OUR STORY
About Us
A New Perspective on Investing
The story of Castleberry Capital Investments began in 2005 when John Castleberry, a young man from Cumming, signed a scholarship to play football at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. In addition to playing sports, he had started investing during the early 2000’s. During his time at Furman, John’s interest in investing and the stock market continued to grow as, in addition to his studies, he spent countless hours reading books about investments and money management on team buses and charter flights.
After graduating from Furman, John was hired by a brokerage firm in Atlanta, Georgia. These were turbulent times in the wake of the 2007 Financial Crisis. There he quickly learned about the “ugly” side of the investment business. Everything was based on insurance products, annuities, sales and commissions that seemed to not always be in the best interest of the client. Frustrated with the business, he considered transitioning to a career in Law but received an introduction to a future mentor in the investment business.
When he joined his prior firm in 2009, John learned about the independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) business model. Now he was able to build relationships with clients based on trust and transparency. He learned about serving as a Fiduciary and managing assets on a discretionary basis. The most compelling part of his new perspective on investing was being able to do business “fee-only”, which meant compensation was based on a percentage of assets placed under management. No more products or commission-based investments.
Over the next decade, while working his way to Partner, John helped grow the firm to over $200 million in assets under management and sold his shares in 2019.
The vision of starting a firm had always been in the back of John’s mind. However, one day when he came back from lunch to find a half-a-million dollar check slid under his door with a note from a client that said “put this in whatever you think is best, invest it like your own”, he knew it was time.
In 2020, John founded Castleberry Capital Investments (CCI). CCI provides trusted Wealth Management, Investment Management and Real Estate Consulting services to individual and institutional clients.
The firm’s mission is to provide transparent money management.
The firm’s vision is to lead clients in wise long-term financial decisions by promoting good stewardship.
The firm’s core values include trust, faith, generosity and transparency.
After spending a decade in the business building strong relationships with individual clients and investment companies, he launched the firm in his hometown of Cumming, Ga. Through the help of several business mentors, John has formed alliances with many local professionals that specialize in Real Estate, Law and Accounting. By collaborating and utilizing a “team” approach, we feel that we can better meet your needs and help you accomplish your goals. CCI primarily holds client assets with Charles Schwab Institutional.
At CCI giving back to our community is one of the core values on which we were founded. We support many non-profits and philanthropic causes in North Georgia. We look forward to helping you meet your investment needs!
John W. Castleberry, President & Founder
John began his financial career in 2009 at a prominent brokerage firm in Atlanta, Ga. Subsequently, he joined a Registered Investment Advisory Firm in Suwanee, Ga where he spent ten years managing money, actively providing independent investment advice and conducting private wealth management services. There he quickly worked his way to becoming a Partner, helping to grow the firm to over $200 million in assets under management.
In 2019 he sold his equity in the partnership to launch Castleberry Capital Investments with the vision of creating an independent local investment firm that was built on core values of trust, faith, generosity and transparency.
He currently holds a Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination) License and is a member of Kingdom Advisors, an elite group of Christian professionals integrating their faith and practice. John has been named a FIVE STAR WEALTH MANAGER multiple times by Atlanta Magazine. He attended Furman University on a football scholarship, was a four-year letterman for the Paladins and graduated with a B.A. in Communications with a Business Concentration. While attending Furman, John was a three-time selection to the Academic All-Southern Conference Team. He completed postgraduate coursework in Taxation, Financial Planning and Investments through the Northwestern University School of Business.
A multi-generational Forsyth County resident, John believes strongly in giving back to the local community. He is actively involved with Browns Bridge Church & Perimeter Church's Discipleship program. He lives in Cumming with his wife Emily and sons William and Luke.