Featuring Ande Frazier, CEO of myWorthAnde Frazier isChanging the Industry
by Bringing a Fresh andInnovative Perspective
to Providing Clear
Financial Guidancefor Women
on a Mission.
-Story on Page 8

Produced By:
Redwood Media LLC
Editors:
Dana Mackenzie
Janice Volario
Research Editors:
Mark Driscoll
Dave Roanash
Copy Editors:
Roan Weldele
Karen M. Hayes
Erika Prafder

The staff of The Top 100 Magazine would like to express their gratitude forhaving the privilege of working with the brightest, most accomplished andesteemed professionals in the finance industry.

Contributing Artists:
Michael Carolli
Tanya Jackson

Through the combined efforts of our account directors, writers, production
staff, and artists, as well as the cooperation of everyone who is featured inthis extraordinary edition, I believe we are presenting our greatest publication to date.

Production Coordinator:
Stacia Ferrere
The Top 100
People in Finance
Copyright 2019
All Rights Reserved
www.TheTop100Magazine.com
Redwoord Media Group
1 Plaza Road
Greenvale, N.Y. 11548

I know that our readers will be equally impressed by these stories and appreciate the tremendous fortitude, dedication, and perseverance of these
individuals, along with the many sacrifices they have made in the pursuit of
their dreams.
It is my sincere wish that each and every one of these amazing professionals continue to experience success and my pleasure to present The Top 100
People in Finance Magazine.

CEO, Redwood MediaAll of the information, images, logos, and individuals contained in this magazine are subject to copyright laws andintellectual property guidelines. No part of this magazine may be copied, published, or reproduced for any reason,
without the express permission of the publisher. The editorial content of this magazine is not an endorsement forany particular financial service. The Top 100 Magazine is not a financial advisor. Consult with a professional financial
advisor before making any financial decisions. FINRA information can be found here: http://finra.complinet.com/

WHO'S INSIDE
A-F:
Cliff Ambrose-32, Sania A. Ansari-85, Mellany Bagtas-56, Michael S. Berry-53, Anthony Richard Bottini III-76,
Vanessa Burnett-35, Joseph Camberato-70, Fab Carella-6, Michael Castillero-55, Roger Coleman-71,
Joshua Coughran-58, Denislav Dantev-38, JD David-60, Sarath Degala-82, Victor DelGiorno-72,
James Diehl-88, Anthony DiPaola-31, Michael DiSpirito-88, Erin Drake-82, Brendan Holt Dunn-61,
Kyle Dunn-60, Pernon Dunston-85, Roger Dusanj-43, Carl Fairbank-77, Koorosh Farzad-45, Ande Frazier-8
G-M:
Gabriel Gallante-13, Sabina Gordeuk-44, Benjamin Hansell-73, Nate Hare-16, Michael Hess-20, Jeffrey Hill-67,
Dan Holloway-68, Tarif Homsi-78, Imran Jaffer-40, Copelon Kirklin-47, Dennis Klemenz-64, Juan Carlos Lara-66,
Patrick Lawler-86, Marc Levin-81, Salvatore Loiacono Jr.-7, Adam Ludolph-83, Anthony Macaluso-63,
Ron Malhotra-41, Jaime Manriquez-81, Charles Massimo-18, James Mawhinney-24, Emilie Mazzacurati-26,
Larry McGrory-54, Rob Mcinerney-62, Stefan Meierhofer-50, Lee Mercado-80, Brian Mingham-19,
Sid Miramontes-89, Musa Mojaddedi-39, William T. Murray III-36
N-S:
Danielle Niderost-30, Richard Northrup-86, Michael Ott-89, Delilah Panio-87, Chirag Patel-69,
Cameron J. Penney-51, Russell Petty Jr.-27, Zoltan Pongracz-34, Alan Rabb-90, Jeff Ramson-46,
Matthew Rasetta-15, Bradford W. Reid-48, Dave Reyna-14, Marco Robinson-23, Mark Rose-12, Aaron Safier-65,
Ammar Sikander-42, Lis Silveira-84, Ryan Southwick-20, E. Kory Stafford-57, Jason Steffens-59,
Antoine Stewart-28
T-Z:
Peter Tagliaferro-87, Ariel Tavor-84, Balavignesh Thirumalainambi-83, Paul Thompson-80, Wayne Tsao-10,
Richard Vazquez-52, K. Michale Wallace-4, Xingang Wang-75, McKenley Washington-74, Justin Weber-11,
Adam Wood-49, Alazar Yinbal-22, Elliot Zibel-79

estate and asset protection strategies. Unlike other investment
advisors, Michael was taught by some of the largest and mostsuccessful traders and hedge fund managers in the world when
he was a trader on Wall Street in the 80’s and he still speaks tothem weekly to this day. Michael personally manages his clients’assets, accepting full charge of their interests. His lengthy anddiverse experience allows him to advice on a full spectrum ofopportunities and options in an array of markets, while greatly
diminishing the risks typically associated with investing, as
evidenced by his most recent 2018 financial report, auditedby an independent accountant. Results in the report show in
2015, a gain of 12.25%; in 2016, a 19.06% gain; in 2017, a 36.35%
gain; and finally, so far in 2018, a 10.6% gain in assets undermanagement…and the year is not over. In each and every
year, K. Michael Wallace of Wallace Investments has beat thebench mark “Dow Jones Average” by a substantial margin,even after money management fees, putting K. Michael Wallaceof Wallace Investments in the top 1% of all money managers.
This competitive advantage sets Wallace Investments, andMichael, apart from other investment firms. Using his proprietary
approach, he has consistently outperformed most hedge funds,
as reported by Barclays Hedge Fund Report, Michael asserts.

K. MICHAEL WALLACEWALLACE INVESTMENTS

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 4

K. Michael Wallace is an experienced Investment advisor,
investor, accomplished author, distinguished speaker,
and the chief executive officer of Wallace Investments,
an independent investment advisory company with aninternational presence.
Michael began his career in finance more than 36 years ago,
by attending “The Commodities Educational Institute,” where
he was trained and then passed the Series 3 Derivatives
Exam at the age of 20, making him one of the youngest
persons to ever pass this rigorous exam. During that sametime, he started work in the sales and operations departmentof Merrill Lynch. After achieving notable results in that role,
he transitioned to Lehman Brothers, as a foreign exchange
trader and market maker. Following his early successes on
Wall Street, Michael founded Wallace Investments in 1987,
and has served in an executive capacity for the past three
decades.
In complement of his operational and managerial obligations,
Michael maintains an active advisory role within the company,
assisting his impressive roster of clients with all aspectsof asset management, financial planning, insurance, real

Wallace Investments are not restricted to offering only certain
products, like other Investment firms. Michael states, “I opened
this company to help clients with ALL of their assets, especiallyreal estate, with 80% of all my clients’ net worth in real estate,
it must be part of their overall investment plan. All of the othermajor brokerage firms do not allow their brokers to participate
in any real estate transactions because of compliance issues. K.
Michael Wallace says, “How can a client achieve a high percent
return on assets if 80% of their assets are not included in theplan?” IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT WALLACE INVESTMENTSWAS FORMED! A featured service of Wallace Investments is
a FREE 401k/403b retirement plan review for our clients. We
specialize in helping them get the best investment return inthese plans as well as helping them understand what they havein the plan currently. Wallace Investments uses a sophisticatedcomputer program to break down and analyze different
investment scenarios brought to them by their clients.
“It’s a very comprehensive 58-page report that is given to them,like a financial road map into their future that they can use tohelp them make informed decisions as to where they havebeen, where they are now and where they are going. No other
Investment firm that we know of is actively offering their clients
this for FREE! We feel clients with other investment firms are
not getting the best advice, that’s why we cut through all thecompliance issues by being dully licensed and insured as aninvestment advisor, insurance broker, real estate broker and realestate instructor. Additionally, we are truly independent. We don’tcollaborate with other firms, so we don’t incur the expenses thatare traditionally passed on to the client. Wallace Investments
fees are the lowest in the industry, with commissions of only ahalf penny per share.”
Undoubtedly, the breadth of Michael’s experience has aided
in the success that Wallace Investments now enjoys. His skill
set encompasses negotiation, sales, income replacement,
mortgage protection, college education funding, retirement
planning, investments, and asset management.

In complement of his writing and academic pursuits, Michaelalso speaks at corporate events, conferences, and seminars,
and is widely acknowledged as an entertaining and informative
speaker. He maintains an active professional profile as amember of the Bronx Manhattan Board of Realtors, Member
MLS, The Real Estate Investment Guild, Hedge Fund Group,and the Finance and Investment Management Organization.
When he is not occupied with the demands of his career,Michael enjoys listening to and playing music. He is a skilledmusician and composer, who has been part of a recordedrock band since his teenage years and can often be seen at
Lincoln Center, attending a symphony.

Business Address:
14 Wall Street 20th Fl.
New York, N.Y. 10005
Phone: (917) 916-9545
www. wallaceinvestment.com
k.michael@wallaceinvestment.com
Video: https://youtu.be/m_bNEvPRNb0

TESTIMONIALS:
What attracted you to Wallace Investments?
Michael Rivera, client:“With Michael, you get the sense that he puts that personal
touch and understands every person. He’s there; heunderstands and whenever you call, he’s always available toanswer any questions you have regarding the future and what
you should do. You don’t worry because Wallace Investments
is always there. Mike is always there to answer.”
Joseph Ilarraza, client:“What I like best about working with Wallace Investments is
his patience, his follow-up, and his effective communication.”
Walter Drobenko, legal counsel:“What attracted me to Wallace Investments was the ability toprovide legal services to his clients and become part of his
team and provide services in the commercial areas of realestate, estate planning, wills and trusts, as well as just generalbusiness questions relating to his clients as he is dealing with
the investment side."

K. Michael Wallace has beat
the bench mark “Dow Jones
Average” by a substantial
margin, even after money
management fees, putting him
in the top 1% of all money
managers.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 5

As an active and prolific real estate investor, Michael instructs
classes on, How to Buy Real Estate; No Money Down and
No Credit. He has also authored a series of chapters onreal estate finance, which he has taught in both English andSpanish worldwide. Michael’s first book, Wallace Investment
Real Estate Techniques and the follow-up, Wallace Investment
Real Estate Contracts, are available on Amazon and detail themethods he used to acquire more than ninety-five properties,
with no money down, so he knows the rewards and returns
that are possible.

F

ab Carella is the founder and sole owner of Carella
Capital Corp. (CCC), a full service financial and businessconsulting company, based in Vancouver Canada.
Under Fab’s direction, CCC and its affiliated companies
invest capital in a wide array of investments including
providing venture capital seed funding to startup companies,
assisting and funding private companies through the processof going public, providing private mortgage lending toborrowers, factoring financing against account receivables
for companies, and equipment leasing. Fab also provides
advisory/consulting services to both public and privatecompanies.
As a serial entrepreneur, Fab recognized his passion for
finance at a very young age. By the time he was 20 years old,
he was already a public shareholder in multiple companies,
a rental property owner, and a business owner. This trend
continued for the next two decades, with Fab and his
affiliated companies investing private funds into a diverse
array of investments and businesses.
Fab’s talent for identifying, funding, and guiding undervalued
businesses, coupled with his intuition for building andmaintaining a diverse investment portfolio, forms thefoundation of his reputation as an accomplished and astuteventure capitalist and entrepreneur.

The companies I work with keep me motivated to stay in tune with trends in varying industries"andthey continue to foster my knowledge of various markets such as technology, healthcare
and gaming. I am continually amazed at the brilliant minds out there and the sheer numberof inventions that I am fortunate enough to be presented with on a regular basis. These areinventions that revolutionize certain industries and, in general, just help make the world a better
place by enhancing the way we live. This is what I love the most about what I do.
Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 6"

Fab maintains an active profile within the industry and withhis vast network of other financial professionals. He is often
commended for his forward-thinking ideas and foresight whenit comes to timing the cycles within certain industries andinvestment sectors.
Unlike most funds and money managers, who mostly invest
other people’s money, Fab only invests his own capital andresources. This confirms that he is fully committed to his
investments and essentially acts as advising partner to thecompanies that he invests in.
This intuition has also benefited Fab in other ways. During the2008 Canadian Financial Crisis he experienced little, if any,
economic drawdown due to his diversification strategies andcomprehensive knowledge of volatile market cycles. Not only
did he not sustain any substantial losses at this difficult time, he
ended up profiting from the many purchases he made during
this period of wide spread fear in many different markets.
During the American subprime mortgage collapse, Fabcontinued to flourish through aggressive purchasing tactics
that capitalized on opportunities at a rare time in history when
the Canadian dollar traded above that of the US dollar andassets could be purchased for far less then replacement
value. Fab’s formal training includes The Canadian Securities
Course (CSC), The Trader Training Course (TTC) and the
Personal Financial Planner Course (PFP) and he has also
completed the Profitunity Trading/Technical Analysis Course.
Contact: info@carellacapitalcorp.com

CONTACT:www.nyee.edu
310 E 14 St., New York, NY 10003
salvatore.loiacono@mssm.edu
Office: 212-979-4568
Mobile: 917-848-3355

S

alvatore Loiacono Jr. is vice president of ophthalmology
services at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount
Sinai (NYEE) and deputy chair of administration and financeat the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS),
Department of Ophthalmology. The 2013 combination of
the nationally ranked Department of Ophthalmology at
NYEE, along with the storied department at The Mount Sinai
Hospital and at ISMMS, presented an exciting opportunity
to build upon the strength of both institutions and toadvance eye care throughout the New York metropolitanarea, nationally, and internationally. “I knew this was going
to be challenging but also a very exciting time in my career,”
asserts Salvatore, who joined the department in 2014.
“NYEE’s reputation as one of the world's leading facilities
for the diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases of theeyes, ears, nose, and throat meant that I would be working
with some of the best people in the field.”

Throughout his 20-year career, Salvatore has been an
administrator in ophthalmology in some of the Greater New
York area’s most prestigious medical centers, including the
Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute at Columbia University
Medical Center/New York-Presbyterian. Prior to joining
NYEE, Salvatore served as chief operating officer for
NJRetina, one of the largest ophthalmology retina grouppractices in New Jersey.
Active throughout the ophthalmology community, Salvatore
serves as a board member of the University Administrators
of Ophthalmology (UAO) and is an administrator’s council
member in the Association of University Professors ofOphthalmology (AUPO). He is also an active member of theAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology Executives (AAOE)
and a Certified Medical Practice Executive (ACMPE) of theAmerican College of Medical Practice Executives/Medical
Group Management Association (MGMA).

Salvatore holds a Master of Public
Administration degree in healthcare
administration with a focus on healthcare
policy from the City University of New
York, Baruch College, and earned a BS in
healthcare administration from St. John’s
University.
He attributes his success to his lifelong pursuit of excellence and the
support and guidance he received from career mentors as well as his
family. “When I was starting out, my mentors completely transformed
my career. Their real-world experiences helped to crystallize mycareer path and often serve as a guide for how I approach challenges
to this day,” he explains. A first-generation American, Salvatore wasborn to immigrant parents from Sicily, who instilled in him a resolutework ethic, values of discipline and respect, love, faith, and thefortitude necessary to overcome life’s challenges.
Salvatore resides in New Jersey with his wife and two sons, who hecalls his inspiration. “When you have a strong family foundation athome and your friends and family push you not to be complacentwith life, the impossible starts to become possible,” he says.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 7

A strategic thinker, Salvatore has played a key role in the
integration of the department, presiding over the recruitmentof top clinical and scientific talent and the expansion of
ophthalmology services across Mount Sinai campuses
to serve more than 200,000 outpatients every year. The
driving force behind these moves has been to further
position NYEE at the forefront of innovation and create newopportunities for patients to access care. “NYEE is the first
specialty hospital in the nation, as well as a premier trainingsite for residents and fellows. I feel a personal obligation
to help carry its legacy of high quality and companionate
patient care forward into its third century,” emphasizes
Salvatore.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 8

Ande Frazier, myWorthWith a notable list of certifications and degrees- CFP®, CLU,
ChFC, RICP, BFA™, LUTCF, CLTC, and securities licenses Series
7, 63, and 65, as well as being named as one of Bristol’s Who’s
Who Among Distinguished Professionals and Executives, Andeeasily shows her experience in her field of choice.
Ande began working in the financial industry over twenty-four
years ago as a financial strategist, specializing in personal
finance and wealth building for individuals and business owners.
Her skills led her to become a prominent speaker and thought
leader in the financial services industry; having coached anddeveloped thousands of financial professionals.
After serving in various leadership positions throughout thefinancial services industry, including running a multi-million dollar
fintech company, Ande felt it was time to do something thatwould make a profound difference in bridging the confidence
gap between women and their money. She states, “a watershed
moment is upon us and it is likely that history will remember thisas the time when women found their voices and realized justhow powerful they really are. As head of vision and brand at

myWorth, I can partner with women and coach them to harness
their power so that the dreaded words of “financial planning”
actually make them feel strong, secure and proud.”
The financial industry has been great at telling people what to
do with their money. And at myWorth, Ande wanted to takea different approach and ask women what they want fromus. What do they need to know about their money and how can
myWorth provide them with advice, education and resources
to empower them to feel secure in making important financial
decisions in their lives.
myWorth’s communication style is simple. The brand represents
our understanding that financial decisions aren’t made in a
vacuum. They are made in the midst of many other decisions
and events. The myWorth team is made up of women who haveexperienced many of the things women are going through everyday. This brand represents that together we can break down
barriers and be the source for financial security throughout allstages of life.
Ande easily relates to her clientele, empowering women to
take charge with their financial lives, and acting as an authentic,
trusted, and motivated partner, who aids in protecting theirfinancial endeavors. Her desire, as well as that of myWorth, isultimately to make financial planning an engaging and fulfilling
process for women, and with her long and fruitful history in theindustry, Ande Frazier easily succeeds in doing just that.

