Our Story

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McKinley Carter Wealth Services roots begin with David H. McKinley, who, after working for a decade in the financial services industry in Wheeling, West Virginia, envisioned building an independent, multi-site investment advisory and financial planning firm. He wanted to create a firm small enough to provide highly personalized care, but large enough to provide  technical expertise, continuity of care, and economies of scale.

As a first step toward this vision, McKinley decided to break away from his broker-dealer affiliation in 2005 and registered as an independent RIA (Registered Investment Advisory firm) regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In 2007, McKinley formed a partnership with Will Carter, a lawyer who, dissatisfied with the quality of services available to him and his clients, had in 2002 formed Kanawha Investment and Trust Company to provide a more comprehensive, independent, and proactive approach to wealth management in Charleston, West Virginia. McKinley and Carter recognized that their different professional and business backgrounds were complementary and McKinley Carter Wealth Services was born.

In 2009, McKinley Carter opened an office in the greater Pittsburgh area by partnering with Brian T. Gongaware's NetWorth Investment Advisors, based in Wexford, PA. This merger added extensive investment management experience to an already accomplished investment staff.

Today, McKinley Carter's offices serve individuals, families, businesses, endowments, and non-profits in 24 states and 4 countries. The company has built a team of professional and operation staff with a broad array of advanced financial experience and credentials in investments, insurance, estate planning, law, accounting/finance, real estate, business/career planning, retirement planning, and banking services.