Principal® Financial Network of Tennessee Valley
The Principal® Financial Network of Tennessee Valley represents Principal® throughout Tennessee and Kentucky with local offices in the Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga areas. With integrity and professionalism, we are dedicated to helping individuals, businesses and their employees achieve financial security and success in our communities.
Our cornerstone
Our clients seek professionals to help guide them in life’s journey towards financial success. We believe that above all else, human beings value and need personal relationships. This is our cornerstone: Meaningful client/advisor relationships. Our experience has shown us that those best positioned for financial success often work with a dedicated, financial professional, a friend, who sometimes becomes a ballast in the midst of the inevitable storms that come with the journey.
See our office locations & financial professionals
We can help you find a local financial professional to discuss your financial needs. See a list of financial professionals in Tennessee Valley to contact one directly. Or, email Karla Johnson or give her a call at 615-651-7936.
Are you a financial professional and want to work with us? We’ll provide you a professional, supportive environment to build your knowledge and skills. Learn more about what it’s like to work with us and meet our management team.
Our community involvement and events
Karla Davis Johnson, Associate Managing Director based in Brentwood, TN performed at Alive at the Bluebird - a benefit concert held at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, TN to raise money for Alive Hospice. Karla joined other talented signer/songwriters from Nashville for this concert series. Proceeds support Alive’s community services: Grief support, financial assistance for patients when insurance doesn’t cover everything, education for families and professionals, grief camps for kids, and more.
Pictured: Anna-Gene O'Neil - President and CEO of Alive Hospice, Gordon Kennedy, Danny Flowers, Pete Wasner, and Karla Davis
Our alliances & associations
- Autism Tennessee Society of Middle Tennessee
- Boys and Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains, TN
- Brentwood YMCA, TN
- Brightstone
- Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, TN
- Feed America First
- Habitat for Humanity
- Junior Achievement
- Kiwanis Club of Sevierville, TN
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
- Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic
- Nashville Chamber of Commerce, TN
- Nashville Chapter Society of Financial Service Professionals, TN
- Oakland Chamber of Commerce, Oakland, TN
- Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Richmond, KY
Do you want to make a difference and help others solve problems? We do too. That’s why we want to talk to you about your future with Principal. Whether you’re just getting started or ready to move your business in a new direction, we’ve got your back.
An inclusive culture and tools to build your career
The one thing we have in common is that each of us is different. That’s why we seek diversity in the people we hire. Our inclusion extends to the way we do business with a flexible work culture. That may mean you want to focus on a specific market, be a solo practitioner or join a team. No matter what you choose, we’re here to give you the right tools to build your confidence and help you succeed.
Meet the management team
Now that you know a little about us, we’d like to tell you about the amazing folks you’ll be working with.
Shawn Will - Senior Regional Managing Director

"I’m committed to helping our representative determine what financial success looks like, and helping them achieve it." As a former financial professional and managing partner, Shawn brings over 16 years of industry experience to his role here at Principal. He is an active member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and the General Agency Management Association (GAMA).
Contact information
919-755-8688
will.shawn@principal.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Eric Howell ChFC® - Senior Managing Director
Eric brings over 32 years of diverse industry experience to our organization. His team focuses on building a culture of authentic relationships. Eric believes unequivocally that clients understand the value of relationship and seek trusted financial professionals who will guide them in their individual journey toward success. He and his team meet the diverse needs of individuals, professionals, and small to mid-size businesses.
Eric is a native of east Tennessee and a graduate of University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Business Administration. He currently resides in Franklin, TN.
Contact information
615-651-7928
howell.eric@principal.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Karla Johnson - Managing Director

