Meet Your Financial Advocates
Jeff Wildes, CFP®, CKA®
Jeff Wildes, CFP®, CKA®
President
Jeff is the founder and president of Wildes Financial Strategies, where he provides strategic direction and oversees the firm’s long-term vision. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, he continues to guide complex financial planning initiatives and lead the firm’s investment strategy. Jeff remains deeply committed to integrating faith-based principles into both the client experience and the firm’s leadership.
With over two decades of experience as a financial advisor, Jeff has helped individuals, families, and business owners navigate intricate financial decisions. His work emphasizes stewardship and helping others intertwine their faith with their wealth.
Outside the office, Jeff enjoys woodworking and serves on the board of trustees at Charleston Southern University, along with volunteering for other local and national organizations. He and his wife, Carolyn, value time with their three adult children and their growing families and are active members of Pawleys Island Community Church.
Manuel Salazar III, EdD, MBA, CPA/PFS, CPWA®, CKA®
Manuel Salazar III, EdD, MBA, CPA/PFS, CPWA®, CKA®
Vice President of Client Stewardship
Phone: 843-574-8256
Manuel serves as Vice President of Client Stewardship at Wildes Financial Strategies, where he provides comprehensive financial planning. His passion is helping individuals and families align their financial decisions with their God-given goals through intelligent, values-based financial stewardship.
Manuel has over four decades of industry, leadership, and higher education experience. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA-CA) and holds the professional designations of Personal Financial Specialist (PFS), Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®), and Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA®), along with advanced degrees in business (MBA), ministry (MA), and education (EdD). Dr. Salazar is the former Associate Dean of Jessup University and was honored with the title of Professor Emeritus. He currently teaches part-time at the Nielsen College of Business, Charleston Southern University and serves as the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of the Buc Fund, a student-managed investment fund.
Manuel is a military veteran having served our nation during the Reagan years as a U.S. Army Paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. Away from work, Manuel enjoys spending time with his wife Lisa, their growing family, and enjoying outdoor activities along the South Carolina coast and North Carolina mountains. He and Lisa worship and serve at First Baptist Church Georgetown.
Brian Taylor, MS (Operations Research), Colonel US Marine Corps (Ret)
Brian Taylor, MS (Operations Research), Colonel US Marine Corps (Ret)
Vice President of Operations/ Chief Compliance Officer
Phone: 843-823-5186
Brian serves first and foremost as a Client Stewardship Advisor, helping clients thoughtfully identify and pursue their financial and life goals. In addition, he oversees the daily operations of Wildes Financial Strategies and serves as the Chief Compliance Officer, guiding the team’s efficiency and ensuring compliance with all SEC regulatory standards.
After graduating from Auburn University in 1996, Brian began a distinguished 29-year career in the United States Marine Corps. He served as a CH-53E helicopter pilot, completing four combat deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom before transitioning to an aviation acquisitions officer. His service earned him the Legion of Merit Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Strike/Flight Air Medal. Brian holds a Master’s degree in Operations Research from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and is currently completing the coursework required to become a Certified Financial Planner™ professional.
Outside the office, Brian and his wife, Debbie, are the proud parents of Clary and Grant, who are pursuing studies in microbiology and physics. They also share their home with three Labrador retrievers, enjoy playing pickleball, and take full advantage of all that South Carolina’s Lowcountry has to offer.
Josh King
Josh King
Investment Specialist
Phone: 843-823-4210
Josh King is part of Wildes Financial Strategies, where he has worked for nearly seven years in a versatile role as an Investment Specialist. His work focuses on investment research and on building and maintaining investment models that support the firm’s overall strategy.
Originally from Georgia, Josh has spent the last seven years in South Carolina building his career in financial services. This experience has given him a broad understanding of the industry along with strong analytical and client-focused skills.
Outside of the office, Josh is a father of three children (ages 4 months, 6, and 10). He enjoys spending time with his family and making the most of life at home when he is not working.
Michelle Talbot, FPQP®
Michelle Talbot, FPQP®
client stewardship Associate
Phone: 843-972-5718
As a Client Stewardship Associate at Wildes Financial Strategies, Michelle helps clients continue to be faithful stewards of their wealth through retirement, while guiding them to create meaningful legacies that reflect their goals and values. She is passionate about estate planning and helps align financial strategies with each client’s unique vision for the future.
With 20 years of experience supporting clients in the creative marketing and advertising field and a decade as a legal assistant for a major national communications corporation, Michelle brings a wealth of knowledge, precision, and care to her role.
Outside the office, Michelle enjoys life with her husband, Ellwood, cherishing time with their two grandsons. She is an active member of Rock Church in Conway and is deeply involved in serving and uplifting her community.
Kim Allred-Ford
Kim Allred-Ford
Client Stewardship Associate
Phone: 843-353-0789
Kim serves as a Client Stewardship Associate at Wildes Financial Strategies where she dedicates her industry knowledge to guiding clients through complex financial landscapes.
With more than 30 years of specialized experience, Kim brings a wealth of expertise to the team. Her extensive background spans life insurance, annuities, long-term care, health and disability and comprehensive retirement planning. Kim is passionate about helping clients navigate the intricacies of insurance, transforming complicated policies into clear, actionable wealth-protection strategies. Her proactive stewardship ensures that every client feels heard, secure and prepared for the future.
Throughout her three-decade career, Kim has built a reputation for her unwavering commitment to client care.
Away from the office, Kim enjoys cooking, biking and spending time with her family. Kim is married to Delvan Ford, and they have three children and three grandchildren.
Sophia Lawson, FPQP®
Sophia Lawson, FPQP®
Executive Assistant & Marketing Specialist
Sophia plays a key role in supporting client communications and internal initiatives at Wildes Financial Strategies to enhance the client experience. Through her work, she helps elevate the firm’s visibility and brand presence in addition to building meaningful connections with clients and the broader community, always striving to make each interaction feel welcoming and engaging.
Sophia is a proud Coastal Carolina University graduate, where she gained hands-on experience working in the university’s marketing and communications office. There, she helped develop tailored campaigns for a variety of audiences, an experience that now shapes how she approaches communication and connection with clients at WFS.
Outside the office, Sophia enjoys spending time at the beach, trying new recipes, crafting, and making memories with friends and family. She also regularly attends Wellspring Church in Myrtle Beach, SC, where she is involved in a ladies’ small group.