b'T H G I L H G I H M A E T Meet the FacesBehind Your Finances:Skee Orr on Learning,Teaching & ServingSkee and his wife, Amanda, are busy with their two boys and dog, Koda. Their oldest, ten-year-old Michael, loves basketball and Fortnite and is learning the basics of finance and the joy of serving. Baby Joseph was born last September.Growing up in Western North Carolina, Skee OrrWhat are some of your earliest memories involving money? learned that simplicity isnt just a lack of complication.How do those memories shape you today?Its a tapestry of experiences and an intentionalWhen I was around 10 years old, my grandmother told me about earning money lifestyle that can be a foundation for contentment,and paying bills. She explained that, sometimes, there is plenty of money; other fulfillment and inspiration to help others.times, its more difficult to get by. If someone falls on hard times, we should seek ways to help them without enabling bad behavior. She then asked if she Skee Orr, CFP, AIF and Senior Financial Advisorcould borrow $10 to help with bills. at Rather & Kittrell, understood at an early age the value of learning, teaching and serving withAfter her explanation, I felt it was only right to help. When I handed her $10, she compassion. His childhood in a close-knit, ruralsmiled, put it in her pocketbook, and returned to me a $20 bill. She made the community showed him the transformative power ofpoint that we should always seek to help and serve others, but also that a giving education and the enduring impact of mentorship.heart is rewarded.At RK, Skee navigates the complex terrain of personalA truth I learned about money growing up: it can lead to blessings and finance by integrating his heart for teaching intoabundance, or it can also lead to curses and sorrow. Having seen families on his advisory approach. He empowers clients withboth ends of that spectrum, it was apparent that those with positive financial knowledge, wisdom, and a steadfast commitment toexperiences tended to have clear values and goals. They consistently aligned their financial well-being.their money with what was most important. In those cases, financial decision-What was your childhood like inmaking becomes an enjoyable process rather than an argument, and reaching North Carolina?goals ultimately brings joy.I grew up in the Andrews and Nantahala area. TheWho else had a significant impact on your life?school I attended from kindergarten through 12thI was named after my great-grandfather, the best man Ive ever known. My grade was all in one building, with just eight in mymemories of him are filled with lessons on how to be a good man, husband and graduating class. We worked hard and helped others.father. He was an excellent listener and asked great questions, with conviction Although we didnt have many luxuries, we enjoyedin his faith. His superpower was knowing exactly what words to use at exactly serving others, trying to do the right thing, followingthe right time. He could easily and selflessly drop everything to focus on others. our faith. Im very thankful for the life lessons andI may never live up to his qualities, but it gives me something to work toward. worldview I developed. Its easy to attribute much of my success to the way I was raised.20'