As part of the management team, Karla supports the growth and development of our team. Karla’s innate ability to form strong connections has contributed to our vibrant culture of heartfelt relationships, where her team focuses on helping people, whether they be financial professionals looking to build their practices, or clients looking for an experienced and dependable professional on their financial journey.
Karla’s role focuses on the education and motivation of both new and experienced financial professionals; she believes strongly in helping individuals achieve their retirement dreams and businesses realize their financial goals. Karla is passionate about empowering women to become financially stable and absolutely loves what she does—“I am genuinely excited waking up each day with the ability to impact some’s life.”
Contact information
615-651-7936
johnson.karla@principal.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Kira Deck FLMI, MBA - Senior New Business Consultant
Kira is responsible for consulting and managing new business case design and submission. She partners with financial professionals and their teams, along with our corporate product partners, to ensure cases are submitted accurately so they can be processed on time and in alignment with product area processes.
Contact information
615-651-7910
deck.kira@principal.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Nicole Hathaway - Senior Business Development Consultant

Nicole partners with the management team and representatives to implement strategies to expand their marketing, branding, and business development efforts at both the representative and regional office level.
Contact information
919-755-8680
hathaway.nicole@principal.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Laura Sperduto - Site Coordinator

The site coordinator is the glue that keeps our offices running smoothly. Along with the entire staff, Laura is a problem solver who makes sure your accounts are set up properly and your questions answered in a timely manner.
Contact information
615-615-7925
sperduto.laura@principal.com
Melody Travick - Candidate Experience Consultant

