Tim Poole, a native of Hot Springs, Arkansas, with almost two decades of experience in the financial planning industry, today announced the formation of an independent firm – APEX Asset Advisors, which will be based in his home town. Poole said APEX will offer an array of financial advisory services including financial planning, wealth management, tax planning and estate planning.

“Whether you’ve started your own business, are in retirement or just an investor wondering what to do next, having a solid financial plan is important. But your plan needs to be flexible enough to adjust to what’s going on around you – especially in today’s changing financial climate. That’s APEX’s focus,” Poole said.

Poole is partnering with Sowell Management of North Little Rock, Arkansas. Sowell is a nationwide industry leader in the Registered Investment Advisor space with $2 billion in assets under management. Known as the “advisors to financial advisors,” Sowell provides back-office services such as billing and account management; best-in-class technology providing APEX Asset Advisory the tools to gather and analyze financial information quickly; and portfolio and planning offerings and advisement, Poole said.

Bill Sowell, CEO and president of Sowell Management, said APEX “is a firm that shares Sowell’s core principles of transparency and honesty. Tim Poole and APEX will be an asset to those looking for a respected, firm for candid and reliable financial planning. We are excited to begin building our relationship with them,” Sowell said.

APEX’s team also includes Fidelity Investments, one of the largest custodians of investment advisory assets. They will provide custodial, operational, practice management and trading support.

“Combined, we are able to provide clients a service level that will far outpace what they have had before, and we’re proud to be doing this right here my hometown of Hot Springs,” Poole said.

Poole, a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with a B.A. in finance has worked with A.G. Edwards, which became Wells Fargo Advisors and Merrill Lynch.

Poole’s family is embedded in the Hot Springs community. He is son of a Hot Springs contractor and the youngest of five boys. Poole is married with two daughters, and in his spare time enjoys running, cycling and hiking.

“I’m looking to build personal relationships with clients that will serve them for their lifetimes and beyond, “he added.