Gray Daus was born and raised in Frederick, Maryland where he developed a strong work ethic at an early age while working on family farms. He grew up in a mostly middle-class family. At times he experienced financial scarcity in childhood that fueled a desire to succeed in business and pursue a path of financial independence.
In high school, his accounting teacher described the miracle of compounding and the power of the financial markets. For the first time, he saw a graph showing the tremendous growth of the US stock market over the past 100 years.
Gray’s grandfather was a local businessman and entrepreneur who lived frugally and began investing at an early age. He invested over a long-term period and sought advice from professional advisors. Gray observed that shrewd management could provide financial freedom and a positive impact on family and the community.
He entered college majoring in accounting and then gravitated toward finance after completing a summer job at Merrill Lynch during his junior year of college that solidified his desire to become a financial advisor.
Gray earned his B.S.B.A. degree in Finance from Shippensburg University of PA. While there, he ranked in Who’s Who among American Colleges and Universities and was the President and a founder of the Omicron Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He also played club Water Polo and was active in student government.
Upon graduation Gray started his career as a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch. He then spent eight years at BB&T Investment Services, Inc. before moving to Wells Fargo Advisors in 2010.
While at Wells Fargo Advisors, Gray achieved recognition as a member of the Platinum Council for the years 2013-2023. He was also named a Five Star Wealth Manager every year from 2012-2023. Gray believes in lifelong learning and growth. He was named among Forbes® Best-In-State Advisors for both 2021-2023.
Committed to professional excellence, Gray earned Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA®), Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®), and Accredited Wealth Management AdvisorSM (AWMA®) certifications. According to the Investment & Wealth Institute in 2022, there are 271,700 U.S. Financial Advisors. Less than 3% of financial advisors hold these designations with only 8,250 holding the CIMA® and 2,148 holding the CPWA® certification.
Gray and his wife Jennifer have been married since 2003 and have four children-- Blake, Carter, Sadie, and Emma. They are members of New City Church in Matthews, NC. Gray supports environmental sustainability and renewable resources through ownership and management of pine timber forests in the Carolinas. Gray served on the advisory board of Wingate University’s Porter B. Byrum School of Business through 2022. For recreation, he enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, and riding ATVs.
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It's never too early to start teaching your children about finances! This is a photo of my son, Carter, selling used golf balls he had collected from a nearby course by our home. Teaching your kids early the value of "earning a dollar", rather than asking for spending money, is something that can better prepare them for financial independence (and teach them many other valuable lessons in the process!) #finance #financialwellbeing #startingearly
It's never too early to start teaching your children about finances! This is a photo of my son, Carter, selling used golf balls he had collected from a nearby course by our home.
Passing down your financial know-how is an important job for parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles, but it's easier said than done... Just as you work hard to secure your own financial future and legacy, it's also important to ensure that your loved ones can navigate their own financial independence. Here are two bite-sized lessons you can use to teach the kiddos financial independenceš šEmphasize the Long-term goals It's not easy for young children ā and many teenagers ā to understand that delayed gratification can make them happier. Helping them recognize that disciplined saving and investing will allow them to acquire a toy, vehicle, or lifestyle they really want can reinforce the benefits of acting responsibly. Consider a vision board of goals to create a concrete reminder of the future they are trying to create. š¤Use those 'Teachable Moments' We all make mistakes, but when we see our loved ones falter, it's only natural to want to fix things. However, it's better for all involved if they understand that actions have consequences. Be sure to discuss the situation clearly and calmly with your kiddo. If they don't get "bailed out" after blowing an allowance or what they have in savings, they'll likely think long and hard before doing it again.
Passing down your financial how-to can be invaluable to kids! My daughter, Sadie, and I have begun learning the ropes!
