Lighthouse Wealth Team

Helping Clients Stay the Course

The advisors at Lighthouse Wealth Team oversee financial matters for families in Franklin, Tennessee, and the surrounding areas. Our services provide guidance and comfort to our clients in the same way a lighthouse guides a ship on the open seas.

About Us

While we have decades of experience, we’re constantly learning about new financial strategies, investment options, and tax policies. We enjoy educating our clients about the best approaches they can take to accumulating wealth and using it wisely. We know our clients are able to make the strongest decisions for the future when they understand their options. We bring our years of knowledge and our earnest advice to explain those options in a clear, concise, and unbiased manner.

We’re committed to helping our clients have the confidence to retire comfortably and plan for a conservative, debt-free life. Confidence, calmness, and peace comes from having a plan. We want all our clients to experience the independence and freedom that successful financial planning can provide.

For more information about Lighthouse Wealth Group, please go directly to our team website at www.LighthouseWealthGroup.com.

Meet Our Team

Learn more about each of the dedicated members of the Lighthouse Wealth Team.

Tommy Doerfler
Tommy Doerfler

CPA, CEPA, CFP®

Senior Executive Vice President, SageSpring | Financial Professional, RJFS  

615.861.6103

Daniel Peterman
Daniel Peterman

CFP®

Financial Professional, RJFS

615.861.6108

Rich Smith
Rich Smith

Senior Executive Vice President, SageSpring | Founder & Emeritus Wealth Advisor, LHWG | Financial Professional, RJFS 

615.861.6111

John O Connor
John O’Connor

Financial Planner, SageSpring | Financial Professional, RJFS 

615.861.6124

Kelly Lynch
Kelly Lynch

Client Services Associate, RJFS

615.861.6122

SageSpring Wealth Partners Placeholder
Dorothi Brown

Registered Operations Associate, SageSpring 

615.861.6122

Connect with Us

SageSpring is invested in more than just your finances. We are invested in you.
Connect with us today, and discover how our unique, holistic approach to financial planning can guide you to long-lasting peace and prosperity.

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Our Location

Corporate Headquarters
801 Crescent Centre Dr., Suite 600
Franklin, TN 37067

Phone Number
615.861.6124

Recent Insights

business woman working on laptop in office in con 2022 12 07 23 59 12 utc

Women Taking the Reins on Their Finances

March is Women’s History Month, and we want to celebrate the achievements of women around the world. Women are making incredible advancements socially, culturally, politically — and yes, economically. Traditionally, finance is a field that’s

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615.861.6100
SageSpring Wealth Partners Placeholder
Dorothi Brown

Registered Operations Associate, SageSpring 
615.861.6122

Dorothi Brown 

Registered Operations Associate, SageSpring

Originally from Middle Tennessee, Dorothi Brown graduated from Bellevue University with a Bachelor of Science in marketing and management. She has been working in the financial industry for over 13 years, previously with TD Ameritrade as an operations manager and Ameriprise Financial as an associate financial advisor. Dorothi was drawn to SageSpring Wealth Partners because of our company culture, core values, and exceptional client service.

She now serves in the Operations Associate role, delegating daily tasks, managing and uploading meeting notes, managing emails, and corresponding with our marketing team. She is also the point person for Raymond James and SEC audits for the Lighthouse Wealth Team. In addition, Dorothi holds her Series 7, Series 24, Series 63, and Series 66 and Tennessee Life, Health, and Annuity licenses, making her an integral asset to the team.

Outside of work, Dorothi enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and two fur babies. She enjoys cooking, gardening, and being a Girl Scout Leader.

Kelly Lynch
Kelly Lynch

Client Services Associate, RJFS
615.861.6122

Kelly Lynch

Client Services Associate, RJFS

A Franklin, Tennessee native, Kelly Lynch graduated from Middle Tennessee State University and has over 10 years of experience in customer service. She began her career with SageSpring Wealth Partners in 2018 as the Office Coordinator and joined the Lighthouse Wealth Team shortly after as the team’s Client Services Associate.

