Les Watson

Les Watson is a Managing Director of Wealth Solutions and Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) at Yellowwood Wealth Solutions, a Financial Planning and Investment Management boutique in Charlotte NC.

Les holds the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®), Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) and Retirement Management Advisor® (RMA®) designations awarded by the Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute). Les also recently acquired his Certified Exit Planning Advisor ® (CEPA®) designation, helping prepare business owners for their transition into their next act or retirement. Les started his financial planning career with A.G. Edwards and Sons, Inc. from 2001- 2007, and worked for Merrill Lynch from 2008 until 2018, when he and Jason opened the doors of YellowWood. Les takes a Wealth Management approach with clients, getting to know their specific life, financial planning and investment challenges. After the initial strategy is in place, Les communicates with clients on a regular basis to help make sure that changing circumstances haven’t created a need to adjust the strategy. Les excels at helping clients cope with the emotional aspects of investing, helping to keep their financial goals front and center even during times of tough market volatility and negative news in the media. Les is a big believer in helping clients get the most out of life with the financial resources they have! Les recently completed the 12 course Ed Slott and Company’s IRA Success Program through the American College of Financial Services®, giving him an advanced understanding of IRA Planning and its intricate nuances as it applies to preparing for Retirement! Les has taught the Investments course for the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ program at both Queens University in Charlotte and at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and has enjoyed teaching the Dave Ramsey, biblically based financial planning courses over the years. Les has an M.B.A. with a Marketing concentration from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA (his hometown), and double majored at Virginia Tech in Management Information Systems and Marketing. Les is 32 years happily married to his wife Robyn, and has one daughter, Taylor, currently living in Charlotte, NC. Les has enjoyed CrossFit and working out for many years and enjoys Virginia Tech football (Go Hokies!), live music of just about any kind, craft beer and any travel destination that features palm trees and temps above 80 degrees!