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Meet The Team

  • Cary Beard
  • David Carter
  • Carolyn Newton
  • Greg Oglesby
  • Karen Eichorst
  • Kelley Hathorn
  • Kelli Benson
  • Mendy Phelps
  • Rachel Evans
  • Stephanie Kabala
  • Monica Harper

  • Cary D. Beard, CPA/PFS, CFP®, AIF®

    President & CEO

    cdb1Cary joined Carter Asset Management in 2005 as an Investment Advisor and Financial Planner. In 2018, he assumed the role of President and CEO, as part of a planned tranistion of ownership from the founder, David Carter. 

    He began his professional career as an audit associate with PricewaterhouseCoopers in Dallas prior to focusing on financial planning and investment management services for individuals and small business owners beginning in 2000.

    In addition to his experience in planning for retirement, managing investments, and understanding the implications of Federal Income Tax for his clients, he has specific expertise and knowledge in the complex planning areas of corporate stock options, life insurance, retirement plans, charitable trusts, endowment management, and college education funding.

    Cary and his wife, Erica, have each served on the board of directors for various charitable organizations. They have two daughters, Kaylee and Campbell, and are active members at Southern Hills Church of Christ in Abilene where Cary serves as a Shepherd.

    Education

    • Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, Abilene Christian University
    • Master of Accountancy, Abilene Christian University

    Licenses & Credential

  • David L. Carter, MS, CPA/PFS, CFP®, AIF®

    Founder (Retired)

    dlc2After serving in the Navy and while continuing his service as a Naval Reserve Officer, David began his career in public accounting in the early 1980s. He founded Carter Asset Management in 1997 as the demand for independent investment advice and financial planning services grew out of his public accounting practice.

    Mr. Carter taught for almost 20 years as an Adjunct Professor of Accounting & Finance in the College of Business Administration at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. He was well known for his Personal Financial Planning classes, as well as his graduate course, Financial Planning for Practitioners, in the university’s Master of Accountancy program. He stepped down from the position in 2000, due to the increasing demands of his efforts with Carter Asset Management. 

    Following a gradual slow down over the past few years, David decided it was time to do for himself what he helped countless clients successfully accomplish for several decades.  Fully retired at the end of the 2022, he is now able to spend more time taking care of the cattle on his ranch north of Abilene.   

    David's wife, Suzanne, was an important and valued member of the team at Carter Asset Management for many years. They enjoy traveling when they have the opportunity and are members of the Hillcrest Church of Christ in Abilene.

    Education

    • Bachelor of Science in Biology & Chemistry, Abilene Christian University
    • Bachelor of Arts in Business & Economics, Chapman University
    • Master of Science in Wealth Management, College for Financial Planning

    Licenses & Credentials

  • Carolyn Newton, FPQPTM

    Sr. Client service specialist

    cdn2Carolyn has been with Carter Asset Management since 2004, serving currently as our lead Client Service Specialist and Sr. Accounts Administrator. She is truly at the heart of our service to clients, who love working with her and depend upon her for many things.  She oversees the efforts for our clients pertaining to their investment accounts at Charles Schwab. She also assists with important compliance efforts for the firm, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently.

    Carolyn's husband, Larry, is a retired public servant, having spent more than 36 years as a firefighter for the Abilene Fire Department. They have a son, a daughter, and two granddaughters.

    Education

    • Bachelor of Applied Studies, Abilene Christian University

    Licenses & Credentials

  • Greg Oglesby

    Senior Associate, Planning & Advisory Services

    GJO 1Greg joined Carter Asset Management in 2019, after working in the Office of Admissions at Abilene Christian University. During his five years with ACU, he served as an Admissions Counselor, an Associate Director of Recruiting and Financial Counseling, as well as a Director of Recruiting.

    His experience building relationships and counseling families through the college admissions and financial aid process is what ultimately led him to Carter Asset Management, where he looks to continue supporting and advising families in achieving their long-term goals.

    Greg was born and raised in Abilene. He met his wife, Courtney, while attending ACU. Courtney’s career is in elementary education, where she has served as a Teacher and as a Reading Specialist. They have two children, Cole and Claire.  

