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Auctus

/au̯k.tus/: To Grow

                              

   





Growing Trust, Growing Wealth, Growing Legacies


                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   





Our Difference

FIDUCIARY

As an independent, employee-owned Registered Investment Advisor, we are committed to acting in our clients’ best interests through a fiduciary standard of care. We believe thoughtful wealth management begins with aligning financial strategies to each client’s long-term objectives and lifestyle needs.

Concierge APPROACH

As an independent firm, and through our relationship with Charles Schwab Corporation, we combine the scale, stability, and capabilities of a global financial institution with the focus and agility of a boutique advisory firm. This combination allows us to deliver institutional-caliber resources alongside the personalized attention and strategic guidance our clients value most. We are equipped to handle extraordinary complexity while still delivering intimate, highly personalized service.

EXCLUSIVE RESOURCES

We utilize institutional-caliber investment research and advanced technology, supported by an extensive network of strategic partners. This enables us to deliver thoughtful, tailored guidance designed to address the complex financial needs of our clients.




Our Process

AUCTUS INDEPENDENCE

We provide tailored advisory services focused on helping clients pursue and maintain long-term financial independence. The Auctus Independence approach includes balance sheet management, cash flow planning, customized portfolio management, philanthropic planning, and generational wealth transfer strategies.  




AUCTUS INVESTMENTS

Through rigorous analysis and due diligence, we construct customized portfolios aligned with each client’s long-term objectives. Our investment process combines extensive industry experience with a disciplined approach to portfolio management, tax-efficient investing, and risk oversight. Where appropriate, we incorporate alternative investment strategies, including private assets and hedge fund solutions, to support broader portfolio diversification and long-term planning objectives.


Our Clients

Entrepreneurs

As a privately held firm, we share the entrepreneurial perspective that shapes many of our client relationships. We advise owners of privately held businesses on the financial complexities that often accompany entrepreneurial success, including liquidity events, succession planning, concentrated equity management, tax-aware investment strategies, philanthropic planning, executive compensation structures, and multigenerational wealth transfer planning.

C-Level Executives

We advise senior executives and corporate leaders on the financial complexities that often accompany executive leadership, substantial earned income, and concentrated wealth positions. Our experience includes executive compensation analysis, equity-based compensation planning, deferred compensation strategies, and tax-aware portfolio construction. We work closely with clients and their outside professionals to coordinate sophisticated financial strategies aligned with their long-term objectives.

Professional Athletes

We provide a highly customized, family office-style approach designed to address the complex financial needs of professional athletes and their families. Our experience includes investment oversight, cash flow coordination, tax-aware planning, philanthropic strategies, business and endorsement consulting, and multigenerational wealth planning. We work closely with each client’s professional team to help coordinate sophisticated financial strategies that support both current priorities and long-term legacy objectives.


Auctus Family Office

For clients with significant assets under advisement and complex financial lives, Auctus Family Office provides an integrated advisory experience focused on sophisticated planning, wealth preservation, and family continuity.

Learn More   >


Select client relationships may be served through Auctus Family Office, our integrated advisory platform for families with significant planning, investment, and legacy considerations.

Leadership

David B. Miller, AIF® Photo

David B. Miller, AIF®

Managing Partner
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David B. Miller, AIF®

Managing Partner


Dmiller@auctusadvisors.com
704.533.9881

As the founder and Managing Partner of Auctus Advisors LLC, Mr. Miller maintains overall responsibility for all client outcomes.  With over 20 years of experience in financial services he has spent his entire career assisting clients manage exceptional wealth.  

Mr. Miller began his career as an analyst with an investment management firm in Washington DC where he researched and analyzed portfolio holdings.  In 2005, he joined Northwestern Mutual and a d/b/a of the firm, Powell Financial, that he later helped take private in 2007.  He spent 9 years as a partner at Powell Financial Inc. where he oversaw the firm’s planning and investment process.  In 2015, he became Managing Director of MBL Advisors, A McColl Bros. Lockwood Company , where he led the wealth management practice.

In 2018, based on the desire to be a fee-only investment firm, focusing on a multi-family office concierge approach, Mr. Miller founded Auctus Advisors and amicably spun out his wealth management practice, retaining key members of his team.   

