Finance/Insurance: LAWRENCE ‘LARRY’ BERNERT III
PRINCIPAL AND PORTFOLIO MANAGER, WILBANKS SMITH & THOMAS ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC, NORFOLK
Published
A principal and portfolio manager at Wilbanks Smith & Thomas Asset Management LLC, Bernert joined the firm in 1995, five years after the investment advisory firm was founded. He provides investment management and financial advisory services to individuals, families and institutional clients and sits on the firm’s investment committee. A chartered financial analyst, Bernert previously worked as WST’s director of research.
WST manages about $4.7 billion in client assets. The company came in 41st on the 2021 CNBC Financial Advisor 100 list, which “recognizes those advisory firms that best help clients navigate their financial lives.” On the 2020 list, WST ranked 69th.
Bernert studied at Cambridge University while earning his degree in English literature at the University of Virginia, where he also received an MBA.
He serves as board chair for the city of Norfolk Employees’ Retirement System and for the Children’s Health Foundation, which supports the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters.
FIRST JOB: Plumber’s helper
PERSON I ADMIRE: My dad, because he is 87 and going strong!
FAVORITE APP: Spotify
BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Smartmouth beer
