professor of management and corporate communication at UNC Kenan-Flagler. The conversation explores the transformative power of storytelling in business, how it complements data and logic, and its role in effective communication and relationship building.

Dr. Schultz shares insights from her extensive experience in teaching communication and storytelling, including the key elements of a good story, the impact of technology on traditional storytelling, and the importance of authenticity and connection in our increasingly digital world. The episode...

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce sat down with Janet Cowell, former State Treasurer of North Carolina and a current candidate for mayor of Raleigh.

The conversation covers a range of topics, from Janet's unexpected journey into public service and her influential tenure as treasurer to her insights on investing, the importance of diversity in finance and her current endeavors with the Dix Park Conservancy. Janet also shares her experiences and challenges as the first female Treasurer of North Carolina and offers advice to young women aspiring to make...

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Burke Koonce and Bill Noble are joined by one of Trust Company's own, wealth advisor and principal, Chris Sutherland, CPA, to help listeners better understand the intricacies of advanced tax planning. Throughout the conversation, Chris explains the potential benefits of various strategies and shares practical examples of how these strategies can be successfully implemented as part of a comprehensive financial plan.

During this episode, some of the topics discussed include:

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Burke Koonce and Bill Noble are joined by Trust Company's chief investment officer, Dan Tolomay, to discuss the current state of the markets. Together, the trio explores market conditions, the impact of the Federal Reserve and China’s role in the global economy.

Specifically, they discuss:

In this festive edition of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce sit down with Ira David Wood III, executive director of Theatre in the Park, as he prepares for his final year of portraying Ebenezer Scrooge in his very own musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol.

Throughout the conversation, they discuss David's childhood memories in Enfield, North Carolina. They also delve into his extensive career as an author, actor, and producer and his work with Theatre in the Park—an organization dedicated to providing a quality theatre experience to a diverse audience base in Ra...

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, we sat down with Gavin Stevens, executive director at Alamance Community Foundation (ACF), an organization dedicated to strengthening Alamance County through inspired and collaborative giving. The foundation was established in 1991 in Burlington, North Carolina, and, as a long-term partner, Trust Company of the South has had the pleasure of witnessing the organization's impact on the Alamance community first-hand.

Throughout the conversation, they discuss ACF's history and role in collective giving and supporting community needs. The foundation serves as a hub for connecting donors with causes and providing support, including helping...

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce are joined by special guest Dave Beischer, a Trust Company of the South board member and fifth-generation Durhamite, to share his family's experience as a client of Trust Company of the South for the past 26 years.

The conversation centers on Dave's relationship with Trust Company, and how it evolved over the years from fiduciary services to wealth management, investments, tax strategies, risk management, corporate execution and management of the Fox Family Foundation, a philanthropic arm dedicated to supporting the Triangle nonprofit community.

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In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce are joined by Edward Saracino, senior portfolio specialist with Vanguard Financial Advisor Services, a longstanding investment partner of Trust Company of the South. During the conversation, Noble, Koonce and Saracino share insights on the current financial market, the pros and cons of different types of portfolio construction, and Vanguard's role as a resource to Trust Company clients.

Some of the specific topics discussed include:

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce are joined by Trust Company of the South’s own chief fiduciary counsel, Westray Veasey, J.D, to offer an inside look at the important role trust and estate planning plays help safeguard your wealth and ensure your legacy lasts for generations to come.

During this episode, some of the topics listeners will learn about include:

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burk Koontz are joined by Chris Mumma, the executive director of the North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence. During their conversation, Mumma shares her insightful journey from a career in finance to her current role, seeking justice for those wrongly imprisoned.

During the episode, some of the topics listeners will learn about include:

For this special episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce are joined by former fighter pilot, prisoner of war, professional speaker and a true American hero (who also happened to be born on the Fourth of July): Colonel Quincy Collins. During this conversation, Noble and Koonce go beyond wealth, investments and estate planning to give listeners a taste of some of the remarkable clients we serve, which includes the Colonel.  

