Back to Team

Nathan Smith

Chief of Staff-Porftolio Manager

Nathan was promoted to Chief of Staff on January 1, 2026.  He will continue to be actively involved in the management of client portfolios and will continue to lead the RK investment committee.  Nathan will be responsible for the firm’s overall operations, client service, and company financials as part of the RK executive leadership team.  Nathan joined Rather & Kittrell in the fall of 2015.

He attended Purdue University where he studied Business Mathematics and Industrial Management. He worked for Vectren Corporation working as a risk management analyst, and moved to Knoxville in 2008.

Nathan was born and raised in Evansville, Indiana but he and his wife Candice have built a life here in Knoxville. They have two children, Elliot and Lydia. In his spare time, he enjoys playing indoor soccer, gardening outside with his family, and volunteering as Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 18.

Articles

Labor Day and Lessons From a Canoe
Labor Day is a natural reset. Learn how a tandem canoe lesson—finding rhythm, adjusting, and working with a guide—mirrors good financial planning.

View Article
The Myth of Meaningful Numbers: From 12:34 to Dow 40,000
Seeing 12:34 or Dow 40,000 feels meaningful—but it’s mostly noise. Learn why investors should ignore arbitrary milestones and stick to a plan.

View Article
Building Your Financial Toolbox: How Smart Planning Helps You Achieve Your Goals
Learn how financial planning, like a Swiss Army knife, uses tailored tools for efficient and effective strategies that align with your goals. Get ready for a secure financial future.

View Article
Tune Out the Noise: Why Staying Focused on Your Financial Goals Matters
Learn how the discipline of staying focused on long-term financial goals mirrors the precision and focus required during a refueling mission. Don't let market noise distract you from your future.

View Article
Bitcoin ETFs: Should They Be Part of Your Portfolio?
With Bitcoin ETFs now approved, investors wonder if they belong in a portfolio. We explore their risks, costs, and long-term impact on financial goals.

View Article
What Smoking a Brisket Can Teach Us About Investing
Patience, discipline, and the right strategy are key to both smoking a brisket and long-term investing. Learn how staying the course leads to success in financial planning.

View Article
Caught in a Pickle
Speaking of pickles, it looks like the bond market is finding its way into one as well since the Federal Reserve lowered rates to zero during the peak of the coronavirus.

View Article
Have You Ever Seen the Rain?
Most investors are familiar with the charts showing how returns if you miss the ten best-performing days. I want to show how performance can be when missing the best days and avoiding the worst ones.

View Article