Meet the Team
David Poole, CFP®
Columbia native David Poole likes to call himself a purist. He is most proud of the firm’s unique approach. “We haven’t corrupted financial planning to sell particular products,” he explains. “Instead, we let the plan dictate the recommendations. The plan is paramount.”
David is the founder and owner of Brightworks Financial Planning. David’s focus is on relationships, not transactions, which is a perfect match for his current role at Brightworks Financial Planning. He has earned numerous awards throughout his career and previously served as President of the Midlands Financial Planning Association, Director of the CFP® Certificate Program at USC’s Moore School of Business, and Adjunct Professor for the CFP® Certificate Program at the Moore School of Business.
Certifications/Licenses/Registrations
Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) 2002
SC Life, Accident, and Health License
Forest Dutton, MBA
Forest Dutton, also a Columbia native, joined Brightworks Financial Planning following a short tenure working for an independent broker-dealer and entered financial services after many years as a physical therapist. As someone who always focused on putting the client first, the transition to fiduciary financial planning was natural. "I strive to put the goals and aspirations of our clients first, while seeking to continually grow in my planning philosophy and industry knowledge to serve them better."
Forest is a lifelong student who seeks to bring that knowledge to bear on building enduring relationships with our clients and positioning them for success. He previously earned his MBA from USC's Moore School of Business with a certificate in business analytics. He is pursuing a master's in financial planning through the University of Georgia and aspires to attain the CFP® designation upon graduation.
Certifications/Licenses/Registrations
Series 66 & Series 7
SC Life, Accident, and Health License
Lori Nelson
Lori Nelson is our Advisor Assistant. Although Lori is not a Columbia native, she has lived here for decades. Lori joined the Brightworks team in the spring of 2022 and brings with her 20 years of experience working in small business accounting and 401k plan administration. Lori believes everyone should have an understanding of personal finance as well as be good stewards of financial resources, big and small. She is a current South Carolina Notary Public.
Lori received her BSBA degree in Accounting from the University of South Carolina, during which she completed a cooperative education experience as a federal auditor.