Kelly’s primary roles on the team consist of the account opening and maintenance processes, maintaining the team’s schedule, and assisting with transfers and money movement. Her favorite thing about working at the company is how warm and welcoming everyone is. “You will never meet a stranger in the office,” Kelly says.

Beyond the office, Kelly enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, doing light gardening and reading.

John O Connor
John O’Connor

Financial Planner, SageSpring
Financial Professional, RJFS 
615.861.6124

John O’Connor

Financial Planner, SageSpring
Financial Professional, RJFS

John O’Connor graduated from Towson University in 2019, with a degree in Economics and a minor in Finance. He previously worked for Wealth Enhancement Group and now has his Series 7, 66, and Life and Health Insurance licenses. John is also actively working towards becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional.

In his role on the Lighthouse Wealth Team, John works with clients on reviewing investments, portfolio management, financial planning, retirement planning, and many other needs. When it came to joining the SageSpring Wealth Partners’ team, John was drawn to the company culture and especially that the company was honored among the top places to work in Tennessee in 2020 and 2021.*

John knew he wanted to work with other financial professionals who desire to serve clients and put clients’ interests ahead of their own. Additionally, he wanted to work for an organization that allowed him to grow in his role and expand his knowledge. To his delight, John has found all of these attributes at SageSpring, and he appreciates, even more, how close his team is, how everyone is there for each other through the good and bad, and how everyone celebrates each other’s successes for the company as a whole.

Outside of work, John enjoys spending time at the gym, exploring new hiking trails, trying new breweries, and hang out with his lovely girlfriend, Molly. He also loves to talk all things basketball.

*More than 1,000 companies were invited to participate, 90 were recognized as one of the Tennessean Top Places to work. The Tennessean welcomed anyone to nominate an organization and partnered with Energage, who also reached out to companies. Any employer was eligible, as long as it had at least 5 employees in Middle Tennessee. Employees could be public, private, nonprofit or governmental. Once employers were nominated, employees were asked to fill out an online questionnaire that gave more information about the companies they worked for. Information gathered included issues relating to workplace culture, including Alignment, Connection, Effectiveness, Engagement, Leadership, and the Basics, including pay, benefits, flexibility, training, and expectations. Employers were then ranked among groups of similar size to most accurately compare results, with those that scored high being recognized. The ranking may not be representative of any one client’s experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of an advisor’s future performance. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors or RIA firms pay a fee in exchange for this award/rating. Neither Energage nor the Tennessean is affiliated with Raymond James.

Rich Smith
Rich Smith

Senior Executive Vice President, SageSpring | Founder & Emeritus Wealth Advisor, LHWG | Financial Professional, RJFS 
615.861.6111

Rich Smith

Senior Executive Vice President, SageSpring | Founder & Emeritus Wealth Advisor, LHWG | Financial Professional, RJFS

Rich Smith started his career with Southwestern/Great American Inc. selling books part-time with Southwestern and paying his way through Taylor University in Indiana. After college, Rich joined the company full-time as a sales representative. He quickly moved into a leadership position with Great American and developed the largest organization in the company. He served as divisional Vice President and was recently inducted as a Charter Member into Great American’s Hall of Fame. In his 39 year career with the company, he has also served as a Corporate Board Member of Southwestern/Great American Inc.

In January 2006, Rich made the decision to leave Great American and follow his passion in the area of personal finance to join a sister company, Southwestern Investment Group (now known as SageSpring Wealth Partners), as a Raymond James financial advisor. He quickly distinguished himself there becoming a member of the Leadership Board and a Senior Vice President.

Rich has received his Series 7, Series 66, and Life and Annuity Insurance Licenses. He is registered with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Rich’s focus is helping his clients build wealth through Comprehensive Financial Planning with a specialty in fee-based* professional money management, tax planning strategies, and exceptional customer service.

