About Vertical Wealth Management
Vertical Wealth Management is an independent financial advisory firm serving clients in Virginia, focused on delivering personalized, comprehensive retirement planning that inspires confidence and clarity at different financial stages.

A Boutique Firm, Built for People Who Expect More
Mark Shelby, AIF®, founded Vertical Wealth Management to help provide clarity and purpose for individuals and families who are serious about preparing for and enjoying retirement. From Roth conversions to legacy planning, each recommendation is made with your specific goals in mind and explained in straightforward terms. Your accounts are held securely at Schwab or Fidelity and you will receive personal, attentive guidance at the different steps.
A Team-Backed Plan That Still Feels Personal
You work directly with the Vertical Wealth Management team, led by Mark Shelby. Your advisor relationship, financial planning guidance, and ongoing service all come from our firm.
Mark Shelby, AIF®
CEO & Wealth Advisor
Vertical Wealth Management
Carole Fetterman
Client Service Coordinator
Vertical Wealth Management
Sheri Dermangian
Client Service Coordinator
Vertical Wealth Management
Investment Management Support
For portfolio management and investment research, Vertical Wealth Management works with Brookwood Investment Group as a sub-advisor.
Brookwood provides investment research and portfolio oversight used in constructing and monitoring client portfolios. Brookwood and Vertical Wealth Management are independently owned and operated firms, and Brookwood team members are not employees of Vertical Wealth Management.
Chris Coolidge, CFA®
Chief Investment Officer
Brookwood Investment Group
Four Plans, One Strategy—Retirement That Runs Like Clockwork
We don't just build plans; we build real outcomes. The Four Plans approach brings your entire financial life—income, growth, tax, and legacy—into a single, harmonious strategy designed for people who want to be the exception.
Income That Supports Your Retirement Vision
Experience the benefit of a custom income plan from our Williamsburg financial advisor—our goal is to help make your retirement income stable, tax-aware, and designed to support the life you actually want, year after year.
Investment Management That Keeps You in Control
Our approach to wealth management in Williamsburg combines institutional research and personal guidance, with the goal of building your investments for efficiency, discipline, and steady growth—even when markets get loud.
Keep More With Tax-Advantaged Retirement Strategies
Our retirement financial advisor designs different tax strategies with your future in mind, from Roth conversions to RMDs, helping you minimize taxes and maximize efficiency—to help you keep more of your wealth in Virginia and beyond.
Make Your Family’s Future Exceptionally Organized
Our legacy planning services help ensure your intentions are carried out with structure and clarity, providing your family with a well-organized transition—guided by fiduciary advisors serving Williamsburg, Richmond, and beyond.
Remove The Friction From Planning
01
Understand
We get the different pieces on the table—income streams, accounts, goals, worries, and ambitions—so nothing is left to chance.
02
Discovery Meeting
Together, we build a strategy that’s intentional, tax-advantaged, and designed for your life, with guidance from the expertise your plan deserves.
03
Implement
We organize, communicate, and set your plan in motion—making sure you always know what happens next, and why.
Disciplined, Decisive, and Always on Your Side
The appropriate partnership in retirement planning gives you more than expertise—it helps give you a level of structure, clarity, and control. Here’s what you can expect at the different steps:
Fee-Based, Fiduciary Clarity
Every recommendation puts your interests first, and our advice is focused on your goals. Learn more about how we deliver real value as your advisor.
Real Depth, Not One-Dimensional Advice
Your planning process may involve coordination with specialized professionals and strategic partners—including investment research support from Brookwood Investment Group, as well as tax professionals and estate planning resources. You’re never left trying to connect the dots on your own.
Transparent Custody With Major Institutions
Custodied with Charles Schwab or Fidelity, your wealth stays visible and secure—so you can focus on strategy, not on wondering where things stand.















