Nashville-born. Family-run. Committed to helping you build, preserve and transition your wealth.
At Rayburn West Financial Services, we combine the trust of a multi-generational, family-run firm with the tools today's investors expect. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, we are an independent, fiduciary investment advisory firm serving individuals, families and business owners who value objective advice, disciplined investment management and long-term relationships. We help clients navigate every stage of their financial lives - from growing and protecting wealth to planning for life transitions and potential business transitions - with strategies that are personal to you and grounded in institutional-quality investment discipline.
Founded in 2007 by Ray West, Rayburn West Financial Services has always been built on relationships, trust and doing what's in our clients' best interests.
A Nashville native and University of Tennessee graduate, Ray began his career in 1992 with Merrill Lynch and spent more than 30 years helping families in Middle Tennessee build and protect their wealth before establishing RWFS as an independent, fiduciary firm. His disciplined, research-driven approach to portfolio management and planning remains our foundation today.
The firm continues to evolve with Charles West, CEPA, joining to blend institutional finance experience with modern planning. Drawing on roles in equity research and investment banking, Charles focuses on helping business owners and high-earning families translate complexity into a unified plan.
A Nashville native, Ray attended Nashville Christian School and earned his degree from the University of Tennessee. He began his career in 1992 with Merrill Lynch and later served clients at nationally recognized firms before founding Rayburn West Financial Services in 2007. With 30+ years of experience, Ray brings a disciplined, research-driven approach to portfolio management and financial planning, helping families across Middle Tennessee build and preserve wealth with clarity and calm.
Charles attended Montgomery Bell Academy, earned a B.S. in Finance and Marketing from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and a M.S. in Finance from Vanderbilt's Owen Graduate School of Management. He began his career in equity research at Piper Sandler (covering banks) and later worked in investment banking at Stifel in New York, advising industrial and technology companies on mergers, acquisitions and capital raises. At RWFS, Charles blends that institutional background with advanced planning for business owners, young families and high-income professionals.
Rayburn West Financial Services is an independent, fiduciary wealth advisory firm based in Tennessee, helping clients build, preserve and transition wealth through tailored investment management and coordinated financial planning.
© 2025 Rayburn West Financial Services LLC. All rights reserved.
Rayburn West Financial Services (“RWFS”) is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where RWFS and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. All content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment, legal or tax advice. For additional information, please see our Form CRS and ADV Part 2A. Custody and brokerage services are provided by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"), a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC. Schwab and RWFS are separate, unaffiliated companies. Schwab does not endorse or recommend any advisor or investment strategy. CEPA and Value Acceleration Methodology are trademarks of the Exit Planning Institute (EPI). Use with attribution for educational purposes only. RWFS is not affiliated with EPI.
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