Rooted in Rocky Mount, Serving North Carolina
& Beyond with Care
A Legacy of Trust and Proven Investment Strategies
Rocky Mount Mills, Rocky Mount, NC
Our Story Begins with Clarity—and a Commitment to Do What’s Right
Founded in 2013, Emerald Asset Management was built on a simple goal: to deliver research-driven investment management and personalized financial guidance—with integrity at the core. As a boutique firm based in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, we serve successful individuals, families, and business owners from the Triangle to the coast and beyond.
Our name reflects who we are. The emerald—North Carolina’s state gemstone—stands for clarity and enduring value. Those same qualities are the foundation of our disciplined approach to wealth management.
Fiduciary First:
Your Interests Always Come First
As a Registered Investment Advisor, we’re held to the highest legal and ethical standards in the industry. As fiduciaries,
we’re legally bound to act in your best interest—always.
We believe that transparency, objectivity, and independence aren’t just ideals—they’re essentials. That’s why we follow the CFA Institute’s Statement of Investor Rights, a global framework that outlines what every investor has the right to expect.
As our client, you have the right to:
Honest, independent advice
Clear, accurate, and timely reporting
Confidential handling of your personal information
Full transparency around fees and potential conflicts
Guidance tailored to your goals
Meet the Team Behind the Strategy
Our Team
James Tharin, CFA – President & Chief Investment Officer
James brings more than 30 years of investment management experience and broad knowledge across both fundamental and technical analysis. His specialty is building customized portfolios of individual stocks and bonds, thoughtfully tailored to each client’s goals and risk tolerance.
Before founding Emerald, James spent 22 years serving clients at A.G. Edwards and Wells Fargo Advisors. A proud Rocky Mount native, he’s deeply involved in the community and has held leadership roles with the CFA Society North Carolina, as well as several local nonprofits and civic boards.
With over 15 years in the investment industry, Tyler specializes in portfolio construction, asset management, and financial planning for successful individuals and institutions. His background includes leadership roles at First Citizens Bank, Guggenheim Investments, CAPTRUST, and Goldman Sachs.
Drawn to Emerald Asset Management for its community focus and independent structure, Tyler is passionate about educating clients and helping them make empowered financial decisions. He lives in Rocky Mount with his family and actively supports early childhood development initiatives through local nonprofits.
Tyler Gupton – Vice President, Head of Financial Planning & Institutional Asset Management
Phoebe brings over eight years of customer service experience to EAM, with a background that spans both restaurant management and property management. In her previous roles, she excelled at supporting managers and teams by organizing offices, streamlining workflows, and creating order out of chaos. Her ability to step in, clean up processes, and keep things running smoothly has made her a trusted partner everywhere she’s worked.
A Georgia native who has spent most of her life in North Carolina, Phoebe enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog, Dakota. As a Marine Corps spouse for the past three years, she’s learned the art of balancing life, career, and relationships while adapting to new challenges - skills that naturally carry into her professional life. In her free time, she loves reading and hiking local trails with her family.
Phoebe Foust – Client Service Specialist
After a rewarding 31-year career as an educator, Lisa Tyndall transitioned into the operational side of education, where she worked in the business office supporting school operations and financial processes. Her passion for organization, problem-solving, and serving others ultimately led her to the financial services industry.
Today, Lisa serves as an Administrative and Operations Assistant, where she enjoys helping clients and supporting the firm's day-to-day operations with efficiency, accuracy, and care. Her background in education has given her valuable communication, organizational, and customer service skills that help her provide outstanding support to both clients and colleagues.
Originally from Rocky Mount, Lisa now lives in Nashville with her husband. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family and her beloved dog, Sammy.
Lisa Tyndall - Administrative and Operations Assistant
What Sets Emerald Apart
Deep roots and strong relationships across Eastern North Carolina
A long-term mindset focused on people, not transactions
In-house investment management
Customized asset allocation built for you, grounded in research
Transparent fee structure, no commissions ever