At Proximity Financial Partners, we see your financial life as more than numbers – it’s a story. A story that grows and evolves with each milestone, challenge, and opportunity. We help you take control of your wealth with personalized financial planning, fiduciary advice, and strategies designed to align with your life, goals, and legacy.
Meet Patrick W. Simpkins
Founder & Advisor
Strong Roots and Core Values
Patrick was born and raised in Raleigh, earning a reputation for integrity, expertise, and a personal approach to wealth management. His background in athletics taught him discipline, resilience, and a mindset for excellence – qualities he brings to every client relationship.
After an injury shifted his path, Patrick found his true calling in wealth planning. He began as an entrepreneur, then dedicated over two decades to helping clients gain financial confidence, clarity, and peace of mind. His experience spans executive leadership and wealth advisory roles, giving him a unique perspective to guide individuals, business owners, and retirees.
Our Firm Values
We believe strong values drive strong outcomes. At Proximity Financial Partners, we are:
- Honest & Educator-First
- We make complex financial concepts understandable, empowering you to make informed decisions.
- Transparent & Authentic
- No smoke or mirrors—just real talk about your finances, goals, and options.
- Protective & Committed
- Your priorities guide our strategies. We focus on preserving and growing what matters most.
- Passionate & Loyal
- We’re fully invested in your success and long-term financial well-being.
- A Hard Earned Legacy to Protect
- Trust. Honesty. Integrity. Values matter – and we live by ours every day to serve our clients with transparency, accountability, and unwavering commitment.
Our Approach
First we listen – then we plan.
Every financial plan starts with understanding your story, your challenges, and your ambitions. From there, we create a custom financial plan, provide ongoing guidance, and adapt strategies as your life evolves – helping you achieve confidence, clarity, and long-term financial security.
Our Team
Evan Lockwood
Planning and Tax Strategies
Proximity Financial Partners
Lisa Petruolo
Office Manager
Proximity Financial Partners
Donna Hewitt
Head of Group Benefits
Proximity Financial Partners
Heather Simpkins
Client Relations
Proximity Financial Partners
Heather Pennington
Chief Marketing Officer
Proximity Financial Partners
Jenny Bradley
Wealth Advisor
Proximity Financial Partners
Mark Tucker
Chief Investment Officer
Proximity Financial Partners
Chuck Bettinger
Portfolio Manager
Proximity Financial Partners
David Summers
Portfolio Manager
Proximity Financial Partners
Ross Nelson
Portfolio Manager
Proximity Financial PartnersEvan Lockwood
Planning & Tax Strategies
Evan joined Proximity in 2022, bringing a strong foundation of service shaped by his years as an Officer and Detective with the Baltimore Police Department and more than a decade in the Army National Guard, where he achieved the rank of Captain.
Today, Evan leads Proximity’s Planning and Tax Strategies division. He is dedicated to working closely with clients, helping them pursue their financial goals with clarity, purpose, and confidence. He is a graduate of Liberty University and holds Series 7 and 66 licenses, Health and Life insurance certifications, and IRS Enrolled Agent status.
Evan lives in the Raleigh area with his wife and their three children.
Heather Simpkins
Client Relations
Heather officially became a member of the Proximity team in 2024, following several years of quietly supporting the firm from behind the scenes. In her role, she oversees appointment scheduling, coordinates the full client service model, and plays an essential part in organizing and managing the firm’s educational events. Her thoughtful approach and strong attention to detail help ensure that every interaction with Proximity feels seamless, supportive, and well-organized.
Clients and colleagues alike know Heather for her warm, welcoming presence. She has a natural ability to put others at ease, creating a comfortable environment where clients feel heard, valued, and genuinely cared for. Her kindness and steady demeanor bring a sense of calm to even the busiest days.
A proud North Carolina native, Heather spent most of her life in Raleigh, where she first met Patrick in high school. The two later built a life together and now share three wonderful children. Outside of work, Heather cherishes time with her family and remains deeply connected to the community that shaped her.
