The Nichols Group
Justin W. Nichols
Managing Director | Financial Advisor
Justin is a Financial Advisor serving the Houston, Memorial Area with over 20 years of experience.
His client's come from various ages and backgrounds and he tailors his approach to each individual's unique situation. Justin believes in a planning-based practice and works closely with clients so that they have a clear direction and understanding of their financial picture. He believes that a client's clear understanding is essential to them being able to continue to reach their goals and objectives.
Having survived the collapse of the markets after 9/11 as well as the crisis of 2008, he offers both the experience and knowledge to guide clients through tough circumstances.
Justin is actively involved in his community. He has coached baseball through Post Oak Little League and football through Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association. In addition, he and his wife Courtenay Nichols were Co-Presidents of Memorial High School Booster Club for the 2019-2020 school year.
Angela B. Wingfield
Senior Client Specialist
Angela joined Baird in 2019 as a Senior Client Specialist with nine years of financial industry experience. She is passionate about providing excellent client service and educating clients on their financial needs. Angela is also currently working on earning her CFP® designation to help clients with their financial planning needs.
Previously, she worked at Merrill Lynch where she received her Series 7 license and was a part of the Practice Management Development (PMD) Program. She then moved on to Wells Fargo as a member of the Financial Advisor in Training (FAIT) Program. She passed the Series 66 & insurance exams and was a financial advisor for two years before coming to Baird.
Angela earned her bachelor’s in finance from Middle Tennessee State University.
Trey Hughes
Financial Advisor
As a Financial Advisor with Baird, Trey Hughes is dedicated to helping clients build confidence in their financial futures through thoughtful guidance, disciplined planning, and personalized investment strategies. From a young age, Trey developed a strong interest in the markets and investing—an early passion that ultimately shaped both his education and career path.
He graduated from the E.J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance, gaining a deep foundation in economics, financial analysis, and portfolio strategy. In addition to his commitment to the technical side of wealth management, Trey values building strong relationships and working with individuals and families from a wide range of backgrounds.
An avid outdoorsman and golfer, Trey enjoys spending his free time on the course or exploring the outdoors. His decision to pursue a career as a financial advisor was grounded in a desire to make a meaningful and lasting impact. Helping clients pursue their goals—and seeing those goals become reality—provides him with a level of fulfillment that few professions can match.
Beau Nichols
Client Assistant
FOCUS AND EXPERIENCE
Beau Nichols is a client assistant at Baird who supports the Nichols Group by streamlining client meeting preparation and documentation, assisting with financial planning tasks, and advancing prospecting initiatives through platforms like LinkedIn and emerging AI tools. He is especially focused on deepening long‑term relationships with the next generation within client families to ensure continuity of service and a seamless experience.
BACKGROUND & CREDENTIALS
Beau brings a practical, service‑oriented background to wealth management. Before joining PWM, he helped manage a multi‑faceted indoor sports facility for more than two years while completing his degree and also worked in food service during high school—experiences that honed his teamwork, communication, and operational skills. He has over a year of industry experience, beginning as a student worker in his senior year and transitioning to a Client Assistant role in fall 2025. Beau earned a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management from the University of Houston in August 2025, a foundation that helps him connect with clients in logistics and SCM. He has passed the SIE and is currently preparing for the Series 7.
OUTSIDE THE OFFICE
Away from work, Beau enjoys running with his black lab, Sadie, and watching most sports. He’s passionate about American history and traditions—especially the Fourth of July—and supports Christy’s Knot’s Foundation through volunteer involvement. Family, faith, friends, and football are the guiding priorities in his life.
Lyle J. Fitterer, CFA
Managing Director, Co-Lead Municipal Sector/Senior Portfolio Manager
Lyle has 32 years of experience managing fixed income portfolios, with a primary focus on the municipal market. He plays a lead role in the formulation and implementation of investment strategy with a major portion of his time allocated to municipal portfolio management and credit research. Lyle obtained his undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of North Dakota. He earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1996 and is currently a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Milwaukee. Prior to joining Baird Advisors, Lyle served as the co-head of Global Fixed Income and the head of the Municipal Fixed Income team at Wells Fargo Asset Management (WFAM).
Max Mann, CFA®, CMT
Baird Equity Asset Management | Portfolio Manager
Max has 13 years of investment experience and has been with Baird’s Asset Management group since 2016. He manages portfolios for institutional and high-net-worth clients, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for COA Youth & Family Centers and Secure Futures. Before joining Baird Equity Asset Management, Max spent seven years in Baird’s Institutional Equities and Research department. He graduated in 2008 from Northwestern University with a BA in economics and was a member of the varsity baseball team. In 2012, Max earned the Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Market Technician designations.
Melanie Schmieding
Director of Baird Family Wealth
As Director of Baird Family Wealth, Melanie is responsible for the development of HNW and UHNW solutions and resources within Baird Private Wealth Management supporting advisors and their clients. She is passionate about developing long-range strategies critical to sustaining wealth and values over generations.
Prior to joining Baird, Melanie was a Managing Director at Abbot Downing where she led a team that focused on large family offices and multi-generational wealth. She has spent the last 25 years working with HNW and UHNW families.
Melanie is a member of the Family Office Exchange (FOX) and the Purposeful Planning Institute (PPI). A published author and thought leader on the topic of family wealth, she is focused on the development of the qualitative aspects of a family’s wealth. Melanie earned her Master in Business Administration from Boston University and is a Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor.