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.