About

Stephen Thomas

Private Wealth Advisor

Phone: (828) 595-4045

Fax: (888) 890-8059

E-mail: stephen.thomas@lpl.com

As an LPL Wealth Advisor, Stephen has over 7 years of experience in the financial services industry. He holds a series 7 and 66 securities registration with LPL Financial along with life insurance and long term care insurance licenses. Focusing on business owners and individuals in all stages of retirement, he specializes in creating financial plans that help manage his clients’ financial goals and needs. He offers independent, unbiased advice and meets regularly with his clients to review their needs, strategies and investments performance. Stephen proudly provides this valuable service by communicating frequently with his clients and monitoring investment performance making appropriate portfolio adjustments as changes happen in the marketplace.

Stephen attended the University of Southern Mississippi and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Before he began growing relationships as a financial advisor, Stephen worked as a professional firefighter in Asheville NC. which provided him valuable life lessons. From this experience he learned how important it is to do a job thoroughly and to gain deeper perspective from a position to be more than the just the task at hand.

Stephen M. Thomas

President, Wealth Advisor

Phone: (828) 595-4045

Fax: (888) 890-8059

E-mail: stephen.thomas@lpl.com

Stephen Thomas
Founder & CEO, Valor Private Wealth

Stephen Thomas founded Valor Private Wealth with a vision: to build a firm grounded in clarity, courage, and connection — a place where meaningful financial conversations empower people to live fully and intentionally.

With over 15 years of experience in wealth management, Stephen partners with business owners, families, and individuals navigating pivotal life transitions — retirement, the sale of a business, inheritance, or major career shifts. His mission is to guide clients through complexity and deliver calm, grounded leadership when it matters most.

At the core of his work is a belief in financial freedom — whether that means living free from financial stress, or learning to use wealth on your own terms. He helps clients align their investments with their goals and values, and in many cases, helps them define a personal vision for their life that hadn’t yet come into focus.

Before launching Valor, Stephen served as a professional firefighter in Asheville, NC — an experience that honed his instincts under pressure and shaped his lifelong commitment to protection, service, and resilience.

He holds Series 7 and 66 securities registrations with LPL Financial, along with life and long-term care insurance licenses. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Outside of work, you’ll find Stephen trail running, mountain biking, surfing, enjoying live music, or trying to keep up with his energetic and adventurous son. He believes wealth is a tool for living well — not just in the future, but right now.

Dana Wilkinson

Chief Operations Officer

Phone: 8285954045

Fax: 8888908059

Dana is here to help with our account administrative needs and manage a wide array of services including but not limited to fulfilling trades, handling a wide variety of paperwork, and helping to garner a better understanding of your unique situation. While not here to offer financial advice, her licenses will allow her to better support me and continue to provide our focused level of individualized service.

Dana Wilkinson comes to Valor Private Wealth with over 28 years of experience in the brokerage industry, 23 years of those years with LPL Financial. Prior to joining Valor Private Wealth, Dana served as Branch Operations Manager supporting a small brokerage office in a multiple broker environments over the years. She has gained operational knowledge in a wide variety of financial areas and has earned her Series 7, 53, and 63 securities licenses, held with LPL Financial. Dana is devoted to providing the best possible support to the advisors she works with and to offering assistance with a spirit of professionalism and excellence to the clients we are privileged to serve.

Dana graduated from Lynchburg College with a B.A. degree in Marketing. She was born and raised in Virginia where her family still resides. Dana enjoys reading and creating art with her daughter, Analyn.

James Halsch

Wealth Advisor

Phone: 336-338-7530

E-mail: james.halsch@lpl.com

Jim Halsch, an LPL Wealth Advisor, has over 16 years in the financial services industry. He holds a Series 66 and Series 7 securities registrations with LPL Financial and also holds insurance licenses for long term care, life insurance, annuities and is a LPL Registered Investment Advisor Representative. Individuals who are planning for retirement or are already in retirement comprise the majority of Jim’s clients.