Check out our Extended Care Planning Webinar with 25-year industry veteran Mike Mazzoni! Watch here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/5526026021893571586
I met a man a few years ago who told me that he and his friends has recently retired, and they made a pact to start taking epic adventure trips every other year and had done so for almost a decade. I remember thinking, this is a great idea, but itās unfortunate that they only started taking the trips at age 65. Sometimes life circumstances and health challenges suggest that we shouldnāt wait. Many financially successful people that I work with struggle to prioritize personal fulfillment and recreation. They think these are things you do after your done working. I most admire our clients who work hard AND make time for their relationships, health, and pursuits they are passionate about. They appear to remain more vibrant and satisfied than people who are waiting for some future time to do this. Iāve made a pact of my own that started with a trip to the Grand Canyon in 2019. I recently hiked to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, in 2022. I did it because it was challenging, awe inspiring, and it requires me to get out of my comfort zone. Weāve already begun planning our next trip soon, likely to Kilimanjaro in 2024. When will you make time for something youāre passionate about and what will it be?
I recently hiked to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, in 2022. I did it because it was challenging, awe inspiring, and it required me to get out of my comfort zone.
Gray with his family
This is a photo of my family and me. From left to right: Blake, Sadie, myself, my wife Jennifer, Emma, and Carter.
Don't Wait 'Til Retirement...
I met a man a few years ago who told me that he and his friends has recently retired, and they made a pact to start taking epic adventure trips every other year and had done so for almost a decade. I remember thinking, this is a great idea, but it’s unfortunate that they only started taking the trips at age 65. Sometimes life circumstances and health challenges suggest that we shouldn’t wait.
Many financially successful people that I work with struggle to prioritize personal fulfillment and recreation. They think these are things you do after your done working. I most admire our clients who work hard AND make time for their relationships, health, and pursuits they are passionate about. They appear to remain more vibrant and satisfied than people who are waiting for some future time to do this.
I’ve made a pact of my own that started with a trip to the Grand Canyon in 2019. I recently hiked to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, in 2022. I did it because it was challenging, awe inspiring, and it requires me to get out of my comfort zone. We’ve already begun planning our next trip soon, likely to Kilimanjaro in 2024.
When will you make time for something you’re passionate about and what will it be?
Many financially successful people that I work with struggle to prioritize personal fulfillment and recreation. They think these are things you do after your done working. I most admire our clients who work hard AND make time for their relationships, health, and pursuits they are passionate about. They appear to remain more vibrant and satisfied than people who are waiting for some future time to do this.
I’ve made a pact of my own that started with a trip to the Grand Canyon in 2019. I recently hiked to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas, in 2022. I did it because it was challenging, awe inspiring, and it requires me to get out of my comfort zone. We’ve already begun planning our next trip soon, likely to Kilimanjaro in 2024.
When will you make time for something you’re passionate about and what will it be?
Berkshire Hathaway Outing
I’m in Omaha, Nebraska for the #BerkshireHathaway Shareholders meeting with my son, Blake, who has taken an interest in finance and investing. It’s never too early to teach your children about investing, and it serves them well later in life. I plan to gain some great insights of the market from the Oracle himself!
Leave it to the Professionals!
Around 2011, a chance opportunity led me to jump out of a small plane for the first time. The experience was transformational!
After a few jumps, I decided that I wanted to become a licensed skydiver and enrolled in Accelerated FreeFall (AFF) training! I learned some key lessons in this experience worth sharing:
On my first solo jump, I had trouble locating the rip cord. Keep in mind that the positioning is different for solo versus tandem jumpers. This was potentially very concerning, but my in-air coaches helped me locate it, & I deployed my chute and landed safely.
On my second solo jump, I located the rip cord and threw the "birdie" away from my body, but failed to let go of it to deploy my drone chute. Again, my in-air coaches quickly corrected this in the air, & I deployed my chute and landed safely.
On my third and final solo jump, I completed all of the in-air maneuvers successfully to meet the jump requirements. I navigated my own flight plan for landing, missed the targeted landing area somewhat, and ended up in some tall grass nearby!
None of these hiccups themselves proved to be fatal, but it did get me thinking about whether I should try to be the professional, or stick to relying on the true professionals who do this day in and day out to provide me with a safe and fun recreational experience that allows me to return to my family each night. It got me thinking about whether, in a pressure situation, I would be able to calmly execute the emergency procedures needed to stay safe in the event of an equipment malfunction. It also became clear quickly that to be a safe skydiver and keep your skills sharp, you must jump regularly without large gaps in between jumps….otherwise, jumping can be unsafe.
