Who We Are
Based in New Albany, Axiom Financial Strategies Group, LLC, led by Vaughan Scott and his business partner Mike Grau, has been serving Indiana, the Greater Louisville area and various regions throughout the country under the Axiom moniker since 2009.
Vaughan, a Southern Indiana native and Indiana University graduate, was inspired by his mother to help others build wealth. Throughout the 1980s, she worked as what was then referred to as a “broker.” “When I got out of college, the person who hired my mom suggested I get some real-world experience,” Vaughan says. He started working with J.C. Bradford & Company in 1999, later acquired by PaineWebber and then UBS. His team included Gloria Bommarrito and Abby Wolfe, who are both valued members of the Axiom team today.
“Gloria and I split off to join Smith Barney in partnership with Your Community Bank (YCB) to take over YCB’s investment and trust operations in 2003,” Vaughan recalls. “She and I started with a fax machine and a couple of computers.”
When work increased and they needed assistance, Vaughan asked Smith Barney for help finding someone who had a strong planning background. He was introduced to Mike Grau in 2003. His background in accounting and managing client portfolios was the perfect fit.
“We built what became our Axiom team in that one conference room,” explains Mike, Axiom partner, Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®), and Retirement Income Certified Professional®.
The team clicked, and Axiom Financial Strategies Group was formed in partnership with Wells Fargo in 2009—just as that year’s financial crisis hit. Today, Axiom serves clients in Indiana, Kentucky, Florida, California, New York and numerous other states. Vaughan and Mike have built a team with experience and enthusiasm and have plans for continued growth.
Michelle Konkle CFP® joined our team from Wells Fargo Advisors in Louisville. “Axiom set the gold standard by which other firms were measured. I made it my goal to earn a place on their team within a year, and I was able to achieve that goal,” says Michelle.
“An axiom is a closely held principle or truth,” explains Vaughan. “We originally operated under our last names, but realized we wanted to use a word that had meaning for business professionals and clients alike.”
In 2019, Axiom was selected by Wells Fargo Advisors as one of only 12 teams out of 500 independent businesses and 1,200 teams inside the company to be part of a pilot program to become our own independent registered investment advisory firm (RIA). At the end of the program, Axiom launched as an (RIA) firm in 2020, just weeks before the pandemic hit.
When we became an (RIA), industry veteran Abby Wolfe rejoined our team, and Sarah Black, CFP®, who brought additional planning, compliance and independent firm experience also joined us.
In early 2021, Dax Whitehouse and Ric Wrye were brought onboard after they started working with Vaughan to help a mutual client. Dax had been advising a family business on governance and business strategy, while Vaughan was advising them on family governance issues. Dax and Ric have served as executives of global companies and have decades of multi-disciplinary business expertise in varied industries and ownership models. Dax, Ric and Vaughan have a special bond because all three are passionate about helping family-owned businesses successfully transition ownership to, and nurture leadership for, future generations.
Late 2021 brought CFO Leah Driver to our team. Leah originally connected with Axiom when she was working with an accounting firm that shared many mutual clients. Leah brings a wealth of experience—from public accounting to working with small businesses, as well as providing C-level leadership of businesses (both profit and non-profit) that have complex balance sheets. Leah is pivotal in leading our team and helping to set the strategic direction of the firm for the future.
Axiom Financial Strategies Group advises individuals, families, family-owned businesses, employer-sponsored plans and entrepreneurs through all stages of financial planning. These include wealth growth and management, 401K investments, and strategic planning and trusts. Axiom also seeks to find new and innovative ways to serve retirement plan participants.
“We have a team of advisors who all work to make Axiom the best,” says Mike. “Our clients see that. We invite them in, show them how we operate, and even offer to draw up a complimentary financial plan. We want them to feel comfortable with the entire team and know they are respected.”
If our story and commitment to serving Axiom clients resonates with you, we would welcome the opportunity to have you become a part of our journey. Whether as a client, a collaborator or team member, let’s explore the value of creating a partnership.
Our Core Values
Our core values are the foundational principles which support the thoughtful and caring approach we take with our clients and our team.
