OUR TEAM
Meet the RGA Investments Wealth Management Team
Take exceptional care of the clients you have, and you’ll never have to worry about finding new ones.
–C. Wayne Gardner, grandfather of RGA President and Founder Rick Gardner
When Rick Gardner founded RGA Investments in 1996, he embraced his grandfather’s words of wisdom and worked to establish positive relationships with each one of his clients. RGA Investments is still thriving more than 20 years later, in part because we’ve always applied Rick’s grandfather’s advice as the firm’s guiding principle. As your financial steward, our team will help you adjust your investment portfolios and financial plans throughout your life.
RICK GARDNER
FINANCIAL ADVISOR;
PRESIDENT/FOUNDER;
CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER
Rick Specializes in:
- Portfolio Management
- Financial Planning
- Multi-generational Wealth Planning
Registered Investment Adviser Rick Gardner founded RGA Investments in 1996 to help clients achieve financial security and independencethrough personalized wealth management and investment services. His Raleigh-based wealth management firm serves clients in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and throughout North Carolina and the United States.
A longtime North Carolinian, Rick spent his formative years in Greensboro, NC, where he met his future wife, Jen, in 9th grade English at Page High School.
Rick earned a football scholarship to Wake Forest University (WFU) and was a three-year starter at defensive end. He was also part of the 1992 Independence Bowl Championship Team and was named to the All-ACC Academic Team.
After Rick graduated from WFU’s Calloway School of Business with degrees in Business and Finance, he relocated to Raleigh and established wealth management firm RGA Investments. In addition, Rick is a sought after TV and print commentator on local and national media outlets. Over the last 29 years, Rick’s expansive financial knowledge and his relationship-based approach to financial advising have earned him a loyal client base and national accolades, including a recurring place on the annual list of Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisers.
Rick is committed to giving back to the community and has held leadership positions with several local organizations:
● Past Board President on the Board of Directors for Children’s Flight of Hope
● Past Development Chair for the NC Symphony Society Board
● Past Board President for the Wake Forest Athletic Advisory Board
● 2023 JDRF Gala Honoree
● Past Board Member Wake Forest Titan’s Pop Warner Football
Rick and his wife, Jen Gardner, live in the Raleigh area with their three children.
NOEL FLANARY
COO & PRACTICE MANAGER
- Lead and manage firm operations, including workflows, staffing, and internal processes
- Oversee compliance, risk management, and coordination with custodians, vendors, and regulators
- Manage budgeting, financial controls
- Optimize technology, CRM, and reporting systems to improve efficiency and scalability
- Supervise and develop administrative and support staff
- Ensure consistent, high-quality client service and onboarding processes
- Partner with firm leadership on strategic planning and growth initiatives
Noel grew up in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and attended Blue Ridge Community College, where she majored in accounting. Noel moved to North Carolina after starting her career in accounting, and she has called Raleigh home since 1999.
In addition to Noel’s over 25 years of experience in financial operations, client services, and practice management in the wealth management industry, Noel earned her Variable Securities License in 2002 and her Registered Financial Consultant (RFC) designation in 2013. Prior to joining RGA Investments in 2006, Noel worked in investment services with Fidelity Bank and Merrill Lynch.
KARI OWEN
FINANCIAL OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
- Process new accounts, transfers, money movements, and account maintenance
- Support client onboarding, service requests, and documentation workflows
- Coordinate with custodians, advisors, and internal teams to resolve operational issues
- Assist with compliance tasks, audits, and required reporting
- Prepare operational reports and track service metrics
Kari has lived most of her life in the Raleigh area, where she has worked many years in the service industry. She and her husband, Robby, live in the Raleigh area with their daughter. Kari joined RGA Investments in 2014 to assist with client services.
KRISTIN BARBOUR
CLIENT SERVICES SPECIALIST
- Serve as the main liaison for client service requests, inquiries, and follow-ups
- Account maintenance, and routine service needs
- Prepare meeting materials, reports, and follow-up items for client reviews
- Coordinate with advisors, operations, and custodians to resolve client issues
- Maintain accurate client records and documentation in CRM systems
- Ensure consistent, proactive communication and exceptional client experience
Kristin joined RGA in the fall of 2023 and is dedicated to supporting clients with thoughtful, attentive service. With a strong background in customer service and client care, she takes pride in building meaningful relationships. Kristin and her husband are proud parents to twin daughters and one son.
JEN GARDNER
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
Jen is an Atlanta native, although she grew up in Greensboro, NC and has been a North Carolinian for most of her life. She attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she earned her BA with a double major in psychology and sociology.
As director of community development, Jen establishes and maintains RGA’s relationships with nonprofits throughout the Triangle. RGA Investments is proud to support charitable and faith-based organizations through financialcontributions and volunteer work; Jen coordinates all of our charitable giving and volunteer resources so we can work with our friends and neighbors to support and strengthen our communities.
Before joining RGA Investments, Jen worked with children and young adults with physical and developmental disabilities as a Quality Developmental Disabilities Professional (QDDP). She lives in the Raleigh area with her husband, Rick, and their three children.
