Commerce Advisors (CA) was formed in 2009, to serve the investment/financial needs of high net worth families.
Woody Woodmansee serves as President of CA and is responsible for the business development and managing client relationships.
Kurt Voldeng joined CA in 2012, and currently leads the research efforts of the firm in addition to managing client relationships.
In addition to Woody and Kurt’s over 65 years combined experience, Commerce Advisors has access to expertise in business succession and valuation, tax planning, family generational transitioning, legal services, and trust services.
William D. Woodmansee, Jr.
President
William (Woody) Woodmansee brings over 35 years of advisory and wealth management experience to his role as President of Commerce Advisors. Woody began his career in the financial services industry in 1987 with Union Planters Investment Bankers Group. In 1990 he joined the First Tennessee Bank Bond Division as Vice President while continuing to advise both high net worth families and institutional clients. In 1992, Woody transitioned his practice to Prudential Securities. He spent the next 8 years serving on the Director’s and Chairman’s council with Prudential. In 2000, Woody formed / established Woodmansee Wealth Management Group of Wachovia Securities advising and consulting to private and institutional clients. The business model focused on customizing asset allocations in accordance with investment and spending policies. Woody was recognized for his outstanding performance and remarkable client service by being named to the Chairman’s Circle of Excellence at Wachovia Securities.
In 2009, Woodmansee Wealth Management Group was acquired by Commerce Holdings, LLC.
- Served on the Finance Committee of The Catholic Diocese of Memphis from 2010 – 2012
- Institutional clients currently advising 4 (includes pension profit sharing plans, 401k plans, foundations, family limited partnerships, and family trusts)
- Currently serving as Trustee or Successor Trustee for five accounts
- Licenses held: Series 7, 63, and 65
- While a registered investment advisor for Commerce Advisors, LLC, Mr. Woodmansee also maintains securities licenses with Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments (PKS) in order to service the insurance needs of Commerce Advisors’ clientele.
J. Vincent Robinson
Chief Executive Officer
Vince brings over 47 years of experience to his role as Chief Executive Officer of Commerce Holdings, LLC, the holding company for Commerce Advisors. Vince is a co-founder of Commerce Holdings, LLC and has been its CEO since 2009. He was responsible for organizing the wealth advisory and investment business in Commerce Advisors, LLC and forming Commerce Asset Management, LLC, an alternative asset management business in 2010 (Recently merged into Commerce Advisors). In 2012, he led a private equity transaction to acquire Commerce Holdings, LLC from its previous parent company. His responsibility includes oversight of firm strategy, managing strategic relationships, chairs the executive management committee, communication with stakeholders and works with the leaders of the lines of business.
Prior to joining Commerce Advisors LLC, Vince spent 29 years with PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLC (PWC). He was admitted to the partnership in 1985. In 1991, Vince assumed the role of managing partner of the Memphis office until he retired in June 2007. Vince served as lead engagement partner on public investment funds, large public companies, REIT IPOs and follow-on offerings, and mergers. Vince served as the lead US partner on two Global 1000 clients and additionally managed the combined assurance practice for Birmingham, Memphis and Knoxville 1994 to 1998.
After the 1998 merger of PriceWaterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand, Vince served on the Service Industry Leadership team. His responsibility on the team was to integrate and align a $500 million practice in the Americas with the firm’s overall strategy. Vince also served as the leader of the North American REIT and Real Estate Practice from 1998 until his retirement in June 2007.
Vince retired his CPA certificate December 31, 2023, after 42 years.
Outside activities include:
- Current Board Member, PURE Youth Athletic Alliance, Inc, Treasurer
- Current member of Ducks Unlimited, Inc Audit Committee and Enterprise Risk Management
Committee - Board Member, Shelby County Drug Court
- Past Board Member, Christian Brothers University, serving a nine-year term, as Chair of Finance
Committee, Chair of Audit Committee and member of Advancement and Investment
Committees - Past Board Member, Make A Wish Foundation
- Past Board Member, St. Agnes-St Dominic, Finance Committee Chair
Kurt Voldeng, CAIA
Principal | Chief Investment Officer
Kurt Voldeng brings over 30 years of advisory and investment management experience to his roles with Commerce Advisors. Kurt is currently a Senior Investment Advisor for Commerce Advisors, and a shareholder of Commerce Holdings.