For more information on myWorth check out www.myworthfinance.com.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 9

CEO and head of vision and brand at myWorth, Ande Frazier
is working to change the industry. Her team is bridging theconfidence gap between women and their money, giving themguidance through all of life’s moments. myWorth is helping
women find the financial security we all deserve, with Andeleading the way.

Wayne Tsao understands that innovation,
adaptability and a positive attitude are integral tobusiness and professional success.

Wayne Tsao
Co-Founder/CEO, Ecard Inc.

As CEO and co-founder of ECARD Inc., a leading
New York-based, FinTech company, Wayne leads his
twenty-person team by such example.
Recognizing the expense and time-consuming
challenges associated with any cross-border
payments, Wayne designed a payment solution thattakes the hassle out of making one’s money work
globally, redefining how people bank in the world.
For international travelers, ECARD’s advanced, lowfee, ‘SmartWallet’ technology comes in the form ofa UnionPay International Card, a globally acceptedbanking pass and mobile app that eliminates thecomplexities of payments and adds value to dailypurchases. The numerous perks include discounts
on Expedia.com and shopping outlets, as well as
valuable global rewards!

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 10“Travel Globally, Welcome Locally”

Under Wayne’s leadership, ECARD was selected asa Top 10 Payment and Card Provider for 2018 by
Banking CIO Outlook magazine, earning a spot on
its cover. Wayne’s motto, “Travel Globally, Welcome
Locally” serves to motivate his team and drive
growth.
Earlier in his career, Wayne gained significant
experience in payment methodologies throughpositions in Fortunate 500 remittance and payment
companies.
Bilingual in both English and Chinese, Wayne wasborn in Asia and grew up in New York, a backgroundthat aids him in bridging both cultures and working
with people of various cultural backgrounds.
A family man, Wayne enjoys spending time with hischild, showing her that life is worth living, as long as
you are doing well for yourself and others.
ECARD Inc.
353 Lexington Avenue, 5F
New York, NY 10016 | 347-382-8808 |www.Ecardinc.com | wtsao@ecardinc.com

Justin Weber is the managing partner of ASB Elite,
an Arizona-based company that provides a full suiteof financial services amenities. In accordance with
Justin’s unique business model, ASB Elite prides
itself on serving every level of investor. He states,“Whether you’re a multi-millionaire entrepreneur,fresh out-of-college dynamo, or a hobby aficionado
in retirement, we make financial optimization a
reality for you.”

Unlike the traditional “boutique” firms that are soabundant within the market, ASB Elite separates
itself from the competition through a modern, laserfocused approach to both finance and client service.
Justin, who got his start in the insurance business,
discovered that most of the people he met were
struggling financially and had very little knowledge
about how to secure their future. He was compelled
to be instrumental in changing that and, since hehad already established a significant network andresources, he set about the challenge head on.
In addition to educating his clients through his
proprietary ‘financial optimization model’, Justin
actively creates content for informative articles andother online media. He is presently a cohost of, The
Socially Awkward Podcast, a popular broadcast thatfeatures a variety of interesting topics, one of which
is finance. Through this venue, Justin educatesand brings awareness to various aspects of money
management, retirement planning, transference ofwealth, and other matters.
When asked what the highlight of his career has
been, Justin humbly tells us, “It hasn’t happened yet.
I’m working hard and we are growing as a team but
although a lot of great things have happened, I feelthat the best is yet to come. We will keep moving
forward and setting new goals.”

Justin attended Notre Dame Prep School, where he played hockey. Initially,
he decided not to pursue a secondary education, opting instead to takeadvantage of opportunities as a professional athlete. This exposed Justin
to the inner workings of finance, as it required knowledge of contracts,
negotiations, and planning for the future. He later enrolled in traditional
4-year college but after 1 semester, realized it wasn’t for him and found a
new vocation in the life and health insurance industry. Once he becamefamiliar with the banking aspects of his new career, Justin decided tofortify his expertise by enrolling in finance courses at American College.
Armed with knowledge of banking, finance, and insurance, it was a natural
progression to his current role.
Justin is fully engaged in any project he undertakes, and this is especiallyapparent in his personal endeavors. He maintains an active role within thecommunity through support of ChildHelp, the number one advocate for theprevention of child abuse, which has helped over ten million children thus
far. When he is not helping clients or serving the community, Justin enjoys
spending time with his family, especially his brother, who cohosts The Socially
Awkward Podcast. He is very dedicated to fitness, is an avid MMA fan, andtrains in both kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu at a local MMA gym.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 11

ASB Elite, although relatively new, has alreadyestablished itself as a prime contender in the financesector. With Justin at the helm, touting his motto,“I am just a regular person that is fueled solely bypassion”, the company has amassed an impressiveroster of clients and onboarded a respectable staff
of financial gurus. The end game, according toJustin, is “We want to help our clients understandand employ concepts of financial optimization, while
giving our team of professionals the ability to build
their empires and create a lucrative, freedom-filledlife for themselves.”

Rockline Wealth Management is a Long Island, New
York-based financial services firm built on 3 pillars:
Reliability, Transparency, and Simplicity. With over
80 years of combined experience in advising clientson their financial needs, the team at RWM strives toprovide an unparalleled level of client service andeducation.

CONTACT:
255 Executive Drive, #409
Plainview, NY 11803
Phone: (516) 605-1624
Fax: (516) 597-5745
Website: www.RocklineWealth.com
Twitter: @rocklinewealthTop 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 12

Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC.

Mark Rose, managing partner of Rockline WealthManagement, has more than thirty-five years of experiencein the financial industry. He began his career in 1983 at
Thompson McKinnon, before accepting a role with Wells
Fargo Advisors, as senior vice president/investment officer.
It was during his time with Wells Fargo that Mark first met
co-managing partner, Gabriel Gallante, and the pair firststarted to envision an investment firm that would focus on
everything that was missing from the larger firms currently
dominating the market.

approach that is based on education, transparency, and athorough knowledge of the market and its fundamental shifts,
ultimately results in the best outcome.”
This philosophy has proven itself invaluable, as Mark has been
instrumental in the refinement of the Firm’s overall businessacumen. By way of a very disciplined structure, Rockline has
increased the level of attention provided to individual clients.

Through Rockline Wealth Management, Mark has the ability
to utilize his extensive experience in a way that complements
those of his partner. He states, “It’s a wonderful combination
with Gabe. In a stagnant market, Gabe brings a youthful,
alternative approach to wealth management.”Mark’s passion for helping people extends well beyond his
professional interests. He is a public educator for multiple
organizations including Northrup Grumman Corporation,
GEICO, SUNY Farmingdale, and NYU Langone Medical
Center, and served as president of the largest co-op in Suffolk
County, New York. He has also coached various youth sports
including basketball, soccer, football, and baseball.

Freed from the restrictions of a large wirehouse, Mark is now
able to focus more on his clients. To that end, he has developed
a signature method that prioritizes the specific needs of eachunique investor. “I find that a hands-on risk management

Mark received his business degree from SUNY Fredonia. He
currently resides in Commack, New York, with his wife of 27
years, Lisa. They have two children, Sara and Matthew, andthey enjoy skiing, hiking, and traveling in their free time.

GABRIEL GALLANTE

Gabriel Gallante, managing partner of Rockline WealthManagement, began his career in finance as a summer
analyst for the hedge fund, P. Schoenfeld Asset Management(PSAM). It was at PSAM, where he would be introduced toprofessional money management for the first time and where
his hunger to learn about the markets began. Gabriel’s firstrole as a financial advisor was a few years later at Wells Fargo
Advisors, where he completed Wells Fargo Advisors’ training
program, earning the honor of premier new advisor. As his
career continued to blossom, he earned the appointment tofirst vice president/investment officer for Wells Fargo Advisors.
This position allowed Gabriel to develop his fundamental
investment knowledge and expand his network of clients andindustry resources.

realized the potential of alternate markets, such as recent
college graduates, who can endanger their future security
with the burdens of credit card and student loan debt. Throughsound financial advisory and preparation, Rockline WealthManagement aims to significantly reduce these risks andimplement their innovative approach to long-term investing.

In April of 2018, Gabriel and his co-managing partner, Mark
Rose, founded Rockline Wealth Management with a primaryobjective of providing a full suite of wealth management
amenities with a focus on client service. Recognizing that
financial literacy was paramount to the company’s success,the pair implemented strategies that would genuinely benefit
their niche of clients which include business owners, high-networth families and corporations. Equipped with a proprietary“multi-generational planning approach,” the Firm has also

Gabriel’s primary role in these objectives involves the creationof strategic and tactical asset allocation models and reviewing
their subsequent results. His proficiency and passion forproviding clients with an unparalleled level of service, alongwith a relentless pursuit of intellectual growth, has resulted instellar reputation, both personally and for his firm.
Gabriel attended Gettysburg College, where he received a
Bachelor of Arts degree in organizational management. During
his four years on campus, he maintained an active agenda ofactivities which included playing for the Gettysburg College
Football Team. Gabriel currently resides in West Islip, New
York, with his wife, Alison, a physics and chemistry teacher
at Oceanside High School. Together, they enjoy spendingtime with their daughter, exercising, and trying new dining
experiences. Gabriel especially enjoys martial arts and has
trained in Shotokan Karate for over 15 years.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 13

MARK ROSEDAVE REYNA
CEO: RepRecruit
Dave Reyna is the chief executive officer of
RepRecruit, one of the top recruitment agencies
for independent financial advisors, WireHouse
representatives, and highly-ranked broker/
dealers across the United States.
Dave’s career history is a testament to his
hard work and resourcefulness. From his
first role in the finance sector, to his current
appointment, he has continually developed theskills necessary to progress through roles ofincreasing responsibility.
Dave made his start in the mortgage industry in1999 as an internal variable annuity wholesaler for
AIG SunAmerica. Within a year, he was promoted
to strategic annuity specialist. From there, Davetransitioned toward financial advisory and in
2004, he was recruited by SecuritiesAmerica
to serve as regional vice president of recruiting.
Subsequent advancements include positions
with Royal Alliance and Associates, Financial
Advisers of America, and ultimately, RepRecruit.
As RepRecruit’s senior executive officer, Daveis depended on to oversee operations, ensurecompliance, direct client acquisition/retention
initiatives, and increase the Company’spresence within their market sector. Over the
past nine years, he has significantly amplified
the company’s multi-million dollar portfolio
through expert negotiations and strategic
alliances with some of the Country’s top firms.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 14

Dave’s history of success within both the industry and his career lends to the stellar reputation he now enjoys. More
impressive still is the profile he maintains within the community. Dave is thoroughly engaged with his church as a pastor
and through teaching his congregation about the love of God. As he often does for his colleagues and peers in business,he endeavors to enrich the lives of his neighbors as a positive role model and hard-working, humble individual.

THE RIGHT FIT THE FIRST TIME
We make every effort to ensure we don't get repeat business!

ADVISOR PLACEMENT | ADVISOR RECRUITMENT | BD M&A FACILITATION

P: 661-266-0099 | dave@reprecruit.com | www.RepRecruit.com

Matthew Rasetta is the owner of both Superior Rate
Mortgage of New England LLC, a leading residential
mortgage lender based in the Greater Boston area, andC&M Properties LLC, a real estate management firm locatedin Lawrence Massachusetts. He owns both companies while
also maintaining a seat on the advisory board of United
Wholesale Mortgage, the top wholesale mortgage lenderin the country.
Matt attributes his success to the Law of Attraction (what you
think about, you become), daily meditations, and his simple
goal to always put happiness first in his life.
Matt’s primary professional focus is on mortgage originations,both for himself and his staff of ten. Superior Rate Mortgageof New England offers conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, andother loan programs for borrowers of all income levels andcredit types. Under Matthew’s astute and attentive direction,
Superior Rate Mortgage has become one of the top
mortgage brokers in Massachusetts. The company prides
itself on tending to a borrower’s every need and serving asa friendly, expert guide from the application to the closing.
As a finance industry veteran with over seventeen years ofexperience in the mortgage market, Matt is both capableand successful in this endeavor.
While overseeing Superior Rate Mortgage, Matt is also managing C&M Properties which has amassed an impressive portfolioof commercial assets over the past 15 years, including 35 residential apartments units. The properties are located in theunderserved, lower income area of Lawrence, Massachusetts. He tells us, “It is rewarding to work with people from all walksof life, not just those who can afford to purchase a private home. As an owner and landlord, I am able to provide a respectableenvironment that renters can be proud to call home.”

Matthew became acutely aware that through hard work and believing in
his visions, he could advance his career, as well as improve the lives of
those who work for him. His mottos, “Inch by inch, life is a synch; yard by
yard it’s going to be hard” and “There is no substitute for hard work” arethe foundations of his business practices.
Matthew’s stellar reputation and enviable career can be credited to hard
work, determination, and a firm resolve to self-discipline. He abstains
from alcohol, which he believes is essential to a focused mind. Matthew
also benefits from his educational foundation, which includes a Bachelorof Science degree in marketing from Bentley University.
Contact:www.srmortgagene.com | MRasetta@SRmortgageNE.com
251 S. Main Street, Ste C, Middleton MA, 01949

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 15

Matthew finds personal fulfillment in all of his professional roles; whether it’s a first-time buyer closing on their dream home,
watching his staff advancing in their careers, or ensuring that his properties provide a safe environment for the families that live
there. He is both humbled and gratified that his work has a positive effect on people’s lives.

NATE HARE
Executive Vice President of Quest Trust Company
Can you elaborate on “self-directed” IRA’s?
Self-directed means that the client makes all theirown investment decisions and our staff provides
expert account administration and transaction
support services. “Self-directed” is simply amarketing term. IRAs themselves all follow the same
set of rules. However, at Quest Trust Company, we
do not sell investments for commissions or profit.
Instead, we allow the freedom for our clients tochoose their own investments, which can reachwell outside the world of stocks, bonds, and mutual
funds. We understand that most people are notvery familiar with self-direction, so we take great
pride in our educational platform, available toboth clients and non-clients, so that they can gaina better understanding of how they operate. We
offer weekly educational classes in our offices andonline. We also put together monthly presentations,workshops, and host an annual IRA expo for anyone
looking to attend, which typically attracts around athousand experienced investors and entrepreneurs
from across the country.
What is your primary role with Quest Trust
Company?

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 16

I am the executive vice president, which means I
am responsible for overseeing operations andensuring the company is operating at maximum
efficiency and profitability. I rely heavily on my
department managers, who represent several key
divisions including sales, marketing, transactions,
quality control, systems and IT. Compliance isanother key responsibility and with 600-700 new
investments each month, the paperwork andprocess can be substantial, especially dealing withinvestments such as real estate and other things.
How has your role changed over the past six
years?

Tell us about Quest Trust Company.
Quest Trust Company is one of the leading, self-directed IRA custodiansin the nation, and the largest in the state of Texas. Our headquarters isin Houston, Texas, but we have additional offices in Dallas and Austin.
Currently, we assist more than 20,000 clients with their IRA investments in
to non-traditional asset such as real estate, promissory notes, oil and gas
interests, and private placement investments, just to name a few. We haveclose to 2 billion dollars in total assets under management as we continue
to grow. This is an exciting time for us at Quest Trust Company.

Well, I came on board as an IRA specialist andprimarily focused on sales and marketing. As I
learned more about the industry, I was tasked withadditional supervisory roles. This really gave me awell-rounded and comprehensive understandingof Quest’s operations and end goals. I have now
transitioned myself into more of the systems side of
the business, where we are currently working with
developers to create more robust and technicallyadvanced online processes. I try to stay a stepahead of the competition and put a lot of focus on
security. I tend to think about what our clients needand use that as a model to create proprietary technologies
that improve upon what is currently in place. I began mycareer as an investor, and still am very active today. I
understand what the clients go through as they are funding
new investments.

themselves over time. Since 2012, we went from 4,000
clients to 20,000 and from $400M in managed assets tomore than $1.7B.

I also spend a considerable amount of time traveling acrossthe country. Investment groups from across the country ask
me to present and teach people about “self-directed IRAs”
and promote the benefits of becoming a client of Quest
Trust. I like knowing that my guidance instills confidence sothat investors can make better investment decisions andretire on their own terms. “Invest in what you know best.”

First and foremost, my dad. Although he passed away
while I was in college, I embody all of the ethical qualities
that my father had and instilled in me. He taught me to bea “man of your word” and I owe so much to him for his
guidance and support.

After college, I got interested in real estate, so I went to realestate school, got my license, and promptly decided that
I didn’t want to be a realtor. I did however, want to invest
in real estate. I shifted my focus to finance and worked
for a mortgage company, where I started to establish a
network of resources and clients. After just two years, I was
nominated for the National Mortgage Broker Rookie of theYear Award. At that time, the mortgage lending market wasat its zenith, but it crashed not long after, and I found myself
in a struggling market. My friend had worked for Quest a
few years back and he loved it so I took a chance, eventhough I wasn’t sure it would be the perfect fit. I moved fromNevada to Texas, leaving everything behind, and in 2012, I
started as a junior IRA specialist for Quest Trust. I worked
under the president, Quincy Long, and CEO, Nathan Long,and I just learned as much as I could about the businessand all the regulation and compliance requirements.

I also owe a lot of my success to my mentors, Nathan Longand H. Quincy Long. These are the men that have helped
guide me, mold me, and create the passion within me inregards to the self-directed IRA industry. I have soaked
their knowledge up like a sponge and it has become an
exhilarating thing to spread that same knowledge acrossthe country to others.
You’ve acquired some impressive accolades, can you
mention a few?
Well, I am a Certified IRA Services Professional (CISP), andI’ve been featured in some popular publications such as
US News and World Report. I’ve also appeared on Fox
Morning News San Antonio, Real Estate Radio, Note Camp,and hundreds of other high level educational platforms.
You maintain a very active profile within the community.
Can you tell us about some of the organizations you
support?

Is there a “secret” to your success? How would you advise
someone seeking a similar career?