Mr. Miller earned his B.A. degree from Pfeiffer University; attending on a 4 year soccer scholarship. He then earned his M.B.A in Finance from East Carolina’s College of Business.  Mr. Miller also holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary designation issued by the Center of Fiduciary Studies, as well as his Series 65 and Life, Health and Long Term Care license.


Professional Honors

Board of Trustees, Current Chair of Investment Committee-- Pfeiffer University (2018-Present)
Board Of Governor’s, Chair of Finance Committee-- Charlotte City Club (2018-2020)
Advisors with Heart-- Wealthmanagement.com (2014)
Forty under 40-- Charlotte Business Journal (2015)
Presidential Merit Award-- Pfeiffer University (2015)
Forbes Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors- (2018, 2020, 2021)
Forbes Next-Gen Best-in-State Wealth Advisors (2019)
Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)
Natixis Advisor Council (2024-Present)





Mallen U. Bruggeman Photo

Mallen U. Bruggeman

Director
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Mallen U. Bruggeman

Director

Mbruggeman@auctusadvisors.com
704.533.9882

As the Director of Operations at Auctus Advisors, Ms. Bruggeman serves as the dynamic center of the firm, ensuring the daily operations are executed to Auctus's exceptional standards.  She also serves as the firms Assistant Compliance Officer and coordinates with the firms Chief Compliance Officer and securities attorney to ensure an ongoing culture of compliance at the firm.   Ms. Bruggeman has been with Auctus since its inception in 2018 and has over a decade of experience in financial services.

Ms. Bruggeman has a comprehensive background in investment management and operations starting her career at Spartan Capital Advisors, a long/short equity hedge fund in Charlotte, NC where she led the firm’s operations and client service team. After Spartan Capital, Ms. Bruggeman joined MBL Advisors, A McColl Bros. Lockwood Company, where she directly supported Mr. Miller by leading the wealth management client service team. She assisted in the spin out of Auctus Advisors LLC into a Registered Investment Advisor.

Ms. Bruggeman earned her B.A. degree from The College of Charleston Honors College, graduating Summa Cum Laude and attending on a full academic scholarship. Ms. Bruggeman also holds her Series 65 and Life and Health license. 


Professional Honors:

Economic Development Committee- Pelican Rapids, MN
Friends of the Library- Pelican Rapids, MN
Girl Scouts-Troop Leader 20601



Trina C. Snuggs Photo

Trina C. Snuggs

Director
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Trina C. Snuggs

Director


Tsnuggs@auctusadvisors.com
704.533.9884

As the Director of Client Service at Auctus Advisors, Ms. Snuggs is responsible for the white glove client service experience.  She designs and implements our client service protocol ensuring our clients feel like family.  She also serves as the Executive Assistant and direct support to Mr. Miller in all executive functions to ensure efficiency for both clients and the firm.  She has been with Auctus for over 7 years.

Ms. Snuggs has close to 30 years of experience in financial services and executive administration.  She previously served as the executive assistant to the CFO of a national retailer and then as office and client relationship manager at Powell Financial, a local Registered Investment Advisor.   While at Powell Financial Ms. Snuggs supported Mr. Miller as a part of his client service team.  Most recently, Ms. Snuggs served as a  manager at Wells Fargo before joining Auctus in her Director role. 

Ms. Snuggs earned her A.S. degree in Accounting from Kings College.

Professional Honors

Public Notary- North Carolina

Our team has been recognized with the following honors

Forbes
Best-in-State Wealth Advisors 

2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021


The Charlotte Observer
Charlottes Best Wealth Management


USA Today

Advisor Hub


Click Here for Award Disclosures


*Auctus did not provide compensation in connection with obtaining or using the ratings shown



Growing Through PHILANTHROPY

As the Charitable arm of Auctus Advisors, #AuctusGives seeks to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. Through #AuctusGives, Auctus Advisors strives to donate a percentage of its corporate profits to charitable initiatives nominated and suggested by its client base. Because Auctus has clients all over the world, this initiative can include local, national and global charities. Each year #AuctusGives selects one of the nominated charities for its Birthday Card Campaign which seeks to raise awareness and provide monetary support to the chosen charity.



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