Since our founding in 2009 by JoePat Roop, Belmont Capital Advisors has grown as an independent firm with solutions ranging from wealth management to retirement planning. In many ways, working with individual investors truly reflects the heart of our firm. This is because we are an organization built on relationships – close, long-term relationships cemented over generations by a spirit of trust, integrity, and transparency. It is also because, like you, we are investors ourselves. We share your aspirations for safeguarding, enhancing, and passing on a legacy of financial security built over a lifetime of hard work.
Our Belmont and Charlotte financial advisors share the values that have built Belmont Capital Advisors. They appreciate that our name is not merely a brand. It is a living legacy that represents a commitment to delivering excellence to our clients. They recognize that entrusting your wealth to an investment firm is one of the most difficult and important decisions you will make. As investors ourselves, we understand this. As investment professionals, we are dedicated to ensuring that your faith in Belmont Capital Advisors is rewarded year after year, from generation to generation.
At Belmont Capital, we believe in meeting people where they are. We start by listening — really listening — because understanding your story matters. We take time to explain things clearly, so you feel confident, not confused. We bring our experience and knowledge to the table, not to impress, but to help you make the best financial decisions for your life and your retirement. And as members of this community, we’re committed to making a difference — one family, one future at a time.
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Since his start in the industry, JoePat has specialized in financial strategies while prioritizing strong, personal relationships with his clients. He takes pride in helping individuals secure their financial future, offering a personalized approach that prioritizes their unique goals and concerns. His deep understanding of market trends and tax considerations ensures his clients stay informed and confident in their investments.
With over 30 years of experience, JoePat has witnessed significant shifts in the financial landscape and uses his expertise to help clients navigate them with confidence. In 2013, he was voted Best Financial Advisor in the Gaston Gazette’sBest of Gaston and has received multiple industry accolades. He lives in Belmont, North Carolina, with his wife, Gail, and their two children, Henry and Alex.
Raised in rural New England and educated at Springfield College, Shaun moved to North Carolina over 20 years ago. An industry veteran with over 14 years’ experience, Shaun approaches every client interaction as an educational opportunity, recognizing that every economic and life situation is unique.
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“I love being a resource for clients and building relationships with them. For a lot of people, the world of finance, investing, taxes, estate planning, and retirement planning can be confusing, so there is a big opportunity in this industry to be a resource and an educator. There are also a lot of different types of advisors and firms, many of which do not put clients’ needs first or focus on comprehensive planning. Considering this lack of financial education, quality firms, and advisors, there’s a huge opportunity to help people. This is what gets me out of bed in the morning—it’s my ‘why’.”
Financial advisor
Karen Holland, a registered investment advisor and Certified Financial Educator, has provided financial advice, wealth management, and insurance services for over 20 years. After graduating from Florida State University, Karen worked as an account executive for firms such as BB&T, SouthTrust Securities, and First Charter Bank in Maryland.
Her passion for teaching financial wellness to adult learners and employees led her to become a Certified Financial Educator with the nationally recognized and esteemed Heartland Institute. In 2009, she joined Hobart Financial Group as a Senior Wealth Advisor. Since then, she has been committed to the individual success and preservation of each client’s wealth management strategy.
Karen’s personal goal as a financial advisor is to build relationships based on trust, integrity, and genuine enthusiasm for meeting her clients’ goals. She prides herself on her ability to educate clients in a way that empowers them to take charge of their financial lives. Family is super important to Karen, and she loves spending time with her new grandson.
Operations Specialist
Carla Helms graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Campbell University in 1990 and began her investment career with Merrill Lynch. For the next 19 years, through hard work, dedication, and the desire to make a real difference, Carla moved up through the ranks at Merrill Lynch, beginning as a client associate and moving from registered senior associate to client relationship manager to vice president for the Charlotte, North Carolina, and Cincinnati complexes.
In 2009, Carla took a position as operations director for Concentra Medical Center, where she spent the next four years. In June 2014, Carla was offered a position in Operations for Belmont Capital Advisors, where she now feels she can make the difference she was looking for.
Carla lives in Belmont, North Carolina, with her two children: Jacob, 12, and Ashlee, 20. She loves to sing, travel, and get lost in a good book.
Clients Relations Specialist
Kim Lail has been with Belmont Capital Advisors since 2010 and is their customer service and client specialist.
When you call the office to schedule an appointment with any of the advisors, Kim’s is the first voice you hear. She has an amazing ability to remember client names and the names of their family members. It is not unusual to hear her chatting with a client and asking, “How’s that new grandchild?” or “How was your knee surgery?” Kim considers all of our clients to be family, and you can be sure she will direct you to the advisor who best fits your needs. Kim also manages the upcoming workshops and events for each advisor.
Kim lives in Belmont with her husband of 36 years, Charlie. They have two children, Mist and Joseph, and one granddaughter, Rose, who is the love of their lives. Kim has been an active member of South Point Baptist Church for over 30 years. Kim says, “When I am not at the best job a girl could ask for, I love the time spent with my family.”
Bookkeeper
Debra began her career in 1973 working with National Bank of North Carolina. After numerous mergers, it is known as Bank of America today. In the mid-80s she went to work for Pic N Pay Stores in their accounting department in Matthews, NC. She then moved on to work for Freeman White, an architecture and engineering firm, for 10 years. She then joined her former boss, Kim Vanderbilt, at Professional Bookkeeping Solutions to service the bookkeeping needs of small businesses.
She attended a workshop with Joseph Roop in Mooresville, NC, while looking for an opportunity to invest her 401(k) from Freeman White. Through working with JP, she discovered he needed a bookkeeper.