Rich has been married to Rhonda, a middle school principal at Christ Presbyterian Academy, for 37 years. They have three children who are all married and live in the Nashville area, along with grandchildren. Besides spending time with family, Rich enjoys watching sports, reading, and playing golf.

*Clients should periodically re-evaluate whether the use of an asset-based fee continues to be appropriate in servicing their needs. A list of additional considerations, as well as the fee schedule, is available in the firm’s Form ADV Part II as well as the client agreement.

Neither Raymond James Financial Services nor any Raymond James Financial Advisor renders advice on tax issues, these matters should be discussed with the appropriate professional.

Daniel Peterman
Daniel Peterman

CFP®

Financial Professional, RJFS
615.861.6108

Daniel Peterman

Financial Professional, RJFS

Daniel Peterman joined SageSpring Wealth Partners after serving as a financial advisor for several years at another national firm. He earned a double major and graduated with honors from the University of Alabama, and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional, with the following licenses: Series 7, Series 66, Life, Health and Annuity Licenses.

Daniel partners with clients to help them set goals and develop their comprehensive plan. His goal is to help bring simplicity to complicated situations. After working as a standalone advisor, Daniel understood the importance of being a part of a team to better serve clients. He says that working alongside likeminded people who have a servant mentality is his favorite part of SageSpring.

In his free time, Daniel loves spending time at Center Hill Lake with his wife, Kendal, and his nine-year-old pit-bull, Tasha. Daniel is an avid hunter, and he and his wife enjoy cooking dinner at least six nights a week.

Tommy Doerfler
Tommy Doerfler

CPA, CEPA, CFP®

Senior Executive Vice President, SageSpring | Financial Professional, RJFS 
615.861.6103

Tommy Doerfler 

Senior Executive Vice President, SageSpring | Financial Professional, RJFS

Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Tommy Doerfler graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Business Administration degree with an emphasis in finance. Receiving his Series 7, Series 66, Life, Health and Annuity Licenses, Tommy is also a Certified Exit Planning Advisor, has a Certified Public Accountant License, and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional.* He is registered with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. and is on the Financial Committee of SageSpring Wealth Partners.

Tommy is focused on helping his clients build wealth through comprehensive financial planning, with a specialty in fee-based** professional money management, tax planning strategies, and exceptional customer service. At SageSpring, he enjoys the atmosphere of sharing and collaboration with other teams but also the autonomy that the organization is afforded. Personal development is abundant throughout the company culture, and Tommy appreciates the high moral standard the organization is held to.

Tommy initially moved to Nashville in 2003 out of his passion for music. Two years after living his dream in the music industry, Tommy decided it was time to hang up his drumsticks and choose another career. Since money wasn’t something for which he had a lot of knowledge, Tommy decided to redirect his passion towards a subject that was personal to him. During the time he spent traveling and playing music, Tommy became interested in learning what to do with his hard-earned dollars and how to invest in his career and save for the future. This interest soon became a passion that led Tommy to enrolling at MTSU to learn everything he could about personal finance.

Tommy wasn’t sure exactly what he wanted to do with his newfound knowledge until he did a summer internship with SageSpring Wealth Partners and realized that he could use his knowledge to assist people who did not understand wealth and who wanted personal assistance. It was his passion for learning about personal finance that led him to assist others with the same concerns he held as a musician.

Along with helping clients build and preserve their wealth, Tommy also enjoys spending his free time with his wife and daughter, watching soccer, and being outdoors.

*Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

**Managed accounts are charged Advisory Fees in addition to internal fees of investment company products, and should be evaluated when determining the costs of a fee-based account. A list of additional considerations, as well as the fee schedule is available in the firms Form ADV (Part 2A) as well as the client agreement.

Jeffrey Dobyns
Jeffrey T. Dobyns

CFP®, CLU, CHFC

President, SageSpring | Financial Advisor, RJFS 
615-861-6102

Jeffrey T. Dobyns

President, SageSpring | Financial Advisor, RJFS

Jeff Dobyns has enjoyed extraordinary success providing comprehensive financial planning to retirees, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and executives by taking the time to truly know his clients, understand their goals and develop and execute their ongoing, strategic, financial plans.