I arrived at the conclusion that it would be wiser and more enjoyable to have the benefits of jumping while resting in the expertise of well-trained professionals who love what they do & do it well. They keep me safe & protect me from myself! To this day, I still enjoy the occasional tandem jump aided by a professional skydiver, who are among the best in the world. I get that much more from the experience knowing that I am not jeopardizing my own safety or the safety of my family in the process.
I believe investing is similar. Sometimes market conditions become harsh, & intense emotions and fear roil the stock market. This involves chaos, confusion, & misinformation. How many investors have the training, experience & perspective to safely navigate storms while keeping a steady hand and remaining steadfast to the task at hand?
In this way, my team & I have the unique privilege of providing safety and protection to our clients during the financial storms. We answer the call, so that our clients can experience confidence, clarity, & comfort knowing that are doing what we do every day as investment professionals. Thank you to everyone who bestows this trust in us. It is a high calling, and one that we are truly passionate about!
After a few jumps, I decided that I wanted to become a licensed skydiver and enrolled in Accelerated FreeFall (AFF) training! I learned some key lessons in this experience worth sharing:
On my first solo jump, I had trouble locating the rip cord. Keep in mind that the positioning is different for solo versus tandem jumpers. This was potentially very concerning, but my in-air coaches helped me locate it, & I deployed my chute and landed safely.
On my second solo jump, I located the rip cord and threw the "birdie" away from my body, but failed to let go of it to deploy my drone chute. Again, my in-air coaches quickly corrected this in the air, & I deployed my chute and landed safely.
On my third and final solo jump, I completed all of the in-air maneuvers successfully to meet the jump requirements. I navigated my own flight plan for landing, missed the targeted landing area somewhat, and ended up in some tall grass nearby!
None of these hiccups themselves proved to be fatal, but it did get me thinking about whether I should try to be the professional, or stick to relying on the true professionals who do this day in and day out to provide me with a safe and fun recreational experience that allows me to return to my family each night. It got me thinking about whether, in a pressure situation, I would be able to calmly execute the emergency procedures needed to stay safe in the event of an equipment malfunction. It also became clear quickly that to be a safe skydiver and keep your skills sharp, you must jump regularly without large gaps in between jumps….otherwise, jumping can be unsafe.
I arrived at the conclusion that it would be wiser and more enjoyable to have the benefits of jumping while resting in the expertise of well-trained professionals who love what they do & do it well. They keep me safe & protect me from myself! To this day, I still enjoy the occasional tandem jump aided by a professional skydiver, who are among the best in the world. I get that much more from the experience knowing that I am not jeopardizing my own safety or the safety of my family in the process.
I believe investing is similar. Sometimes market conditions become harsh, & intense emotions and fear roil the stock market. This involves chaos, confusion, & misinformation. How many investors have the training, experience & perspective to safely navigate storms while keeping a steady hand and remaining steadfast to the task at hand?
In this way, my team & I have the unique privilege of providing safety and protection to our clients during the financial storms. We answer the call, so that our clients can experience confidence, clarity, & comfort knowing that are doing what we do every day as investment professionals. Thank you to everyone who bestows this trust in us. It is a high calling, and one that we are truly passionate about!
Dan Sperow was born and raised in Lexington, KY. Growing up, Dan learned to set goals and work hard to achieve them through attentive parents and involvement in Boy Scouts. He then applied these values to the wrestling team, which recognized him with the 110% and Most Dedicated awards.
Seeking a strong business program, Dan ventured to Miami University in Ohio. While pursuing two majors, he joined the club boxing team and was eventually named team captain. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and is very grateful for the well-rounded education that he received from Miami University.
Dan became a Financial Advisor at Paine Webber (now UBS) in 1996 and went through their celebrated training program. Seeing an opportunity to provide comprehensive wealth management, he moved to Wells Fargo Advisors in 1998. Always striving for improvement, he decided to earn a CFP® (Certified Financial Planner™) designation followed by the CRPC® (Chaptered Retirement Planning Counselor™) certification. These designations set the stage for creating a truly comprehensive financial advisory practice.
