About Us
Strength. Efficiency. Integrity.
With every client, our focus is the same: to ensure that their plans are built to last. We begin by helping them chart out their vision, then coordinate the project of optimizing their financial lives. The strength of our team is derived from four decades of combined experience and the vast resources available through Baird and our extended network. Our efficiency applies to the speed with which we help clients accomplish their objectives, as well as our tax-aware approach to investing and financial planning. Our integrity is the cornerstone of our practice: we treat others the way we would want to be treated, placing the interests of our clients ahead of our own.
Beau Burns, CFP®, CPWA®
Director | Family Wealth Advisor
Beau began his career in wealth management at Baird in 2014. He is a proud graduate of Wake Forest University, where he majored in English and minored in French and Film Studies. Beau also earned a Master of Arts in Education at WFU, making him a Double Deac.
Beau's focus is helping successful families navigate the challenges and complexities that accompany significant wealth. This involves planning in a number of areas, including investments, tax, legacy, and family dynamics. Often, the need for this kind of advanced planning stems from the sale of a privately-held business, an inheritance, or lucrative equity compensation. Beau takes a highly consultative approach to his practice, working closely with clients and coordinating services with subject matter experts.
Beau earned his CFP® certification in 2017 and his CPWA® certification in 2022. He also holds a Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning through the College for Financial Planning. His research on retirement planning has been featured in The Journal of Financial Service Professionals, and he regularly publishes articles on his blog, Beau Knows. He previously served as President of the Estate Planning Council of Winston-Salem.
Outside of work, Beau spends most of his time with his beautiful wife and three children. Not one to sit in front of a screen any more than he has to, Beau enjoys reading, running, climbing, and contemplating life's big questions.
J. Gillette Burns, CFP®, CPWA®
Managing Director | Family Wealth Advisor
Gillette grew up in Houston and graduated from Baylor University in 1984 with a BBA in Accounting and Finance. He began his career in public and private accounting, and later, served as the CFO of a privately-owned manufacturing company in Del Rio, TX. Gillette decided to pursue a lifelong calling when, in 1999, he became a financial advisor.
Gillette gained his CFP® certification in 2001 and his CPWA® certification in 2018, and for the better part of two decades he has dedicated himself to helping people navigate their financial futures. He considers it a privilege to be counted upon as a trusted source of advice by his clients, many of whom he has come to know as dear friends.
Within the community, Gillette previously served as chairman of the board for HeartGift Houston, a nonprofit that provides life-saving heart surgery to children from around the world who don't have access to specialized medical treatment. He is also a proud supporter of several art museums and non-profit organizations in Taos, NM, whose work promotes awareness and appreciation of local artists in Taos and Northern New Mexico.
After spending most of their lives in Texas, and, more recently, New Mexico, Gillette and his wife Molly now split their time between Florida and North Carolina. They have three adult children, four wonderful grandchildren, and two Golden Retrievers. Gillette's favorite activities include golf, fishing, and exploring the great outdoors.
Morgan Ford
Client Assistant
Morgan joined the team at Baird in 2025, when he returned to the wealth management industry after a brief exploration into architecture and urban planning. He previously served as an Associate Financial Planner at EM Ford and as an Institutional Associate at WealthSouth, where he gained experience across a wide array of wealth management and financial planning initiatives.
Morgan attended the University of Kentucky, where he majored in Finance. He later earned graduate degrees in Planning and Architecture at the University of New Orleans.
Outside of work, Morgan enjoys staying active through outdoor sports, trying his hand at new art mediums, and cheering for University of Kentucky athletics.
Teresa Ramos
Client Assistant
Teresa joined the team at Baird in 2025. She is a graduate of Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, where she majored in Business Management. Teresa also earned an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and completed the Cooperative Urban Teaching Program at Milwaukee Area Technical College.
Teresa has worked in financial services for over 19 years, including banking and various roles in the securities industry.
Teresa is a proud mother of five daughters and nine grandchildren. Her favorite hobbies include cooking, Latin dancing, swimming, and traveling.