About Us
Our Purpose: Independent, Dedicated, and Individualized
Founded in 1998, Arbor Investment Advisors is an independent, privately owned Registered Investment Advisory firm built on enduring relationships and fiduciary care. We partner with individuals, families, business owners, and nonprofit organizations to provide thoughtful, tax-efficient investment management and comprehensive financial planning.
We are steadfast in our commitment to do what is right for each client based on their individual goals.
Our People: Experienced, Credentialed, and Committed
Our team of dedicated professionals see beyond wealth to provide personal service and exceptional knowledge, leading to lasting client relationships.
Scott E. Cawood, CFA®, CFP®
Principal, CEO & CIO
Scott joined Arbor in 2003. Scott serves his clients and is Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer for the firm. He previously worked for Wachovia Corporation for 12 years, holding several leadership positions in risk management and asset management. Scott graduated Summa Cum Laude from Duke University in 1991 with a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy Studies. He is a CFA® Charterholder and CFP® Certificant. Scott currently serves on the boards of Creative Corridors Coalition, Northwest North Carolina Community Foundation, Piedmont Federal Savings Bank, and UNC School of the Arts Foundation. He is an Eagle Scout, an avid golfer, and skier. Scott and his wife Greer have one daughter, Emmie.
Scott D. Jones, CFP®
Principal, President & CFO
Scott joined Arbor in 2006 and was named President of the firm in 2022. His previous work experience includes corporate finance and relationship manager roles with Wachovia Wealth Management, a treasury and strategic planning analyst post with First Union National Bank, and a regional loan officer position with Merrill Lynch Credit Corporation. Scott graduated with distinction from Flagler College in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and completed the full time MBA program at Wake Forest University in 2000. After joining Arbor, he earned and now maintains the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ certification. Scott has served on numerous boards and been an active volunteer throughout his career. He recently completed board terms with the New River Conservancy and North Carolina Zoo Society, and currently volunteers in the soup kitchen at Samaritan Ministries and at River Oaks Community Church. Scott’s interests include pickleball, golf, cycling, and travel. He and his wife, Mary, have three sons and one daughter.
William E. Hollan, III, CFP®
Principal
Bill joined Arbor in 2011. Bill previously worked at BB&T where he served in a number of commercial and retail leadership roles over 11 years. He earned his bachelor’s degree in History and Economics from UNC Chapel Hill in 2000 and graduated from BB&T’s Management Development Program in 2001. After joining Arbor, he earned and now maintains the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ certification. Bill currently serves on the boards of Arbor Acres, Old Salem and the NC Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Winston-Salem. He has previously served on the boards of the Centenary United Methodist Church, Winston-Salem Symphony, Summit School, and Kaleideum. In his spare time, Bill enjoys fly fishing, golf, and travel. He and his wife Elizabeth are the proud parents of one son and two daughters.
Erika L. Mielke, JD, CFP®, CEPA®
Principal & CGO
Erika joined the Arbor family in 2018. Erika serves as Chief Growth Officer for the firm. She previously served as a Senior Vice President and Wealth Advisor at The Private Bank at Wells Fargo. Prior to moving to Winston-Salem, Erika served as a Trust Officer at Associated Bank and an Associate Attorney at Davis & Kuelthau, S.C., both in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She earned her bachelor’s degree in economics from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, and her Juris Doctor from Marquette University in Milwaukee. After joining Arbor, she earned and now maintains the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ™ certification and the CERTIFIED EXIT PLANNING ADVISOR ™ certification. Since adopting Winston-Salem as her hometown, Erika has enjoyed becoming active in the community, serving on the several non-profit boards. Her involvement has included serving as the President of The Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Piedmont Triad, the President of Triad Women’s Club, Vice President of Old Salem Museum & Gardens and as a board member for The Enrichment Center, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, and The Shallowford Foundation. She is also the co-Founder of Thrive Community, a non-profit seeking to provide opportunities for independent living for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Erika and her husband Scott are the proud parents of Noah, Luke, Abigail, and Levi. When not in the office, Erika enjoys cheering on her children at their baseball games and horseback riding events.
