Our Team

ZACH HILL, MBA

Senior Investment Strategist

  • Zach Hill leads the team at Great Valley Asset Management. Originally from Kingsport, TN, Zach has called Knoxville home since 2009 where he earned his Bachelors degree in Finance as well as an MBA with a concentration in Finance from The University of Tennessee. Most of Zach's free time goes towards running Remedy, a local coffee shop, and Zero/Zero Wine Bar, which he and his wife own together.

BOB FUGATE, CFP®

Owner

  • Bob Fugate has been in the advisory space since 2004. The founder of Blue Ridge Wealth Planners, Bobo struggled to find sufficient money managers for its clients for years until eventually taking on the job directly by helping create Great Valley Asset Manager to focus solely on the job. Today, Bob focuses on one of his most fulfilling activities - educating others. He has taught in classrooms at major universities and community colleges around the state.

MACEY SMITH

Associate Investment Strategist

  • Macey started at Blue Ridge in early January, 2024. She grew up in the greater Cincinnati area and is a lifelong Bengals fan. She moved to Knoxville at the end of 2022 upon graduating from Morehead State University with a finance degree. She enjoyed her time as a member of MSU’s dance team and now enjoys spending time with her friends, family, and two kittens.

JOHN VANDERGRIFF

Owner

  • As a former football player for the University of Tennessee under Coach Phillip Fulmer and high school state champion wrestler, John Vandergriff brings an important team mentality to Great Valley Asset Management. Combining his ministry experience and his financial training, John has worked with hundreds of families across the country for holistic financial planning. He is a dually licensed Insurance Agent and Investment Advisor Representative. John also holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from The University of Tennessee.

JOSEPH HAAS, CFA

Senior Investment Strategist

  • Hailing from Franklin, Tennessee, Joe is a CFA Charterholder and holds an MBA in Finance from DePaul University’s Driehaus College of Business as well as a BS in Finance from Marquette University. He joined Great Valley Asset Management as a Portfolio Manager in July 2025, bringing extensive experience in investment management, asset allocation, and retirement planning. Outside of work, Joe enjoys gardening, vacationing, and coaching his kids’ sports. He and his wife, Erin, spend most of their free time raising their five children.

BRAD FUGATE, MBA

Owner

  • Brad has served as Managing Director for East Tennessee's premier retirement planning firm, Blue Ridge Wealth Planners since 2014 and has served on Great Valley Asset Management's leadership team since its inception. He completed his Master of Business Administration degree in finance from the University of Tennessee in 2014 before entering the world of finance. Brad oversees the firm's marketing efforts and handles the design and implementation of various systems and procedures within the company.