Melody joined Principal in May 2008 and has a myriad of experience in providing representative sales support, marketing experience, recruiting and HR support. She specializes in candidate experience and delivering quality recruiting/selection assistance. Melody earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Georgia State University.
Melody is an avid baseball mom, spending the bulk of her free time at baseball fields near and far. She enjoys spending time her with family and friends cheering for their favorite Georgia sports teams. Go Dawgs, Falcons, Hawks, Atlanta United, and Chop On Braves!
Contact information
770-250-7605
travick.melody@principal.com
Interested in meeting with a financial professional near you? Great! Check the list below to see who’s available in your area and learn more.
Indiana office
Clarksville office
1444 Horn Street, Suite 102
Clarksville, IN 47129
812-206-7105
Directions to the Clarksville office
Bryce Gartman bryce@marcumbenefit.com 812-206-7105 Website | Connie Marcum connie@marcumbenefit.com 812-206-7105 Website |
Kentucky office
Hopkinsville office
1100 English Oak Ct.
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
270-889-5678
Directions to the Hopkinsville office
Walter "Wally" Lyon lyon.walter@principal.com 270-889-5678 |
Richmond office
104 Sunset Ave.
Richmond, KY 40475
859-623-1413
Directions to the Richmond office
J. Mike Sills sills.mike@principal.com 859-623-1413 Connect with me on LinkedIn |
Tennessee offices
Arlington office
60 Devonshire Cove
Arlington, TN 38002
901-619-9822
Directions to the Arlington office
Jonathan Lafferty lafferty.jonathan@principal.com 901-619-9822 |
Brentwood offices
6931 Nolensville Road
Brentwood, TN 37027
615-283-5205
Directions to this Brentwood office
Toby Florek toby@ruggerfinancial.com 916-462-9001 Connect with me on LinkedIn |
155 Franklin Road, Suite 100
Brentwood, TN 37027
615-377-6780
Directions to this Brentwood office
Corey Carney carney.corey@principal.com 615-651-7914 Connect with me on LinkedIn | Kayla Massey Kayla@freedomplanningpartners.com 423-696-9234 |
Austin Carter, CLU®, ChFC®, REBC, RHU, LUTCF carter.austin@principal.com 615-651-7926 | Jeff P. McNaney, AIF® mcnaney.jeff@principal.com 916-462-9001 Website |
Bobby Christian christian.bobby@principal.com 615-500-3717 Connect with me on LinkedIn | Matt Pevahouse pevahouse.matt@principal.com 615-651-7927 Connect with me on LinkedIn |
Tommy Frasier frasier.tommy@principal.com 615-651-7914 Connect with me on LinkedIn | Cynthia “Cindy” Pillard pillard.cindy@principal.com 615-651-7917 |
David T. Howell, CFP®, ChSNC, ChFC®, CLU®, AIF® howell.david@principal.com 615-651-7915 Website | David Whaley, RICP® whaley.david@principal.com 916-462-9001 Connect with me on LinkedIn |
Eric S. Howell, ChFC® howell.eric@principal.com 615-651-7928 Connect with me on LinkedIn |
Chattanooga
2311 Ashford Drive
Chattanooga, TN 47421
423-413-2934
Directions to the Chattanooga office
Sheila Brooks brooks.sheila@principal.com 423-413-2934 |
Collierville office
140 S Main Street, Suite 4
Collierville, TN 38017
901-483-0851
Directions to the Collierville office
Don Krag krag.don@principal.com 901-312-3902 |
Cookeville office
418 E. Broad Street, Suite 1 A
Cookeville, TN 38501
423-424-4185
Directions to the Cookeville office
Blake Rice rice.blake@principal.com 423-424-4185 Connect with me on LinkedIn |
Franklin office
104 Breckenridge Road, Suite B
Franklin, TN 37067
615-337-8800
Directions to the Franklin office
Dottie Northam, AIF® northam.dottie@principal.com 615-337-8800 |
Germantown office
1922 Exeter Road #2
Germantown, TN 38138
901-326-9986
Directions to the Germantown office
Jared Roaten roaten.jared@principal.com 901-326-9986 Connect with me on LinkedIn |
Greenville office
1104 Tusculum Blvd.
Greenville, TN 37745
423-638-2761
Directions to the Greenville office
Robert "Bob" Howell howell.robert@principal.com 423-638-2761 |
Knoxville office
8113 Laurel Falls Lane
Knoxville, TN 37931
865-850-3098
Directions to this Knoxville office
Jay Brock jay.brock@risknoxville.com 865-850-3098 Website |
Memphis office
6784 Sunburst Cove
Memphis, TN 38119
901-326-6571
Directions to the Memphis office
David Lookadoo lookadoo.david@principal.com 901-312-3916 Connect with me on LinkedIn |
Oakland office
55 Northern Leaf Drive
Oakland, TN 38060
901-312-3914
Directions to the Oakland office
Gerald A. Nelson nelson.gerald@principal.com 901-312-3914 Connect with me on LinkedIn |
Signal Mountain
4702 Taft Hwy.
Signal Mt., TN 37377
866-609-9074
Directions to the Signal Mountain office
Travis R. Poole, CFP® travis@poolewealth.com 423-413-4781 Website |
The financial professionals of the Principal® Financial Network of Tennessee Valley are licensed in AK, AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NC, NH, NY, OH, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, and WI to offer insurance products, life insurance (including variable life), annuities (including variable annuities), securities and investment advice.
This site is not a solicitation of interest in any of these products in any other state. The member companies of the Principal Financial Group neither endorses, explicitly or impliedly, any of the third party entities.
Insurance products from the Principal Financial Group® are issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co. (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Co. Securities and advisory products offered through Principal Securities, Inc., 800-247-1737, member SIPC. Principal National, Principal Life, and Principal Securities are members of the Principal Financial Group, Des Moines, IA 50392.
* Non-securities registered; insurance licensed financial professional
Important Consumer Information: Financial Professionals of Principal Securities who are part of the Principal® Financial Network of Tennessee Valley may only transact business in a particular state after licensure or satisfying qualifications requirements of that state, or only if he or she is excluded or exempted from the state's registration requirements. Follow-up, individualized responses to consumers in a particular state by any of the Financial Professionals of Principal Securities that involve either the effecting or attempting to effect transactions in securities or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, as the case may be, shall not be made without first complying with the state's requirements, or pursuant to an applicable state exemption or exclusion. For information concerning the licensure status or disciplinary history of a broker-dealer, investment adviser, BD agent or IA representative or any financial institution he or she represents, contact your state securities law administrator.
The Financial Professionals of Principal Securities are licensed in a number of states to offer insurance products, and life insurance (including variable life), annuities (including variable annuities), and are securities and advisory registered in a number of states This site is not a solicitation of interest in any of these products in any other state.
Principal Life maintains certificates of authority to transact insurance in all 50 states. Principal Life NAIC identification number is 61271. Principal National NAIC identification number 71161.