Personally, I’m involved with local groups like the Avondale
House, Rescue Bank, Toys for Tots, and the Alzheimer’s
Association.

For the self-directed IRA industry, the products are virtually
the same across the board. One way to separate yourself
is to beat the competition through service; the education
we provide, our turnaround time, which is the fastest in
the industry, our technology. Right now, I am working
on redeveloping our client portal to reduce our 24-48hour turnaround time to just 90 minutes! We also arehyper-attentive to security. Equally important is the clientinteraction. You have to make them comfortable and keepthem interested. All of these core principles have provenI also am very passionate towards the research, education,
and awareness of special needs children and autism. My
family members run a kids gym in Pamona, California called,
We Rock the Spectrum, which is a wonderful resource for
all families. Quest Trust Company also sponsors one of
the largest fundraisers in Houston, hosted by the Altus
Foundation, which raises money and awareness for those
who cannot afford proper medical care. Giving back to
the community is something that is extremely important to
Quest Trust Company and myself.

Contact:
Quest Trust Company | www.Questtrustcompany.com | Email: Nate.Hare@QuestTrust.com
Address: 17171 Park Row Dr., Houston, Texas 77084 | Phone: (281) 492-3434

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 17

What inspired you to pursue this career?

Who are your influences?

Charles Massimo is the chief executive officer
of CJM Wealth Management, a leading wealthmanagement firm based in Deer Park, New
York, with a very distinctive business model.
Unlike many of the financial advisory firms
who commonly place revenues over fiduciary
responsibility, CJM Wealth puts the person
before the profit. Their commitment to “build
empathy, trust and transparency” coupled withproven and time-tested investment strategies,
ultimately results in better performance withlower risk over the long term.
Charles founded CJM Wealth in 2003,
following a distinguished career in financethat dates back to 1984, when he worked
on Wall Street as a compliance analyst.
Through constant professional and personal
development, he transitions through a seriesof appointments of increasing responsibility,
including roles with NY Life, Merrill Lynch, andSmith Barney.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 18

At the onset, the whole of CJM Wealthconsisted of Charles, a shed, a desk anda phone, and the fortitude to materialize
his vision. At the same time, he was raising
six-year-old triplets. This was a significant
challenge, but Charles remained confident
that he could build his resources and clientbase through networking and determination.
He began conducting seminars and dialing the phone until he gained momentum. Soon enough, his efforts started
paying off, and within just two years, Charles had amassed more than $50M in managed assets and partnered with
CJM’s managing director, Peter Anastasian, and director of client services, Diane Peters. Currently, the team manages
nearly $500M, primarily for affluent physicians and families impacted by Autism.
Under the watchful eye of Charles, CJM Wealth continued to grow through referrals and hard work. They achieved several
formal recognitions as a firm, and Charles was named among the Top CEOs in Long Island by Top Business News. As
the company stabilized, he was also able to take on other projects, such as founding the nonprofit organization, Autism
Communities, serving on Governor Cuomo’s Autism Advisory Board, and authoring the best-selling book, Getting Off
the Street: Sane Investment Advice from One of the Nation’s Top Wealth Managers.
This year, CJM Wealth celebrated their 15th anniversary, which is no simple achievement. In the field of wealthmanagement, it is especially difficult to develop and maintain a successful business. Charles elaborates, “As a team, weare proud to have so many clients that entrust their wealth and future to us. It’s the most rewarding aspect of our jobs.”
Outside the office, Charles enjoys spending time with his children, and is heavily involved in various community service
projects. He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and business at Manhattanville College.
Contact:
724 Long Island Avenue Deer Park, NY 11729 | P: (631) 777-1030 | charlie@cjmwealth.com | www.cjmwealth.com

FOUNDER/CEO: CFSI LOAN MANAGEMENTBrian Mingham is the founder and chief
executive officer of CFSI Loan Management,a Los Angeles based company that works
with lenders to mitigate the risks associatedwith construction loans. CFSI oversees theentire process, from contractor review, toproject feasibility reviews, fund control, anddraw inspections. Through this process, CFSI
helps ensure that a construction projectis completed on time, on budget, free of
mechanic’s liens, and ready for permanent
financing.
CFSI works within a niche that is particularly
valuable to lenders. While lenders that originate
construction loans are practiced in evaluating
borrower credit worthiness, they are often notexpert in assessing construction risks suchas assessing a general contractor’s ability
to complete a project, or proper costing forlabor/materials in a construction budget, or
mitigating the potential of subcontractors
and suppliers filing mechanic’s liens on aproperty. Each one of these issues can cause
a construction project to default.

CSFI’s core competencies result fromthe team of construction risk mitigation
experts that Brian has brought to the staff.
He founded the company in May of 2013,
following a twenty-year career in the financesector. During this time, he held executive
management positions with industry leaders
such as Countrywide Home Loans, JP
Morgan Chase, and NRES. Through thetraining he received in these positions, heacquired wide-ranging experience in themortgage sector. He also developed a keen
understanding of strategic development andbusiness operations. Brian has brought allof these skills to CFSI, giving the company
unique insight into the industry as a whole.

1336 Moorpark Road, #163 Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360
855-344-2374 | www.ThinkCFSI.com | brianmingham@thinkcfsi.com
In 2009, while at JP Morgan Chase, Brian’s group was drawn down. He
was challenged with deciding his next move. His first venture was aproperty preservation company, NRES. This company managed bankowned properties, such as foreclosed homes. Discovering his propensity
for entrepreneurship, and not wanting to work for anyone, it was a natural
progression to starting a company that capitalized on all of his professional
strengths.
Equally attentive to personal development, Brian maintains an activerole within the community as a member of MBA and The VenturaCounty Sheriff’s Foundation. In his spare time, he enjoys skiing,snowboarding, and travel, and as a tactical firearms instructor.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 19

CFSI lends its expertise to lenders in the formof portfolio audits as well. Some lenders relyon their partners to manage the construction
process from start to finish. These lenders
will engage CFSI to audit the documents
obtained by their partners for contractor review,project feasibility and construction draws/
inspections. CFSI provides a detailed analysisof the construction risk in the portfolio andoffers suggestions on meeting industry bestpractices.

MICHAEL HESS: WESTPAC WEALTH PARTNERS
Michael Hess, Retirement Income Certified Professional®, is avice president and wealth management advisor with WestPac
Wealth Partners in Beverly Hills, California. The native New
Yorker, who started his career at Merrill Lynch in 1996, hascome full circle in his career.

kitchen”, meaning there are well-intentioned professionals
trying to help, but who arrive at their solution withoutcoordinating or communicating with the other professionals
working for the same client. Taken in a vacuum these solutions
may look good, but life doesn’t happen in a vacuum. There
are always multiple elements in play. Without looking at theentire picture, typically, this leads to suboptimal planning.

What inspired you to pursue this career?

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 20

Then how do you create an optimal plan?
It was a natural progression. I left Merrill Lynch to pursue
institutional sales of variable annuities and 401K plans.
Shortly thereafter, I received a promotion to co-nationalsales manager of the annuity and 401K sales force. Then the
WestPac team, who knew my work well, recruited me. I’ve
become so passionate about being able to have a positive
direct impact on a family’s life, which this side of financial
services allows versus my previous finance career. Currently,
I work closely and thoughtfully with individuals, families andbusiness owners. I am grateful to have had many choicesof firms to join, but WestPac stood out because of not only
the high-level of extremely knowledgeable advisors, butalso their unique and different philosophy. WestPac fit mypersonality and desired approach to clients the best.
Please explain your role with WestPac Wealth Partners:
At WestPac, I serve as quarterback to my clients’ personaleconomy. All too often there are “too many cooks in theFirst, our team implements and assesses each client’s“living balance sheet” then approaches it from a from aprotection-first mentality. We take a financial MRI, if you will.
It’s not about only looking at your assets and liabilities. It’s
imperative we do a deep dive to make sure that you areprotected from the known and unknown. We examine thebest use of one’s capital and how to deploy it efficiently andeffectively. Ultimately, we put everything onto one page toclearly show our clients where they stand financially. Then,
if there are deficiencies, we make adjustments accordingly.
Sounds similar to a family office?
Indeed. The biggest difference between us and a traditionalfamily office is that we have hundreds of wealth advisors
throughout the country who not only work with ultra-high net
worth clients but also with couples just starting out and thosein between.

You must be really busy then!?!
Ha. Yeah. My philosophy is to help everyone I can. There
are so many people who are being ill-advised or have noproper management at all. It’s my goal to educate my clientsso they can make sound financial decisions and then holdthem accountable to the plan we collaboratively create.
How did you come about this philosophy?
Just before turning 40, my wife, Samantha Harris, received abreast cancer diagnosis. It was a complete shock. She hadjust had a clean mammogram and 11 days later she found a
lump. After sharing the news she was going to have a double
mastectomy, our family received so much support and lovethat I knew we had to pay things forward. Fortunately, she is
now 4 ½ years cancer free. But this really highlighted to me
the importance of planning early. Thankfully, we had done
planning, but oftentimes families wait. When people wait
to do their planning, the ones who suffer are the spouses
and children who don’t have a voice to push their parents
or breadwinning spouse to properly plan. I strongly believe
it is incumbent upon me and the financial community to
advocate for those people.
How else do you “pay it forward”?
In January of 2017, I ran a 50-mile ultramarathon to raisemoney for Feeding America. It took me 10 hours, but I raised$25,000 and it became a family affair. During my 10 hours
my then five-year-old ran eight miles and my then eightyear-old ran nine miles. Samantha ran eighteen! In addition
to raising the money, I wanted to teach my kids to set reallyhigh goals, work really hard to achieve them and never giveup!

ZERO! I played basketball at Ithaca College and was an
Honorable Mention All-America my senior year, so I’ve
always been athletic, but this was way out of my comfort
zone. This goal surpassed others I have set in the past inanything I have done. Having my wife and kids cheer meon gave me incredible pride. All these things have informed
who I am and how I want to help others. I look forward
to meeting new clients every day. If the knowledge andexpertise my firm and I have can help others to reach theirgoals, then we are doing it right.
Michael Hess is a Registered Representative & Investment
Advisor of Park Avenue Securities, Financial Representativeof Guardian 2018-71222 Exp 12/20

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 21

Ok, so how many marathons had you run before this?

Alazar Yinbal
President/CEO/Founder/Director
EDLife 2012
With a career spanning over three decades
in C-Level positions, Alazar Yinbal, also aretired military colonel, adheres to the famous
philosophical saying, “It is not because things
are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we
do not dare that they are difficult.”

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 22

Alazar is the founder, president, CEO, anddirector of the Los Angeles, California-based,
EDLife 2012, Inc., a first-of-its-kind, U.S. patentprotected financial and insurance platform/
product. In a broad scope, Alazar, the inventorof said historic patent, is responsible for all of
the company’s strategies, product development,
strategic relations,, brand marketing, and theevolution of EDLife 2012.

Monitoring and implementing key indicators“thatgauge staff performance and organizational
milestones are paramount to success.
”Knowing your business, it’s global sales“potential,
its limitations, clear objectives,
strengths, and growth potential is essential
to long-term survival in a highly volatile andcompetitive market.

”

CONTACT:
www.Edlifeglobal.com | Email: ayinbal@gmail.com
5536 Lindley Avenue, Suite 211, Encino, CA 91316
Phone: 818.299.0166

At the molecular level, Alazar oversees andensures the company is capitalizing on its
potential and achieving maximum exposureand expedited buildup. To that end, Alazar,
as the CEO, vitalizes board members, guides
departments heads, negotiates and creates
strategic alliances, cultivates partnerships,
and directs merger and acquisition activities.
His finely-tuned focus on each of these criticaloperations ensures that EDLife 2012 stays
ahead and maintains vitality and relevancewithin its space. Alazar must also swiftly andadeptly address and resolve any issues related
to the positioning of his company to avoid both
forecasted or unexpected challenges.
Alazar’s enviable career is complemented by
an impressive academic foundation. He triplemajored in economics, public finance, andKibbutz management and completed both a
Healthcare Financial Management Association
Certificate and SEC Public Director’s Certificate.
When he is not engaged with businessobligations, Alazar maintains an active role
within the community and enjoys his free timein the company of family and friends, plays
the accordion, writes poetry, and engages increative challenging thinking.

arco Robinson is a number one best-selling
author, engaging media presence, accomplishedentrepreneur, cryptocurrency leader, dedicatedphilanthropist, and the founder of NAKED Technologies.

M

Naked Dollars (Nkd$: www.NakedTech.io), also provides
a venue for members to sell referral memberships, travel
incentives, and beauty products, as well as real estate andeducational services.

NAKED Technologies is the world’s first asset-backed
cryptocurrency, with its own financial ecosystem consistingof debit cards, ATM machines, P2P lending, mobile banking,and an organic market place of fully-owned, fully-licensed, andaward winning businesses worth over $100M. The company’s
revolutionary Blockchain Technology allows consumers tosave up to 50% on their most popular spending habits.

Marco is a #1 bestselling author and will release his thirdbook this year entitled, On the 2nd day God Created Bitcoin& Blockchain - The Beginners Guide to the Unstoppable
Revolution (www.godcreatedbitcoin.com). The culmination of
his ventures has led to many formal recognitions for Marcoand his numerous achievements and enviable career havebeen chronicled by Forbes, GQ, BBC, MarketWatch, Fox
News, Mens Fitness, and Marie Claire, among others. He was
the winner of the People's Choice Award for Best Real Estate
Investment Company and honored with the equivalent of aknighthood for his services to the country of Indonesia by the
Palembang Darussalam Sultanate of Southern Sumatra. He
was also given the honorary title of Dato’ Seri (knighthood) for
his work with charity, particularly in allowing guide dogs to beallowed into the country of Malaysia for the blind. This initiative
started with the successful short documentary, Are You Blind,
which attracted over 15 million viewers. This short film can beseen here; https://youtube/p7YRj6hi1ns.

One of Marco’s notable endeavors has been with The New Rich
List, an entrepreneurial business network that was designed
to create and fund award-winning industry magnates. Marcoelaborates, “We designed the platform to provide mentoring
and coaching, along with information and content to help
business entrepreneurs learn, execute, and ultimately, increase
their revenue and sales. Think of it as, Shark Tank meets The
Apprentice.”
Marco is the creator of the prime television show, Get
a House for Free, broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK:
http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/channel-4-tofollow-a-great-property-giveaway (trailer: https://youtube/
ukpim8INIxg).
The global success of the show inspired Marco to start thefirst charity using Blockchain technology, FREEDOMX (www.
freedomxmovement.org). This follows the huge success of
NAKED Technologies, which created the world’s first asset andbusiness backed Cryptocurrency, NAKED DOLLARS, currently
listed on www.latoken.com.

Despite the fame and success that he has realized, Marcohails from humble beginnings and remains committed tophilanthropic projects that benefit the impoverished. In fact, heis the only person in the world that gives away homes to thehomeless on his own TV show.
Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 23

Marco’s experience in the business world began more than
three decades ago, primarily in the finance sector with afocus on real estate. He has since founded, and currently
owns, several companies, which include a cosmetics brand,a cryptocurrency program, a restaurant, and a referral-based,purchasing cooperative. Marco personally owns over 200
properties and in addition to being a multi-millionaire property
investor, he is considered a foremost authority on Investingand speaks worldwide to hundreds and thousands of people.

Capital and expertise deployed in harmony. Mayfair 101's uniqueglobal investment banking-style ecosystem delivers win-win
solutions for clients and investors. We thrive on helping marketleading companies reach their full potential, and providing
investors with consistent, reliable returns.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 24

JAMES MAWHINNEY
As the founder and managing director of Mayfair 101, a
thriving international investment and corporate advisory
firm, James Mawhinney credits his success and the successof the entire group with focusing on customer-oriented
investment solutions. With experience and backgrounds
in law, investment banking, mergers & acquisitions, funds
management, business management, sales, and marketing,this team focuses on creating win-win outcomes for theirinvestors and clients. They are committed to a common goal
to provide a more equitable distribution of value between
financial institutions, investors and companies requiring
access to finance.
Established in 2009, Mayfair 101 began as a boutiqueinvestment firm that focused on technology-related
investment opportunities. The group was eventually renamed as a result of the span of international investments
located between the group's two main office locations: 101

Founder: Private Equity/Investment Banking,Emerging Markets Focus

Collins Street in Melbourne and 1 Mayfair Place in London.
Mayfair 101's group of companies operates under aninvestment banking-style model, with a focus on consistentinvestor returns, regular income streams and exit strategies.
James attributes much of his business focus with the following
quote by Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple Inc., “The people
who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are
the ones that do.” He has spent the last four years travelingthe world, securing new and lucrative investments andMayfair 101 now has investments in 11 countries worldwide,
which gives their team of investors a unique understandingof global markets, cultures and legal jurisdictions for doing
business.
With a focus on growth companies and emerging markets,
Mayfair 101 considers itself much more than just a non-bankalternative. They offer services that banks are often lacking.

James explains, “We provide superior customer service because wedeal predominantly with high net worth investors in a market that isheavily underserviced by the banks. Our investors get more bangfor their buck.” Another key benefit is that the group's investment
products include the opportunity to earn monthly distributions, which
is a great option for those investors who are looking to gain an
income from their investments. Using an investment banking-styleinvestment model, the team at Mayfair 101 delivers win-win outcomesfor investors and companies.
James was previously chief executive officer of an ASX-listd digitalmarketing, media and advertising group and also co-founded a
digital marketing business which expanded into 7 locations around
Australia and New Zealand. James received a Bachelor of Laws
and Bachelor of Commerce degree in investment finance from the
University of Western Australia.