Lisa Petruolo
Office Manager
Lisa joined Proximity in 2018, bringing with her more than a decade of customer service experience shaped through roles in accounting, sales, and client relations. Her commitment to thoughtful, timely client support has been a defining part of her career from the very beginning.
Today, Lisa plays a key role in ensuring a smooth and supportive experience for Proximity’s clients. Before joining the firm, she spent seven years with Piedmont Service Group as a Service Accountant, where she strengthened her ability to identify and resolve client issues with care and efficiency. She also gained valuable wealth management experience through her work with HPG Wealthcare Advisors in Raleigh and Edward Jones in Clayton.
A North Carolina native, Lisa graduated from Garner Senior High School and studied accounting at East Carolina University.
Lisa lives in the Raleigh area, where she enjoys spending time with her two daughters and her beloved dachshund, Napa.
Donna Hewitt
Head of Group Benefits
Donna Hewitt brings nearly two decades of experience in healthcare benefits to her role at Proximity Financial Partners. Clients value her depth of knowledge, steady guidance, and ability to simplify complex benefits decisions with clarity and care.
Her began her career at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, where she progressed through roles in customer service, group services, and ultimately as an enrollment expert. Working closely with brokers, group administrators, and benefits managers, she developed a comprehensive understanding of a wide range of healthcare plans. She later served as an Account Manager at Progressive Benefits Solutions, where she created formal proposals for health, dental, and ancillary benefit plans. In 2002, Donna joined Central Carolina Bank as a Group Insurance Specialist, overseeing plan quotations, implementation of group health insurance programs, and preparation of detailed proposals.
Donna joined Proximity in 2008 and continues to be a trusted resource for clients seeking knowledgeable, personalized benefits support.
Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, birdwatching, and spending time outdoors. Donna is also a proud mother of two sons and grandmother to three grandchildren.
Heather Pennington
Chief Marketing Officer
Heather loves all things marketing and business, bringing over 20 years of experience to her work. Throughout her career, she has been involved in projects across the United States. Notably, these include the Division I football rollout at Kennesaw State University and Cobb Home of the Braves. In addition, she has contributed to many other local and national marketing initiatives.
She graduated with her B.A. from Kennesaw State University in 2001. Later, she completed her MBA in December 2016 from Kennesaw State University. Subsequently, she was accepted into the Doctorate program at KSU in 2017. After studying in Cuba in April 2015, Ms. Pennington wrote a white paper on U.S. marketing strategies post-embargo. As a result, she was awarded a Global Engagement Certification for her work.
Currently, Heather serves as Chief Marketing Officer at Proximity. Outside of her professional role, she is a proud mother of two children, a 25-year-old daughter and a 20-year-old son.
Jenny Bradley
Wealth Advisor
From Competition to Strategic Clarity
Jenny Bradley has always understood competition; however, she has learned where it does not belong. While she once thrived on the softball field and in high-stakes trivia, her professional philosophy is more disciplined. Instead, she focuses on knowing when to step back, think strategically, and preserve long-term value. As a result, this mindset has shaped her career in family law and financial decision-making during pivotal transitions.
Identifying a Critical Gap
Over time, Jenny witnessed individuals and families endure emotionally and financially destructive divorces. Consequently, she recognized a critical gap that mirrors what financial advisors see in reactive, short-term decision-making. Therefore, she built Triangle Smart Divorce on the belief that clarity, planning, and discipline create better outcomes. Rather than encouraging conflict, her approach prioritizes thoughtful strategies that support long-term stability.
A Financially Focused Legal Approach
Notably, Jenny’s approach aligns closely with an investment-focused mindset. She guides clients beyond immediate emotional pressures to evaluate decisions through long-term financial impact. Specifically, she emphasizes asset preservation, wealth protection, tax considerations, and future financial independence. In addition, her philosophy prioritizes minimizing unnecessary costs and avoiding litigation whenever possible.