In March 2015 she became Belmont Capital’s bookkeeper working 2 days a week. She continued to work her other 7 small business clients the remainder of the week. Belmont Capital Advisors business grew over the years, and she joined the team full time in 2021. Debra lives on the lake in Mooresville, NC, with her husband Gary. They have 5 kids and 6 grandkids. She loves to spend time at the beach with her family. In her spare time, she loves to read.
Marketing Coordiator
Lexi graduated from High Point University in 2020 with a degree in Sales as well as a degree in Journalism. She began her career right out of school as a sales professional for three years, but didn’t find it super satisfying moving from one prospect to the next.She then became a restaurant supervisor for a Charlotte, North Carolina restaurant, where she quickly learned that she has a server’s heart, a creative mind, and a knack for solving problems.
“Anyone who knows me can tell that my energy thrives from being around people, being able to help others in their day-to-day life, and using my creative mindset to get things done. I’m glad I found a company like Belmont Capital Advisors where I can really get to know and help out our clients.”
Financial PLanner
Alaina’s path to Belmont Capital Advisors has looked a little different than most. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Math and problem solving are the basis of how her mind operates and those core skills have had multiple applications. Through it all, what she was focused on was creating financial security for herself and helping those around her do the same. She believes that we all deserve our version of the American dream. Even though she has begun her journey to become a financial professional, her experience across multiple industries gives her a different and unique perspective.
“The road to financial security begins with a plan. Much of my drive to do this is about educating and empowering people to take control of their financial future. Perhaps I may not change the world, but I will try to move the needle.”
Charlotte, NC has been home since 2011. Alaina loves to travel and has visited many countries and crossed our country RVing coast to coast 4 times with her husband Paul. In her free time, you’ll find her chasing her very energetic daughter Harper in the front yard or out on the lake taking in some rays.
Financial Advisor
“As a Financial Advisor, I understand how hard folks work for their money, and they deserve someone who will work hard for them. My approach is to be honest and candid with our clients so they can have the knowledge in making the right decisions to meet their financial goals.”
Director of Operations
Financial Advisor, CFMA®
Connor comes to Belmont Capital with 11 years of experience in the financial services industry. After graduating from Colby College in Waterville, Maine where he was a student athlete (football), Connor began his career on the insurance and financial planning side of the business with MetLife and MassMutual in Portland, Maine. He then shifted into banking and investments for a few years with Bank of America/Merrill before moving to Dallas, TX to work for Fisher Investments.
Connor then spent two years writing as an authority on high-net-worth investment topics for NerdWallet before moving back into the advisory space and settling in Charlotte, NC. He recently acquired his APMA designation as an Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor to help him better serve the families he works with. Connor’s experience as a writer helps him communicate complex financial topics to clients from all walks of life. “My job as an advisor is first and foremost to help people understand where they currently stand, and educate them on what their options are. From there, I work with my clients to determine the best solutions available for them and their families.”
executive assistant
Melanie Cronin serves as the Executive Assistant to the President of Belmont Capital Advisors, a firm dedicated to helping clients navigate the complexities of retirement and long-term wealth planning, with a career in the financial industry dating back to 2007, Melanie brings a strong background in banking, along with a deep commitment to professionalism and client services.
Melanie Cronin serves as the Executive Assistant to the President of Belmont Capital Advisors, a firm dedicated to helping clients navigate the complexities of retirement and long-term wealth planning, with a career in the financial industry dating back to 2007, Melanie brings a strong background in banking, along with a deep commitment to professionalism and client services.
Melanie Cronin serves as the Executive Assistant to the President of Belmont Capital Advisors, a firm dedicated to helping clients navigate the complexities of retirement and long-term wealth planning, with a career in the financial industry dating back to 2007, Melanie brings a strong background in banking, along with a deep commitment to professionalism and client services.
Operations Specialist
Beth comes to Belmont Capital Advisors with over 17 years of financial operations experience in the Lake Norman area of Charlotte, NC. Born & raised in Jacksonville, FL, Beth graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications & Advertising. Beth brings a high degree of professionalism & integrity to BCA and she looks forward to servicing clients with all related operational tasks.
Beth comes to Belmont Capital Advisors with over 17 years of financial operations experience in the Lake Norman area of Charlotte, NC. Born & raised in Jacksonville, FL, Beth graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications & Advertising. Beth brings a high degree of professionalism & integrity to BCA and she looks forward to servicing clients with all related operational tasks.
Operations Specialist, CFP®
Heather attended Elon University where she studied business administration and economics. Heather began her career in personal finance in an operational role with an Investment Firm. She then moved to a multi family office where she continued her work in operations but had more interaction with clients. Heather enjoys helping clients pursue their financial goals while being a part of a team. After caring for her small children for several years, Heather joined Belmont Capital Advisors in 2025. She looks forward to working on the Belmont Capital Advisors team and assisting clients. She is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™.
Heather lives in Belmont and enjoys spending time with her family. She and her husband have two young children and two dogs. She also enjoys traveling both locally and abroad. Locally Heather loves to travel to the NC mountains where much of her family is from.
Financial advisor
Sarah entered the personal finance industry after graduating from Wake Forest University with her Master’s of Science in Management. Her career choice stems from her passion of pairing her business knowledge with her love of connecting with, understanding, and helping other people. Sarah’s previous experience includes completing an Americiorp’s program with City Year Columbus and managing a team of seven financial advisors at another local firm before jumping at the opportunity to work with Belmont Capital Advisors.
At BCA, Sarah is able to focus on client relationships and service through building and maintaining comprehensive financial plans. Outside of Belmont Capital, you can find Sarah at many of the local parks playing soccer, walking her dog, or just enjoying the outdoors!
service associate