Smith Thornton Advisors provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, and pension consulting.
Smith Thornton Advisors reports 341 clients. They include 236 individual clients, 91 high-net-worth individuals, and 8 pension and profit-sharing plans. Of its assets, 85.8% ($731M across 656 accounts) are managed with discretion; $121M across 202 accounts are not.
| Client type | Clients | Assets |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 69% | 8% |
| High-net-worth individuals | 27% | 36% |
| Pension and profit-sharing plans | 2% | 55% |
| Charitable organizations | <1% | <1% |
| State or municipal government entities | <1% | <1% |
| Other client typesCorporations and other businesses | <1% | <1% |
Client breakdown and activity details
| Client type | Clients | Regulatory AUM | AUM share | Avg. per client |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 236 | $71.7M | 8.4% | $304K |
| High-net-worth individuals | 91 | $306M | 35.9% | $3.36M |
| Pension and profit-sharing plans | 8 | $465M | 54.6% | $58.1M |
| Charitable organizations | Fewer than 5 | $1.41M | 0.2% | $469K |
| State or municipal government entities | Fewer than 5 | $1.19M | 0.1% | $1.19M |
| Corporations and other businesses | Fewer than 5 | $7.33M | 0.9% | $3.66M |
| Total | 341 | $852M | 100% | — |
- Clients
- 236
- Regulatory AUM
- $71.7M
- AUM share
- 8.4%
- Avg. per client
- $304K
- Clients
- 91
- Regulatory AUM
- $306M
- AUM share
- 35.9%
- Avg. per client
- $3.36M
- Clients
- 8
- Regulatory AUM
- $465M
- AUM share
- 54.6%
- Avg. per client
- $58.1M
- Clients
- Fewer than 5
- Regulatory AUM
- $1.41M
- AUM share
- 0.2%
- Avg. per client
- $469K
- Clients
- Fewer than 5
- Regulatory AUM
- $1.19M
- AUM share
- 0.1%
- Avg. per client
- $1.19M
- Clients
- Fewer than 5
- Regulatory AUM
- $7.33M
- AUM share
- 0.9%
- Avg. per client
- $3.66M
Total
- Clients
- 341
- Regulatory AUM
- $852M
- AUM share
- 100%
- Avg. per client
- —
- Clients outside the U.S.
- 0%
- Clients advised without assets under management last fiscal year
- 0
- Private funds advised
- 0
- Financial planning clients last fiscal year
- 0
Smith Thornton Advisors is paid through a percentage of assets under management, hourly charges and fixed fees (other than subscription fees); its fees and minimums are set out in its brochures on the SEC website.
Steven Thornton owns 50% to 75% of Smith Thornton Advisors. The leadership team of Smith Thornton Advisors includes Chief Investment Officer William Smith and Chief Compliance Officer Donna Ryberg. It has 8 employees, 5 of them in advisory roles.
Leadership
- Donna RybergChief Compliance Officer
- William SmithManaging Principal, Chief Investment Officer
- Steven ThorntonManaging Member
Investment adviser representatives
7 representatives listed in the SEC register as of 9 October 2026.
- William Kane Davenport
- Stacy Nicole Drummond
- Jessica Carmen Kanser
- Donna Mack Ryberg
- Richard Joseph Smith
- William Patrick Smith
- Steven Curtis Thornton
Staff
- 8 employees
- 5 in advisory functions
- 6 state-registered reps
- 5 broker-dealer reps
- 3 insurance agents
- Owns 50% to 75% of Smith Thornton Advisors, LLC
Steven Thornton
Control person · since January 2021
- Owns 50% to 75% of Smith Thornton Advisors, LLC
William Smith
Control person · since January 2021
Smith Thornton Advisors’ regulatory assets grew 1.6× from $538M (June 2021) to $852M (August 2026); clients fell from 550 to 341 and employees rose from 6 to 8.
Figures from each annual filing
| Filed | Regulatory AUM | Clients | Employees | Offices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | $852M | 341 | 8 | 1 |
| March 2025 | $734M | 327 | 9 | 2 |
| July 2024 | $735M | 327 | 6 | 2 |
| June 2023 | $663M | 319 | 7 | 1 |
| March 2022 | $526M | 299 | 4 | 1 |
| June 2021 | $538M | 550 | 6 | 1 |
Besides its headquarters, Smith Thornton Advisors has 0 offices, with 1 listed address in Alabama.