Paige P. Birchfield
Principal & COO
Paige was Arbor’s first employee, established in 1998. After working for one year for Holden Mickey Inc., she joined Arbor and was instrumental in Arbor’s founding, development, and innovation still pursued today. Paige became a principal of the firm and was named Chief Operating Officer in 2016. She enjoyed her pirate years at East Carolina University, earning her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Services in 1996. Arbor’s founder, Jim Martin, always said Paige sharpened her customer service skills early on, working during high school at Brookridge Retirement Community. For Paige, the relationships built with clients and coworkers make Arbor feel more like family than a job. Paige enjoys being with her family, reading, and volunteering in her church. She’s looking forward to volunteering again with the Stokes County Arts Council once all her children are independent. Paige was married in 2000 to Rob, a middle school teacher, and they live in King. They are the proud parents of two daughters, a high schooler and one carrying on the East Carolina tradition!
April Y. Beason
Principal & CCO
April joined Arbor in 2005. April previously worked for a supply chain software company in the Washington DC metro area. She became a principal of the firm and was named Chief Compliance Officer in 2016. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Logistics from The Pennsylvania State University in 1997. In her spare time, April enjoys the outdoors, reading, and watching her children participate in various activities. She and her husband, David, live in Winston-Salem with their son and daughter.
Jenna J. Craver
Principal & Senior Operations Specialist
Jenna joined Arbor in 2013 and wakes up every day happy that she made her career change to come to Arbor as part of the Operations team. Jenna previously worked at GMAC Insurance as a Senior Claims Adjuster for 17 years and still enjoys regular dinners out with her past co-workers. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Appalachian State University in 1993 and her MBA degree from Pfeiffer University in 1998. She is currently a member of the Charity League of Lexington where she has previously served as Treasurer and Holiday House Chair. Jenna and her husband Scott are the proud parents of two daughters and supporters of their collegiate paths at Appalachian State University and UNC Chapel Hill. Outside of work, Jenna enjoys trips to the beach and mountains, attending artisan craft shows to support small business owners, and watching just about any movie…but do not ask Jenna for directions anywhere, she is directionally challenged and comfortable with this deficiency.
Judy A. Ward
Office Administrator
Judy joined Arbor in August of 2011 as the Office Administrator. Prior to Arbor, Judy has worn many different hats and has lived in several different places. A native of Ontario, Canada, she moved to the U.S. in 1998 when her husband’s job brought them first to Tucson, Arizona and then to Apex, North Carolina in 2002. While in Apex, Judy started her own cleaning business after her daughter started school. Her business grew over the years, but she decided to leave it to pursue her passion in real estate. Judy worked for several years with an independent firm before joining Keller Williams Realty and continued with them until she joined Arbor. Outside of Arbor, Judy is a part time Fitness Instructor, volunteers as an event coordinator for her Homeowner Association where she puts together and hosts their annual Holiday Craft Fair every November. She loves the sport of hockey, which may be mandatory when you’re Canadian. Judy also enjoys baking especially making special birthday desserts for her coworkers. She has a passion for interior decorating and still likes to keep up with the real estate market. Judy and her husband Russ live in Clemmons with their daughter and first granddaughter.
Our Approach: Flexible, Clear, and Collaborative
Our approach begins with listening — understanding what matters most to each client — so we can align wealth with purpose. By coordinating across tax, estate, and legal advisors, we help clients simplify the complexities of wealth, make confident decisions, and enjoy peace of mind knowing their financial life is in order, today and for generations to come.
How we work, tailored to your situation:
Introductory Conversation and Discovery
We begin with a no-obligation discussion: What brings you here? What worries you? Where do you hope to go? We’ll share how we work and assess whether we’re a good fit.
Deep-Dive Discovery and Data Gathering
We collect your financial information — accounts, tax returns, estate documents, compensation agreements, liabilities, cash flows, and life goals. We work to understand values, fears, and aspirations.
Analysis and Strategy Development
Behind the scenes, we model multiple scenarios: growth, defensive, tax strategies, asset location, compensation decisions, transition events (sale, divorce, retirement). We stress test your plan to uncover hidden risks or opportunities.
Proposed Plan Presentation and Collaboration
We walk you through our recommended plan in plain language: what works, trade-offs, implementation steps, and how it supports your goals. Together, we refine until it feels clear, actionable, and comfortable.
Implementation and Coordination
Once we agree on a path, we help execute: opening accounts, transferring assets, deploying portfolio allocations, coordinating with your CPA, estate attorney, and other professionals.
Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustment.
Life doesn’t stand still; neither should your plan. We meet regularly to review performance, update assumptions, revisit tax changes, and adjust course when your priorities or the financial environment shift.
Communication and Transparency
You’ll always know where you stand. We deliver clear reporting, highlight tax events, and proactively communicate when decisions or adjustments are recommended.