he Wall Street Journal, Reuters and Forbes are among the many outlets that have turned to Brett F. Ewing for his perspective on the markets. He serves as Chief Market Strategist, Senior Financial Advisor and owner of First Franklin Financial Services, an independent wealth management firm in Tallahassee, Florida. Brett Ewing is a Tallahassee native, a third-generation financial planner and a recognized source of economic research and market commentary, with regular appearances in top financial publications and on business news programs at home and abroad. He received his license in 1997, has worked in financial services for close to 30 years, and will celebrate three decades in the industry in January 2027.

For the past 11 years, Brett Ewing has worked with the financial media, and First Franklin has been publishing its economic research for public use since 2011. Beyond the publications already mentioned, he's been quoted by Bloomberg, Barron's, USA Today, the Financial Times, InvestmentNews and MarketWatch. Broadcast audiences have seen or heard him as a guest on CNBC Fast Money, CNBC Europe, CNBC Asia, Fox Business, Schwab Network, Bloomberg Radio, Bloomberg TV, Bloomberg Daybreak, BNN Bloomberg, Reuters TV and Yahoo! Finance.

Market strategy and economic analysis are only part of how he shares his knowledge. Clients and the broader community benefit as well: First Franklin recently wrapped up its Financial Planning Course and keeps producing economic updates and webinars. Brett Ewing is especially passionate about teaching financial planning. He also mentors younger advisors and helps business school students prepare for careers in the field.

With Brett Ewing at the helm, the firm has built up a long list of industry awards. Its first Quantum Leap Award came in 2008, with a second in 2014. First Franklin took home the Top Advisory Firm Award in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2018, and the firm's first MVP of the Year Award came in 2015. It was recognized as Advisory Branch of the Year in 2020 and again in 2021, then as Top Branch of the Year three years running, in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

He has also been honored personally. Brett Ewing was named Top Advisor of the Year in 2022, 2024 and 2025, standing out among 650 competing offices. In 2024 and 2025, he was also recognized for Top Advisory Services of the Year.

The roots of the firm reach back to 1966, the year George F. Ewing established George F. Ewing Insurance. Its early focus was on life insurance, mutual funds and the management of 401(k) plans. Sun Life of Canada became an affiliate of the agency in 1973, and in 1982 the agency added property and casualty insurance to what it offered clients. The 1998 rebranding to First Franklin Financial Services paid tribute to George's father, Leonard Franklin Ewing, the man known as the "First Franklin."

Brett Ewing made his way back to Tallahassee in 2000 and became part of the firm that same year. He took the reins of its operations in 2008. George retired a year later, in 2009, yet continued at the firm in the position of Comptroller. For more than 50 years now, First Franklin has met the retirement and investment needs of businesses, nonprofits, families and individuals all over North Florida, and Brett Ewing considers it a privilege to guide a grassroots, independent firm with such a strong foundation.

Florida State University awarded Brett Ewing a dual degree in Economics and Finance in December 1994. He continued his studies at the University of Central Florida, completing a Master of Business Administration in December 1996. A year later, in 1997, he was licensed.

Brett Ewing has given his time to Tallahassee organizations throughout his career. His leadership roles include President of the Tallahassee Lions Club from 2004 through 2006, President of the Tallahassee Quarterback Club in 2010, and Chairman of the Tallahassee Young Entrepreneur Organization in 2014. He served on the Children's Home Society Board between 2009 and 2012. At the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, he was a member of the Board of Trustees from 2011 through 2013 and an Honorary Trustee from 2014 through 2018, and he has held the title of Life Trustee since 2018.

Much of his volunteer energy has gone toward education. He spent 2014 through 2021 on the Board of Trustees of Holy Comforter Episcopal School, serving as its Treasurer from 2017 through 2019 and its Chairman from 2019 through 2021, and he sat on the school's Finance Committee from 2014 through 2017. Holy Comforter named its endowment after him in the summer of 2021. He was also active at St. John Paul II Catholic High School, where from 2016 through 2020 he was both a School Advisory Council member and the Development and Fundraising Chair. The school honored him as its Principal's Volunteer of the Year for 2017-2018.

Through First Tee, he brings together golf and youth development. Brett Ewing has been Vice President of First Tee of Tallahassee since 2022 and serves on its finance committee, and he's a charter board member of First Tee. He's an enthusiastic supporter of charity golf tournaments, which he sees as a way to build backing for local causes.

First Franklin's charitable reach is broad. Brett Ewing and his team support the American Heart Association, the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee, Independence Landing, the Tallahassee Museum, Pas de Vie Ballet, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Treehouse, AMVETS Post 1776, the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, Refuge House, the Economic Club of Florida, the American Lung Association and Ronald McDonald House. The firm also supports the Tallahassee Quarterback Club, Holy Comforter Episcopal School, the Tallahassee Lions Club and St. John Paul II Catholic High School.

Outside work, Brett Ewing enjoys the hours he spends with his wife and their three daughters. As an empty nester, he places real value on travel and family trips, and he's a passionate golfer. Close to marking 30 years in the industry, he remains dedicated to the values at the core of his career, namely sound planning, clear insight into the economy and service to Tallahassee, the community he calls home.