Alabama · 1 listed address
- 626 Clinton Avenue West, Suite 100, HuntsvilleHQ
Contact and registration details
- Legal name
- Smith Thornton Advisors, LLC
- Headquarters
- 626 Clinton Avenue West, Suite 100, Huntsville, AL 35801
- Website
- smiththornton.com
- Phone
- 256-715-7715
- @smith-thornton-advisors-llc
- SEC file
- 801-120351
- Structure
- Alabama LLC
- Fiscal year end
- December
Smith Thornton Advisors uses Vanguard Marketing ($458M, 55%), Charles Schwab ($333M, 40%) and Lincoln National ($41.4M, 5%) as custodians for its separately managed accounts. Smith Thornton Advisors has custody of $105M in client assets for 208 clients.
- Charles SchwabCharles Schwab & Co., Inc. · Westlake, TX · $333M40%
- Vanguard MarketingVanguard Marketing Corporation · Malvern, PA · $458M55%
- Lincoln NationalLincoln National Corporation · FT. Wayne, IN · $41.4M5%
At year end, Smith Thornton Advisors’ separately managed accounts were largely in funds (44%) and stocks (20%). Its reported 13F holdings for the quarter ended 30 June 2026 total $227M across 140 positions; the largest are Capital Group Dividend Value (5.5%), Capital Group Growth ETF (4.6%) and Victory Portfolios II (3.1%).
What the accounts hold
- Stocks20%
- Funds44%
- Bonds13%
- U.S. government and agency bonds8%
- State and local bonds4%
- Investment grade corporate bonds1%
- Cash8%
- Other15%
- Annuities15%
Reported 13F holdings
- $227M
- Reported 13F value
- 140
- Positions
- 33.1%
- In the 10 largest
- +14.3%
- Value vs. prior quarter
- Capital Group Dividend Value · Shs Creat Unit5.5%
- Capital Group Growth ETF · Shs Creat Unit4.6%
- Victory Portfolios II · Short Trm BD ETF3.1%
- Victory Portfolios II · Core BD ETF3.1%
- Capital Group Gbl Growth EQT · Shs Creat Unit3.1%
- SPDR Index Shs Fds · ST Str PO EX ETF2.9%
- iShares TR · Rus Mid Cap ETF2.8%
- Capital Grp Fixed Incm ETF T · Core Plus Incm2.7%
- iShares TR · Core S&P500 ETF2.7%
- Alphabet Inc. · Cap Stk CL A2.6%
Together, the ten largest are 33.1% of reported value.
How many clients does Smith Thornton Advisors have?
Smith Thornton Advisors has 341 clients and manages $852 million for them, as of August 2026. They include 236 individual clients, 91 high-net-worth individuals, and 8 pension and profit-sharing plans.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.D and 5.F, filed 25 August 2026
What services does Smith Thornton Advisors offer?
Smith Thornton Advisors provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, and pension consulting.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.G, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Which custodians does Smith Thornton Advisors use?
Smith Thornton Advisors’ separately managed account assets are held at Vanguard Marketing Corporation (Malvern, PA), with $458M, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Westlake, TX), with $333M and Lincoln National Corporation (FT. Wayne, IN), with $41.4M. Only custodians holding at least a tenth of those assets are named.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedule D, Section 5.K.(3), filed 25 August 2026
How many financial advisors does Smith Thornton Advisors have?
Smith Thornton Advisors has 6 investment adviser representatives registered with state securities authorities, out of 8 employees, and 5 perform investment advisory functions. 5 employees are registered representatives of a broker-dealer and 3 employees are licensed insurance agents.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.A and 5.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
What does Smith Thornton Advisors invest in?
At the end of its last fiscal year, Smith Thornton Advisors’ separately managed accounts held 44% registered funds (mutual funds, ETFs, BDCs), 20% exchange-traded equities, 15% other, 8% U.S. government and agency bonds, 8% cash and equivalents, 4% state and local bonds and 1% investment grade corporate bonds. The 15% other category is described as: Annuities.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.K.(1) and 7.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Who owns Smith Thornton Advisors?
Smith Thornton Advisors’ direct owners are Steven Thornton (50% to 75%) and William Smith (50% to 75%).
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedules A and B, filed 25 August 2026
How does Smith Thornton Advisors get paid?
Smith Thornton Advisors is paid through a percentage of assets under management, hourly charges and fixed fees. Its Form ADV lists no commissions or performance-based fees among how it is paid.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.E, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
How do I contact Smith Thornton Advisors?
Smith Thornton Advisors’ main office is at 626 Clinton Avenue West, Suite 100, Huntsville, AL 35801. Its phone number is 256-715-7715. Its website is smiththornton.com.