Our History
Davenport & Watts was founded in 2003 when Sonny Davenport and Jane Watts joined forces with the goal of serving clients as they would want to be served. Sonny had worked as a CPA for 35 years rising to the level of co-managing partner of Davenport, Holliday & Spring, CPAs, where he had worked extensively with business owners and associations helping to solve problems in every phase of business, including accounting systems, taxes, bonding, finance, succession and estate planning, retirement plans, and debt restructuring. Jane had been a career professional and financial advisor for over 20 years. Her work with clients as a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) focused on life planning issues including investments, insurance, estate planning, charitable giving, installing and managing retirement plans and business succession planning.
In 2009, Davenport Watts & Drake Investment Advisors, LLC was formed after Hank Drake agreed to partner with Sonny and Jane. Born and raised in Port Gibson, MS, Hank had been childhood friends with Sonny, and had returned home from serving in the Air Force to head the Port Gibson office of Davenport Accounting (soon to be Davenport and Drake or Drake and Davenport - depending on who is telling the story). He had been heavily involved with taxes and financial planning for both individuals and businesses over the course of his career as a CPA, and his experience and expertise were a perfect fit for the firm.
These days find Jane enjoying retirement, directing the Ross Lynn Charitable Foundation (www.rosslynnfoundation.org), working in spiritual formation and direction through the United Methodist Church, and spending time with her four grandchildren. Sonny remains involved in the day to day management of the firm, but still finds time to get "up in the air." In particular, he enjoys flying rescued pets with Pilots N Paws (http://www.pilotsnpaws.org).
Hank joins the other members of the Investment Advisory Team in the Ridgeland office nearly every Wednesday morning to review clients and impart his wisdom and expertise. A gathering of the team brings an impressive group of professionals to the table. Ellen Hazlewood has worked in tax, banking, for the state retirement system, and for attorneys in the practice of retirement planning, estate and gift tax and trusts. Linda Estes, Suzie Webb, and Shelia Willis help the team provide excellent personalized service to each and every client.
The Davenport Watts & Drake team values the personal relationships we’ve developed with our clients and take very seriously the trust they have placed in us. We welcome the opportunity to help our clients through all of life’s financial hurdles and relish the sense of accomplishment when client goals are met.
