Sometimes, a great loss can put you on a path to something great.  That’s what happened for Kevin Kimery, founding member of Kimery Wealth Management and a Chairman’s Circle investor.

After the death of his father, Kevin received a small inheritance.  The 18-year-old college student was an aspiring investor, so he called two investment firms:  Merrill Lynch and E.F. Hutton.  He convinced a young investment advisor to take his account.

Shortly after that, Kevin found himself needing a job to help with college expenses.  He called those two firms to ask about opportunities in the investment industry.  E.F. Hutton offered the enterprising young man a position as a runner and operations associate.  That was the start of an incredible journey in the investment management industry.

For the next few years, Kevin made copies, ran errands, delivered mail and worked through various operational roles.  But most importantly, he built relationships with 25 investment advisors.  Kevin quickly realized investment management was the career he wanted, one where he had the capacity to help individuals and families transform their lives.

At E.F. Hutton, Kevin worked his way up to operations while at the same time earning his bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Memphis. After graduating, getting into technology and getting married in 1988, he started attending night classes to further his education before being accepted into Vanderbilt University to earn his MBA.

After earning his master’s, Kevin worked at large companies including Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley, where he learned an immense amount about wealth management, private equity, operations and investing.

In 2017 Kevin started Kimery Wealth Management, a privately owned investment advisory practice specializing in family wealth advising and institutional consulting for individuals, family groups and nonprofits. “I wanted to keep the client’s interest first and wanted my practice to have a holistic approach,” he said.  Kevin is a student of behavioral finance, an emerging field that examines the psychological aspects of financial habits and behaviors.

Today his firm has 10 employees.  “If you don’t have a servant’s heart for your clients, vendors and team, then you’re not a good fit,” he said.  “Clients appreciate having a team working both for and with them who never give up no matter the challenges.”  Kevin’s motto, coined by Winston Churchill, reflects his dedication: “Never, never, never give up.”

That dedication has earned Kevin recognition such as Top Financial Advisor in 2009, Five Star Wealth Manager by Memphis Magazine seven years in a row and honors from The American Registry, Wealth & Finance International and Barron’s.

Kevin is active with Vanderbilt’s alumni board, the New Memphis Institute, Southern Reins and the executive board of the University of Memphis Fogelman College of Business. He has served on the boards of Memphis Botanic Garden, the Vanderbilt Graduate School of Business, the Exceptional Foundation of West Tennessee, Carnival Memphis and the Memphis Zoo.  He’s also a former president of Hope House.

Kevin met the former Sherri Barbee while in high school.  As young adults they ran into each other again at the Memphis in May barbecue festival in 1988. The two were married just seven months later, and they’ve been together ever since. They have four daughters – Elizabeth, Kathryn, Rachel and Margaret – a son-in-law, Andrew Marino, and two grandchildren, Macon and Will.

At the core of Kevin’s values is his family. They’ve shaped his leadership, grounded his work and deepened his love for Memphis. He and his wife have raised their children here, and that personal connection fuels his commitment to building a stronger, more vibrant community.  “Family isn’t just a source of support—it’s my inspiration for creating lasting impact,” he said.

Kevin unwinds by doing the things he loves most – spending quality time with his family, grilling out and relaxing by the pool, catching a good TV show with his wife or reading a great book. He loves to travel, explore great restaurants and enjoy a really good glass of wine.  He loves skiing in Telluride and tropical family vacations.  Kevin says he finds balance in simple, meaningful moments that keep him grounded.

Kevin has two mentors.  “Peter Veruki was a mentor to me from the day I walked through the doors at Vanderbilt University and remained a beloved friend for almost 30 years,” he said.  “Peter was a man of great wisdom, and his presence is greatly missed.  And Bob Pierce is the ‘there’s no way’ man. Bob found my first job for me, mentored me and reminded me ‘there’s no way’ when he thought I was bumping up against my potential.  I am grateful to him for keeping me hungry enough to reach for the impossible.”

What excites Kevin most about Memphis is the city’s “undeniable momentum,” he said.  “We are a community full of grit, heart and potential—and I’m inspired by the growing number of people who are beginning to see Memphis the way I always have: as a place of opportunity, resilience and extraordinary people. It’s not just about believing in Memphis—it’s about helping build the future it deserves.”

Kevin sees the Chairman’s Circle as vital to building that future.  “Our firm is honored to be a member of the Chairman’s Circle,” he said.  “This affiliation aligns with our dedication to fostering economic growth and development in Memphis.  The Chairman’s Circle helps us collaborate with other business leaders to drive initiatives that enhance the prosperity of our community. ​Our firm’s active participation reflects our unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in Memphis, supporting initiatives that promote education, healthcare and community development.”