Mario J. Payne, CFP®

Mario Payne has a passion for making investing simple. His journey started in the United States Army as a financial sergeant. His responsibilities included monitoring soldiers’ financial goals. Mario then graduated from Tennessee State University. Where he currently serves as a TSU Foundation Board Member, helping to oversee his alma mater’s Endowment Fund.

He started his career in 2007 as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones. Mario obtained his Series 7, 66, and life health and annuity licenses. Through this 6-year period, he learned how to manage client’s portfolios as well as how to build an investment advisory firm. In 2012, Mario became a Certified Financial Planner™ as well as a fiduciary.

In 2013, Mario started his own investment firm TOAMS Financial. The meaning of TOAMS is Tithe Offering Alms Means Stewardship. He has built his SEC registered firm on the premise of helping clients while “Making Investing Simple.” Along with building his firm, Mario is very proud to be Dave Ramsey’s ONLY minority Endorsed Local Professional Smartvestor in all of Jacksonville, FL.

Mario made history in February 2022. The company he co-owns, launched the first African American owned AI ETF on the New York Stock Exchange. The symbol is LETB. The goal of this fund is to limit investment losses while maximizing gains.

In the community, Mario is a Mayoral appointed Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees member, where he served as its Financial Chair. He serves on the Knots 4 Kids Board, where their mission is to be the difference in young adults’ lives by mentoring and promoting academic excellence, social responsibility, and diplomacy.

Mario has been blessed with the opportunity to manage various charities such as the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Scholarship Fund along with other foundations and non-profits. He also has a podcast and television show called Payneful Profits.

Besides being a loving husband to his fantastic wife Sara and a father to their amazing daughter Miranda, his greatest achievement was serving our country during Operation Iraqi Freedom. This was a gratifying experience that will last a lifetime.