Our Team
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Hamilton Poynor, CLU®, AEP®
President
Ham comes from a family that's been in the financial industry since 1934. As a third-generation financial advisor, he’s witnessed his own family members work closely with fellow families over the years to secure their financial health. Serving others is a value Ham has grown up with and is dedicated to living out in his work.
For experienced investors and private business owners, finances can bring about both great rewards but also great complexity. Ham is intimately familiar with the challenges and opportunities that successful individuals and their families face. Together with a team that mirrors his own values, Shades Creek Wealth Advisors guides professionals and entrepreneurs through important issues of growing and preserving wealth—and planning for successful business continuity.
Ham founded Shades Creek Wealth Advisors, an independent wealth management and financial planning firm, to serve as a true financial advocate, point person and partner for his clients. He considers the deep-rooted relationships with his clients to be one of the most rewarding parts of his work. Ham looks forward to many more years of partnering with inspiring individuals to connect their finances with their deepest values and life ambitions.
Previously, Ham served as a partner with Reliance Financial Group and as a Regional Sales Manager with First Protective, a wholly owned subsidiary of Protective Life Corporation. He began his financial services career with New York Life.
Ham and his wife Kim have three sons, Mills, Cain and Crawford. They enjoy football, golf, tennis, fishing, hunting and dirt bike riding. They also love spending time with family and friends on Lake Martin.
Education & Designations
- BS in economics, Auburn University
- Chartered Life Underwriter
- Accredited Estate Planner
Community Involvement
- Past president of the Estate Planning Council of Birmingham
- Member of the Million Dollar Round Table
- Member of Monday Morning Quarterback Club
- Member of Sunrise Rotary Birmingham
- Board member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Foundation.
View this investment professional on BrokerCheck by FINRA.
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Ivan Truss, CFA
Director of Investment Strategy
To develop an investment strategy that utilizes resources efficiently, it is critical to consider the wide range of available investment products, asset classes and opportunities. Ivan is focused on understanding clients’ desires and developing investment strategies designed to achieve these objectives. He is passionate about providing clients the comfort of knowing there is a plan in place designed specifically for their individual goals and risk tolerance.
Ivan previously worked for Brasfield & Gorrie in the Corporate Strategy & Investments Group where he performed research on both traditional and alternative investment opportunities, including private equity, private debt, real estate, venture capital and traditional asset classes. He began his career with Regions Asset Management.
Ivan enjoys playing golf, traveling to national parks with his family and spending time with his wife, Julia, and their two dogs, Pepper and Gus.
Education & Designations
- BS in finance, Samford University
- CFA Charterholder
Community Involvement
- Member of the Jimmie Hale Mission Young Professionals Board
- Member of the CFA Society of Alabama
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Maria Velez-Herrera
Client Service Representative
Maria graduated from Jacksonville State University in 2020 and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Economics. She previously worked with Regions Bank as a Financial Relationship Consultant where she was able to work one on one with individuals, build relationships, and provide solutions. Maria believes that building strong fundamental relationships help create a foundation for trust and value.
Outside of work Maria enjoys working out, attending social events, and spending time with friends and family.
Education & Designations
- BA in Economics, Jacksonville State University
- Life Insurance Producer
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Tristan King
Analyst
Tristan believes in the importance of uncovering clients' needs by listening intently and asking the right questions. He emphasizes the uniqueness of each client and their situation, asserting that tailored questions are essential for finding the right solution.
Since 2023, Tristan has been a valuable member of Shades Creek Wealth Advisors. In his current role as Analyst, Tristan focuses on investment analysis, financial planning, and creating firm marketing materials to support SCWA’s mission of delivering exceptional wealth management services. He is actively pursuing the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is currently a Level II candidate.
Tristan graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he held the role of President and Chief Investment Officer for the university's student-managed investment fund. Under his leadership, the organization earned the prestigious 2024 Undergraduate Student Organization of the Year award, and he was also nominated for the 2024 Undergraduate Student Leader of the Year award, recognizing his efforts in guiding investment decisions and fostering professional growth among members.
Outside of work, Tristan enjoys playing golf, working out, and spending quality time with his wife, Madeline, and their four cats – Boots, Peep, Fi, and Stuffy.
Education & Designations
- BS in finance, The University of Alabama at Birmingham