Our Firm

 Edward Secrest is the founder and president of Southeast Financial Group, Inc. in Durham, NC. Edward earned a Bachelor's Degree in Economics at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, then refined his financial planning skills working in the insurance, investment, and banking industries.  After 11 years of apprenticeship, Edward decided to build his own company in 2001, what is today Southeast Financial Group.  His objective investment management methods have been shaped by the full market cycles experienced from 1990 to 2006.

 

 Edward's primary roles include design, implementation, and ongoing management of client's retirement, estate, and benefit plans, mentoring the financial planners within his branch office jurisdiction, and providing the strategy to develop Southeast Financial Group into the choice investment management firm of the Southeast.  

 

 Edward is a Certified Financial Planner and an active Board Member of the Financial Planning Association. Edward is licensed for both securities and fee-based planning.

 

 

 James T. Blakey is the founder of Southeast Tax Planning in Wake Forest, NC and a representative of the Southeast Financial Group branch. James began his financial planning career in 1997 as the owner of Guardian Asset Management in Huntersville, NC; what would later become Southeast Financial Planning. Through his years of experience, James has developed advising methods to dually benefit his client base in both the financial and tax arenas.

 James provides financial and tax planning to the firm’s diverse list of clients. His primary role is design, implementation, and management of financial plans to insure the strongest tax benefit available to his clients. 

 

 James is a Certified Financial Planner and enrolled to practice before the IRS as an Enrolled Agent. James is licensed for both securities and fee-based planning.

 

 

 

 

 

 Melissa G. Secrest is the Director of Operations for Southeast Financial Group, Inc. Melissa provides support for both Edward and James, facilitates client relationships, and oversees all operational and administrative duties necessary for an efficient office. 

 

 Melissa's primary roles include on-going policy development, staff management, and ensuring compliance with the broker/ dealer, state, and federal laws, policies, and regulations.