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Carol L. Shira

Executive Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer

Carol has spent the past 25 years in the trust, estate and financial planning field. Carol completed Trust School at the University of Notre Dame and Florida Trust Graduate School at the University of South Florida. Carol has held many diverse roles in the financial field. She started in the banking field as a Branch Manager and loan officer for many years. She joined the trust department with American Bank and Trust which was acquired by Citizens Bank and Trust. Carol held the position of Vice President and Senior Trust Advisor. In 2015, Carol co-founded Aventail Wealth Management, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisory firm in Winter Haven Florida with her longtime colleague Brian Ulch. Carol served as President of the Polk County Estate Planning Council, in 2015-2016. Carol has a unique ability to understand the technical aspects of Wealth Management while also having a strong ability to understand how to deliver an extremely high level of genuine personal care. In the past 2 decades Carol has overseen and administered several hundred trusts and estates of various size and scope. She understands that each client’s financial and estate plan has its own unique circumstances and duties, which at times may be quite complex. Her true passion and goals are to help her clients and their families have peace of mind and true financial comfort.

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Brian C. Ulch

President & Chief Investment Officer

Brian has over 20 years of experience in managing client’s wealth. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree from the University of Central Florida. After working at the CPA firm, Britton and Mendez, he returned to University of Central Florida and earned his Master's in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. Brian completed Florida Trust Graduate School in 2000 and earned the designation of Certified Trust and Estate Specialist from the Institute of Business and Finance. Brian served as President of the Estate Planning Council of Polk County, in 2013-2014.  Brian started his career in the trust and investment field at SunTrust Bank and then worked six years as Vice President and Trust Portfolio Manager with Citizens Bank & Trust.  In 2015, Brian co-found Aventail Wealth Management, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisory firm in Winter Haven Florida with his longtime colleague Carol Shira. Brian’s role is to ensure that he creates a financial plan tailored to his client’s goals and objectives throughout their lifetime. Brian is so passionate about helping others that he published his first book titled “Achieving A Lifetime of Financial Comfort”. Brian works every day to help families find true financial comfort which is his greatest accomplishment. Check the background of this investment professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck.

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Austin Tharp

Vice President & Investment Adviser Representative

Austin was born and raised in Winter Haven, Florida. He has a passion for his community and does whatever he can to help it grow. Austin joined Aventail in 2016 and is an Investment Adviser Representative for the firm. Before joining Aventail, he graduated from Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School in 2015. He earned his Associate's in Arts degree in 2018, Austin then graduated from Polk State College with his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 2018. Austin is very proud to have earned the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 13 through Boy Scouts of America and still serves BSA by participating on the Eagle Scout board of review for the Lake Region District. Austin is very involved in the community serving on the board of Endeavor Winter Haven, the Chamber of Commerce’s young professionals’ group that networks to develop professional skills, learn about the community, volunteer at nonprofits, and connect with other young professionals. He became a co-owner of Aventail in 2019 and works closely with his clients in a very sincere and professional manner. Austin prides himself in always giving his clients the highest level of service in a very personal way. Check the background of this investment professional on FINRA's BrokerCheck.