Our Team
Rory Roniger
Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant®
Founding Principal
Rory has been married to his wife, Becky, since 1975 and has one adult child, Megan, a son-in-law, Corvas, and two grandchildren, Marigny and Rory. Rory and Becky enjoy going to their vacation home in Monteagle, TN and visiting the University of the South at Sewanee, as well as making day trips to Chattanooga where Becky grew up.
Rory is active in the Northshore Community in several non-profit organizations. He is a past President of the Exchange Club of West St. Tammany Parish which is part of one of the oldest community service organizations in the United States. He is also past Chairman of the Board of a home for unwed mothers. Rory helped found the MKO Foundation which is the philanthropic arm of the Krewe of Olympia in Covington, Louisiana.
After teaching, coaching, and serving as assistant principal at several Parochial Schools in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Rory began his career in the wealth management and employee benefits fields and has been a distinguished leader in those fields in the Metropolitan New Orleans Area since 1977. A graduate of Louisiana State University, Rory also holds professional designations of Chartered Financial Consultant and Chartered Life Underwriter. His professional affiliations have included the Financial Planning Association, the New Orleans Estate Planning Council, and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.
“With courage, you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.”
–Mark Twain
Check the background of this investment professional on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.
C. Garlan White, CFP ®
Wealth Manager & Partner
Garlan, having been born at Baptist, has loved all things New Orleans from the very beginning. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration at Loyola University of New Orleans, with distinction, and received an education of a different sort having spent a considerable amount of time growing up at his family’s Bourbon Street residence.
He and his wife Lora, a local neurosurgeon who specializes in movement disorder and seizure surgery, reside in Uptown with their feline family: Huck, Borden, and Larue. In his spare time he enjoys cycling, swimming, attending lectures, Mardi Gras, and Jazz Fest while also serving his community. Garlan remains involved with Loyola, Young Leadership Council, and Wednesday at the Square concert series. It is the non-profit’s largest fundraiser, a fantastic way to enjoy outdoor music in the spring, and a fitting role for a music lover.
Professionally, Garlan began his career with major financial firms, but realized quickly that he would be best suited in a boutique environment with a more pronounced focus on planning. At Bellingrath, he is a partner and Certified Financial Planner who assists clients in every facet of their financial life with a personal, attentive touch.
“In short, bad news is an investor’s best friend. It lets you buy a slice of America’s future at a marked-down price.”
– Warren Buffett
Check the background of this investment professional on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.
Ryan W. Swayze, CFP ®
Wealth Manager & Partner
Ryan, a New Orleans native, loves everything New Orleans has to offer: the food, the sports, the potholes, and the nightlife. He attended Isidore Newman School prior to graduating from the University of New Orleans with honors. He grew up watching the Tigers every Saturday and the Saints every Sunday and that is still true to this day.
He and his wife Laurel, a local lawyer for a private equity firm, reside in Old Metairie with their son Ford and their golden retriever, Alice. On the weekends Ryan can be found on the golf course, tennis court or at the beach with his family.
Professionally, Ryan is proud to return to what he considers his second home at Bellingrath, where he first began his finance career as an intern back in 2013 while obtaining his Finance Degree from the University of New Orleans. After earning his degree, he began his career at one of the largest firms in the country. However, he soon realized that his skills are best suited in a boutique setting like Bellingrath.
“Successful investing is about managing risk, not avoiding it.”
– Benjamin Graham
Check the background of this investment professional on FINRA’s BrokerCheck.
Alexandra Benoit, FPQP ™
Financial Planner
Alexandra loves living in Uptown where she can be found shopping or eating at one of the many establishments on Magazine Street. One of her other favorite places to be is the water, whether it be the Gulf or the Pacific or simply kayaking with her husband, Brent on Bayou St. John. She devotes volunteer time as a mentor, fundraiser, and marketer for non- profits. She currently serves as President for the American Business Women’s Association New Orleans chapter.
At Bellingrath Wealth Management & Employee Benefits, Alex guides each client relationship by clarifying financial goals and customizing your plan directly to your financial needs.
A graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in International Trade and Finance, she holds a professional designation of Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional ™.
“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.”
– Ernest Hemingway
Nancy Springler
Client Services Associate
Nancy has over 30 years of experience working in all areas of Human Resources. Her experience and skill developed working in a wide range of industries including: Healthcare, Non-Profit, Hospitality, Real Estate Development, Staffing/Job Placement, Oil & Gas, and Casino. Nancy is passionate about Employee Benefits and the impact they have on employee retention.
Nancy believes that communication, education, and employee development are critical to a company’s success. She enjoys employee interaction at all levels and finds great satisfaction when an employee receives resolution to any HR issue. It is important to Nancy that a balance between employer and employee needs be achieved for the betterment of all. For her, it is truly about keeping the “Human” in Human Resources.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Nancy loves her city and all it has to offer. In her eyes, the culture, uniqueness, variety, and history are second to none. She is actively involved in Archbishop Chapelle’s Alumnae Association, Dress for Success, animal rescue organizations, and many other charitable causes. Nancy’s family and friends mean everything to her and her sweet rescue dog, Roux, has stolen her heart.
“Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of success will be how you treat other people.”
– Barbara Bush
Lisa Piazza
Client Services Manager
Lisa comes to Bellingrath with over 25 years of experience in benefits administration. Her professional experience was developed by working for a large national insurance company and other local benefits brokers in the New Orleans area. This experience afforded her the opportunity to coordinate with a variety of industries on the best benefit offerings. Through her experience, she developed her passion for benefits administration and her enthusiastic approach to helping employers offer an attractive benefit package to their employees. Customer service is very important to Lisa. She loves helping employees in any way that she can.
Lisa, born and raised in Metairie, LA, enjoys spending time with her husband, Calvin, and their family. She particularly loves spending every minute with all three grandsons and sitting outside with her two crazy dogs, Zoey and Fredo. She also loves to travel, (especially the mountains are a favorite of all time!) shopping, working in the garden, and doing all sorts of crafts in her spare time.
“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.”
– Estée Lauder