Meet the Team

Abe is a Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor who has spent the last nine years growing his financial planning firm.  He is a graduate of Columbia University's Holistic Financial Coaching certificate program and is a certified V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) employer.  Formerly with MassMutual, where Abe was promoted to Leadership Director and Junior Partner of his 90-advisor firm, he honed his skills as a wealth management advisor. Today, his local, independent firm is brokered by Equitable Advisors, leverages the strength of LPL Financial, and combines the best of what the last nine years have taught him about both insurance and investments. He has been awarded the Lynchburg region's Best Wealth Management Advisor, Best Civic Leader, and Business Person of the Year multiple times each in various publications. Abe also serves on local boards of directors for charities that include Horizon Behavioral Health, Freedom 4/24, and the Lynchburg Morning Rotary Club. Abe lives in Lynchburg with his wife Emily and their two children.

With over 7 years of experience in the financial services industry, I have developed strong skills in financial planning, communication, and investment recommendations. As a financial advisor at Edward Jones, I partnered with clients to understand their goals, needs, and preferences, and provided them with personalized and tailored solutions. I also leveraged my MA in strategic communications to create and deliver engaging and informative presentations, workshops, and newsletters to educate and empower clients and prospects. Previously, I worked as a financial associate at Wells Fargo Advisors, where I supported a team of senior advisors in managing a large portfolio of accounts, conducting research, analysis, and reporting, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations. I am passionate about helping people achieve their financial and personal goals, and I am always eager to learn new skills and insights in the rapidly changing and dynamic field of finance.

I am a native to Virginia; I attended Sweet Briar College and graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts. I then went on to complete my Masters in Communication. In 2016, I joined the Wealth Management industry. After growing to love the process of helping clients move through various life transitions, I decided to move into the Financial Advisor role.

Shannon began his career in the financial services industry in 2005 and is currently a Regional Vice President in the East Region of Equitable Advisors. He began his career with a passion to provide financial and risk protection planning and investment management for companies, individuals, and non-profit organizations. His hope was that providing these services, he would better connect to the community for the purpose of improving and creating a better quality of life for all. In 2006, he wanted to share that passion with others and decided to become a Regional Vice President, where he has been training, recruiting, and retaining young professionals for over 12 years to help others as well.

In 2013, Shannon earned a Certificate in Retirement Planning from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, and was awarded the company related title of Retirement Planning Specialist.

In 2014, Shannon attended an internal advanced learning curriculum, hosted at Harvard University. This program is a significant part of his continued education in Asset Allocation and Wealth Management.

Shannon's desire to become a pillar in the community has not wavered. In 2011, he co-founded and became President of Blue Ridge Financial Partners, a company who's mission is to provide innovative and practical financial programs for valued clients. He is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) and General Agency Managers Association (GAMA). He is a supporter of many charitable organizations within the Roanoke Valley, he and his wife are also members of Ut Prosim Society of Virginia Tech.

Shannon Underwood is a native and resident of Botetourt County with his wife Summer and their two children, Brayden and Addalyn. His hobbies include just about anything associated with Virginia Tech athletics, golf and he enjoys a lifelong passion and involvement in motorsports racing.