In addition to Chief Investment Officer duties, Kurt spends his time client servicing, trading of client accounts, and business development.
Throughout his career, Kurt has been involved in manager research, institutional consulting, and investment management with a particular expertise in alternative investment strategies. Kurt has educated clients on hedge fund investing and advised clients on customized multi-manager hedge fund portfolios ranging in size from $20 million to over $5 billion.
Kurt began his career in 1990 with Consulting Services Group, LLC (CSG) as a financial analyst and accepted an ownership position in the firm in 1999. Prior to joining CSG, Kurt worked with the corporate finance department of Union Planters National Bank (Regions). Kurt graduated with honors with a B.A. in Finance from the University of Memphis and holds an M.B.A. from the University of Memphis as well. Kurt maintains the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designation.
Currently a member of the Governing Board of the Vision Preparatory Charter School and serves as its Treasurer
- Active member of the University of Memphis Alumni Association
- Serves on the board of the Sigma Chi House Corporation for the Epsilon Kappa chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity
- Founder and President of Section 901 Youth Athletic Fund, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization supporting under served youth athletic programs in the greater Memphis area.
- License held: Series 65
Ron Partain
Senior Investment Advisor
Ron Partain has worked in the investment consulting and management industry for over 30 years serving defined benefit, defined contribution, endowments, foundations, Taft-Hartley, high net worth families and corporate funds over his career by designing customized investment solutions in the areas of investment policy and design, investment monitoring, evaluation, attribution analysis, provider searches, fiduciary oversight, total plan cost analysis, sales, and marketing.
Ron received his BBA from the University of Memphis.
- The AutoZone Liberty Bowl Board
- The Blues Foundation where he formally Chaired the Finance Committee and Blues Hall of Fame.
- Ron is an active member of the Sigma Chi Alumni Association
- License held: Series 65
Pat Cox
Senior Investment Advisor
Pat Cox joins Commerce Advisors, LLC as a Senior Financial Advisor following a fourteen-year career at ALSAC / St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where he served as a senior member of the investment department as interim CIO and Executive Director of Investments. Pat contributed throughout all aspects of managing and investing a multi-billion-dollar endowment with emphasis on asset allocation and investment manager research for traditional, hedge funds and private investments.
Pat’s experience spans a diverse background in portfolio design, implementation and management across multiple portfolio frame works. Additionally, Pat was responsible for the investment and administration of the ALSAC Charitable Gift Annuity portfolios and donor trusts and was a member of ALSAC’s Management Retirement Oversight Committee.
Prior to joining ALSAC, Pat spent sixteen years with a national investment consulting firm where he was a Managing Analyst and Sr. Consultant. There Pat worked with a diverse group of clients from large foundations and high net worth individuals to large corporate pension plans. Pat received a BA in Business and Finance from Mississippi State University.
- Finance Chairperson and Committee Member for Covenant United Methodist Church
- Tutor at Whitney Elementary
Jennifer Brown
Analyst/Compliance Assistant
Jennifer Brown brings over 24 years of experience with her roles with Commerce Advisors. Jennifer assists with client servicing, manager research files, marketing efforts, managing performance reporting software, quarterly assets, and assisting with the overall compliance efforts for Commerce Advisors.
Prior to joining Commerce Advisors in 2010, Jennifer was at Consulting Services Group, LLC for thirteen years. While at Consulting Services Group, LLC, Jennifer worked in the alternative investment group concentrating her time on performance reporting, investor relations and maintaining a manager database.
Jennifer graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor’sDegree in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing.
- Active member of the Junior League of Memphis where she previously served as the Finance Manager and Treasurer.
- Currently is a Board Member and also sits on the Executive Committee for 901 Petals of Purpose.
Michele Kantor
Client Administration
Michele brings 5 years of experience in client service in the investment business to Commerce Advisors. Michele is responsible for new and existing client servicing, including the opening and maintaining of accounts as well as any money movement transfers.
Prior to joining Commerce Advisors in 2021, Michele was at TD Ameritrade from 2018 to 2020. Before that Michele she was with Advantage Sales & Marketing for twenty years. Michele graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Marketing.