Meet
Hudnall Capital Advisors

Ry Hudnall
Founder
Chief Executive Officer

Shannon French
Chief
Operating Officer

Christian Cordero
Chief
of Staff

Sean Groskoph
Founding Advisor
VP of Sales

Brandon Grimm
Managing Director
Charleston, SC

Danny Cates
Managing Director
Columbia, SC

Blythe Tarleton
Marketing
Coordinator

Rocio Trujillo
Financial
Professional

Steven Diaz
Financial
Professional

Chris Labat
Financial
Advisor

Kelly Coyle
Financial
Professional
Ry is a seasoned leader in the Financial Services industry. Ry has worked in a variety of different roles over his lifetime and began his entrepreneurial journey at age 11 when he started pushing his dad's lawn mower from door to door in his childhood neighborhood and mowing lawns. It was at that young age that he started asking the question "Why not me?".
His strong work ethic carried him through several other "professions", including playing the drums professionally in a touring band for most of his 20s. Needless to say, Ry has experienced what it means to create lasting relationships and place PEOPLE before everything else - in both his business and personal lives.
Most recently, before starting Hudnall Capital Advisors, Ry served as the President and CEO of a large franchise for a well known Fortune 100 Wealth Management firm. He has gained valuable knowledge as a Leader of people and as a Financial Professional himself. Ry and his team at HCA pride themselves on their core values of transparency, culture, and a "people first" approach at any cost.
When not working with other financial professionals and clients, Ry spends time traveling with his family, enjoying new dining experiences, attending concerts with friends, and enjoying sports of all types as both a spectator and participant.
Ry is a Registered Representative and Investment Adviser Representative of Equity Services, Inc. and offers securities in SC. He is also insurance licensed in SC.
With decades of experience in the legal and financial industries, Shannon has a broad range of knowledge regarding compliance and consumer services. A native of Lumberton, North Carolina, she began her journey by attending Appalachian State University after high school, followed by 18 months abroad as an Au Pair in Indonesia.
Upon her return and completion of her degree in Political Science and Paralegal Studies she began her career as a litigation paralegal. She practiced in personal injury, construction litigation, Federal Bankruptcy, Securities and Consumer Fraud, as well as Mass Torts and Multi-District Litigation.
After 22 years in the legal profession, she began her career in Financial Compliance, becoming the Agency Supervisory Officer at MassMutual of South Carolina in Charleston. After two years with MassMutual, she took on the role of Chief Operating Officer, while continuing her work in supervisory compliance.
Shannon is an integral part of the day-to-day operation of HCA as well as overseeing aspects of compliance and service. When she isn't working, carpooling, attending sports games and practices, or entertaining, she enjoys spending time with her husband Brad and their three children, Rawley, Decker, and Noah at their home in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
Christian serves as Chief of Staff at Hudnall Capital Advisors, where he works directly with firm leadership to drive strategy and build the operational infrastructure that supports the firm's growth. He oversees strategic initiatives, cross-office coordination, and the systems that keep the team focused on what matters most—serving clients and expanding the firm's reach.
With more than 15 years of operational experience, Christian's career spans scaling a boutique salon into a thriving multi-location brand and supporting CEOs across multiple industries through periods of rapid growth. In every environment, the pattern has been the same: find what's breaking, build the fix, and make it run without you.
He joined Hudnall Capital Advisors to apply that same discipline to a firm he believes is doing something worth building. A South Florida native who recently made Charleston home, Christian enjoys exploring his new city, traveling, and spending time with his two Shiba Inus, Nala and Nolan.
With a fresh perspective on the financial industry, Sean is committed to building lasting, generational relationships through transparency, clarity, and confidence. A native of Summit, New Jersey, Sean developed a passion for finance early in high school.
Driven by a "sponge mentality," he is dedicated to continuous learning and growth as a young financial professional. He lives by the motto, "An ego will stunt growth," a principle he applies both in sports and in life.
Sean went on to attend the College of Charleston, where he balanced academics and athletics, majoring in Finance with a focus on Entrepreneurship. During his time there, he demonstrated exceptional leadership, serving as Team Captain of the College of Charleston Sailing Program for two years.
At HCA, Sean's mission is to help clients gain confidence regarding their future by addressing the challenges that may keep them up at night. He focuses on creating clear, actionable financial plans tailored to each client's needs.
Sean Groskoph is a Registered Representative and Investment Adviser Representative of Equity Services, Inc. and offers securities in SC. He is also insurance licensed in SC.
With more than 25 years of experience in financial services, Brandon Grimm has built his career on helping people and teams reach their full potential. He has held positions such as a Brokerage Director, Agency Manager, and Managing Partner. Brandon leads with a focus on growth, collaboration, and long-term success—both for his clients and the professionals he mentors.
Brandon began his professional journey outside of finance—as a teaching tennis professional. The lessons he learned on the court about discipline, focus, and teamwork continue to shape the way he approaches leadership and business today.
A proud graduate of the College of Charleston, Brandon holds licenses in Life Accident and Health Insurance, Property and Casualty Insurance, and FINRA Series 6,7, 24, 63, and 66.
When he's not working with clients or supporting his team, you can usually find Brandon on the tennis court, out on the golf course, or staying active with a good workout.
Brandon Grimm is a Registered Representative and Investment Adviser Representative of Equity Services, Inc. and offers securities in SC. He is also insurance licensed in SC.
A financial professional for the last 10 years, Ms. Trujillo came into the field in the most unconventional way. This being her 2nd career, the first being in the NY radio and entertainment industry for a decade prior, it was a leap of faith that compelled her to go from public red carpets to private home kitchens.
Her WHY is mission driven. It's the opportunity of creating income with an impact! With over 500 clients, she helps individuals, families and business owners design their unique financial success stories. Her approach to working with clients is architectural.
