March Madness and Financial Planning: How Teamwork Drives Success at Rather & Kittrell

Yesterday, the NCAA Tournament tipped off, bringing the usual chaos—buzzer-beaters, upsets, and busted brackets. While basketball fans have been glued to their televisions these past few weeks as teams fought for seeding and tournament entry, we held our own version of March Madness. The RK staff split up into two teams, competing fiercely, loudly, and with great celebration for one team who dominated the other for the day. Then, it was back to the office, where instead of Cinderella stories and last-second shots, our focus returned to helping families and business owners navigate the financial decisions that matter most.

You can learn a lot about your coworkers in an athletic competition. For example, three of our advisors (Collin Ironside, Darrien Reasonover, and Chase Kerby) can dunk. And let’s not forget Lytle Rather. There’s a reason he’s in the Farragut High School Sports Hall of Fame for basketball-he’s still got it!

Of course, not everyone was dunking or sinking every shot, but that’s what makes a team work.

Some of us were setting screens, playing defense, passing the ball, and grabbing rebounds. Success on the court, much like in financial planning, isn’t about one person doing it all — it’s about knowing your role and trusting your team.

At Rather and Kittrell, our clients benefit from the same type of teamwork. Our success comes from understanding each teammate’s strengths and working together to provide a personalized advisory experience.

Much like a well-balanced basketball team, our planning team includes specialists in advising, portfolio management, operations, and compliance. It’s not about one person trying to do it all; it’s about each individual playing their position to support the team’s success.

At the end of the day, winning, whether on the court or in financial planning, isn’t about individual talent; it’s about combining those unique strengths as a team. Our games served as a reminder that while some teammates might lead the charge, they can’t win alone, and that’s exactly how we approach financial planning for our clients.

Sam Paganelli, CFA® CFP® is an Advisor with Rather & Kittrell.