David A. Pickler is an award-winning wealth advisor and attorney, and serves as president and CEO of Pickler Wealth Advisors, Pickler Law, and co-founder of Pickler Accounting in Collierville, TN. He is also the founder and executive director of APEF. Pickler has built his personal and professional life on the principles of civic leadership, public education advocacy, and philanthropic investment.
In 2025, Pickler Wealth Advisors was recognized as a 5-Star Wealth Management Team by InvestmentNews, and Pickler received the distinction of Top Advisor – a prestigious dual honor from the publication. In addition, he was named to the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list, further affirming his leadership and impact in the financial industry. His achievements in 2024 included being named a Pillar of Excellence by the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, highlighting his longstanding commitment to both professional excellence and community service.
A three-time Charitable Champion recognized by Invest in Others, Pickler also earned the charitable foundation’s 2019 Catalyst Award for his exceptional philanthropic contributions. Pickler Wealth Advisors was named Small Business of the Year by the Memphis Business Journal in 2021 and secured a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies that same year.
Meanwhile, Pickler Law has earned the title of Best Law Firm in Memphis from the Commercial Appeal for five consecutive years, a reflection of its consistent dedication to excellence and integrity.
Pickler was a member of the first elected Shelby County Board of Education, having been elected in 1998. He served on the board for 16 years and was the school board chairman for 12 years, from 1999 to 2011. He also served as president of the Tennessee School Boards Association, and in 2013 became the president of the National School Boards Association.
Upon his retirement from elected office, he founded APEF to serve the interest of America’s public-school children in two key areas: financial literacy and workforce development.
Pickler is the author of Pillars of Purpose: Leadership Lessons for Achieving a Life of Significance, a collection of personal stories that lay out a detailed, step-by-step process of how to build a life of significance.