By addressing the needs of now and working as a team, clients will be able to build their own legacies on solid foundations, that will last for generations to come! By utilizing custom tailored strategies with a major focus on transparency and efficiency, Ms. Trujillo is who you want to call your "Legacy Architect".
Ms. Trujillo is currently insurance licensed to work with clients in: NY, NJ, CT, PA, MD, VA, DC, TX, CA, IN. Due to demand, expansion to more states will be announced here shortly.
Steven's journey began after immigrating to the United States and serving his country, earning him the Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon. Through this service, Steven was able to earn his U.S. citizenship.
With a degree in business administration from the University of South Carolina, Steven mentors fellow veterans and guides them in transitioning to civilian life. This experience led him to become a dedicated financial professional with years of experience, leveraging his training as a Marine Corps veteran.
As a bilingual speaker of Spanish, Steven connects with diverse clients, helping to ensure effective communication and support. He lives in Columbia, South Carolina, with his wife, Laura, and their two children, Thomas and Rosie.
Steven joined Ry and his team as a founding member at Hudnall Capital Advisors, sharing a passion for bringing a refreshing and unique approachs to financial strategies.
Steven is insurance licensed in SC.
With a disciplined and forward-thinking approach to financial strategies, Chris Labat focuses on helping individuals and business owners make confident, well-informed decisions about their financial futures. Originally from Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, Chris developed an early appreciation for long-term thinking and the role a thoughtful strategy plays in creating opportunity.
Chris attended the University of Mississippi, where his interest in finance, strategy, and personal development continued to take shape. He brings a structured, intentional mindset to his work and maintains a strong commitment to continuous learning, believing that staying curious and adaptable is essential in an ever-changing financial landscape.
Chris works closely with clients to develop clear, actionable financial strategies in a tax-efficient manner. His approach prioritizes transparency, sound strategy, and consistent communication, with the goal of helping clients reduce uncertainty and make decisions aligned with their long-term objectives.
Chris is insurance licensed in SC.
Danny Cates grew up in Irmo, SC and went on to play soccer at the University of South Carolina. During his time there, he started all 4 years and was captain his senior year. Danny helped lead the team to several conference championships and competed in the NCAA tournament.
While Danny loves to serve clients and help develop advisors to become successful, he has continued to be a coach outside of the industry. To this day, he still coaches youth soccer with South Carolina United FC and has for 13 years. He thrives on the rewarding experiences of seeing the growth of the players on and off the field.
Danny brings an exceptional combination of discipline, leadership, and competitive drive—qualities forged during his time as a Division I athlete at USC and refined through his deep commitment to serving clients at the highest level. He has consistently demonstrated an ability to build trust, deliver results, and lead with integrity. He is energized to extend that same focus and commitment into expanding the Hudnall Capital Advisors footprint across South Carolina, beginning in Columbia.
When he's not serving his clients or coaching, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Emily, and their two children, Owen, and Campbell. He enjoys the outdoors, golf, Gamecock sports, hunting, and being active with his kids.
Danny is insurance licensed in SC.
With a genuine passion for helping people feel confident about their financial future, Doran is committed to building meaningful relationships through trust, transparency, and clarity. Originally from Sanford, North Carolina, Doran now calls Charleston home, where he enjoys connecting with clients across all stages of life. He was drawn to finance by the impact a thoughtful strategy can have — realizing early on that the right guidance can truly change someone’s life.
Doran studied Finance in college, balancing academics with leadership roles in various organizations. Those experiences inspired him to pursue a career as a financial representative and ultimately build strong, lasting relationships with the people he serves. During his junior year, he met Ry Hudnall, who encouraged Doran to complete an internship at a local financial group and then reconnect. That relationship blossomed over time, leading to Doran joining Hudnall Capital Advisors in July, where he now works alongside Ry and the team to provide clients with personalized, actionable financial strategies.
What Doran enjoys most about his work is the human side — helping clients feel secure, understood, and excited about their financial journey. His style is relationship-driven, built on the belief that trust is the foundation of any successful strategy. He approaches both work and life with the principle that doing things the right way is always better in the long run than taking shortcuts.
Outside of work, Doran enjoys spending time with friends, watching sports, fishing, and snowboarding. People often notice his outgoing personality, sense of humor, and approachable nature. At Hudnall Capital Advisors, Doran’s mission is to guide clients confidently toward their goals while providing approachable, high-touch service at every step.
Doran is insurance licesned in SC.
Blythe brings a creative and detail-driven approach to marketing at Hudnall Capital Advisors, supporting the initiatives that shape how the firm shows up in the world. Her work spans brand consistency, messaging, and visual storytelling—translating strategy into content that connects with the right audiences.
At HCA, Blythe works closely with the team to bring ideas to life through thoughtful creative execution, with a particular eye for design and the details that make communication land. She thrives in collaborative environments where ideas are shared openly and refined together.
Kelly works with individuals and families at Hudnall Capital Advisors, guiding clients through the financial decisions that shape their future. Based in Aiken, SC, she focuses on building lasting client relationships rooted in clarity and confidence.
Before entering financial services, Kelly spent years teaching in public, private, and charter schools across three states, and co-founded a classical Christian school in South Georgia. That classroom background isn't incidental. She approaches every client relationship the way a good teacher approaches a new student: figure out what they actually understand, meet them there, and build from solid ground.
She joined Hudnall Capital Advisors to do that work inside a firm built on independence and genuine client focus. Outside the office, Kelly and her husband stay busy with their three young adult children and their golden retrievers.