A Collaborative, Team-Based Model
As the founder of Triangle Smart Divorce, Jenny has cultivated a collaborative and forward-thinking team. Similarly, a well-constructed investment portfolio benefits from diversified expertise and shared insight. Therefore, her firm operates on collective experience to guide clients with both legal and financial foresight. Ultimately, every client benefits from a team-based approach focused on risk identification and opportunity discovery.
Leadership, Mentorship, and Proactive Planning
Today, Jenny focuses much of her time on leadership and mentoring her team. As a result, her firm consistently delivers thoughtful, high-level guidance to every client. In particular, she is passionate about premarital agreements as proactive financial planning tools. Rather than legal formalities, these agreements help couples align expectations, protect assets, and build strong foundations.
A Personal Perspective on Complex Transitions
Importantly, Jenny’s perspective is shaped by her personal experiences as a stepmother and business owner. She understands the complexities of blended families and the realities of entrepreneurship. Additionally, she recognizes the importance of protecting both personal and business assets. Therefore, she views divorce as a significant financial inflection point that can reshape long-term wealth trajectories.
Growth Measured by Outcomes
Under her leadership, Triangle Smart Divorce has become one of the fastest-growing law firms in the country. Moreover, the firm has earned recognition on the Inc. 5000 list for three consecutive years. However, Jenny measures success not only in growth, but also in meaningful client outcomes. Ultimately, she helps clients move forward with confidence, stability, and a clear financial path.
Life Beyond the Practice
Outside of her professional work, Jenny enjoys reading, podcasts, exploring new restaurants, and traveling. Although her competitive spirit remains, it has evolved into something more purposeful. Now, it is reflected in her commitment to helping clients make smart, strategic decisions. In the end, her focus is on protecting what clients have built and positioning them for what comes next.
Mark Tucker, CFA®
Chief Investment Officer
As Chief Investment Officer, Mark is responsible for the research coverage of all sectors in our portfolios as well as the day-to-day oversight and management of trading. He has extensive experience creating and managing equity and total portfolio strategies, in addition to managing taxable assets and developing strategies to minimize taxes with the opportunity to enhance returns.
Mark has over 23 years of investment experience and 19 years of discretionary portfolio management experience. Most recently he managed over $1 billion in high-net-worth client portfolios comprised of individual equities, fixed income securities, exchanged traded funds and mutual funds.
Mark is a holder of the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst® designation, receiving his charter in 2005. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) charter is a designation given to those who have completed the CFA® Program and completed acceptable work experience requirements. The CFA® Program is a three-part exam that tests the fundamentals of investment tools, valuing assets, portfolio management, and wealth planning.
Chuck Bettinger
Portfolio Manager
Chuck serves as a Portfolio Manager and assists in the research of all strategies, trade execution, and ensuring all accounts conform to targeted allocations. He has extensive experience trading domestic equities, international equities, equity options, as well as corporate and municipal fixed income securities.
David Summers, CFA®
Portfolio Manager
David serves as Portfolio Manager, where he develops fixed-income strategies. In this role, he specializes in fixed-income trading and portfolio implementation, as well as high-level analytics, closed-end fund research, and trading. With over 25 years of industry experience, David brings deep knowledge and perspective to his work. Additionally, he has been a featured speaker at numerous conferences, where he shares his expertise and articulates the firm’s strategies to a wide variety of audiences.
Ross Nelson
Portfolio Manager
Ross Nelson serves as a Portfolio Manager. He specializes in fixed-income portfolio implementation and management for many of the firm’s top clients and is a member of the investment committee.
Prior to his current role, Ross was Managing Director and worked in a similar capacity at Raymond James in Atlanta, catering to RIAs in the fixed-income markets. Ross has been in the industry for over 20 years, with prior affiliations at Morgan Keegan & Co. and Register and Akers, among others.
In addition to his work with the group’s RIA clients, Ross has spoken at financial industry conferences and has given fixed-income-related presentations for NAPFA, FPA, Schwab Impact, and TD Ameritrade.