Jim’s favorite part of serving his clients is getting to know them and understanding their family and financial needs and then creating a strategic plan to help them work to pursue their financial and retirement goals. Jim values creating long-term relationships with his clients, developing a high level of trust with them, communicating with them consistently, and keeping them in-the-know about their investment portfolios and changes in the market. He is known to meet his clients virtually, in person, at their homes, in his office or wherever is convenient for his clients – and is open to meet their schedules, working evenings and weekends as needed.

As a cycling fan, and long-time runner, Jim enjoys keeping in shape and has even cycled up Alpe d’Huez in France, one of the Tour de France’s most iconic mountain climbs. An Iowa native who grew up on a 1000-acre farm with his 8 siblings, Jim now enjoys gardening at his Fisher Park home. Jim loves to share his farming and finance analogies with everyone he meets. Ask him about the “grain bins” picture when you talk with him! Affectionately referred to as “Music At Big Purple”, his home and concerts were featured in “Our State” Magazine in April, 2020.

Richard Jones

Financial Advisor

Richard Jones joins Valor Private Wealth as our new Client Account Manager providing critical support to our licensed representatives as well as offering an enhanced client experience. His goal is to make the lives of both Valor Private Wealth’s team and clients easier through efficient and responsive service. Richard’s prior experience in Insurance has focused heavily on client relations, particularly in resolving complex service issues and navigating the intricacies of health and Medicare supplement policies. Richard recently earned both his Bachelor of Science in Financial Management and his MBA from Husson University in Bangor, Maine. He dedicated his elective coursework to his passion for investing, culminating in active participation in Husson's investment class and the weekly analysis of the Husson Stock Index. Originally from Vermont, Richard developed a strong appreciation for the outdoors and is excited to continue exploring nature in the Carolinas and throughout the Southeast.

Our entire office works toward your financial strategy, so we're fortunate to have another dedicated, quality team member working with us to help you.

Heather Bauman

Client Operations Administrator

Heather Bauman brings more than a decade of experience in financial services, operations, and business management to her role as Client Operations Administrator at Valor Private Wealth. A graduate of the University of Phoenix with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, she combines strong technical expertise with a client-first mindset to ensure seamless support for our advisors and clients alike. Before joining Valor Private Wealth, Heather served as a Service Associate at LPL Financial, where she played a key role in client onboarding, account maintenance, and advisor collaboration while helping drive initiatives to strengthen service and engagement across the firm.

Her career also includes leadership roles in management and customer service, where she oversaw financial reporting, budgeting, event planning, and team development—all while consistently delivering measurable results and enhanced client experiences. Working closely with Dana Wilkinson, our Chief Operating Officer, Heather plays an integral role in streamlining operational processes, strengthening client communications, and ensuring every client interaction reflects the highest standards of care and service at Valor Private Wealth. Heather has successfully earned her Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) certification and has dedicated herself to further expanding her ability to support clients and advisors with precision and dedication.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Heather now resides in South Carolina with her husband and three boys. She enjoys time outdoors with her family whenever possible, though family movie nights remain her favorite tradition. At Valor Private Wealth, Heather’s dedication, operational expertise, and collaborative approach make her a vital partner in our mission to deliver exceptional client experiences and long-term relationships built on trust.

About

Stephen Thomas

Private Wealth Advisor

Stephen M. Thomas

President, Wealth Advisor

Dana Wilkinson

Chief Operations Officer

James Halsch

Wealth Advisor

Richard Jones

Financial Advisor

Heather Bauman

Client Operations Administrator

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About

Stephen Thomas

Private Wealth Advisor

Stephen M. Thomas

President, Wealth Advisor

Dana Wilkinson

Chief Operations Officer

James Halsch

Wealth Advisor

Richard Jones

Financial Advisor

Heather Bauman

Client Operations Administrator

What's your risk number?

Sign up for