T. Warren Bass

Financial Advisor

Warren Bass has an innate interest in people and technology along with a fiercely independent streak. That independent thinking and eagerness to get the most out of life led him to take a less traveled path that eventually prepared him for the perfect career as a financial advisor.

Over the years, Warren took classes that interested him but didn’t like the idea of having to pay for some of the classes a college or university insisted he takes to complete a degree. In 1985, he decided to do some research into what his options were. Soon, he had a plan: Warren took a break from college and joined the U.S. Coast Guard, where he could be of service, “learn by doing,” and be out on the water, which he’s always loved. From 1985-1993, Warren served in the U.S. Coast Guard, attaining a final rank of Radioman First Class. This put him at the heart of cutting-edge communications technology that eventually became what we know as email and the internet.

There was also a deep sense of responsibility that came with helping people in need. “If you were in distress at sea and called for help, it was a Coast Guard Radioman who answered. They began the process of your rescue,” Warren explains.

He traveled all over the Caribbean and the continental United States, serving on large cutters and in offices or training environments. He learned how to write efficiently, gained leadership and organizational skills along with math, computers, and communication technology. Here he formed a foundation of skills for understanding and explaining complex concepts to people as an advisor.

In his final years with the US Coast Guard, Warren served at the district headquarters communications center in St. Louis. Finally on dry land, he spent his spare time writing and performing a comedy act which he performed across the Midwest and Southeast. When he left active duty, he landed a job as manager of a comedy club in St Louis. “Being the food and beverage manager for that comedy club taught me how to run a small business,” Warren recalls. He continued performing on stage and in 1992 won the Best Comic award from the newly launched comedy Central channel.

In 1995, Warren moved back home to Ashland, Virginia, where he became a real estate agent and married his wife, Jennifer a year later. Although he was successful, the real estate market was saturated with more established agents. But he realized how much he enjoyed working with people making financial decisions.

In 1999, Warren and Jennifer had been married for 3 years and were expecting a child. He looked back on his distinguished military career and his valuable experiences as a comedian, writer, nightclub manager, adman, and real estate agent. It was time to choose a career.

“I knew in 1999 that I needed to figure out what I was going to do when I grew up because once my son, Chip was born, I was officially grown up. I researched what field required communication and people skills along with ability to use technology and use my know-how about how to run a business. It turns out the answer was financial advisor.” He started his career in 1999 and has spent every year since helping people pursue financial success.

He is a continual learner both at work and at home and particularly enjoys history and non-fiction books. In addition to communication and technology training in the Coast Guard, Warren has studied at Radford University, Randolph-Macon College, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Florida State University. The learning requirements to obtain the General Securities Registered Representative license (Series 7*) and pass the Uniform Combined State Law Examination (Series 66*) are in-depth. He also holds Life & Health Insurance licenses in several states. He has maintained Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor designation every year since first earning it in early 2007.

Just as he encourages clients to do, Warren makes sure to spend time with people he loves and have memorable experiences. You might find him out on the water, traveling with his family or playing a round of golf on any given weekend. He has also served on several community and non-profit boards. He is a proud husband, father, business owner, and someone that clients see as a friend.

*Series 7 held through LPL Financial and series 66 held through Independent Advisor Alliance and LPL Financial.