During this episode, some of the topics listeners will learn about include:

During this episode of Trust Company Talks, host Bill Noble sits down with his co-host and Trust Company of the South's investment strategist, Burke Koonce, to delve into the topic of investment strategy. However, their conversation doesn't stop there. Koonce also shares about his fascinating side hustle producing award-winning financial documentaries, which have gained recognition on popular streaming platforms like Netflix and HBO Max.

While writing about investing strategy and producing financial documentaries both draw on Koonce's passion for storytelling, these activities also involve the behavioral component of investing, which is arguably even more important than technical...

Welcome to Trust Company Talks, the investing and wealth management podcast brought to you by Trust Company of the South. 

 In this episode, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce sit down with Chris Sawin, president and CEO of the Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF), to discuss all things community foundation-oriented. From the unique geographic region served by OBCF to their work in disaster relief, grantmaking, scholarships and nonprofit support, Sawin shares insights into the impactful work being done by OBCF. Additionally, he delves into the foundation's fascinating origin story and the strategies they utilize to raise capital so...

In this episode of Trust Company Talks, hosts Bill Noble and Burke Koonce are joined by Trust Company of the South’s own chief investment officer, Dan Tolomay, CFA, for a highly informative conversation about a wide range of investment topics and Dan’s tried and true history with our firm over numerous market cycles.

During this episode, listeners will also learn about:

As volatility and uncertainty in the public markets persist, many investors are searching for new, or rather alternative, ways to diversify their portfolios. Amidst this backdrop, Trust Company of the South’s Bill Noble, director of client relations and development, and Burke Koonce III, investment strategist, are joined by Mark Roberts, chief investment officer at Ironsides Asset Advisors, for a conversation about what's really happening in the world of private equity and alternative investing.

During this episode, listeners will learn about:

In this episode of our podcast series Trust Company Talks, Trust Company of the South’s Bill Noble, director of client relations and development, and Burke Koonce III, investment strategist, are joined by our very own president and chief executive officer, William H. Smith. Together they discuss the history of Trust Company and what lies ahead for the firm and the clients and markets we serve. And as much as Bill Smith would have liked to avoid it, we did manage to get him to talk about himself just a little. During this episode, listeners will learn about:

Bill Noble and Burke Koonce of Trust Company of the South are joined by Dave Butler and Jack Nicholson of Dimensional Fund Advisors for a discussion of what's happening in markets and how Dimensional is navigating market volatility. 

Trust Company Talks is a production of Trust Company of the South, one of the premier wealth management firms in the Southeast. Trust Company is a privately held firm based in Greensboro, NC, with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. You can find more episodes of Trust Company Talks on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts. Receive the episodes as s...

Bill Noble and Burke Koonce of Trust Company of the South are joined by mergers and acquisitions experts Amy Risseeuw of Wyrick Robbins and Charles Shook of Trestle Capital for a discussion of the current M&A landscape for small business owners.

Trust Company Talks is a production of Trust Company of the South, one of the premier wealth management firms in the Southeast. Trust Company is a privately held firm based in Greensboro, NC, with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. You can find more episodes of Trust Company Talks on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts...

Bill Noble and Burke Koonce of Trust Company of the South are joined by their good friends Nick Puleo and Jack Nicholson of Dimensional Funds. 

Trust Company Talks is a production of Trust Company of the South, one of the premier wealth management firms in the Southeast. Trust Company is a privately held firm based in Greensboro, NC, with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. You can find more episodes of Trust Company Talks on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts. Receive the episodes as soon as they premiere by subscribing today.

Bill Noble and Burke Koonce of Trust Company of the South are joined by their friends Leland Little and Lauren Sanford of Leland Little Auctions.

Trust Company Talks is a production of Trust Company of the South, one of the premier wealth management firms in the Southeast. Trust Company is a privately held firm based in Greensboro, NC, with offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. You can find more episodes of Trust Company Talks on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts. Receive the episodes as soon as they premiere by subscribing today.