James discusses how Mayfair 101 delivers consistent returns for IPO
Wealth and M12 Global Investors: https://youtu.be/a22haQoXYsY

The group's fresh approach to various aspects of thefinancial services industry has resulted in an ability
to create win-win outcomes for investors and thecompanies Mayfair 101 works with.
Mayfair 101 sources and attracts investment
opportunities that can benefit from the group's tried
and tested global ecosystem of investors, fundmanagers, stockbrokers, family offices, investmentbankers, lawyers, accountants, company directors,
industry thought-leaders, entrepreneurs and advisors.
History
The group was established in 2009 as an investmentcompany focusing on technology-related investment
opportunities. Mayfair 101 quickly gained exposure
to listed and unlisted investment opportunities, someworking better than others, but all culminating ininvaluable learnings that enable them to operate theway they do today.
It is in more recent years that the group was renamed
Mayfair 101 due to the breadth of international
investments being located between the group's two
main office locations, those being 101 Collins Street,
Melbourne and 1 Mayfair Place, London.
Simultaneously the group's investment capabilities
have evolved in line with an enhanced ecosystem thatprovides investors with confidence and clients with
substantial value.
​ he Mayfair 101 group operates a portfolio of wholly andTpartly-owned subsidiaries in eleven countries including
the UK, Australia, Israel, Singapore, Hong Kong, India,
Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and the United States.
The Team

ABOUT MAYFAIR 101

Mayfair 101's group of companies operates using an investment bankingstyle model, with a focus on consistent investor returns, regular income
streams, and exit strategies.

Investments are managed by an experienced team offinancial services professionals with backgrounds andqualifications in law, finance, compliance, auditing, risk
analysis, funds management, private & public company
boards, business management, sales marketing, andinvestment banking.

CONTACT DETAILS:
Melbourne Office
Level 27, 101 Collins Street
Melbourne, Victoria
Australia 3000

​Sydney Office
Level 36, 1 Macquarie Place
Sydney, New South Wales
Australia 2000

London OfficeDevonshire House
1 Mayfair Place, Mayfair
London W1J 8AJ, UK

Phone: +61 (03) 9001 0243 | Fax: +61 (03) 8080 6471 | enquiries@mayfair101.com
www.mayfair101.com | www.ipowealth.com.au

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 25

International Investment GroupE

milie Mazzacurati is the founder and chief executive
officer of Four Twenty Seven, Inc., an award-winningmarket research firm that provides data and economic
analysis on the impacts of climate change.
In layman’s terms, Four Twenty Seven brings together
climate and financial data to help investors and corporations
understand the economic effects of climate change on
their assets. Under Emilie’s skillful guidance, the talented
staff of experts on climate science, computer engineering,macroeconomics, finance, natural resources management,
policy analysis, and international development work withfinancial institutions, corporations, and government entities toenable the integration of climate science into business andpolicy decisions and foster climate adaptation and resilience
investments.
While this may seem like a fairly novel niche within the financial
sector, the demand for this data has grown exponentiallyover the past two years. Inundated with requests fromwealth managers and financial advisors, who seek advanced
knowledge of potential risks to their clients’ portfolios, Four
Twenty Seven offers climate risk scores for a wide rangeof listed instruments in equities and fixed income markets.
Their analysis leverages best-in-class climate data at themost granular level, and scores assets based on their precise
geographic location. This provides the financial industry withthe most comprehensive overview of investment outcomes
related to present and future climate changes.
Emilie founded Four Twenty Seven in 2012, just after
Hurricane Sandy devastated the Atlantic Coast. Inflicting
nearly $70 billion in damages, the storm provided the world
with a vivid demonstration of how climate change affects
the financial markets. She elaborates, “Climate risk andvulnerability assessments have been proven crucial to longterm economic security. By developing and implementing
effective strategies to navigate our changing climate, we are
essentially safeguarding our economy for future generations.”

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 26

In the six years since Four Twenty Seven was incorporated,
it has accumulated numerous accolades including theBerkeley Visionary Award, a Risk Markets Technology Award,
an ESRI Award, ISAR Honors from the UN Commission on
Trade, and the EBJ Business Achievement Award, among
numerous others.
Learn more about Four Twenty Seven here:
http://427mt.com/our-story/
http://427mt.com/insights/

Contact:
415.930.9089 | 2000 Hearst Ave., Berkley, CA 94709
emazzacurati@427mt.com | www.427mt.com

Emilie received a master’s degree in development studies
and European affairs from Sciences Po and a Master of Public
Policy from the University of California at Berkeley. Prior tofounding Four Twenty Seven, she held several roles for local
and national governments. Emilie also served as head ofcarbon analysis for global markets with Thomson Reuters
Point Carbon. Since 2013, she has lectured at University ofCalifornia, Davis Graduate School of Management, teaching
MBA students about climate risks and opportunities for theprivate sector.

Social Media:
Twitter: @emazzacurati / @427climaterisk
LinkedIn: /emazzacurati / four-twenty-seven-llc
Facebook: /FourTwentySeven/

Emilie has authored over a dozen widely commended
publications, is a frequent speaker at industry events, andis a member of Women Entrepreneurs of Berkeley and theAmerican Society of Adaptation Professionals.

Watch Emilie accept the Visionary Award fromBerkeley Chamber here: https://youtube/7ZpayN9zXCU

Russell Petty Jr. is the owner of Grow Home Loans, a
new kind of mortgage for today’s world. He founded his
company on two principals; providing an environmentallyconscious, 100% paperless mortgage and giving back to thecommunities he serves. Recognizing the mortgage process
to be complicated and involving hundreds of pages ofcomplex paperwork, Russell is bringing the mortgage
industry into a new, paperless era. Through his groundbreaking mobile system, borrowers can escape the tediousapplication process and still experience personalized
service with a competent mortgage consultant, who will findthe best possible loan for their unique situation.
Russell states, “It’s absolutely crazy how much paperwork is
involved in a typical loan. This industry is killing thousands
upon thousands of trees every year. I wanted to giveback and help the environment. Hence, the name, Grow.”
Grow Home Loans is the ONLY 100% paperless mortgage
company in the US; the offices do not even have printers.
From application to closing, not a single piece of paper isused. The first loan that Russell closed upon starting Grow
was for a borrower who had been to six other lenders, all ofwhom rejected the deal. Russell closed the deal in 18 days,
allowing the borrower and his daughter to move into their
new home a week early!

As the owner of Grow Home Loans, Russell is charged
with responsibility over its compliance, operations, anddevelopment. In this pursuit, he actively engages withrealtors, builders, and investors to introduce his one-of-akind system, which decreases typical timelines by 10 days ormore AND completely removes the waste of paper. “Realtors
are even able to pull real time pre-approvals for clients on
their own, up to the amount the borrower is approved for.
While originators are not always available 24/7, the system
is. It keeps everyone involved and updated as to the statusof the loan and the next steps that need to be taken” hesays. In addition to preserving the environment throughpaper reduction, Russell donates 100 trees to be planted
for each closing, as well as to charities of the borrower’s
and realtor’s choices. So far, thousands of trees have beenplanted across the country thanks to Russell and his efforts.
His system even sends his borrowers photo updates of
their trees and information on the effect it’s had on theenvironment.

Russell is highly regarded within the industry for his ingenuity, dedication,and commitment, which is evidenced by the impressive number ofclosings that the fledgling company has already added to its portfolio.
When asked about his career choice and inspiration, Russell says “I’ve
always loved finance. I’m just so happy that now, not only can I help
clients obtain their new homes or better the situations they’re currently
in, but I can also give back to real causes that are affecting people on adaily basis. We are helping raise awareness on suicide prevention, theenvironment, blindness, dementia, and so much more. It just feels great
to be able to give back.” At just 22 years of age, Russell is not only theyoungest owner of a mortgage company in the United States, he is oneof the most ethical and accomplished.
Russell attended Berklee College of Music and plays several instruments.
When he is not engaged with the obligations of his business or involvedin a philanthropic pursuit, he enjoys spending time with his family andhis two bulldogs.
“A special thanks to JP, VW, CJ, RJ, LJ, & HJ. I wouldn’t be who I am
today without you.” - Russell Petty Jr.

GROW HOME LOANSCONTACT:
www.Growhomeloans.net | Phone: 704.314.4290
615 S College St., 9th Fl., Charlotte, NC 28202
Russell@growhomeloans.net

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 27

Russell is a seasoned mortgage professional with a uniquebackground in IT. Earlier in his career, he held titles of Sr.
software engineer and director of IT before transitioning
to mortgages and finance. This advanced technologicalknowledge, coupled with extensive experience in thefinancial sector, has allowed Russell to develop thisinnovative approach to the mortgage process. He states,“I want to be there for people for their first home to theirkids’ first homes. We want to be that ‘neighborhood’ lender,
but also enable everything to be done virtually and on yourphone. That’s the way things are moving, we’re just one of
the first to accept and adapt to it. The fact that people canclose on their new home while waiting in line at the movies
is something we are extraordinarily proud of. While all states
have not approved electronic closings, it is quickly being
passed across the US and we are rolling it out in each stateas they approve it.”

Antoine Stewart’s appreciation for the art ofcommunication and business motivated him
to launch Perseverance Marketing, based in
Stoughton, Massachusetts.
At the young age of seventeen, Antoine hadalready recognized that marketing is a niche thatthe average business owner rarely has time tofocus on. Perseverance Marketing addresses thatneed by extending a full range of value-driven
marketing services to financial companies ofevery size.
As the Firm’s CEO and founder, Antoine manages
a fifty-person team, who assist businesses on
the front end through design production, brandpromotion, and increasing revenue. On thefinancial side, the group provides credit restoration
and retirement planning services. Antoine is also
tasked with increasing the Firm’s footprint in
Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, andMassachusetts, and overseeing the expansion of
PHP (People Helping People) Agency, a separate,
106-person entity, which offers a selection of
products from leading life insurance providers.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 28

Developing and assisting young talent is ofparamount importance to Antoine. To this end,
Perseverance Marketing offers six to twelve-month

Perseverance Marketing is the one-stop
solution for all of your business needs. The“one-stop solution” means that once you begin
a relationship with PMF, we will work tirelessly
to ensure your business is not only successful,but continually evolving.

CONTACT:

www.Perseverancemarketingfirm.com
www.PHPagency.com | 857-266-5223
4 Cabot Place, Stoughton, MA 02072
Perseverancemarketingfirm@gmail.com

Our marketing department is comprised of astaff with modern and relevant skills to assist
you with a wide array of services, ranging fromdesign production and sales promotions tocredit restoration and retirement planning.

WE CAN.
YOU CAN.
TOGETHER WE WILL
internships, through which student trainees
gain experience in sales and marketing, while
acquiring the tools necessary to start their own
businesses.
As an early achiever himself, when he was justnineteen, Antoine was called upon to open
up a new market in Boston for a Baltimore,
Maryland roofing company. Within one month,
he generated $55,000 for this firm, generated
significant new business, and recruited a
substantial portion of their team; helping tosustain their business. By age twenty, Antoine
was working for an insurance company and was
the youngest agent in all 50 states, Puerto Rico,and Canada. The following year, he helped overthree hundred businesses and one-thousandfamilies become financially stable.

recognizes and appreciates the support he received from Shenia
Dancy, a long-time attorney, Chris Hart, co-owner of PHP, who helped
him pioneer PHP Agency, Max Tunis, president of his marketing firm,
COO Myles Cole, CMO Vladlen Vronsky, and Emma McKenna, theFirm’s secretary.
Life-long inspiration has come from Antoine’s mother, his brother,
Anthony, and Hillary Caceres, who he states, “always pushed me tobe my best.” He also confirms that he benefitted from people who said
he’d never be successful. His motto, “We can, you can, together wewill,” stems from his belief in trying to persevere, while helping others.
As a natural innovator and entrepreneur, Antoine has been involvedin other business ventures that center on fitness technology and a
new line of airplanes. Ironically, he postponed college until he wasfurther along his professional path but in 2017, he was accepted to
Harvard University on a partial scholarship and has already earned
his place on the Honor Roll.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 29

Antoine was fortunate to have key mentors
along his journey and credits, first and foremost,co-owner of PHP Agency, Joe Warren. He also

attain their personal and business goals. Integrity andhonesty are paramount. Doing the right thing ultimately
yields a positive outcome for everyone involved.”*Neither New York Life Insurance Company, nor its agents,
provides tax, legal or accounting advice. Please consult yourown tax, legal, or accounting professional before making any
decision.

Ryan is a serial entrepreneur with over a decade ofexperience that encompasses finance, consulting, IT, andexecutive management. He is a registered representative
for NYLIFE Securities LLC (member FINRA/SIPC), alicensed insurance agency, and currently holds FINRA
Series 7, Series 65, Series 6, and Series 63 licenses.
Over the course of his career, Ryan has worked withmany prominent companies such as AT&T, Verizon, Quest
Communications, and TXU Energy. He is especially skilled
at explaining complicated matters in simple ways, which
aides his clients in understanding their options and making
sound financial decisions. His consultative approach tofinancial planning also helps clients to crystallize theirgoals and understand their options to accomplish them.
He is also an agent with New York Life Insurance Company,
CA Insurance Lic. # 0I79762.
Before Ryan entered the financial services world, he
had extensive practical experience, coupled with anacademic foundation that includes a Bachelor of Science
degree from U.C. Berkeley. His deep math and science
academic background aides him in providing analysis onclient’s financial needs. This has been integral to both theoperational and service aspects of business.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 30

Danielle Niderost and Ryan Southwick are financial advisors for Eagle
Strategies LLC, a registered investment advisory firm, and co-founders of
Zephyr Financial Strategies & Insurance Solutions, a company that provides
a full suite of wealth management and business financial services.
Before beginning a career in financial services, Danielle had a backgroundin accounting and internal audit. During the span of her time working in
finance, she attained FINRA licenses, Series 6, Series 7, Series 63, andSeries 65. She is a registered representative with NYLIFE Securities LLC(member FINRA. SIPC), a licensed insurance agency, and maintains all
the licenses and certifications necessary to offer retirement planning,business employee benefits, tax diversification strategies*, investment
vehicles, and much more to her clients. She is also an agent with New
York Life Insurance Company, CA Insurance Lic. # 0K19831.
Danielle’s primary goal is to develop long lasting relationships with herclients and to provide support throughout the initial phases as well as
the subsequent fulfillment of those financial strategies. Since many of her
clients are experts in their fields, she allows them to focus on running theirbusiness by reducing the burdens associated with planning their finances.
Danielle says, “The most rewarding part of my career is seeing clients

Early on in their careers, Danielle and Ryan Southwick
engaged to provide assistance for a business ownerclient and the collaboration was ultimately successful.
They have been working together as partners ever sinceand love that their combined strengths can help to explainand describe processes and solutions in ways that theirclients can understand. Having a balance of perspectives
and strengths can make it easier for their clients to feel
comfortable, knowing that both Ryan and Danielle arereviewing the recommendations that the clients receive.
Through Zephyr Financial Strategies & Insurance
Solutions, Danielle and Ryan provide a full range of highquality, precisely tailored, investment and insurance
advisory services for both businesses and individuals.
Visit them online to learn more about executive benefits,
succession planning, key person insurance, funding buy/sell agreements, funding deferred compensation, healthinsurance**, 401K and retirement plans, and much more.
www. zephyrfinancialstrategies.com
2 N Lake Avenue, Suite 1050 Pasadena CA 91101
ryan@zephyrfinancialstrategies.com
danielle@zephyrfinancialstrategies.com
Zephyr Financial Strategies is not owned or operated byEagle Strategies LLC or its affiliates.
** Products available through one or more carriers notaffiliated with New York Life Insurance Company, dependent
on carrier authorization and product availability in your stateor locality. SMRU # 1795609 Exp. 11-9-20

Anthony DiPaola is the chief executive officer of
DiPaola Financial Group, a New York-based firmthat offers a full suite of financial amenities including
retirement preparation, college funding, wealthmanagement, asset protection, income, tax, andIRA planning, life insurance, charitable giving, trusts,
probate, and estate formation.

"The ability to improvesomeone’s future is especially
fulfilling. When clients comeback to the Firm or send theirfriends, it’s confirmation of a job
well done.”must ensure that all offices are running at maximum efficiency andproducing in accordance with established standards. In addition, he
is charged with the obligations of recruiting, training, developing, andmanaging the collective staff. Coupled with his industry affiliations,which include being an agent for Roundtable of New York andmembership in GAMA, his professional profile is both robust andinspiring.
Anthony maintains an equally energetic agenda with regard to thecommunity. He supports several charitable organizations, including
JDRF, Cops Who Care, the American Cancer Society, the American
Heart Association, and the Jimmy D Foundation for Cancer Research.
He is also an active alumnus of his alma mater, St. Joseph’s College,
from which he earned an MBA in finance.

In complement of the intrinsic rewards of hisrole, which align with the Group’s commitment tooutstanding service, Anthony enjoys being able toprovide sound investment advice that is specificallytailored to his clients’ long-term goals, budget, anddesired outcomes.

When he is not engaged with professional or philanthropic pursuits,
Anthony enjoys spending time with his family. He has two children,
Christian and Alexis, and is especially involved in their various
activities. Anthony is an avid car enthusiast and his favorite pastimes
are coaching his son’s basketball team and working out.

