Carter Ellis, CFP®, Co-founder

Having grown up in rural Virginia on over thirty acres, I spent many summers mowing grass and winters collecting firewood with my dad and brother. Early on, I learned the value of hard work and pride in a job well done. I developed a fascination with finance during the global economic crisis of 2008 as the real estate market crumbled and our family went through change.

I left the Blue Ridge mountains for the Bull City in 2014 after graduating from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Finance and a concentration in Financial Planning. I spent over seven years as an investment research analyst and financial advisor at a Durham-based investment advisory firm, receiving the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation along the way. For three of those years, I was a partner of the firm. It was there that I learned the art of serving clients to help them achieve their specific goals.

In 2022, I founded Valley Peak Financial, LLC with a vision of creatively delivering a personalized client experience to achieve financial excellence. It is my privilege to share in people’s stories, helping them to walk through the valleys and reach for the peaks. In 2024, I co-founded Valley Peak Tax & Accounting, LLC to provide solutions for small business and individual clients.

In our free time, my lovely wife Lindsay and I enjoy getting outside with our three kids, serving at our church, and daydreaming about our next family trip.

Matthew Everson, Co-Founder

A native of the Triangle, I was born in Durham, grew up in Carrboro, and now reside in Chapel Hill. I have seen the Triangle grow and learned the importance of thriving local businesses that provide growth and economic opportunities for all.

After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Mathematics and Political Science then attending Duke University to obtain a M.A. in Economics, I launched and ran multiple small businesses and non-profits. While some were successful and some were not, I learned invaluable lessons of what is needed to lead a business while keeping the accounting and operations running smoothly.

Putting that to use, for the past four years, I have served as a controller to other businesses providing fractional accounting and consulting services to help business owners and leaders thrive.

In my free time, my wife Allison and I go rock climbing with our daughter and serve at our church.

Matt James

As a Durham native, I grew up enjoying the local hotspots and various activities in the Research Triangle Park. After graduating from Riverside High School, I attended Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania and graduated with degrees in Economics and Public Policy. 

In college, I developed a fascination with market functionality, economic forces, and how they impacted people’s lives. That fascination, combined with a passion of helping others and learning their stories, led me to business consulting before pursuing my passion for personal finance. I joined my first advisory company in Virginia and passed FINRA’s Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination in January of 2024 before beginning working with Valley Peak in 2025.

In my free time, I enjoy hanging out with friends, exploring local restaurants, and playing pool at Greenroom.

Jessie Johnson

As a Southern North Carolina native, growing up in the country, I learned early on the value of hard work and integrity. While opportunities were limited in my small-town upbringing, my family instilled in me a strong work ethic and the importance of honesty in all endeavors.

Finance came naturally to me, and I excelled in school, which led me to graduate from Fayetteville State University in 2019 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Since graduating, I’ve spent the last five years working as an accountant, developing a well-rounded skill set and the ability to navigate real-world accounting challenges.

In 2025, I moved to the Triangle area, where I discovered Valley Peak Tax & Accounting. I’m excited to bring my expertise in financial analysis and business accounting to the team and help clients manage their finances with confidence and clarity.

With a passion for finance, I’m dedicated to providing reliable, accurate services tailored to each client’s needs. Whether it’s personal or business accounting, my goal is to help clients achieve their financial objectives through transparent and dependable solutions.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, riding my ATV, and exploring new places through travel.