Philpot’s Larry O’Bryan has earned the prestigious Wilson Wyatt Award, given by the Community Foundation of Louisville to honor a philanthropic-minded professional advisor committed to giving back to the community.
The award was presented at the University of Louisville’s Shelby Campus during a ceremony on Friday.
O’Bryan’s parents, Mildred and Vincent, played a pivotal role in shaping his philanthropic values. They instilled in him a sense of giving and community at a young age. He carries forward their legacy by relaying those same messages to his clients.
“I accepted this on behalf of my clients – they’re so generous,” O’Bryan said. “My parents always taught me to give back to my community and church. They made sure we helped out whenever we could.”
He carried bread at the St. Lawrence Church Picnic dinner stand as a child. Now, he serves on countless nonprofit boards, has boasted perfect attendance at the Owensboro Noon Lions Club for nearly half a century, and much more.
O’Bryan graduated from Mary Carrico High School in 1966 and immediately set his sights on a career in finance. He graduated from Brescia College in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, entering the workforce the year prior at Alexander and Company CPAs.
He became a partner at the firm in 1976 and continues to work there part-time. He later obtained Charter Wealth Advisor status and transitioned to a career in financial planning at Hillard Lyons from 2000 to 2019 and then at Robert W. Baird and Company until 2024 after the acquisition.
As a student of his craft, he’s become quite good at what he does, and his clients appreciate that. When an investment he’s helped prosper shows monumental growth, he often asks his clients, “What are you going to do with all of that?”
They typically reply with, “What would you do?” His response is simple: “Donate it.”
The Community Foundation of Louisville comprises professional advisors from across the state. Its goal is to mobilize people, networks, and capital to spark meaningful change in the community. O’Bryan joined the cause in 1984 through its affiliate, the Green River Area Community Foundation (GRACF), which serves seven counties across western Kentucky.
O’Bryan recalled one client who took his advice and recently extended a 1 million-dollar gift to a local university. He has also assisted estate recipients in donating millions of dollars to the foundation and setting up an endowment that will provide for years.
“My goal has always been to develop trust and relationships with my clients and to help the community,” he said. “This award means a lot to me. I’m blessed to have the opportunity to give while guiding others in their efforts.”
The 75-year-old continues to attack each day, regularly fueling up on Diet Coke and offering tax and estate planning services.
“I enjoy helping people achieve their goals and dreams and obtaining what they want for their families – that’s what I’m in it for,” O’Bryan said.
O’Bryan has been married to Connie Hardesty O’Bryan for over 53 years. They have three daughters and six grandchildren together. He remains committed to the Parrish communities of St. Lawrence, St. William, and St. Mary of the Woods and is an advocate for Mary Carrico and St. Mary of the Woods grade schools and Trinity High School.
His life motto is, “To whom much is given, much is expected,” derived from Luke 12:48.
When asked for financial advice, the veteran adviser said, “Invest in AI.”
When asked what he would do with his newfound free time, he said, “I hope to do a little fishing.”
One thing is for sure: he will have the community’s interests at heart.