Service, while paramount, is but one of Anthony’s
responsibilities as CEO. DiPaola Financial Group
maintains four offices, two of which are in major
metropolitan cities within New York. Anthony

CONTACT DETAILS:
www.dipaolafinancial.com | (631) 553-4738
1 Savanna Circle, Mount Sinai, New York 11766
Email: jacadipaola@optonline.net

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 31

Anthony accepted his executive appointment in
2007, following a 14 year career as a district manager
of Mutual of Omaha. With more than twenty-five yearsof experience in the financial sector, he is perfectly
equipped to oversee the Group’s operations andensure its continued progression. Along with hiscolleagues, fellow executives, and staff, Anthony isparticularly focused on client relations and retention.
DiPaola Financial Group has established a stellar
reputation for Gold Star Service and received formal
recognition for their performance in the form of anaward, naming them The Number One Agency in the
United States.

recruiting and placing clients. Internal staffing andtraining are also an integral part of my role. I haveto make sure that the boots on the ground are
great at their jobs and enjoy doing it. It’s all relative.
Client acquisition relies upon our reputation, so asa team, we’ve got to excel in every aspect.
Tell us a bit about your background. Have you
always been in this industry?
Actually, my background is in finance, which gives
me a major advantage, considering our niche. I
started in the financial services industries in 2004,
as an associate financial planner for MetLife.
After a few years, I moved over to New England
Financial, then worked independently, selling life
insurance and annuities.
My first experience as a recruiter was in the
medical field and I did that for about a year and ahalf. I was doing well. In fact, I was the #3 recruiteramong 150 colleagues. I soon realized that I’d be ofmore value and provide better service in recruiting
within my area of expertise. I partnered with Kevin
Donovan, whose thirty years of experience inbusiness management and sales was the perfectcomplement to my competencies, and I knew rightaway that it was a great fit.
Can you elaborate on the partnership? Whatmakes it unique?

Interview with Cliff Ambrose
We sat down with Cliff Ambrose, managing partnerof Partners Career Solutions, to learn more about theMassachusetts-based recruiting firm.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 32

Can you tell us a but about Partners Career Solutions?
Well, if I’m quoting our website, “We’re a professional recruiting service
that offers tailor-made solutions to meet the individual needs of eachclient. We work with leading organizations and have developed areputation as a recruiting expert.”
In layman’s terms, we are simply the best choice for job placement whenit comes to the financial services, insurance, and securities industries.
We currently have contracts with 50 major companies and have placed
thousands of financial planners/advisors, insurance agents, sales
managers, wholesalers, and front-line managers in top positions aroundthe country.
What is your role and what’s your typical day involve?
Well, as you mentioned, I am a managing partner so first and foremost,I have to make sure that operations are running efficiently and we are

Kevin was in corporate America for a longtime. He served at the executive level for a few
major companies and had experience withbuying companies and supervising hundreds of
employees. Our combined backgrounds brought
unique assets to the table. I’ve always been
great at relationship-based sales and Kevin had
hands-on experience with structuring businesses,
valuations, and also recruiting.
What made you pursue a career in the financial
sector?
It wasn’t really any one thing, or some pivotal
moment. I liked math and my parents both owned
businesses, so I heard a lot of talk about “revenues”
and “financial models”.
We read a bit about you on your site and you’ve
received a lot of awards. Can you tell us about afew?
I really don’t like to equate my success withawards. It’s more about professional fulfillment forme but I have been known to excel in a few areas.
(laughs) At MetLife, I received a Super-Starter
Award for earning the highest FYC in the company
for first year associates. At Barton, when I firststarted recruiting, I got Rookie of the Month three times in myfirst year and I guess I should count the Million Dollar Round
Table nomination for sales of life and annuity products, whileworking independently as an insurance specialist.

in this industry. I also recently opened a separate company,
Paramount Insurance Solutions. Paramount is a privately
owned agency that helps independent and career agents findaccess to direct contracts with major insurance companies.

We also saw something about “PPP” on your site. What’s thatabout?

Paramount has a vast array of life insurance and annuity
products, which we offer through a brokerage channel that I
created. It’s all part of the business cycle: We adapt, we grow,and we thrive, as long as we continue to evolve.

Each PPP is co-designed by the companies we serve, sothat the pool of potential candidates is tailor-made to thequalifications set forth by that specific company.
It’s just another way that we provide better service. We pride
ourselves on being an “atypical” recruiter. We take the time tolisten and understand our clients so that we can truly hone inon their needs.

Lastly, tell us about your education and your personal
projects.
I got my bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, with a focus on
finance and economics from Saint Anselm College. I was
pretty involved with sports there and I managed to make theDean’s List fairly often.
As for personal projects, I am a mentor and consultant
to recovering addicts and alcoholics. I also do speaking
engagements at schools and youth facilities. In my younger
years, I battled some addictions personally, so it’s really
important to me to show that addiction can be overcome.

What are your future plans?
First, to continue to run Partners Career Solutions and continue
to build it into one of the strongest external recruiting firms

Thanks to my own sponsors and the support of my loved
ones, I was able to beat substance abuse and attain a very
rewarding career and life.

Contact:
www.partnerscareersolutions.com | cambrose@partnerscareersolutions.com
5 Cherry Hill Dr., Suite 110, Danverse, MA 19234 | Phone: (978) 491-0547

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 33

PPP, or Producer Package Plan, is an innovative strategy thatwas designed for the companies we serve. It saves themthousands of dollars in recruiter commission fees, while still
providing those companies with a pool of qualified, well-vetted
candidates to fill their own personnel and staffing needs.

our clients is entirely dependent on their individual
goals and needs, developed into a customized andcomprehensive financial blueprint.” To date, Zoltan’s
team manages approximately $150mm in client assets
and oversees over $360mm. Zoltan recently added
two additional full-time staff members for a total offour. The staff provide support with client service,
marketing, practice management, and optimizing theteam’s investment process.
Even more impressive than his business success is
his personal story. Zoltan exemplifies the ‘American
Dream’. Zoltan and his family immigrated to the U.S.
when he was just 5 years old, having only “$25 intheir pockets and a dream.” Although he did notinitially speak English, by the time he was seven,he was translating for his family. He remembers thechallenges of those early years, consisting of living invarious states, going to several elementary schools,
and oftentimes not having enough money for food.
These humble beginnings are what inspired Zoltan
to build a business centered around helping people
achieve and maintain their financial independence.
Zoltan’s inspiration has been to “do well for myself by
doing well for others.” He continues, “In today’s world
there is no shortage of competition, so I give myclients what sets me apart…relentless work ethic andan ability to push through challenging and oftentimes
complex issues.” In addition to his natural love forfinance and his lifelong interest in the stock market,
Zoltan considers himself as much psychologist as
financial planner. “People often make decisions
regarding money emotionally, so we have to becognizant of that. I believe one of our team’s biggest
strengths is our ability to actively listen, ask the rightquestions, and to protect our clients from themselves
when needed. The area of behavioral finance is one
that we work hard to understand and utilize in ourpractice.”

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 34

ZOLTAN PONGRACZ CFP®, ChFC®, AIF®
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional (CFP®), Chartered
Financial Consultant (ChFC®), and Accredited Investment Fiduciary(AIF®), Zoltan leads The Kairos Team, a six-person unit within Barnum
Financial Group. Barnum Financial Group was founded in 1950, serves
over 250,000 clients and has offices in CT, MA, NJ, NY, and RI. Zoltan
starts by explaining that “The Kairos Team, at its core, provides peace ofmind and time to our clients, as much as we provide financial products
or services.”
On a daily basis, most of Zoltan’s time is spent developing,
implementing, and monitoring his clients’ customized financial plans.
Zoltan explains, “From retirement income planning to tax minimization,
protection of loved ones to leaving a legacy, what we help build for

In addition to a dynamic agenda of professional
obligations, Zoltan is a board member of the Financial
Planning Association (FPA) in Fairfield County and a
volunteer for Foundation for Life, a 501(c)3 providing
programs such as, Bikes for Kids. Through his workwith the FPA, Zoltan dedicates his time and skills to
initiatives such as community outreach, improving theimage of the financial services industry, and providing
pro bono financial planning services. Zoltan is also anoutspoken advocate of the CFP® designation beinga requirement to become a financial advisor, sameas the CPA designation is required for accountants.
Zoltan earned his bachelor’s degree in financefrom Johnson and Wales University in Providence,
Rhode Island, with a concentration in investments
and economics. Zoltan lives in Southport, CT with hiswife, Jessica, and their three children, Jackson (5),Piper (3), and Kaylee (2 months).
Contact: www.zoltanpongracz.com | (203) 767-7991

Vanessa Y. Burnett, CFP®
Vanessa Y. Burnett, CFP® is managing
director of Wealth Management with Penniall& Associates, Inc., which is headquartered in
Pasadena, California, with offices in South Bay
and Newport Beach. The firm was foundedover fifty years ago and is currently owned byformer Major League Baseball player, David
Penniall, who started out in the industry toassist professional athletes with their financial
needs. Today, with over $400 million in assets
under management, the company provides
financial planning, portfolio management,
and employee benefit services and more toindividuals and business owners.
Before joining Penniall in 2008, Vanessa
worked for Mercer Consulting, a global humanresources firm, where she focused on humancapital and rewards, specializing in executive
remuneration and broad based compensation
consulting.

Impassioned by her work, Vanessa’s client
relationships are particularly rewarding. She
is especially interested in assisting working
families, small business owners and working
mothers, as she is a mom of two young children
herself.
Outside of the office, Vanessa is a memberof the Financial Planning Association of San
Gabriel Valley, and served as the organization’s
marketing chair for National Financial Planning
Day in 2018.

Apart from the demands of her professional life, Vanessa is committed tocauses and organizations which benefit her community. She is actively
involved with Elizabeth House, a group that houses homeless and pregnant
mothers and their children, having prepared meals for residents and offering
her time and assistance for baby showers, fundraising events and more.
As a student, Vanessa graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree incommunication and a minor in business administration from the Universityof Southern California, and completed the Certified Financial Planner™
Certificate Program at the University of California in Los Angeles, before
obtaining the CFP® designation in 2011.
Vanessa’s pride and joy are her kids, whom she shares with her husband,
Ryan. The family shares a love of singing, often doing so together.

Contact:
www.penniall.com | vyb@penniall.com
123 S. Marengo Ave., Suite 200, Pasadena, CA 91101 | 818.400.5626

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 35

Currently managing over $160 million in
assets, Vanessa was recently offered partner
at Penniall, a proud accomplishment, andis responsible for business development,
networking and the management of her
wonderful clients.

WILLIAM T. MURRAY III (TRIPP) REVOLUTION ENTERPRISES
Why did you choose the name Revolution Enterprises?
What type of statement were you trying to make about yourcompany and the industry you serve?
Our goal and mission is to advance cannabinoid science.
We strive to push the pace of genetic research and lead thecannabis revolution through the innovation of consistently
formulated, highest-quality, lab-tested, consumer driven
products.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 36

Revolution Enterprises operates a smart, technologicallyadvanced facility that is designed to produce pure, consistentcannabis medicines and products in emerging and reliable
forms and delivery methods. Driven by scientific advancement
and the latest research in the cannabis industry, our state-ofthe-art laboratory allows for in-house testing and analytics,
enhancing our ability to produce the most advanced cannabis
products on an industrial scale.

Revolution was one of the original recipients of two out of a
total of 21 cultivation/processing licenses that were grantedin the state of Illinois for the medical cannabis program. In
November 2015, we were one of the first of four cultivators inthis market when the initial program was launched. Revolution
Enterprises comprises a large and measurable market sharein the Illinois medical cannabis market. We have products
ranging from smokable flower and derivatives to edibles inall operational dispensaries in the state. We also operate one
retail dispensary in Illinois, with a second dispensary to comeonline in Maryland later this year. Our national expansion
plans are well under way and will further establish Revolution’s
reputation as a reliable and top-notch cannabis cultivator,
purveyor and leading dispensary operator.

Our Company and our brands stand for uncompromisingresearch-driven quality, focus on consumer needs, compassion
and social justice. We make every effort to continue toeducate all stakeholders about the benefits of the cannabis
plants and to lead the industry in terms of disciplined, scalable
and compliant operating procedures.

From the inception of our business, we have built our platform
to be scalable and replicable allowing us to expand easily
from state to state, bringing our quality products to market.
Our entire team of dedicated professionals brings experience,expertise, passion, creativity and adaptability to work everyday. We make it a priority to properly train and educate our
employees with the most up to date research, status of stateand national legislation, compliance and market-driven dataso that we operate each division properly.

In this newly emerging and newly legal industry, how andwhy is Revolution Enterprises setting the standard?
We strive to forge long-term relationships with our industry
stakeholders: consumers, employees, local communities,
investors, as well as lawmakers and regulators to ensure bestpractices are implemented at every stage of development.
With over ten years of experience in highly-regulated legal
markets, we have the expertise to ensure our stakeholders
are successful.

How is your business structured? What are the different
divisions of the cannabis industry that you cultivate andserve?
Revolution focuses on cannabinoid research anddevelopment which has enabled us to develop innovative
extraction, purification, and formulation methods. Ourcontinued investment in science and research positions thecompany to develop cutting-edge technologies and solutions
that transform the industry landscape. This is the core focus

Revolution Enterprises
www.revolutionenterprises.org | 312.881.4250
info@revolutioncannabisco.com
William T. Murray III (Tripp) - Chief Financial Officer
tmurray@revolutioncannabisco.com / Cell: 917-561-5026
Oleg Movchan - Chief Strategy Officer and Deputy CEO
Dusty Shroyer - Chief Operating Officer
Kevin Pilarski - Chief Commercial Officer
Mark de Souza - Chief Executive Officer

Can you explain some of the cannabis products that
Revolution produces?
It all starts with genetics. What and how you grow will determine
the ultimate end product, either as traditional flower (smokable)
product or as derivative (oil extract) based products. Our
experts in cultivation and lab extraction allow us to create
a comprehensive product line including, but not limited to:
Genetic Breeding Program
We “breed” and cultivate proprietary strains of cannabis,
continually striving to create new varietals with beneficial
and proven efficacy based on chemical profiles. We bring
proprietary genetics to market, such as Key Lime Remedy
and Blackberry Web. All are packaged in a high-grade foodcompliant packaging, they are child resistant, and labeledwith independent tested cannabinoid and terpene profiles forthe benefit and education for the end consumer.
Flower Products
Our traditional flower products (aka smokable cannabis) arecultivated to meet the standards of the most discerning, highend consumers, at an available price point. Over 150 Revolution
products are processed using third party lab-tested methods
to validate efficacy. Our products are 100% pesticide free, andall plants are hand trimmed versus machine harvested, thus
appealing to a high-end user. Strains are consistent and we
ensure that each strain released conforms to expectations forthat specific varietal.
Extracts
The cannabis market is no longer dominated by the flower/smokable product. Extracts which includes vapes, edible,
butters, etc. are growing in popularity. We feel that due tohigh demand (because of private consumption and medical
reasons) the growth pace of extracts will surpass the flower
demand in the future.
Formulations.
Revolution prides itself on growing the best unique strainsof cannabis in its pharmaceutical grade facility. Aside fromthe core value of cultivating the highest quality flower inputs,

formulations used for cannabis derivatives are equallyimportant to providing the best medicinal products forpatients. Whether the delivery method is edible products orvaporized/smokable extracts, Revolution formulations are asource of pride and a market recognized core competency. Our
vaporized product line includes flavored choices foreveryday use, and strain specific vape cartridges where theoriginal strain’s cannabinoid and terpene profile is true tothe strain input. Our edible line uses nano-technologicallyencapsulated innovations for more consistent and quicker
absorption in patient ingestion. Our well received and popularsyrup extract, our Surp brand, that can be added to cold or
hot beverages for another unique delivery method. And wehave created a new powder mixture for hot chocolate as a new
way of enjoying our products. The highest quality food inputs
along with the highest quality cannabis is the basis our for ourformulation research and production process.
Hemp
The 2018 Farm Bill allows the legalization of hemp. Hemp
has the potential to revolutionize the U.S farming economy
while disrupting many traditional industries. It can be usedin the production of over 25,000 different products and has
replaced other products that were previously made of plastic,
wood and concrete. By example, BMW, Mercedes, and othercar makers have used hemp to replace plastic in automobile
door panels. It is lighter, cheaper and more rigid than plastic
and is certainly more sustainable. The building industry has
also changed; fiber board can be made out of hemp and it
more durable, waterproof and cheaper that traditional wallboard. Hemp biomass holds the potential to compete withtraditional wood in pulp and paper applications as productionof this wonder crop increases globally. Currently the bulk
of US hemp is produced for flower which is either smokedor extracted for cannabidiol (CBD) which is proven to holdmany beneficial medicinal properties. The future of US hemp
is extremely bright as the infrastructure and supply chainsaround this market evolves. Revolution is leading the industry
and intends to be on the forefront of this movement.
What makes your business a success?
Dedication to quality throughout the entire value chain.
Incorporating proprietary strains, to unique combinations ofterpenes, to multiple delivery methods, ensures that we areable to reach as many consumers of our products as possible.
Our mission is to innovate and formulate the cannabis
products of tomorrow and this can only be accomplished witha strong and committed team of strategists and professionals.
Our executive team is made up of financial, scientific, artistic,
marketing, business development and operations experts.
Integrity permeates everything we do. Our successful products
are the result of an intersection of passion, science, finance,
marketing, quality and sharp consumer-oriented branding.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 37of the Revolution Enterprises. Additionally, our Revolution
Joint Ventures unit focuses on created joint ventures withother licensed operators and business groups that result in
strategic partnership where we provide managed services
and various IP and brand licensing opportunities. We also
recently launched a Revolution Wellness line of business thatwill focus on various consumer packaged goods markets, inparticular CBD-centric wellness products for both humans
and pets. Lastly, we are developing a separate strategy that
intends to capture the opportunity set created by the industrial
applications of hemp.

fundamental literacy of investing, I can help them tomake prudent decisions.” He continues, “Income is aperson’s greatest asset and quite often, it is assumed
to be perpetual. No one expects tragedies, such as
disability, and living on a third of one’s prior earnings
can be detrimental to the individual, their family, andtheir quality of life. Implementing the right financial
plan is no longer something that only persons ofhigh net worth concern themselves with or canafford. There are viable options for every income
level and lifestyle and my priority is to perpetuatethat message.”
The inspiration for Denislav’s career choice stems
from his own search for financial security. He
immigrated to the U.S. in 2013 and wanted to learn
everything about managing his money. While putting
himself through college, Denislav landed a job with asmall insurer and earned licensure to sell health, life,and long-term care insurance products. Although heacclimated quickly and did well, the position wasn’tquite right because he wanted to do more than selllife insurance, which he feels was a disservice toclients. He comments, “You can’t have one solution
for every problem.”Denislav has now obtained his Series 7 and Series
66 Securities Licenses and transitioned into therole of financial planner. He has since acquired an
impressive roster of clients and developed a nichewithin the immigrant community.
Denislav is Bulgarian by nationality and maintains
an active role within Bulgarian schools in the
Washington area. He states, “People don’t know
there are Bulgarian schools in the area, even if they
were born in the U.S. I am proud to forge connections
to this heritage through volunteering and supportingthe community in any way I can.”Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 38

Denislav is a devoted husband and father to his
newborn daughter and spends his spare time withthem and his family.

