About Sam
Sam founded Coastal Capital Management as an independent registered investment advisor to stand apart from commission-based firms. In 2024, Coastal Capital Management merged with T.R.U.E. Financial Guides to form T.R.U.E. Coastal Capital, LLC. The firm is dedicated to fee transparency, objective investing, and decision-making centered on the client's interests.
As a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in New York City for 15 years, he understands not only the practice of wealth management but also the flexibility an independent RIA affords. As co-founder of T.R.U.E. Coastal Capital, Sam is committed to developing financial plans, asset allocation models, and appropriate investment strategies.
Born and raised in Savannah, Sam graduated from St. Andrew's on the Marsh. He received a BA in Spanish from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, and an MBA, with a dual concentration in finance and management, from Fordham University in New York City.
Sam holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) designations, as well as life, health, and accident insurance licenses. He is a member of the CFA Institute, the Atlanta Society of Financial and Investment Professionals (ASFIP), and the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA®).
Sam is active in the local community and currently serves as:
- Board Member, St. Andrew's School Alumni Board
- Board Member, The CFO Council of Savannah
- Member, The Metropolitan Rotary Club
- Member, The Savannah Downtown Business Association
Sam also serves on the Investment Committee (IC) for the St. Andrew's School Endowment Fund and is a graduate of Leadership Savannah, class of 2017-18.
After 15 years in New York City, Sam returned to Savannah with his wife and their two young sons. He enjoys running and biking, and completed the NYC Marathon in 2004. He is also proficient in Spanish.
Designation Disclosures
Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) The CFA charter is a graduate-level investment credential awarded by CFA Institute, the largest global association of investment professionals. To earn the CFA charter, candidates must: pass three sequential, six-hour exams covering ethics, economics, financial reporting, corporate finance, portfolio management, and wealth planning; hold a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) or have four years of qualified professional work experience; complete 4,000 hours of relevant professional experience over a minimum of 36 months; and commit to and annually reaffirm adherence to the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct. Fewer than one in five candidates who begin the program complete it.
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) The CDFA designation is awarded by the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFA®) to financial professionals who specialize in the financial aspects of divorce. To earn the CDFA designation, candidates must hold a bachelor's degree and at least three years of relevant financial planning, accounting, or legal experience (or ten years of experience without a degree), complete coursework on divorce-related financial and tax issues, and pass a 150-question certification exam. Maintaining the designation requires ongoing continuing education and adherence to IDFA's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.
Neither designation is a guarantee of future investment performance or client outcomes, and neither is awarded, endorsed, or regulated by the SEC or any state securities regulator.