In 2012, Dan met his business partner, Gray Daus. They shared a common vision for serving clients and operating a best-in-class wealth management team. Soon after this meeting, the Sperow Daus Private Wealth Management Group was formed.
As Dan and Gray worked to build a top-notch client experience, Dan continued to pursue additional education. Through the Wharton School of Management, he earned the CIMA® (Certified Investment Management Analyst™) designation. This program focused on portfolio construction and risk management. He then went on to earn the CPWA® (Certified Private Wealth Advisor) certification through the Yale School of Management. This rigorous program covered the specific needs of high net-worth clients.
While at Wells Fargo Advisors, Dan has been honored as a member of the Platinum Council from 2013-2023. From 2012 through 2023, he earned the ranking of Five Star Wealth Manager. Dan was also named among Forbes® Best-In-State Advisors for 2021, 2022, and 2023. His continued commitment to his clients is exemplified through these awards.
Dan lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife of over 25 years, Lisa. They have two amazing daughters, Emily and Nicole.
Dan has always enjoyed outdoor adventure sports. On weekends, you might find him hiking, skiing, rafting, kayaking, or mountain biking. He is also an active member of his church and loves spending time with family.
Our Content
Having a team that enjoys each other's company outside of the office is important to us! Here's a photo of a few members of our team grabbing dinner while in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Don't wait until retirement to cross items off of your bucket list! Hiking Half Dome in Yosemite was an incredible experience I'd definitely recommend.
Financial Consultant, Eddie Watson, and I hit the slopes in Park City!
My family is very important to me, as is cheering on my kids for every life milestone. This is me with my daughter, Emily, who graduated with honors from UNC Chapel Hill in 2022.
In Sickness and In Health
I spend a lot of time helping other prepare for life’s big events like sending kids off to college, retiring, or caring for loved ones who need support.
This summer, we experiences one of life’s big moments firsthand when our daughter, Emily, married her true love! We couldn’t be more happy for her.
Today, I’d like to say thanks to the people who allow me the privilege of experiencing the joy of their successes and enduring alongside them during the challenges.
This summer, we experiences one of life’s big moments firsthand when our daughter, Emily, married her true love! We couldn’t be more happy for her.
Today, I’d like to say thanks to the people who allow me the privilege of experiencing the joy of their successes and enduring alongside them during the challenges.
Raising Money-Smart Kids
Being financially literate is one of the most beneficial skills one can teach a child. Many parents desire this for their kids, but are not sure where to even start.
In an effort to combat this confusion, Pete Mirandi and I recently taught a class on how exactly to go about raising money-smart kids. Thank you to Mecklenburg Community Church for allowing us to talk about the importance of financial wellness for the next generation!
In an effort to combat this confusion, Pete Mirandi and I recently taught a class on how exactly to go about raising money-smart kids. Thank you to Mecklenburg Community Church for allowing us to talk about the importance of financial wellness for the next generation!
Commitment to Success
I am so grateful to be named a 2023 Best-In-State Advisor by Forbes®!
To be named among a group of professionals whose achievement lies is in their clients’ satisfaction is an honor in and of itself. My hope is that this accolade is seen as a token of my dedication to providing the utmost service and experience to my clients as I seek to help them work towards their wealth management goals.
* The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.
To be named among a group of professionals whose achievement lies is in their clients’ satisfaction is an honor in and of itself. My hope is that this accolade is seen as a token of my dedication to providing the utmost service and experience to my clients as I seek to help them work towards their wealth management goals.
* The Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors rating algorithm is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, assets under management, revenue and other criteria by SHOOK Research, LLC. Investment performance is not a criterion. Self-completed survey was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria.
Our Commitment to You
We work hard to serve our clients’ best interests through careful planning and transparent actions. When working with us, you’ll know the reasons for our recommendations and any fees associated with them. You’ll receive timely attention when you have a concern or question. And we can work together in person, by phone, or via email – whichever works best for you.