Denislav Dantev is a financial advisor for Prudential Advisors in the MidAtlantic territory, one of the world’s largest financial services institutions,offering individual and institutional clients a wide array of financial
products and services.
Denislav joined the Prudential team in 2017 and is responsible for factfinding and research that will facilitate a comprehensive understanding ofeach client’s unique financial needs and goals. In pursuit of this initiative,
Denislav develops customized solutions and introduces a variety of
insurance, financial and comprehensive financial planning products thatbest align with his client’s lifestyle, age, income level, and investment
experience. As an advisor who operates with full transparency, Denislav
focuses on building long-term relationships, based on trust andperformance. He states, “I want to provide the most comprehensive viewof options in a way that clients can understand. By ensuring they have a

Contact:
4920 Elm Street, Suite 300
Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone: 301-547-4042
denislav.dantev@prudential.com
www.prudential.com/advisor/denislav-dantev"Prudential Advisors" is a brand name of The Prudential
Insurance Company of America and its subsidiaries.
Offering financial planning and investment advisory
services through Pruco Securities, LLC (Pruco)(Member
SIPC), doing business as Prudential Financial Planning
Services (PFPS), pursuant to separate client agreement.
Offering insurance and securities products and services
as a registered representative of Pruco, and an agent of
issuing insurance companies. 1015400-00001-00

M

usa Mojaddedi is a real estate agent at
Excel Realty, one of the fastest growing,
independently-owned real estate andmortgage companies in Northern California,
with more than $3B in property financed.
Musa joined the Excel team in May of 2016,
following a long and impressive career infinance that began in 1999, while he was in
the final semester of study for his psychology
degree at San Francisco State University. Musa
was interviewed by AmeriQuest and was hired.
Shortly after, he accepted a position as anaccount executive for Hilltop Financial Mortgage,
where he worked his way up to regional manager
before moving on to an appointment as principalof M&M Financial Services.
This constant upward mobility can be credited toMusa’s commitment to his career, as well as thework ethic and outstanding customer service
he has trademarked. He explains, “My goal isto help people profoundly and effectively, while
simultaneously providing a service experiencethat is well above the industry standard.”
In fulfillment of that ideology, Musa works
tirelessly with both buyers and sellers, fromthe initial signing of contract through the final
closing. Whether it’s first-time homebuyers
looking for a home for their families or investors
seeking a short-term flip or long-term residual
income, Musa gets the deal done. This isevidenced by the many honors and accolades
he has received, including being named one of
the Top Performers in the Company and winning
The Excel Elite Award in both 2017 and 2018.

Originally from Afghanistan, Musa discovered
his leadership skill as the founder and presidentof the Afghan Student Association at Ohlone
College and San Francisco State University.
Outside his profession, Musa loves keeping
himself physically active by exercising regularly
and playing pickup soccer with his friends.
As a former collegiate athlete, who playedbasketball and volleyball for Ohlone College,
and club soccer for a traveling Afghan soccer
team in the San Francisco Bay Area, he still
keeps himself involved in competitive sports bymanaging and coaching an elite Afghan soccer
team in San Francisco Bay Area. In the 1980’s,

he and his family moved to America and he became enamored with televisionshows about real estate. Combining his passion for helping people, proclivity
for management, and attraction to real estate, it was a natural progression
into his chosen occupation.
Musa’s enviable career is complemented by an active social life that includes
sports, community service, and family. He is the father of three children, one
son and two daughters, who he loves spending time with.
Contact Musa for your free consultation for your next home purchase or if you
are in the market to list your home for sale.

7901 Stoneridge Dr., Suite 120, Pleasanton, CA 94588 | www.TeamERM.com
Office: 925.398.6808 x263 | Direct: 510.999.1997 | Secure eFax: 510.952.8254
M_mojaddedi@yahoo.com | www.mojaddedirg.com | LI: Musa Mojaddedi
IG: Musa_bayarea_realtor | FB: Mojaddedi real estate group

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 39

Musa’s efforts are not only recognized by his
agency and industry. His large network andimpressive roster of clients speaks for itself. In
fact, he rarely finds the need to place ads since
99% of his business comes from referrals. Musacredits this to his service model, which is “trust,honesty, service.” He states, “My primary focus
is always on establishing trust. Building trustwith clients is essential to success as a realtor
and financial advisor.”

Experience. Guidance. Trust

Imran Jaffer is the founder and CEO of Total Wealth Solutions.
He is a California-based independent wealth managementadvisor that focuses on building client relationships that last for
generations.
Total Wealth Solutions, commonly known as TWS, has a simple
but effective business model that Imran and his team of talented
financial advisors have relied on since the company’s foundingin 2003. It is to provide transparent, prudent, and time-tested
wealth strategies which strive to ultimately result in financial
security and capital retention.
Imran’s career in finance dates back to 1998, when he was acertified financial manager for Merrill Lynch. As a top-ranking
specialist and highly-praised, creative, strategic planner at thefirm, he quickly grew an impressive roster of loyal clients andestablished valuable resources that would be of great benefit in
his next career progression as an independent business owner.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 40

Before long, Imran had TWS up and running and it quickly
gained momentum, earning the devotion of many high-net-worth
individuals and influential families. Aided by a team of capable
advisors, hand-selected by Imran, the firm established itself
as a worthy competitor within a saturated market through its
commitment to five-star service and laser-focused attention to
the unique needs of each client.
The core capabilities of TWS include capital growth, wealthpreservation, passive income, legacy planning, and tax
minimization and their clientele are almost exclusively
referrals from accountants, attorneys, medical and technology
professionals, business owners, and existing clients. When asked
about his secret for success, Imran humbly states, “I believe ingrowing with my clients at every stage of their financial cycle. I
make myself available to guide and educate them because as
we all know, knowledge is power.”
Imran has been recognized as a leading wealth strategist and has
shared his experience/knowledge on global investing at eventsand conferences nationwide. He holds FINRA registrations,
including Series 7, 24, 63, and 65 through LPL Financial; memberof FINRA/SIPC, and received his degree in finance from theprestigious University of California, Berkeley.
Equally attentive to the community, Imran supports organizations
that benefit education, health, and the impoverished. When he is
not engaged with assisting a client or involved in a philanthropic
endeavor, he enjoys spending time with his family.
CONTACT: www.OneTWS.com P: 510 252 0135

Ron Malhotra
Maple Tree Wealth Management

Ron Malhotra is a leading wealth specialist,
international speaker, author, consultant, andentrepreneur, who specializes in fostering stellar
careers and desirable lifestyles for anyone with
ambition. Through his expertise in the psychology
of wealth and wealth planning, proven leadership,
and financial prowess, Ron has helped thousands ofpeople to not only realize, but exceed, their financial
and career goals.

Ron has been featured in the publications, AustralianFinancial Review, Money Magazine, Smart Investor,and Entrepreneur, was a guest on the ABC network,
has authored four books with two being best-sellers,and has garnered awards for wealth planning, public
speaking, and media. Among his designations are
Chartered Financial Practitioner (AChFP), Financial
Planner (AFP), and certification in International
Success Principles. He also holds an advanced
diploma in financial planning, an MBA from theAustralian Institute of Business, and he is currently
pursuing a PhD.
While Ron’s education and training have certainly
played an integral role in his career, it is his uniqueperspective and distinctive philosophy that have had
the most impact on his success. Through his studies
of human psychology, behavioral finance, andneuroscience, he has identified a common public
inclination, which is based on the misconception that
wealth is only a consequence of income. Accordingto Ron, “Even if people have substantial income andaccess to good investment strategies, they will still
fail financially without the right mindset and plan.”To that end, Ron has ventured more into quantum
physics and metaphysical science to learn how
people’s ideas affect the physical world. By
identifying predictable patterns and proclivities, heis able to effectively assist people in making financial
decisions that are logical, efficient, and sustainable.

“There are just not enough discussions
about the client’s beliefs and values.
Self-image drives their behaviors, sowith targeted mentoring, they can betaught to identify the right opportunities.
Through discipline and planning, eventhe average American can accrue a net
worth of over $1M in their lifetime.”
To learn more, contact Ron:
Ron Malhotra, AFP PGrad. Bus. ADFS (FP) MBA AFA AChFP
Managing Director | Wealth Planner
Maple Tree Wealth Management Pty Ltd.
PO Box 224, Beaconsfield Vic 3807
T: 1300 976 823 | F: (03) 9445 9132| ron@mapletreewealth.com.au
www.mapletreewealth.com.au | www.ronmalhotra.com

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 41

Presently, and in addition to a multitude of interrelated
projects, Ron is the CEO of The Successful Male, CEOof Ron Malhotra International, and managing directorof Maple Tree Wealth Management. Each of theseroles rely on an impressive list of core competencies
that Ron has established and refined over the past
two decades. Starting with several principal roles infinancial services, complemented by positions as aradio host, executive, and educator, his experienceis simply incomparable. This may account for thenumerous awards and recognitions he has received
over the years.

growth initiatives for 2019, Kingsmen Capital also
intends to launch a new lending platform and arange of alternative financing products for Canadianbusinesses.
Currently, a typical day for Ammar revolves aroundthe company’s operation; ensuring the businessis running at optimum efficiency and evolving withindustry trends. His focus as of late has been to
create new ways to service the growing needs of
the Canadian SME marketplace with new innovative
financial products.
Motivated by those around him, Ammar believes
one of his greatest life lessons was from his father,
who taught him that to work hard for something
you’re passionate about is the key to success. Earlyon, he recognized his strengths, likes, and dislikes,
concluding that while numbers aren’t everyone’s
game, for him it was second nature. This epiphany
inspired him to create a new company in the fintech
space and with the cooperation of partner, Roger
Dusanj, the recently formed business will target aniche market with limited options in Canada.
Ammar’s academic background is in businessadministration and psychology and since the ageof seventeen, he has worked a variety of positions,none of which he downplays. Whether it was working
front-end sales positions or executive level roles
with industry leaders, he believes every experience
was valuable and encouraged his entrepreneurial
spirit.

A
Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 42

mmar Sikander is a rising profile within the Canadian capital markets
and the president of Kingsman Capital Investments, a company heco-founded in 2016.
Kingsmen Capital Investments, a private equity firm, specializes inbusiness financing for small and medium sized enterprises and prides
itself on being “more than just a finance company”. Their vision is toprovide clients with alternative financing products and creative solutions
that will ultimately facilitate business growth. Kingsmen’s success canbe credited to its talented staff and their ability to apply their proprietary,Kingsmen 360 Business Solutions, along with Ammar’s efforts to amass alarge broker network across Canada. In accordance with their intensive

Contact:
800-822-3998 | 1300 Cornwall Road, Ste. 201, Oakville, ON. L6J 7W5
www.kingsmen-capital.com | ammar@kingsmen-capital.com

In complement of his professional undertakings,
Ammar is a member of numerous industry associations
including Canadian Securities Institute and theMortgage Brokers Association of Canada. He is
especially engaged in community outreach andworks with a group called the APMC within the
Muslim diaspora to create meaningful interreligious
dialogue. Most recently, he was a part of a delegationthat was invited to the Vatican and had theopportunity to meet with His Holiness, Pope Francis.
In the coming year, Ammar also intends to mentor
young entrepreneurs with the Canadian Federationof Independent Businesses. For him, it’s a great
way to reach out to upcoming talent and really help
those, who like him, may not know where or how to
begin.
Starting a private equity before the age of 30, andthe strides he’s made in strategic alignments during
the first three years with his firm, has led to several
impressive honors for Ammar. Despite the recognition,
he isn’t prepared to rest on his laurels. Ammar has anumber of goals set for 2019, explaining, “the grind
is never ending.” As a self- proclaimed, “adrenaline
junkie” in both the business and recreationallandscapes, it doesn’t look like Ammar Sikandar isready to slow down anytime soon.

Roger Dusanj is the director of businessdevelopment for Merchant Advance Capital, aCanadian company that provides working capital andrelated financial services to businesses through loans,lines of credit, merchant cash advances, and equipment
leasing.
Roger’s career in the finance sector began shortly after
high school. His father gave him two choices; either goto school or get a job, and he chose to work. Roger’s
first job was at McDonalds, which familiarized him withmanagement and the basics of operations. He soonlanded a job with MCI World and although he had not yet
found his niche, he learned that he excelled in sales. In
a supplemental role as a high school basketball coach,
Roger also realized his proclivity for leadership.
By the age of twenty-five, Roger had made several
advancements, ultimately resulting in a role as sales
manager. When MCI World bankrupted in 2005, hemoved to Wells Fargo Financial and in under three
years, he was promoted to branch manager. The 2008
financial collapse in Canada left Roger without a job
and looking for work in a volatile market. His wife
encouraged him to pursue independent mortgage
origination and with little effort, Roger did very well. This
prompted him to open a call center in India, where hecould supplement his sales through lead generation.
Within just 2 years, Roger opened his own mortgage
company, Quick Mortgages.

In a fortuitous event, sparked by a LinkedIn encounter,
Roger met Ammar Sikandar. After working together
on several mortgage loans, the pair realized that their
combination of skills was strategically relevant andthey created Kingsmen Capital Investments, a North
American firm that specializes in offering businesssolutions to small and medium enterprises.
The executive administration at Kingsmen fosteredexponential growth within the company, through theirfocus on helping challenged borrowers obtain working
capital by guiding their clients through the mazeand providing the best funding options in the MCA
market. This achievement served as the catalyst for thesubsequent strategic partnership with Merchant Advance
Capital, which opened the doors for direct lending.

“EVERY DAY IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE
IT MY ALL, TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE
AND TO SHARE MY ENTHUSIASM.”
Roger continues to explore opportunities in both the finance andeducation arenas. In addition to his goals to expand his influence
within unsecured lending industry and empowering the brokers thathave chosen to partner with Kingsmen, he hopes to one day build
100 schools to foster academic growth throughout the world. Hiscommitment to improving his surroundings has also encouraged him
to develop personally.

Contact:
604-723-2262 | 1500 West Georgia St., 20th Floor, Vancouver, BC
www.Kingsmen-capital.com | rdusanj@merchantadvancecap.com

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 43

After completing studies at the University of British
Columbia Faculty of Management, Roger discovered
an underserved market in online tutoring andacademic consulting. He was soon heading operations
as the CEO for Math and English Wizard, a world
leader in the development of online educational
programs for school-aged children. This role fosteredproficiencies in strategic planning, marketing, andbusiness administration, which would be of great valuein Roger’s forthcoming career transition. After taking
the company to $5M in annual revenue, Roger set hissights on a role that would benefit from his finance,
sales, and leadership abilities.

of the box” programs naturally became our firm’s niche.
I have access to many alternative mortgage programs,
including Stated Income, No Documentation, ITIN, Foreign
Nationals and Diplomats, Fix-and-Flip, No Seasoning on
Foreclosure, Short Sale and Bankruptcy. Of course, we
also offer all of the conventional programs at competitive
interest rates and fast approval times.
Tell us a bit about your educational background.

AN INTERVIEW WITH SABINA GORDEUK
Sabina Mortgage
What inspires you to work in the mortgage industry?
I love the challenges that are inherent in every mortgage loan
scenario. There is always a protagonist, with a background story
and a problem to solve. I like to co-create the story to facilitate
a “happy ending.” In today’s complex lending environment, andwith so many people having experienced financial difficulties in
the past, matching a client with the right financing solutions canrequire creative thinking, which is my calling. I naturally tend tosolve problems which many other mortgage professionals give up
on. It’s particularly rewarding to help a client who was told he or shecannot get approved for a mortgage.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 44

How do you find solutions where other mortgage companies/
mortgage professionals do not?
My professional background is more extensive than that of atypical mortgage broker. I began my career over twenty years ago
in the financial planning industry and have a solid understandingof finance and tax planning, along with a tremendous amount ofknowledge of variant mortgage products and credit reporting. A
mortgage challenge stimulates my creativity. I conduct a thoroughanalysis of my clients’ financial situation and through my access to awide variety of mortgage programs and tools, I’m able to find greatsolutions for my borrowers.
Do you specialize in any particular mortgage programs?
Since I’ve built my brand and reputation on finding solutions tochallenging problems, the so-called non-conforming, or “outside

I consider education to be a journey, rather than adestination, and constantly expose myself to new anddifferent sources of knowledge and training. As a young
person, I had a great interest for social science andpsychology and completed a dual bachelor’s programin political science and sociology at the University ofSarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. I was also enrolled in
the master’s program in political science and sociology
at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and chose tointerrupt the program just before graduation, when theopportunity to move to the US presented itself. Since then,I’ve obtained numerous FINRA certifications, including
Series 6, Series 7, and Series 63, along with insurance
licensure for life & health and property & casualty, and ofcourse, my real estate license. In addition, I’ve completed
all course requirements for a CFP Exam with theAmerican College in Brynn Marr, Pennsylvania. Presently,
I’m enrolled in the Master of Business Program with Jack
Welch Management Institute, and enjoy learning about
leadership in the 21st Century.
What and whom do you contribute your success to?
Achieving my current status in life and business is a resultof several factors that shaped who I am as a person, and
how I evolved as a professional. First, I have a perpetualdesire to succeed and do better, as well as a constantquest for knowledge. Second, the most important people
in my life, my parents and my dear husband, Alexander,
have always selflessly supported my ambitions andefforts to succeed. Most importantly, my six-year old
twins, Sophia and Daniel, are the sources of my eternallove, energy, and inspiration to do well and I endeavor
to serve as a role model who they can look up to. Lastly,and equally significant, the person who brought out mybest “business self” is my coach, J.T. Foxx, who is creating
success stories with his students worldwide.
What’s next for Sabina Mortgage?
Our company has experienced a growth in excess of
300% in 2018 and we are planning to triple that by theend of 2019. We have a team of talented, loyal, young
executives and marketing specialists and we are all
enthusiastic about the future of the company. We prioritize
our respective personal and professional advancement
and have committed to a plan that will make a differencein the community by sharing the wealth and helping those
who are less fortunate.

