Waverly Advisors
Partner, Wealth Advisor
CIMAยฎ

Cliff Draughn

Cliff has been with Waverly Advisors since July 2022, when BT Wealth Management merged with the firm. Cliff joined BT Wealth Management in 2015 from Excelsia Investment Advisors, a firm he founded in 2003. He is responsible for managing client portfolios, participates in the asset allocation and investment decisions and assists clients in achieving their investment goals.

Cliff brings thirty-four years of investment experience to the firm and clients alike. Prior to Waverly Advisors & BT Wealth Management, Cliff began his career with Dean Witter in 1981 and moved his financial practice to The Robinson Humphrey Co., Inc. in 1987. Smith Barney acquired Robinson-Humphrey and Cliff left Smith Barney in 2003 to establish Excelsia, an independent investment advisory firm.

Cliff received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1981 from the University of North Carolina Chapel-Hill. Cliff obtained the Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMAยฎ) designation from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1999.

Cliff and his family have lived in Savannah for the past 30 years. He has served as a member of the Savannah Music Festival Board, the St. Peters Episcopal Church Vestry, and The Landingโ€™s Club Board.

Areas of Expertise

The framework is organized intoย six primary pillars, each with detailed sub-specialties that advisors can select as self-identified areas of expertise.ย 

Investment strategy & portfolio management

Comprehensive investment oversight across public and private markets.

Wealth Planning & Strategy

Holistic financial planning and multi-generational wealth stewardship.

Private Markets & Alternative Investments

Access to private equity, private credit, real estate, and real assets.

Family Enterprise & Business Advisory

Business transition, succession planning, and family governance.

Tax, Estate & Legacy Planning

Tax optimization, estate structuring, and multigenerational legacy design.

Specialized Clients Needs

Customized solutions for unique life events and complex situations

Serving with Purpose

A Culture of Connection

Waverly takes its name from a meadow of quaking aspen trees, an ecosystem where individual trees are connected by a shared root system. Since 1999, that idea has inspired our firm: strong relationships, shared values, and the belief that we are better together.

Comprehensive Wealth Management, Connected by Design

Like an aspen grove, every part of a clientโ€™s financial life is interconnected. As an independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), we bring together investment management, financial planning, tax strategy, trust and estate planning, and family office services to create coordinated solutions that simplify complexity and support long-term success.

A Culture Rooted in Service

Our culture of stewardship is guided by Integrity, Family, Grace, Team, Drive, Empathy, and Community. These values shape every client relationship, every decision, and every interaction. They are the foundation that keeps our people connected and ensures a consistent, high-touch experience across the firm.

The Difference Is Our People

While many firms offer financial advice, our greatest differentiator is our people. Waverlyโ€™s advisors, planners, investment professionals, tax specialists, and support teams work together to deliver thoughtful guidance and personalized solutions. It is this collaborative approach, and our commitment to serving clients with excellence and care, that transforms financial advice into lasting relationships.

Education

  • Bachelor of Science
    University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
  • Executive MBA
    Wharton School of Business

Community Involvement

  • St. Peter’s Episcopal Vestry, 1993-1998
  • Savannah Music Festival Board, 2003-2014

Ask Me About

  • Retirement Planning
  • Investment Management
  • Cropping tobacco at age 6
  • Quail hunting