Welcome to
Integrated Financial Group
Wealth Management
Integrated Financial Group Wealth Management
Welcome to Integrated Financial Group Wealth Management where our main job is doing what is in the client’s best interest. Sounds simple and actually sort of cliché, right? Being in the business as long as we have we would argue it is not as common as you may think. We believe wealth is an expedition during life whether you are accumulating it, conserving it, or distributing it. We help you visualize financial goals, determine risk tolerance, and educate you on your different paths to pursue your goals, so that you not only have financial confidence, but also the ability to personally evaluate if we are doing a good job of helping you work toward your financial goals. We want you to understand your situation, we don’t want you to just trust we are doing a good job.
Backed by the Brain Trust of Integrated Financial Group, a consortium of independent financial planners, where advisors share their professional wisdom and perspectives within the group, as well as the size and scope of National Broker Dealer LPL Financial, our resources are both vast and collaborative.
Our cost structures can vary depending on the situation of the clients and their needs, but we prefer a fiduciary role with a fee-based structure in our asset management where if you make more we make more and if you make less so do we. We believe in incentivizing the manager of your money to grow it, not just get a commission and ignore it.
Our capabilities are as unique as your situation. We offer personalized planning solutions that include :
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Investment Management
No matter your risk tolerance, from the most conservative investor to the most aggressive, we offer the options to match your personality. Options include CDs, Bonds, Funds, ETFs, Stocks, Structured Notes, Options, Annuities, Alternative Investments, Real Estate Investment Trusts, and more. -
Risk Management
It is one thing to accumulate wealth, but it is quite another to keep it. Whether it is the risk of bad health, the risk of becoming disabled or incapacitated, the risk of an early death, the risk of lawsuit, the risk of outliving your money, all the way down to your own risk tolerance we help you manage that risk. Options include health insurance, disability insurance, long term care insurance, life insurance, trust planning, death planning, and longevity planning. -
Business Planning
Whether it be employee benefits, employee retention, tax strategies or sale/exit planning strategies we can help. Options include group health, SEPs, Simple IRAs, 401k, ESOPs, 457s, 403Bs, IRAs, ancillary benefits, Buy/Sells, CPA partnerships and much more. -
Retirement Planning
Retirement Planning and income planning can take many shapes and many turns. It involves determining what amounts you need per year, what sources are going to provide those amounts, developing the most tax efficient way to produce that amount, adjusting for inflation, and then constantly re-evaluating what is put in place, maintaining that level or even changing it. So as you can see it is not a destination. Retirement will hopefully be long in your case, so we not only plan you through that, we even plan for Medicare, Social Security and so much more. -
Estate Planning
It does not matter if your goal is to create family dynasty or give all you have to charity, it does not happen without planning. We take you from identifying your heirs and determining their capabilities, through probate and tax planning, into trust planning, all the way to charitable giving. We help you leave a legacy that you have determined not one that is determined for you.
So sit down with us at Integrated Financial Group Wealth Management and let us help you in whatever part of the trek you are in whether it’s accumulation, conservation, or distributing your wealth.
Meet Our Team
Ryan Hood
Wealth Manager
Ryan Hood started his career in financial services in 1997 after graduating from the University of North Georgia with a Finance degree. Prior to joining Integrated Financial Group, Ryan spent 18 years at a Fortune 250 financial services firm. He continues today to provide comprehensive financial planning services and wealth management services to individuals as well as businesses. Ryan works with his clients to provide assistance in the areas of wealth management, retirement planning, retirement distribution planning, business owner planning, employee benefits planning, risk management, and estate planning. Ryan has a Series 7 as well as a Series 66, making him a fiduciary to his advisory clients.
Ryan is married to Carrie Hood, an actress who you may have seen on screen from time to time. They have a son, Porter, and a daughter, Waverly. And the kids would be quick to point out the other two family members, a golden retriever named Gray and a cat named Roxy. Family is top priority for Ryan along with his faith. The family are active members of Village Church in Hayesville, North Carolina. When the family is not on a ball field, the track, or the gym cheering one another on, Ryan likes to spend time on the golf course, on the lake, or in the woods. He’s also an avid foodie and loves good wine and good music.
“I really do want to live a life that puts others first, which you cannot do without Grace. Grace, the most important concept perhaps of all time.”
-Ryan Hood
Nick Shook, CPA
Financial Advisor
Nick Shook is a financial planner and Certified Public Accountant who blends deep tax expertise with a passion for helping individuals and small business owners make confident, informed financial decisions. He provides clients with integrated guidance that bridges day-to-day financial planning with long-term strategy, aligning perfectly with the values of our firm.
Nick holds both a BBA in Finance and a Master’s in Accountancy from the University of Georgia. He began his career in public accounting preparing tax returns for individuals and small businesses, before moving into corporate roles at Unum Group and UPS. At UPS, he served as a Tax Accounting and Reporting Supervisor, overseeing complex corporate matters, including ASC 740 reporting and federal compliance.
In addition to his role at Integrated Financial Group Wealth Management, Nick is the founder and principal of Good Works Financial, a separate accounting practice where he provides tax preparation, small business advisory, and strategic tax planning services. This experience enhances his ability to deliver comprehensive advice that connects tax efficiency with wealth-building and goal-based planning.
Nick’s commitment to financial literacy and service is deeply personal. Raised in a single-parent household with few financial advantages, he understands the challenges of financial uncertainty and the importance of sound guidance. His career is dedicated to providing that clarity and security for others.
Outside of work, Nick lives in Athens, Georgia with his fiancée, Sarah, and their two dogs, Nacho and Finley. He stays active through golf, weightlifting, kickboxing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. As a follower of Jesus Christ, his faith plays a central role in his life, guiding him to approach both work and relationships with integrity, compassion, and stewardship.
Carrie Walrond
Administrator
As the administrator for Ryan Hood at Integrated Financial Group Wealth Management Carrie specializes in making the client experience seamless and then rewarding. Carrie works with clients through the account opening process and beyond into service. Carrie is a pro at taking care of those around her.
Brice Silver
Director of Trading & Investment Operations
Brice Silver enthusiastically oversees daily operations for IFG’s Investment Solutions Department, an advisor-first team offering products and services that save advisors time and money so they can focus on what matters most: their clients. The team executes trades and assists with investment strategies with exacting accuracy and expertise in analysis. Brice specializes in trading, rebalancing and analytics in addition to project management for his team.
Brice enjoys the outdoors; camping, kayaking, hiking, and sports, but you’ll find him cheering on the UGA Bulldogs on Saturdays. When alone, a good movie or book will entertain Brice for hours, but he prefers the company of his friends and loved ones no matter the occasion.
Crystal Epstein, AIF®, IACCP®
Chief Compliance and Risk Officer
As Chief Compliance and Risk Officer, Crystal oversees the department, including advisory operations, trading, processes and procedures, client support, and ensuring IFG complies with all ERISA, FINRA and SEC rules and regulations.
Crystal loves spending time with her son Miles, daughter Mila, and dog Abby outside, playing or going on family hikes. When she does have time to herself, she enjoys hanging out with friends and exploring Georgia or working in her yard.
What is a Consortium? What is the Brain Trust?
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Office: (404) 312-8998
195 North Main Street
Suite A
Hiawassee GA 30546