Contact:www.sabinamortgage.com

Over the course of his career in finance, Koorosh has developed
the skills necessary to be a top mortgage originator. His
experience, coupled with the knowledge passed down to himfrom his father, Mehdi Farzad, who was a prominent real estateand mortgage broker with Re/Max Masters for over 30 years,
can be credited for the reputation he has as a seasoned andcompetent finance professional.
Presently, in his roles as owner and broker, Koorosh is depended
on to acquire new clients, maintain existing relationships,
oversee staff, and continually develop the programs and services
offered by his firm. Koorosh prides himself on his ability to matcha client’s unique needs with a lender and loan program that
perfectly accommodates their budget, timeline, and long-termownership goals. Usually, he can assist even those buyers who
have challenging financing needs, self-employed borrowers thatown multiple businesses; whether domestically or internationally,
clients with complex forms of high income; discerning from theirtaxable income to the amounts deferred for future use, andhelping them acquire properties in the multi-million dollar range.
They also work with families who need to budget for a purchasedown the line, helping them acquire the savings necessary to
become homeowners, among other things. Masihi Financial

Group, under Koorosh’s guidance, strives to give clients an
individualized and personal approach, being with them frombeginning to end and making sure they’re involved in every stepof the process. To ultimately help alleviate any of the fears that
homeowners tend to deal with.
Koorosh is well known and highly regarded by both clients andcolleagues, a success he attributes to an innate ability to address
and overcome unexpected challenges. This is especially evident
in his academic history. Despite the obvious benefit of his father’s
experience, Koorosh did not initially plan on a career in the financesector. He was enrolled in law school when his father had a stroke
and withdrew from the program in order to assist and support
his family. Recognizing the flexibility and financial rewards of themortgage industry, he transitioned into the field as a broker andwithin a few short years, opened his own brokerage. Kooroshhas since built an impressive portfolio of loan transactions, which
includes a $7.2M deal he recently closed in Bel Air.
Masihi Financial Group has been ranked in the Top 10 for
mortgage brokers in Los Angeles on Yelp for the better partof the last few years and ranked #1 for mortgage brokers in
Downtown Los Angeles. Koorosh believes it’s due to the detailed
and expressive reviews his clients leave after closing on theirtransactions.

Contact:
Website:www.Masihifinancial.com
Email:
koorosh@masihifinancial.com
Phone:
213.330.4247

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 45

Koorosh Farzad is the founder and owner of Masihi Financial
Group, a leading mortgage brokerage and investment
management firm, headquartered in Los Angeles,
California. Under Koorosh’s expert guidance, Masihi Financial
Group has developed a simplified process to streamline theclient experience, enabling a quick and pleasant transaction. By
starting with a comprehensive analysis of their clients’ finances,
his brokerage is able to offer loans designed to meet the uniquesituations and needs of his clients.

Armed with this experience, Jeff was able to obtain a position within
the Foreign Exchange Trading department of Gulf International Bank.
Now on a path to fulfill his goal to become an institutional trader, hequickly progressed to larger banks and positions of greater trading
responsibility. Jeff spent the next 6 years at firms such as Credit
Lyonnais, Barclays, and then as vice president of FX at The Bank ofNova Scotia, where Jeff managed the Canadian Dollar Portfolio for
all US operations of the bank. This led to a position as a portfolio
manager at Moore Capital Management, at the time a pioneerin the rapidly growing macro hedge fund space, and ultimately
amongst the largest and most successful hedge funds globally.
In 1996, Jeff saw an opportunity to combine his entrepreneurial
instincts and his trading skills, to launch a new company, ProActive
Trading. Proactive was among the early entrants into the thendeveloping world of online trading, and Jeff built a substantial
business facilitating this emerging and dynamic trend. Once firmly
established, Jeff acquired a dormant broker/dealer called Great
Eastern Securities and expanded the trading business along with abanking/brokerage division which specialized in micro-cap publiccompanies.
Between 2007-2009, an unlikely convergence of events ultimately
led to the founding of PCG Advisory. There was a financial market
collapse, causing the demise of some of countless Wall Street
firms. At the same time, there was the sudden emergence of social
media. From very early on, Jeff saw social media as a valuablebusiness tool – one in which companies can create their own
platform for communication, and thereby build their own communityof stakeholders. This was revolutionary, especially for smaller
companies who are perpetually challenged to gain exposure in theinvestor marketplace.

J

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 46

eff Ramson is founder and CEO of PCG Advisory Group, afull service investor relations and strategic advisory firm basedin New York. PCG is dedicated to the discovery and creation ofvalue in the small/micro-cap marketplace. They specialize incapital markets advisory, investor relations, and digital strategies,
and have industry expertise in everything from life sciences,
biotech, and fintech to blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
Jeff has over 30 years of Wall Street experience investing inadvising and raising money for emerging public and privatecompanies in their various stages of development. He helps
companies maximize opportunities in the capital markets andadvocates for authentic and transparent communication so thatinvestors can identify value and connect with companies bestaligned for growth.
After graduating from George Washington University with a
B.A. in accounting and a minor in finance, Jeff set his sights on
Wall Street. He spent the first years out of college with Price
Waterhouse, where he focused on large banks and financial
firms. To further his ambition to transition to a career in capital
markets, Jeff acquired a position with First Boston Corp. as an
AVP in the internal audit department, where he obtained deeper
insights into the inner workings of large Wall Street firms.

PCG was built on the premise of providing smaller companies
innovative tools and strategies to build a larger audience of investors
and communicate with these stakeholders in an effective andcompliant manner. As more and more clients began to turn to PCG
for these tools, Jeff continued to grow the businesses’ capabilities,
adding more traditional investor relations and communications
services these clients needed, and thereby leading the industry
toward a fully integrated approach.
Jeff strives to use his vision and determination to innovate andcontinues to dedicate significant resources to keeping PCG at
the forefront of the investor relations field. With his “unique insight
into the needs and challenges of today's micro and small-cap
companies” Jeff and PCG have used investor relations, traditional
communications, and digital marketing to communicate the stories
that maximize exposure to current and potential stakeholders. Jeffand his team have worked with over 200 public companies andhave established PCG as a key leadership brand.
Jeff is known as a creative innovator that’s respected by colleagues
as a hard-working, insightful businessman. In his spare time, Jeff
enjoys reading, biking, and running and is a board member of Giftof Adoption Fund Metro New York Chapter, an organization thatprovides grants to complete the adoption of vulnerable children.
As a board member, Jeff humbly articulates, “it is my responsibility
to spread awareness of this worthy cause to my friends, family, andcontacts and to help raise money for this great organization.”
IG: @jefframson | Twitter: @jefframson | FB/ LI: Jeff Ramson

C

opelon Kirklin is a funding specialist and the ownerof The KPC Group LLC, a Greater New Orleans area
enterprise that provides a full suite of alternative
financing solutions for the purchase, leasing and refinancingof equipment, commercial real estate, and small to large
business capital needs, as well as other investment services
such as real estate equity funding and capital raising.
Copelon has nearly a decade of experience in the financesector, starting with his role as a realtor for EXIT Realty
Professionals in 2009, where he specialized in residential
sales, leasing, new construction, and developments. In 2011,
he founded The KPC Group and while it was still in the earlystages of development, Copelon accepted an appointment asbusiness relationship officer for Institutional Banking Services,where he was depended on to direct business development
and due diligence efforts, market IBS products/programs,
and source commercial funding options for outside lenders.
After four successful years as a business relationship officer,
and facilitating countless, high-value financial transactions,
Copelon had established himself as a leader in the industry
and earned a reputation for being a highly talented andPhoto by Marvin Price, Owner, Divine Light Creative Studios, Baton Rouge, LA

Surprisingly, Copelon did not pursue a traditional education. Instead, he
performed his own studies and refined his skill set through experience,
hard work, and self-motivation. He was always inclined toward
entrepreneurial endeavors and was inspired by his father, who was abusiness owner. Copelon also credits his success to his faith, which isingrained in his character and fosters his views on how to treat people,
and to the support of his family. During the earliest days of owning
KPC, when business was slower than he had hoped, it was Copelon’s
wife, who urged him on. His very first transaction might only havenetted a $500 profit, but it was the most important deal of his career.

performance driven individual. He then decided to focus his
efforts entirely on KPC to capitalize on the momentum he hadthus far achieved.
By 2016, Copelon had carved out a unique niche for hiscompany and experienced significant growth in both clientacquisition and revenues. By practicing a streamlined andintuitive approach to assisting clients, which was founded on

Copelon’s ambition is equally evident in his personal pursuits. He is a
dedicated family man who enjoys the company of his loved ones. He is
also an avid fan of the New Orleans Saints, LSU football, the Pelicans,and LeBron James, as well as a movie and television series buff.
CONTACT:
www.thekpcgrp.com | ckirklin@thekpcgrp.info
Phone: 225.304.2634
LinkedIn: Copelon J. Kirklin
IG: @copethemoneyguy

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 47

efficiency and astute problem solving, he had further increased hisreach within the industry and built an enviable network of resourcesthat allowed him to close challenging deals that his competitors could
not. In addition, Copelon had conceived and instituted an anomalousfeature, which catapulted his referral rate and further enlarged his
network of partners.

A high level of comprehensive, personalized service sets
Bradford W. Reid apart from other financial planners. In
practice with Northwestern Mutual since 2012, Brad works withsuccessful professionals, high net-worth families, and closelyheld business owners, to provide written financial plans which
are customized to meet each client’s vision.
Specializing in serving pre-retirees as well as medical
professionals including surgeons, physicians, specialists, anddentists, Brad’s expertise extends to efficient debt elimination,
disability income insurance, life insurance, long term careplanning, investment strategies, retirement income planning,asset allocation, asset location/tax treatment, long-term
tax efficiency, employee and executive benefits, business
continuation planning, and estate planning. Focused on
developing and maintaining genuine customer relationships
while making it easy for his clients to work with him, he often
holds remote meetings with clients across the nation.
While attending Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania,
Brad trained to become a Marine Corps officer and jet pilot
but suffered an injury and withdrew to have corrective surgery.
Despite this challenge, he went on to graduate on time witha double-major in business and economics and engineering
project management. Brad’s distinctive credentials include
a Life & Health License, FINRA Series 7 registration, and thefollowing designations: Certified Financial Planner (CFP®),
Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), and Chartered Life
Underwriter (CLU®).
Earlier in his career, Brad held a project management role with Clark Construction in the Washington, D.C. area, where heworked on sensitive projects for the Department of Defense, including the Presidential Helicopter Squadron (HMX-1) hangar at
the Quantico Marine Corps Base. These projects enabled him to give back to the country, as serving others has always been
important to him and a family tradition. The transition to financial planning more closely aligned with his talents, desire to help
others, and provided more flexibility to spend time with his loved ones.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 48

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family, especially at their beach home on the North Fork of New York’s Long
Island. Issues of concern to Brad include economic and racial equality, equal opportunity, and women’s and LGBTQ rights.
He also is passionate about mentoring new advisors as they navigate the challenges of growing a successful practice.
Brad first gained a love of travel as a young child, when his family resided in Germany, as his father managed the constructionof the tallest building in Europe at the time, the Messeturm, and served with the Marine Corps as a lieutenant colonel during
the Gulf War. The time abroad shaped his perception of the world and his appreciation for other cultures and ideas. He credits
the global experience for making him a life-long learner and for being able to stay open-minded when addressing client needs.
Bradford W. Reid, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU® LIC 0I39066 (CA) | Wealth Management Advisor, Northwestern Mutual
50 Main Street, Ste 1520, White Plains, NY 10606 | Office: (914) 367-0944 | Mobile: (202) 495-9495 | Fax: (914) 681-6024
Bradford.reid@nm.com | bradfordreid.nm.com | LinkedIn: /bradfordwreid/ | Facebook: /bradfordreidnm
Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (NM) (life and disability insurance, annuities,
and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Bradford William Reid is a Representative of Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management
Company®, (NMWMC) Milwaukee, WI (fiduciary and fee-based financial planning services), a subsidiary of NM and federal savings bank. All NMWMC products
and services are offered only by properly credentialed Representatives who operate from agency offices of NMWMC. Representative is an Insurance Agent ofNM, and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI, (long-term care insurance), a subsidiary of NM, and a Registered Representativeof Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (securities), a subsidiary of NM, broker-dealer, registered investment adviser and member FINRA
and SIPC. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ CFP® (with plaque design)and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Vice President, Citigroup

For Adam Wood, CFA, a service-oriented approach andultra-attentive management style are differentiating factors
when it comes to succeeding in the financial services andinvestment banking industries.
As vice president of Citigroup, Adam works with high net
worth clients, offering them investment advice, assisting withasset allocation, and adjusting their portfolios based on his
analysis of movement in market. He stays razor focused onminimizing volatility, while aiming to earn the best financial
return in the short and long run.
Since beginning as an investment banking summer internfifteen years ago, Adam’s customer-first style has helped him
to develop business and grow the company’s asset basesubstantially. He currently works on a team that manages
over $2 billion in assets. Day to day, client emails are
responded to in less than one hour, even on weekends, as
Adam considers his work a 24/7 business.

In 2018, Adam was honorably ranked number forty-threeout of the top one hundred bank-based financial advisors
nationwide by Bank Investment Consultant Magazine.
Family-oriented, Adam focuses greatly on managing his
professional life, while spending time with family, including
his two young children, ages six and three.

Contact:
Adam Wood
The Hanes Haber Group460 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
212-223-5631
347-394-0927 (F)http://advisor.citi.com/thehaneshabergroup

43. Adam Wood
Bank: Citibank
Location: New YorkTPM: None2018 AUM: $186.47 million
2017 AUM: $135.86 million
2018 Production: $1.00 million
2017 Production: $808,300
Fee-based business: 80%
Production/AUM: 0.54%
Years in current job: 3
Total years in industry: 11
https://bic.financial-planning.com/
list/top-100-bank-advisors-26-50

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 49

Prior to Citigroup, Adam earned a bachelor’s degree infinance through the University of Maryland, an MBA at
Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business and aChartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification.

investment management experience and is actively
involved in providing investment advice to clientsand helping them implement strategies to reach theirfinancial and lifestyle goals.
Born and educated in Switzerland, Stefan earned
his degree in banking and finance, and joined Bank
Oppenheim Switzerland AG as an institutional sales
representative on the floor of the Zurich Stock
Exchange. He earned his “Swiss-Certified Banker”
diploma, a rigorous 3-year program that covers all
aspects of the investment and banking business,while working full-time at the exchange. In 1988, hejoined LGT Bank in Liechtenstein AG as an equity
trading manager. As a member of their investmentcommittee he was actively involved in analyzing andtrading European companies and gained a broad
insight into global investing.

S
Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 50

tefan Meierhofer is president and CEO of Telos Capital Management,
Inc., based out of San Diego, California, providing sophisticatedinvestors with personalized investment management and financial
advisory services. Telos Capital Management, Inc. is a large client advisory
firm with over $600 million in discretionary assets under management.
Stefan leads the firm’s experienced investment management team and is
responsible for the development and implementation of their disciplined
investment process. He is an industry veteran with over 30 years of

In 1990, Stefan completed six months of educational
training with various brokerage firms in New York, after
which he moved to San Diego. He earned his CFA
designation in 1996 and became a member of the CFA
Institute and the CFA Society of San Diego, where he
was society president during their 2001-2002 fiscal
year. He earned his CFP® (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL
PLANNERTM) certification in 2006 and became amember of the FPA (Financial Planning Association)of San Diego. Stefan received formal training ininvestment fiduciary responsibility and attained the
AIF® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary) designation in
2011. He formerly held Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority (FINRA) Series 3, 4, 7, 24 and 63 licenses andis fluent in English, German, and speaks some French.
Prior to becoming president and CEO, Stefan was
managing partner of A&M Investment Management,
the predecessor firm of Telos Capital Management,
Inc, which he joined in 1997.
Stefan currently serves as a member of theInvestment Advisory Committee (IAC) for the City of
San Diego. The IAC is charged with the responsibility
to review the investment policy and practices of theCity Treasurer and to recommend changes whenappropriate.
Stefan and his family live in the Del Sur area of San
Diego. In his spare time, he enjoys playing tennis,
traveling and reading. His true passion, however, isspending time in the mountains where he can befound trail hiking in the summer and snow skiing in
the winter.

Cameron founded Penney Financial in January of 2016, witha goal of providing better quality financial advice at a better
cost than the more traditional wealth management firms.
The philosophy behind Cameron’s “fee-only” structure isthat because their advisors do not make commissions, they
can be completely objective and wholly observant of theirfiduciary obligations. This is the greatest distinction fromcompetitors and the utmost advantage for clients.

In addition to being a trusted and successful advisor,
Cameron is depended on by both clients and staff toensure that all business operations are running efficiently
and in alignment with the Firm’s business model. His
responsibilities include creating financial plans, advisingand communicating with clients, staff supervision andtraining, strategic development, and managing client
assets.

Cameron states, “Penney Financial may be relatively new
in comparison to other firms but we are growing rapidly.
Our clients appreciate the way we do business and refer
us to their friends, colleagues and families.”

