Gary S. Williams
WILLIAMS ASSET MANAGEMENT | President
COLUMBIA, MD 21045
CRD#: 2470323
Gary Stuart WilliamsWILLIAMS ASSET MANAGEMENT
Professional summary
Gary Stuart Williams, AIF®, CFP® is the Founder and President of Williams Asset Management, a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) firm dedicated to helping individuals, families, and business owners pursue long-term financial confidence through personalized planning and investment strategies. With more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Gary began his career in 1994 and has built a reputation for client-focused guidance, fiduciary responsibility, and community leadership. Gary specializes in comprehensive financial planning, retirement planning, investment management, and employer-sponsored retirement plans. He has earned well-respected credentials, including the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification, the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ designation, and the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® designation. Gary is known for his commitment to education and relationship-driven service, helping clients navigate complex financial decisions with clarity and confidence. In addition to his professional work, he is actively involved in community initiatives and educational outreach programs focused on financial wellness.
Core Areas of Focus
Alternative Investments
Customized Portfolios
Retirement Planning
High Net Worth Planning
Investment Management
Biography
Growing up as the son of a Baltimore County bricklayer, Gary learned lifelong lessons about money at an early age. His family’s frequent financial struggles (deepening with the death of Gary’s mother when he was just eight years old) forced them to periodically rely on welfare, with little or no extra cash for emergencies. This experience instilled a profound belief in hard work, putting family first, and saving and investing for a more secure future—values that ultimately shaped his career.
Gary attended Towson University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a concentration in finance. He quickly realized that, as a financial advisor, he could help others achieve financial security, which he is passionate about. For over three decades, Gary has done just that, specializing in working with pre- and post-retirees to help them maintain an enjoyable lifestyle during their retirement years.
Gary began his career in 1994 and has earned well-respected credentials, including the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification, the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ designation, and the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® designation. His extensive experience has made him a highly sought-after investment commentator for news outlets such as Money Magazine, Bankrate.com, Yahoo Finance, Maryland Public Television’s Business Connection, The Business Monthly, and others. He is also a regular columnist for the Baltimore Business Journal.
To help raise money for charities dear to his heart, Gary wrote the acclaimed Amazon bestseller* The Art of Retirement (with a foreword by NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott). The book uses the story of Michelangelo’s incredibly long (and challenging) life and famed art as a metaphor to compare the reader’s life to a masterpiece while emphasizing the importance of creating a resilient, well-crafted portfolio. All profits from The Art of Retirement are donated to the Y in Central Maryland, Augie’s Quest, the Maryland SPCA, and the Brigance Brigade Foundation.
Gary is exceedingly active in the community and serves on numerous nonprofit boards, including the Association Board of Directors of the Y in Central Maryland (and chairman of the investment committee for Y’s Endowment), member of the investment committee for Mount Saint Joseph High School Endowment.
Gary enjoys spending time with his family, exercising, hiking, skiing, and surfing in his spare time.
Question & Answer
What are your service offerings?
Financial Planning
Investment Management
Tax Planning
Trust Services
Retirement Planning
Estate Planning
Business Planning
Business Valuation and Exit Pl...
Individual Insurance (Life
Health
Disability)
Which demographics do you typically serve?
Baby Boomers (78-60)
What is your current number of clients?
Under 50
What is your minimum asset requirement?
1M
How do you get paid?
Fee-Only
Are you a "fiduciary"?
Yes
Aliases
None
Other business activities
Outside business activity is any business or activity undertaken by an advisor that is outside the scope of their relationship with their firm (e.g., consulting services, real estate, freelance work, teaching, etc.). Investors should stay informed about these activities to ensure no conflicts of interest.
The advisor shows no other business activity.
CRS (Client Relationship Summary) - RIA
Click below to view Gary Stuart Williams's CRS (Customer Relationship Summary).
Certified licenses
Advisors may have various certifications and credentials from different organizations. AdvisorCheck highlights these seven certifications - AIF®, CFP®, ChFC®, CFA, CLU®, CIMA®, CPWA®
CFP®
Start date: 1997
Experience
Current
January 30, 2026 - Present
WILLIAMS ASSET MANAGEMENT
Office #1: 8850 Columbia 100 Parkway Suite 204, Columbia, MD 21045RIA
CRD#: 338196
COLUMBIA, MD
Past
October 19, 2005 - January 30, 2026
COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL NETWORK
RIA
CRD#: 8032
Columbia, MD
Past
October 19, 2005 - April 2, 2018
COMMONWEALTH FINANCIAL NETWORK
BD
CRD#: 8032
COLUMBIA, MD
Past
May 3, 1994 - October 19, 2005
AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
RIA
CRD#: 6363
COLUMBIA, MD
Past
March 28, 1994 - October 19, 2005
IDS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
BD
CRD#: 6321
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Past
March 28, 1994 - October 19, 2005
AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC
BD
CRD#: 6363
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
State Registrations and Notice Filings
Listed states reflect where the advisor is authorized to serve clients under state regulations.
IAR
means the advisor is registered as an Investment Advisor Representative in this state and is authorized to provide investment advice to clients there.Highlighted states indicate IAR registrations
IAR
Maryland(1/30/2026)
IAR
Texas(3/25/2026)
Exams
State Security Law Exam
State Security Law Exam
General Industry/Product Exam
General Industry/Product Exam
Principal/Supervisory Exam
Current Firm
WA
WILLIAMS ASSET MANAGEMENT
WILLIAMS & ASSOCIATES, INC. | WILLIAMS ASSET MANAGEMENT
CRD#: 338196 / SEC#: 801-135121
RIA
Registered Investment Advisory firm - (1/8/2026 120-Day Approval)Loading...
Contact information
Main Address
8850 Columbia 100 Parkway Suite 204, Columbia, MD 21045
Mailing Address
Phone number
(410) 740-0220
Established
Firm type
Fiscal year end
# of Employees
9
Red Flags
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Company Information
WILLIAMS ASSET MANAGEMENT
PresidentCRD#: 338196Columbia, MD 21045TRUST BUT VERIFY
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