At Anchor Investment Management, LLC, our goals are simple:
Understand the needs of each client
Create strategies that address the client’s unique financial situation
Deliver solutions that will help clients reach their objectives
We provide individuals, families, trusts, and corporations with a level of financial expertise and service that makes us a valued and trusted partner. We specialize in high-quality investment management services, with a focus on long-term, tax-efficient results.
A History Built On Relationships
Focused On Client Success Since Day One
Anchor Investment Management, LLC was founded in 2000, by W. Patrick Dorn, Jr. Pat decided to form Anchor after a 30-year tenure in the investment industry with Wachovia Bank.
Pat was thrilled to serve his clients with the new standard of a fee-only, fiduciary relationship. In 2002, he made his first hire, Margaret Ellen Pender, who still serves as a firm Principal today. Anchor is continuing to hire as our client base grows, ensuring that each client has two dedicated financial advisors and a client service associate.
In 2013, Anchor merged with Ward Financial Advisors, Ltd., a local firm with a lengthy history of success in the investment management field. Growth continued and in 2017, Anchor merged with Watkins Financial Group, LLC, a Columbia, SC, firm with a long history of financial planning and insurance expertise. The strategic combination of these two firms has provided an even greater depth of personnel, investment research, financial planning, and 401(k) knowledge for Anchor’s clients.
While our team is based in Columbia, SC, we have clients in 20 states and can provide impactful, long-term financial solutions wherever they may reside.
Meet Our Team
Our team works together to help our clients achieve outstanding results. With minds open to learning from one another and working hard toward a common goal, we bring the best we have to offer to the table each day.
Margaret Ellen Pender
Principal“I’m most passionate about facilitating learning related to finances, helping people chart their goals and track their progress towards them.”...
John Moorman
Principal"I enjoy my job every day. We have terrific clients and wonderful teammates. The market always provides us challenges, but the relationships are the reward."...
Walker Williams
Principal"My mission is to help clients develop a very clear view of the financial components of their lives."...
Gerry Ward, CFP®
Principal“Put the best interest of the client first, and if you do that, everything else will fall into place.”...
Joy Watkins, CFP®
Principal & Director of Financial Planning“Fitting together the pieces of each client’s financial puzzle in pursuit of their goals is what makes my job so rewarding.”...
William Haselden
Principal“I enjoy working with all of our clients to help develop an infrastructure that will help them achieve a lasting legacy.”...
Brian Blackwelder, CFP®
Senior Relationship Manager"I really enjoy helping others navigate through their financial journey and strive to make a positive difference in their lives."...
Sara Caudle
Investment Associate"I value the trust and confidence our clients place in us, and it brings me immense joy when I know we've exceeded their expectations with our work."...
Greg Dunston, CIMA®
Invesment Associate & Lead Research Analyst“Doing investment research and building portfolios is my passion here at Anchor.”...
Sandra Hastings
Senior Client Associate“Clients go where they are welcomed and stay where they are appreciated.”...
Cheryl Henderson
Senior Client Services & Enrollment Coordinator“I’ve had the opportunity to work with one family over four generations, which is an amazing task.”...
Birgit “Sam” Lumpkin
Director of Operations“It is my goal to provide the best possible administrative support to our management team and clients daily."...
Carole Moser
Senior Client Associate“It is imperative to me that I work for a company whose primary concern is doing the right thing for the client. I am proud to be associated with Anchor.”...
Dawn Scholl
Client Services Associate“Working with a team whose focus is the best interest of the client is a constant reward."...
Amy Tucker
Senior Client Associate“It has been over 30 years that I have been helping clients with their finances and I still enjoy it every day.”...
