The Fiduciary Group

1970 The firm is founded by Lee Butler. Lee had worked for many years in the trust department of a large bank, managing and administering families’ assets in order to protect them across generations. He recognized the need for independence from banks, brokers, and financial products if he was going to serve as fiduciary advisor acting in the clients’ best interests. 1980 Lee’s son, Malcolm, joined the company after graduating from Duke University. Saving and investing was in Malcolm’s DNA, opening his first account when he was 12 years old. 1982 Seeing a need for greater expertise in estate and taxation matters, Malcolm entered the University of Georgia Law School. 1985 Malcolm returns to the firm after graduating with a law degree. By now, the firm’s clients were turning to Lee and Malcolm to do what has come to be known as "wealth management"—everything from investing assets and administering trusts and estates, to paying clients’ bills and overseeing family finances. 1998 Malcolm becomes President and Chief Executive Officer. 2003 Joel Goodman, who holds an MBA from Duke University and has earned the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation, returns to Savannah with his family and joins the firm as portfolio manager. 2006 Julia Butler, with a law degree from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Wharton, joins the firm, initially as a business innovation consultant and ultimately as Chief Operating & Compliance Officer. Joel Goodman assumes the role of Chief Investment Officer. 2008 The firm begins offering fiduciary advisory services to company-sponsored 401(k) plans. Lee Butler retires from active management of client accounts. Scott McGhie, CFA, CPA, joins the firm as portfolio manager and investment advisor. 2012 Joel Goodman becomes an equity owner in the firm. Scott McGhie becomes an equity partner a year later. 2015 TFG enters into a strategic partnership with Focus Financial Partners LLC (“Focus”). Focus is a leading partnership of independent, fiduciary wealth management firms. Focus provides unparalleled access to best practices, resources and continuity planning for its partner firms who service individuals, families, employers, and institutions with wealth management, benefit, and investment consulting services. Focus partner firms maintain their entrepreneurial independence while benefitting from the synergies, scale, economics, and best practices of the market leader to achieve their business objectives. For more information about Focus and the Focus partner firms, visit www.FocusFinancialPartners.com. 2016 Starting from $40 million in assets under management and 3 employees in 1985, the firm has grown to 12 employees—seven investment professionals and administrative and operational professionals—with assets under management exceeding $750 million. The firm currently manages the investment assets for over 400 individuals, families, and trusts and over 30-company 401(k) plans, and also provides comprehensive fee-based financial planning. The firm has truly evolved from a family-owned business to a world-class business serving families and businesses.

Address: 310 Commercial Drive, Savannah, GA 31406, USA

Phone: +1 912 303 9000
FAX: +1 912 303 9001