Jeff earned his finance degree in business administration from Ohio University and has held executive positions with financial planning firms for more than two decades. After serving as Vice President of Investments of Lykins Financial Group, CPA’s, in his hometown of Westerville, Ohio, Jeff moved to Nashville, Tennessee to found SageSpring Wealth Partners in 2002. As its President, Jeff has led SageSpring to remarkable success, holding the distinction of being one of Raymond James’ top independent contractor offices, and a member of its Chairman’s Council*, every year since 2008.

Jeff’s true calling, however, is working directly with clients, helping them plan their financial futures in a manner that aligns with their values and helps provide them with financial confidence. To help meet these goals, Jeff leads the team of Dobyns Wealth Team and also incorporates the expertise of attorneys, accountants and other professionals to provide quality financial, tax and estate planning, and ongoing asset and risk management.

As independent advisory businesses, neither SageSpring Wealth Partners nor Dobyns Wealth Team hold any assets on behalf of clients, with such custodial and brokerage services being provided by Raymond James. As a leader in wealth management, Raymond James has an exemplary reputation and today serves more than $930 billion in client assets through 8,200 financial advisors worldwide (as of 9/30/2020).

In order to meet the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in the industry, Jeff is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM practitioner**, a Chartered Life Underwriter and a Chartered Financial Consultant. Jeff is also a participant of the Dave Ramsey SmartVestor program.

Jeff’s work and personal life are both guided by his faith and the Christian principles of honesty, generosity, compassion, and integrity. Accordingly, Jeff devotes considerable time and resources to a number of causes, including serving as a board member of Men of Valor, a prison ministry and mentoring program. He is also on the advisory board of The Signatry of Middle Tennessee, which works with families to increase their charitable giving to their favorite causes. Additionally, Jeff is on the advisory board for Halftime Institute, an organization that coaches marketplace leaders to discern and engage in their life purpose. Lastly, Jeff serves on the board of the Legacy Center of Nashville, a collaboration of independent coaching resources. He is a past board member of Porter’s Call, a Nashville charity that provides free counseling for musicians and their families, and the Martha O’Bryan Center, which empowers those in poverty to transform their lives through work, education, employment, and fellowship.

Jeff and his wife, Amy, are raising their family in Brentwood where they are members of the Brentwood Baptist Church, and their children, Gracyn, Hunter, and twins Tanner and Logan, attend the Christ Presbyterian Academy. For recreation, Jeff enjoys hunting, fishing and just being outdoors.

* Membership is based on prior fiscal year production. Re-qualification is required annually.

**Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

SmartVestor is an advertising and referral service for investing professionals (“SmartVestor Pros”) operated by The Lampo Group, LLC d/b/a Ramsey Solutions (“Ramsey Solutions”). Pursuant to an arrangement between Ramsey Solutions, SageSpring Wealth Partners and your advisor, your advisor pays Ramsey Solutions a flat monthly fee to: (a) be a SmartVestor Pro, (b) advertise services through the SmartVestor website, and (c) receive client referrals in the form of an initial introduction to interested consumers who are located in your advisor’s Pros geographic region. SageSpring Wealth Partners does not endorse and are not affiliated with Ramsey Solutions, except with respect to the arrangement described above, and neither Ramsey Solutions nor its agents are officers or employees of SageSpring Wealth Partners. Further, neither Ramsey Solutions nor its agents are authorized to provide investment advice or act in any way on behalf of SageSpring Wealth Partners, except in connection with providing your contact information to your advisor.

Ramsey Solutions’ relationship and agreement is between SageSpring Wealth Partners only. Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. is not affiliated with the solicitor arrangement between Ramsey Solutions and SageSpring Wealth Partners.

Raymond James is not affiliated with any of the organizations mentioned above.