ACT Advisors Expands Asheville Team with Appointment of Ruth Hays

ASHEVILLE, NC – ACT Advisors, a fee-only fiduciary wealth management firm, today announced the appointment of Ruth Hays as Financial Advisor, strengthening the firm’s presence in Western North Carolina.

Based in the firm’s Asheville headquarters, Hays will focus on comprehensive financial planning and investment management for retirees, business owners, and established professionals.

A Local Story with Long-Term Roots

Hays’s return to Asheville reflects both a professional milestone and a long-standing connection to the community.

In 1985, her father, Tommy Hays, met future ACT Advisors partner Sarah Barnhill while attending Warren Wilson College. That connection provided Hays early exposure to the role thoughtful financial planning can play across generations and helped shape her path into the profession.

Sarah reflected on the long-standing history behind this appointment:

"I am so pleased for both Ruth and ACT to see this come full circle. The first time I met Ruth she was a toddler, visiting the office with her parents. She noticed a bear-shaped golf club headcover on my desk that could be turned inside out to reveal a bull. I gave it to her to keep and as they were leaving, she flipped it from bear to bull and said, ‘This is better”. It’s very special to see her path come back to Asheville and into this profession."

Sarah Barnhill

“Joining ACT Advisors is both a professional opportunity and a meaningful homecoming,” said Hays. “I’m excited to be part of a team focused on helping clients make informed, long-term financial decisions.”

Experience Across Operations and Advisory

Hays joins ACT Advisors after five years at Goldman Sachs. She began her career in Salt Lake City and later worked in the firm’s Atlanta office, where she was promoted to Vice President. Her experience across both operations and client-facing roles provides a well-rounded perspective on investment management and financial planning.

“Ruth brings a thoughtful approach and strong technical foundation to our team,” said Doug English, CFP®, Founder of ACT Advisors. “Her experience aligns well with how we serve clients—through disciplined planning and long-term thinking.”

Doug English, CFP®

Hays holds degrees from Furman University and the University of Georgia. She maintains her Series 65 license and is actively pursuing her Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation.

About ACT Advisors

ACT Advisors is a fee-only fiduciary registered investment adviser with offices in Asheville, NC, and Charleston/Mt. Pleasant, SC. The firm provides comprehensive wealth management, retirement income planning, and advisory services to professionals and families nationwide.

For more information, visit https://act-advisors.com/

Ruth Hays

Ruth is a fee-only financial advisor based in Asheville, NC who works with professionals and families to bring clarity and structure to complex financial decisions. Before joining ACT Advisors, she spent five years at Goldman Sachs, where she developed a strong foundation in both investment operations and client-facing advisory work. She focuses on coordinating key areas of financial planning—aligning investments, tax considerations, and long-term goals into a cohesive strategy. With deep roots in Asheville and a long-standing connection to the firm, Ruth is committed to building thoughtful, lasting relationships grounded in trust and clear guidance.

Ruth Hays
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