    Education

    • Bachelor of Arts in English, Abilene Christian University
    • Master of Education in Higher Education, Abilene Christian University

  • Karen Eichorst

    Accounting associate

    kke2Karen has worked with David Carter since 1989. After moving from Abilene in 1997, she has continued to serve clients as a part-time associate working out of her home in Lubbock, Texas. Her primary focus is providing accounting services for small business owners who are clients of Carter & Beard, P.C. 

    Karen's husband, Doug, is semi-retired after a career as an engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation. They have four children, Trey, Dirk, Kaelee, and Kelly. 

    Education

    • Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University

  • Kelley L. Hathorn, CPA

    Manager, Tax & Accounting Services

    klh1Kelley is an outstanding accountant and tax preparer with a tremendous knowledge of the U.S. Tax Code, who joined our team in 2013. As the Tax Manager for our co-located accounting and tax firm, Carter & Beard, P.C., she is focused on tax planning, the preparation of tax returns, and providing comprehensive accounting and payroll services to small business owners. She has a broad range of experience in both public and private accounting, including serving as the controller of a car dealership and assisting her husband in numerous business ventures.  

    Kelley's husband, Mark, is the head tennis coach at Wylie High School in Abilene. They have three daughters, Amy, Madison, and Kaitlyn, and three grandchildren. 

    Education

    • Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting (Summa Cum Laude), McMurry University

    Licenses & Credentials

    • Certified Public Accountant, State of Texas

  • Kelli Benson

    Administrative Assistant

    kgb1Kelli joined our team in January 2015 as an Administrative Assistant and Receptionist. She is often the first voice you will hear when you call the office and is dedicated to providing a high level of service. She has a broad range of excellent experience in client service, marketing, accounting, and office administration.

    Kelli's husband, Mike, works for BML, Inc. They have a son and a daughter, and two grandchildren.

    education

    • Continuing Education Studies, Angelo State University

  • Mendy Phelps, FPQPTM

    Office Manager

    mcp1Mendy has been with Carter Asset Management since 2001, first serving as an Administrative Assistant and now as the Office Manager. She has a heart for taking care of people and serving their needs, which endears her to clients. She oversees the firm calendar and manages a significant portion of the workflow within the office.

    Mendy's husband, Phil, is a talented carpenter and self-employed contractor. They have two children and six grandchildren.

    Education

    • Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, Texas Tech University

    Licenses & Credentials

  • Rachel Evans, CPA

    Senior Associate, Tax & Accounting Services

    RLE 1Rachel joined our team in October of 2022, where her current focus is the tax preparation, accounting, and payroll needs for clients of our co-located public accounting firm, Carter & Beard, PC. She began her professional career in Fort Worth with the international firm of KPMG, where she served as a Federal Tax Associate. Upon returning home to Abilene in 2017, she served as a Senior Tax Associate at a local accounting firm.

    Rachel serves as a board member to both the Abilene Police Foundation and the Children's Performing Arts Series, where she utilizes her accounting skillset in the role of Treasurer.

    She and her husband, Brad, attend Southern Hills Church of Christ and have a son, Cooper.  

    Education

    • Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, Abilene Christian University
    • Master of Accountancy, Abilene Christian University

    Licenses & Credential

    • Certified Public Accountant, State of Texas

  • Stephanie Kabala

    Client Service Specialist

    SKK 1Stephanie joined our team in the summer of 2019. Her professional career began with accounting work for a variety of businesses after graduating from Abilene Christian University. She came to us from Stephenville, where she served as the accountant for Foster’s Home for Children for five years. 

    Stephanie has a heart for serving people and making their lives easier by taking care of details regarding finances and procedures. She works side by side with Carolyn, tending to the needs of our clients with their investment accounts at Charles Schwab.

    She and her family currently live in Dublin, Texas. Her husband, Bolek, is a professor of Political Science at Tarleton State University in Stephenville.  

    Education

    • Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting, Abilene Christian University
    • Master of Accountancy, Abilene Christian University

  • Monica Harper

    Executive AssistantIMG 2706

    Monica supports Carter Asset Management as Executive Assistant to Cary Beard. Located in northeast Ohio, Monica remotely assists with Cary’s schedule, emails, and record-keeping on a part-time basis. She combines her professional experience in both banking and social work to create a detail-oriented, intuitive, empathetic approach to her work.

    She is married to her husband, Blair, who works in law enforcement, and is closely supervised while she works from home by her rescue dog and cat. 

    Education

    • Bachelor of Science in Counseling Psychology, Toccoa Falls College