Partner, Managing Director
Garrett Alton serves as a Managing Director at Pennington Partners & Co., overseeing
advisor recruiting, business development, and marketing. With a career marked by
transformative leadership and a focus on people and relationships, Garrett has
consistently driven results through collaboration and strategic vision.
Prior to joining Pennington, Garrett served as EVP and Head of National Sales at
Wilmington Trust, a $48B AUM subsidiary of M&T Bank. He led profitable growth across
all regions, strengthened community ties, and forged key strategic alliances. Prior to
that, he spent over a decade at BNY Mellon Wealth Management, where he advanced
to Managing Director and Regional Head of Client Strategy, overseeing a business with
nearly $30B in AUM and $250 million in annual revenue. There, he co-founded the
National M&A and Private Business Advisory Practice Groups, shaping client strategy
for about 40% of the firm’s wealth business.
Earlier in his career, Garrett held leadership roles at Merrill Lynch, Neuberger Berman,
and First Union, consistently recognized as a top producer.
Garrett earned a BBA in Business Management and holds designations as a Chartered
Financial Consultant (ChFC), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and Certified Exit
Planning Advisor (CEPA).
He serves as Chairman of the Board of the Veterans Empowerment Organization, is an active board member for the Latin American Association, and supports several nonprofits, including the Atlanta History Center and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Garrett brings discipline and dedication to every endeavor.