Stephen LaFollette (‘87) - Pine Bend Wealth Management

By Brittney Kimber

After 25 years in the financial services industry, Jax State alum Stephen LaFollette (‘87) saw an opportunity to build something personal and impactful. In 2020, he formed Pine Bend Wealth Management in Anniston, Alabama, and has committed to serving his community ever since.

“Founding Pine Bend Wealth Management allowed me to create a firm centered on relationships where each client receives thoughtful, individually tailored guidance with their specific goals in mind,” LaFollette said. “I wanted to close the gap between large financial institutions and bring the kind of hands-on, accessible service that people truly value right to their backyard. In building my own practice, I've been able to stay closely connected to the community I love while delivering a higher level of care, trust, and long-term partnership for the families I'm privileged to serve.”

LaFollette intentionally curates the feel of the office with help from his team and family, making sure visitors know exactly what to expect and who the team is – genuine, approachable, and deeply invested in the people they serve.  

“As you walk through, you’ll see pieces of my life throughout the space—photos of my family, mementos from travels, books that have shaped me, notes from mentors, and even a few trophies from hunts around the world. My wife and children even come to decorate with me during the holiday season! It’s all intentional. This practice is personal to me, and I want that to be clear from the moment someone walks in,” LaFollette said. “We want our clients to know us personally because we know that this is deeply personal for them. We want everyone who walks through our doors to know that we see them as individuals with their own stories, families, goals, and things that matter to them. What I hope they feel, more than anything, is a sense of clarity and confidence.”

LaFollette said at the end of the day, it is his clients’ goals that matter most. “Our role is to help design a clear roadmap and then stay alongside them —keeping them on track as life evolves.”   

He realized early on that if he could take something complex like financial planning and explain it in everyday terms, he could make a real difference.

“When I was just starting out, I sat down with a couple and walked through their goals, what was possible, what their options were, and how they could get there. I kept it simple,” LaFollette said. “At the end of the conversation, they both let out a sigh of relief and said it was the first time they truly understood their financial future. That moment stuck with me, and it’s shaped how I’ve approached every client relationship since.”

He said his roots in the area began at Jax State, deciding his senior year of high school that it was where he wanted to be after a campus visit.

“It just felt like the right fit,” LaFollette said. “When I look back, so much of my life was shaped during that time—the relationships, the community, and the foundation it gave me. We built our life around this area, and if I had the chance to do it all over again, I’d choose Jax State every time.”

LaFollette was a member of the Jax State ROTC and said it shaped the way he approaches leadership, responsibility, and service in every aspect of his life. He was later stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii as a Field Artillery Officer, overseeing a unit of 25 soldiers and managing eight cannons, along with equipment and the logistics needed to operate at a high level.  

“My time in the Army gave me opportunities I never would have had otherwise—jumping out of airplanes, rappelling from helicopters, and being entrusted with millions of dollars of equipment. More importantly, it taught me how to think under pressure, break down complex problems into manageable pieces, and make decisions that directly impact others,” LaFollette said. “Those lessons have carried directly into my career today. While I may not be managing military equipment anymore, I am responsible for helping manage the financial lives of individuals and families who have placed their trust in me. That sense of responsibility—and the discipline that comes with it—began during my time in ROTC at Jax State.”

LaFollette graduated from Jax State with a major in Business Management and a minor in Military Science. Regarding financial planning and the future, he advises fellow Gamecocks to start now. “There’s no amount too small to start. Identify your goals, prioritize what matters most, and commit to a plan,” he said. “Investing is a marathon, not a sprint. That mindset—starting early and staying consistent—makes all the difference over time.”  

Pine Bend Wealth Management offers wealth management services through financial planning, savings plans for children's education, investment planning, retirement planning, estate planning and asset management. For more information, visit https://www.pinebendwm.com/ or call (256) 770-8040.  The office is located at 1500 Leighton Avenue, Anniston, AL, 36207.