College of Charleston alum opens financial services firm in downtown Charleston

Hudnall Capital Advisors has recently opened its first office in downtown Charleston to offer financial services that intend to “disrupt the industry, potentially on a global scale,” according to a news release from HCA. 

The financial group will offer services such as investment management, retirement income planning, tax mitigation, life insurance and estate planning, according to the release.  

“I truly believe that the level of transparency and service we are offering will disrupt the financial planning industry as we know it,” Ry Hudnall, founder and CEO of HCA, said in the release. “My expectation is that the simplicity and integrity of our approach will enable our clients to discover new avenues toward financial success.” 

Hudnall is a College of Charleston alumnus with a career in financial planning, previously serving as the president and CEO of a Fortune 100 company, the release said.  

In addition to Hudnall, Shannon French will serve as the chief operating officer and compliance manager for HCA. According to the release, French comes from her prior position as a paralegal in a Charleston law firm with a range of knowledge on compliance and consumer services.  

“In my 20 years in this business, I’ve always believed in ‘culture before compensation,’ and I want that culture to extend beyond the firm to the client relationship,” Hudnall said in the release. “I want to be part of an enterprise where my values of loyalty, passion and integrity are reflected in the leadership. I have found that to be true at HCA.” 

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Steven Diaz, Mark Bradley, Rocio Trujilo and Sean Groskoph joined the team as founding advisers, according to the release.  

Hudnall Capital Advisors’ office will open at the end of the first quarter of 2025 and is located at 134 Meeting St., according to the release.