Community and Giving

Cola Wealth Advisor's annual Awards Banquet, held at the charming Springdale Hall Country Club in Camden, was as ever a stately and jovial affair where the hardworking employees enjoyed an evening of drinks, fine food and showing and receiving appreciation for efforts and achievements of the past year.

Rick Mantei and his daughter visit long-time clients Cleveland and Audrey Branham at their home in West Columbia, an area they both were born and raised in. Prior to the Covid Pandemic in 2020, Rick had the opportunity to show his appreciation to clients at the Annual Christmas Party hosted at the State Museum.

Rick Mantei and his daughter visit long-time clients Michael and Vicky Montgomery at their home on beautiful Lake Murray. Prior to the Covid Pandemic in 2020, Rick had the opportunity to show his appreciation to clients at the Annual Christmas Party hosted at the State Museum.

We’re thrilled to showcase the fresh paint job on Rick Mantei’s PT-17 Stearman Aircraft! 

Rick has a deep passion for aviation, however, it's not just the love of flying that drives him; it's also his desire to share that joy with others, especially those in need.

After honoring Lt. Col. Rick Mantei of Cola Wealth Advisors for Veteran’s Day in November of 2022, Major Gregory Perry of the US Air Force and now Aerospace Science instructor for Spring Valley High’s ROTC reached out with an inspiring incentive.

Cola Wealth Advisors recently sponsored the South Carolina softball team’s first annual Swinging to Support Gamecocks golf outing on November 4. The event took place at The Spur at Northwoods Golf Club.

At Cola Wealth Advisors, we know that our clients are the heart of our business, and we are constantly looking for ways to show our appreciation. As part of our commitment to providing exceptional service and building lasting relationships, we recently gifted our clients with giant Hershey Kisses in celebration of Valentine's Day.

On December 27th, 2022 at about 4:00 am, Rick Mantei strolled up to the Cola Wealth Advisors office in Lexington, SC to begin his work day, only to be met with several inches of water spilling over his shoes as he opened the door. Rushing to the source, he found water gushing from the ceiling of the right front offices, where a pipe had frozen and burst due to intensely cold weather.

The Greenwood County Airport was buzzing with activity Saturday July 17 with the roaring hum of two World War II-era airplanes, piloted by Rick Mantei and John “Buster” Wilcox of Cola Wealth Advisors. In addition to the usual gathering of clients and prospective clients, Cola Wealth Advisors extended an invitation to the youths from Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries to take a ride in the vintage aircraft. “The project came about because Connie Maxwell does good work for children in difficult situations,” Wilcox said.

As a retired member of the US Air Force, Col. Rick Mantei harbors a deep appreciation for the lives and efforts of our nation’s veterans. So, when Dr. John B. Clark Jr. approached him and asked if he would help honor his late father John Blue Clark, a pilot and instructor for the Army Air Corps, Mantei happily agreed.

Lexington financial firm Cola Wealth Advisors is among several local businesses that have stepped up to ensure youth sports continue to thrive in the Midlands, despite a year of challenges due to COVID-19.

Cola Wealth Advisors is adding a 1942 Fairchild PT-26 airplane to its fleet. This piece of aviation history will operate alongside the   Steerman biplane already in use by the firm. The aircraft will be maintained, preserved, and operated just as it was nearly 80 years ago

Cola Wealth Advisors recently brought some joy to Sun City, a retirement community hit hard by the corona virus.

Tactical Giving - Rick Mantei shares his secrets to donating

"Everyone is looking for a good deal." Rick Mantei of Cola Wealth Advisors had these words of advice for donors and members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at a recent event. While many were topics discussed, the most impactful was the opportunity to donate in a way that helps both. Rick is a huge supporter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, saying that he would be nothing if it weren't for programs such as these throughout his childhood.

COLA WEALTH CLIENTS SEE COLUMBIA FROM THE AIR

Flying high at Owen's Field

A bright Saturday morning set the stage for several Cola Wealth clients and prospective clients to see Columbia from 2,500 feet as they rode in a vintage airplane.

The 1941 Boeing PT-17 Stearman is owned and piloted by Cola’s founder and owner, Rick Mantei, whose firm advises clients in Columbia, Lexington, Aiken, and Greenwood, South Carolina, and Johnson City, Tennessee.

The flights, each lasting about 20 minutes, took riders over Columbia landmarks including the University of South Carolina football stadium, downtown Columbia, and, if they lived nearby, their homes. Those comfortable doing so got to “take the stick” and steer the craft for a bit.

Rick Mantei, Cindy Chiellini, Kathy Nishnac Atul Makharia, and the rest of the team at Cola Wealth Advisors stand in solidarity with Team Zoomie as it fights back against Parkinson's disease.

Team Zoomie will participate in Tough Mudder Atlanta 2019 on November 9^th  to raise money for the Parkinson's Foundation of Georgia. Team Zoomie's crowdfunding initiative already has raised more than $1,500, and it hopes to provide at least $5,000 to tackle this progressive nervous system disorder. 

Rick Mantei and the team at Cola Wealth Advisors are no strangers to investing. After all, they manage thousands of portfolios for their clients. But their investing stretches well beyond the trading floor. Over recent years, hundreds of thousands of dollars, and countless hours, have been poured back into the communities and the families that make the Midlands so great!

Fred Saverance, a lifelong South Carolina resident, got an unexpected visitor to his hospital room over the weekend. Rick Mantei, with a ruby red present in tote, stopped in to see his old friend recovering from a recent stroke. Fred is an accomplished pilot out of McEntire airbase where he flew 102’s, A7’s, and C131’s. After years of service Fred transitioned to the role of a designated examiner with the FAA where he performed check rides for more than 10 years. Fred was the examiner responsible for certifying Rick’s most popular plane in his fleet, his Stearman biplane. With little interaction through the years, this is where the pair’s story seemingly ended. That is until August 17, 2019 when Rick presented his former examiner with a model of the very plane they shared so many years ago, on behalf of all the pilots Mr. Saverance has had an effect on. With a renewed spirit, Mr. Saverance has made strides on the road to recovery.

At a recent client appreciation event in Peachtree City, GA, Rick, jumped at the opportunity to inspire the next generation of professionals. His biggest point of emphasis is that there are opportunities for each and every one of the students if they are willing to work with a purpose toward their ambitious goals.