Larry Bernert, III, CFA

Larry Bernert, III, CFA

Larry is a Senior Managing Director for Clearstead Advisory Solutions, a division of Clearstead. Prior to the April 2024 acquisition of the CAS division, the firm was defined as Wilbanks Smith & Thomas Asset Management, LLC (“WST”), an SEC registered investment adviser headquartered in Norfolk, VA. He joined WST in 1995 and brings three decades of experience advising families, institutions, and nonprofit organizations on investment strategy, portfolio construction, and long-term financial stewardship.

Larry holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is deeply involved in fiduciary oversight for a range of public and private entities. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Virginia Retirement System, Chair of the Investment Committee and Board Member at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, and Trustee of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.

His prior board service includes Chair of the Norfolk Employees Retirement System, Trustee and Investment Committee Chair at Norfolk Academy, and Board Member of the Economic Development Authority of the City of Norfolk.

Larry earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Virginia and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with additional study at Cambridge University.