Prior to starting his own firm, Cameron worked exclusively
in financial services and wealth management at both small,medium and large institutions. His impressive career can becredited in part to his passion for making a difference in his
client’s lives. Cameron elaborates, “Both the abundanceand scarcity of money can be a source of concern andstress, so helping people better steward their resources canallow our clients to lead more fulfilled lives. The confidenceclients gain in having us as a strategic partner build andoversee a long-term plan can add significant value.”

As a practicing advisor, Cameron is especially tuned in toclient needs and capitalizes on that knowledge by providing
the type of service that exceeds the industry standard.
This is evidenced by some of the accolades that he hasreceived. In 2018, Cameron was named a FIVE Star WealthManager and he has been quoted in leading publications
such as CNBC, Money Magazine, and FA Magazine.

Cameron received his Bachelor of Business Administration
degree from Baylor University. Outside of the office, hemaintains an active profile within the community as avolunteer for his church, supporter of NAPFA, and memberof the Garrett Planning Network. Cameron enjoys his freetime in the company of his wife, and their two children. The
couple is expecting their third child in 2019.

Penney Financial, LLC
2950 North Loop W, Suite 500 | Houston, Texas 77092
713-300-5165 | www.PenneyFinancial.com | cameron@penneyfinancial.com

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 51

Cameron J. Penney, CFP® is the owner of Penney Financial
LLC, a Houston, Texas-based, “fee-only” firm that offers
financial, tax, estate, and charitable planning, along withcost-effective asset management for people who prefer
objective financial advice to being sold financial products.

Richard Vazquez, CLTC
Managing Director, The Hotaling Group“Together We Win.”
This motto is a career-driving force for Rich Vazquez.
As managing director at The Hotaling Group, which
was established twenty-years ago and headquarteredin New York City on Park Ave, the senior level
executive has already built one of the full-service, risk
management firm’s fastest growing teams nationwide.
Positioned on the business development side of his
company, Richard focuses on identifying potential
clients and engaging them in conversations tounderstand their financial and business goals.
Through such assessment, Richard advises on the fullscope of financial services his firm offers; from estateplanning and employee and executive benefits,
to compensation and retirement planning needs.
Particularly sensitive to tax strategy and mitigation
planning, Richard then assists in developing strategies
to preserve his client’s wealth and estates.
With his sights set on national growth, Richard iscommitted to expanding THG’s East Coast presencefrom New York and Long Island to Miami, Atlanta,
Boston, and Los Angeles.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 52

Prior to his current post, Richard was a rising star at Northwestern
Mutual, where, as financial advisor and field director, he garnered
forty accounts within his first six months, building his book andachieving the prestigious award of Pacesetter First 40, a milestonethat less than 10% of the industry achieve. The bilingual, Spanishspeaking executive proudly built the Agency’s internship program,
improving its nationwide internship program ranking from 78th of 80
to 20th of 80.
Outside of the office, Richard seizes opportunities to achieve at
extreme sports. He enjoys body building and in 2018, competed in asemi-professional NPC Competition, which was a significant personal
accomplishment for him. He ranked among the Top 10 on stage,
while working 60+ hours, competing with those who devote all theirtime to bodybuilding as their profession. A travel lover, who enjoys
hiking and snowboarding, he recently realized his adventurous goalof snowboarding The Rockies and climbing both Huayna Picchu andMachu Pichu.

CONTACT:
Richard Vazquez, CLTC
Managing Director at The Hotaling Group
Business Address: 125 Park Ave Suite 1607
Email: rvazquez@hgfin.net | Phone: 631.682.7658

MICHAEL S. BERRY | ChFCMSF Companies are honored to support a client list comprising
the top 5% of plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and aesthetics
professionals worldwide. Michael S. Berry, ChFC, founded MSF
Companies in 2012, and he offers his clients over twenty yearsof experience in the financial services and life insurance spaces.
MSF Companies are passionate about serving the healthcare
and aesthetics industries exclusively with “Wealthcare in
Healthcare” centered on the following foundations of expertisethat solve their clients’ biggest problems.
A Portfolio of Competence. MSF Companies belongs toan elite advisory group consisting of over 150 independent
specialty firms nationwide. This gives you access to the mostcompetent guidance available without bias in the areas of tax
reduction, asset protection, investment, retirement, benefit
plans, insurance, corporate structure, and estate planning.
They will arrange your board of advisors, monitor performance,and make your plans surprisingly simple and cost effective.

Meaningful Tax Reduction. Tax is likely your largest erosionof wealth. Every client of MSF came to them with a product, astrategy or a relationship already in place. Most of the advisorsand clients they meet are unaware of the tools, strategies andtechniques available to them. What are the most recent threetax reduction ideas your advisors brought to you? Many times,
clients of MSF had outgrown their current support team andneither had the time, nor direction on how to seek a higher
level of guidance. Why not ask MSF for a second opinion?
Global Citizens. Are you a non-U.S. citizen? Are you a resident
alien? Are you a non-resident alien? Do you own, or do you
plan on purchasing real estate or other assets and investments
within the United States? MSF has found that many global
citizens are seeking to acquire U.S.-based assets. There canbe harsh transfer taxes imposed on non-resident aliens andyour families. It is important to navigate your options correctly.
In 2018, Michael was named a featured judge for the Global
Aesthetics’ MyFaceMyBody Awards Gala; the only nonmedical practicing judge. Medical Economics Magazine has
recognized Michael as one of the 150 Best Financial Advisors
for Physicians. Michael says, “Our clients hire us for what weknow, and stay with us for who we are.”Michael is a published author and subject matter specialist.

His work has appeared in Physicians Money Digest, Medical
Economics, The Law Journal Newsletters, and Financial Advisor
Magazine. As a seasoned and inspiring public speaker, he haspresented for the National Health Care CPA Association, Lion Street
Indaba, The Rainmaker Companies, and other industry events.
While 70% of his clients are in the healthcare industry, Michaelalso works with wealthy families, who require the advanced
knowledge and enviable performance record that Michael
has established. Michael says, “We offer not only a portfolio of
products, but also one of competence.”
Michael graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 1991,
with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. He holds thedesignation of Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) from theAmerican College in Pennsylvania, is licensed in life, health, andaccident insurance, and holds NASD Series 6, Series 63, Series
66, and Series 7 licenses.
Michael resides in Newtown, Connecticut, with his wife,
Christine, and their three children, aged 12, 15, and 18. When heis not engaged with professional obligations, he enjoys family
gatherings, cross-fit, and playing tennis.
For access to MSF Companies’ complete library of case studies
and other resources, visit msfcompanies.com.
MSF Companies | www.msfcompanies.com
Business Address: 154 Brushy Hill Road, Newtown, CT 06470
Email: mberry@msf-advisors.com | Phone: 855-449-7100 x101

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 53

Asset Protection. Asset protection is a type of financial
planning intended to protect one's assets from creditor claims
while operating within the bounds of debtor-creditor law.
Experts advise that effective asset protection begins before
a claim or liability occurs, since it is usually too late to initiate
any worthwhile protection after the fact. Find out how you canmaintain control and use of your wealth and protect it at thesame time.

Larry “Jamie” McGrory, JD, ChFC® RICP®

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 54

Fortis Lux Financial is a prominent firm that offers a full suite offinancial services to discerning clients. Since joining the firm in
March 2018, Jamie has brought together a seasoned group of
knowledgeable advisors that offer wealth management, trust,estate, and retirement planning, risk management, tax mitigation
and business succession strategies, and more. As a valued
member of the leadership team at Fortis Lux Financial, Jamie‘sphilosophy is specifically aligned with firm’s holistic approach ofusing experience and expertise to focus on and support eachindividual client and exceed their expectations.
Prior to joining Fortis Lux Financial, Jamie, who is also a licensed
insurance agent, held several executive appointments withleading financial corporations such as NYLife and John Hancock,where he served as regional director of estate and businessplanning, managing partner, and vice president of agency
development. With over 30 years of experience in the financesector, there is little that Jamie has not learned about, mastered,and shared with his impressive roster of loyal clients.
Interestingly, his current vocation was not part of Jamie’s originalplan. He graduated from the State University of New York at
Larry “Jamie” McGrory, JD*, ChFC, RICPManaging Director, Financial Planner
Fortis Lux Financial - A MassMutual Firm
Jmcgrory@fortislux.com

Cortland in 1979 with a BA in education. After college, jobs asa social studies teacher were rare and offered making less thanan admirable annual salary. Wanting a more lucrative career,
Jamie decided to continue his education and go to law school.
He attended New York Law School and earned his Juris Doctor
degree (JD) in 1984. He then passed the Bar Exam in 1985. After
working as a practicing attorney for several years, Jamie thenshifted his focus to the finance and insurance industries, pursuing
additional education, which led to certifications as a Chartered
Financial Consultant (ChFC) and a Retirement Income Certified
Professional (RICP).
With his education in law and vast and comprehensive
experience in the insurance and financial services industries,
Jamie attributes his success to having a common vision and areal desire to deliver quality experiences to advisors and clientsalike.
Jamie is a member of the American Bar Association, as well as amember of the board of directors for the SUNY Cortland Alumni
Association. In his free time, Jamie enjoys traveling, boating,fishing and spending time with family, friends and his wife, Cindy.

324 South Service Road, Suite 119
Melville, New York 11747(631) 238-7403 (Direct) | (631) 238-7413 (Main)(516) 512-0490 | www.fortislux.com

Local firms are sales offices of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), and are not subsidiaries of MassMutual or its affiliated companies.
Securities and investment advisory services offered through qualified registered representatives of MML Investors Services, LLC. Member SIPC. Supervisory
Office: 277 Park Avenue 41st & 44th Floor, New York, NY 10172. (212) 578-0300. CRN202101-241939*Licensed, not practicing on behalf of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company or MML Investors Services, LLC.

Michael Castillero
Managing Director/Founder
StraightPath Venture Partners is a premier,boutique private equity firm, specializing
in pre-IPO investing and startup venture
capital. The New York City-based company
boasts a management team offering over
100 years’ of combined wealth management
and investment experience.
Owner and founder, Michael Castillero aims
to bring high-tech, high-growth investment
opportunities to regular investors andbrokerage firms, as such prospects areoften only available to individuals with highnet worth, professional investors, wholesale
investors, or investment funds.

Under Michael’s hands on, pioneering
leadership, StraightPath is at the cusp of theleading industry trends, affording private
share access that allows its clients to invest
early and realize potentially significant
gains in a range of sectors such as cloudcomputing, software-as-a-service, social
media, banking and biotechnology. By YearEnd 2018, his firm will have been part of$50-$70 million in transactions to various
institutions.

Offering The Best Pre-IPO Venture Investment Services

Michael brings over fifteen years of industry
experience in different disciplines ranging
from the trading of proprietary capital,commodities, equities, and bonds, REITs,
variable contracts and venture capital.

At StraightPath Venture Partners, our reputation is based on our extensive
investment experience, the integrity of our people, and the quality of our work.
We are passionate about building relationships that provide value for our clientsand the shareholders, customers, and communities they serve. Our management
team has more than 100 combined years of experience in investment, offering
you the best in wealth management and investment advice.

Michael earned a Bachelor of Science
degree in management, as well as FINRA
certifications for Series 7, 63, 65. He also
holds a life insurance license.

CONTACT:
StraightPath Venture Partners: 25 Broadway, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10004
Office: (646) 767-7404 Ext. 1001 | Fax: 646-838-4715
mcastillero@straightpathvp.com | www.straightpathventurepartners.com

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 55

Since 2010, Michael has cultivated an
impressive network within the pre-IPO,
niche financial space, with strong ties toprivately held companies in Silicon Valley.
Such connections offer smaller investors
the chance to get in on investments before
others do.

Mellany Bagtas, CFP®, CRPC® NMLS# 577876
Vice President, Financial Advisor, Portfolio Manager
As a Certified Financial Planner™, portfolio manager, andvice president of wealth management at Morgan Stanley,
Mellany Bagtas helps successful professionals andbusiness owners make informed, confident, and smart
decisions about planning for the future. She attributes her
personal and professional success to treating her clients
the way she would treat her own family and friends, andworking extremely hard to establish lasting, meaningful
relationships that are built on trust, knowledge, and an elitelevel of client service.
As an experienced financial planner and advisor, Mellany
provides her clients with customized advice on pre andpost retirement needs, asset management and estateplanning. She conveys that every client relationshipstarts with an individual plan. She strongly believes thatplanning and advice should go beyond investments andasset allocation. These are only the tools that help people
achieve their financial goals. Mellany explains, “I consider
myself as my clients’ GPS system. I map out their strategy
to make sure they get to their destination safely and ontime. There will be times we would need to make a detourand make some changes to our plan, based on unforeseen
events or factors that we can’t control. But, I keep themposted on their progress and make sure I manage their
expectations properly. My clients know that whatever
happens, I’ll always be there to guide them and give them
the best advice I can give, based on the information that I
have, and they appreciate that.”

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 56

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES/AWARDS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

CFP® Certified Financial Planner™
CRPC® Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (SM)Series 6, 7, 63, and 66
Life, Health, Variable, and Long-Term Care Insurance
Portfolio Manager: Morgan Stanley Portfolio Management Program
Recipient: JP Morgan Chase, Top Bankers Award in 2008
Recipient: Orange County Rising Star Award
Hudson Valley Magazine: Five Star/Top Wealth Managers List in
2014, 2015 and 2016

Mellany’s impressive career and experience in financial
services began after she graduated magna cum laude
from Mount Saint Mary College with a BA in businessadministration with a concentration in finance. She began
working in the financial industry as a banker for JPMorgan
Chase. She then spent ten years at Merrill Lynch, working
her way up to a successful role as vice president andwealth management advisor.
Mellany serves on the board of directors and is the pastpresident of the Hudson Valley Estate Planning Council.
She also served on the board of St. Luke's Cornwall HospitalFoundation, was a member of the board of trustees for theCommunity Foundations of the Hudson Valley, and is anactive volunteer for several other non-profit organizations.

Purchase Office: Phone: 914-225-0767
2000 Westchester Ave, 1NC, Purchase, NY 10577

Mellany’s motto is, “Always deliver more than expected.”
She explains, “I always go above and beyond what people
expect from me, and what I expect from myself. I neversettle for mediocrity. If I’m going to do something, I do itwith a lot of accountability and passion.” This motto hascertainly served her and her clients well.

Poughkeepsie Office: Toll Free: 800-438-6509
2678 South Rd., Ste 201, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: 845-485-2802 | Fax: 914-418-3498

Email: mellany.bagtas@morganstanley.com
Website: https://fa.morganstanley.com/mellany.bagtas/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mellany-bagtas/

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

E. Kory Stafford is the president and chief executive
officer of AMUSA Commercial Capital, a division of
Alpha Mortgage, USA. AMUSA Capital, founded in
1993, is a private lending institution, headquarteredin Fort Worth, Texas. It services most US states witha few program exceptions.
AMUSA has closed
thousands of transactions in its twenty-five years inbusiness.
AMUSA Commercial Capital, referred to as “a problem
solver” by its clients, is an accredited member of the
Better Business Bureau and maintains an A+ rating.
This achievement is a direct reflection of the level ofservice they provide and their ability to assist witheven the most challenging loan scenarios. Under
Kory’s astute direction, AMUSA offers commercial
real estate loans ranging in size from $100K to $10M,
on a variety of property types, including single-family
1 to 4, Investment properties, multi-family, and mostcommercial property types. They can also overcome
many common obstacles such as lower credit scoresand income documentation by offering programs
that accept bank statements in lieu of personal tax
returns.
Kory is well known for his extensive knowledge ofcommercial real estate lending strategies, problem
solving, negotiations, and loan structuring. He has
funded thousands of transactions during his 25 years
in the industry and received numerous accolades
for his outstanding service and commitment as abusiness leader.
In 2003, the National Republican Congressional
Committee presented Kory with the National
Leadership Award for his service as honorary
chairman of the Business Advisory Council. He is also
listed in Who's Who in Executives and Businesses
and a former member of the Dallas chapter of The
Young Entrepreneurs Organization. Additionally,
Kory has been an invited guest and speaker on
several television and radio programs.

When he is not engaged with professional
obligations, Kory maintains an active profile withinchurch and community and is a born-again Christian.
He is an accomplished musician, having played
guitar and piano for the rock band, Classic Steel,a motorcycle and boating enthusiast, and mostimportantly, a dedicated husband and father to threegrown children with 6 grandchildren.

E. Kory Stafford
Founder/President and Chief Executive Officer

301 Commerce Street, Ste. 1420, Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Main 800-686-5679 | Fax 469-751-8164
kory@amusacommercialcapital.com

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 57

From 1997 until 2008, Kory hosted the Saturday
afternoon, Alpha Mortgage Show, broadcasted onradio stations such as ABC, News Talk 820, and
WBAP out of Dallas, Texas. He also hosted MindingYour Business Radio with Kory Stafford on The
Business Survival Radio Network live from 660 KSKY
in Dallas, and pioneered multi-media advertising
campaigns for the mortgage industry in the early
90's and 2000's.

Joshua’s experience dates back to 1996, when he worked asa licensed financial consultant for Wells Fargo Securities. In
that role, he assisted hundreds of clients on the use of multiple
products, including stocks, mutual funds, insurance, and realestate. He states, “It’s imperative to focus on the clients’ goals
and objectives, how much time they have to achieve them,and what assets, resources, and skill sets they have to workwith. There is no one-size-fits all solution that works for every
person or every family.”In May of 2000, Joshua became an independent registeredinvestment advisor and shortly after, a licensed real estate
broker. In 2005, he received a mayoral appointment to thecommittee that provides insight and direction on planning
ventures for the City’s Redevelopment Agency.
By 2007, Joshua had returned to his core passion as a generalpartner and portfolio manager of a long-short hedge fund.
He also designed proprietary software to analyze shortterm technical trends in stock price action. This algorithm
enhanced the Firm’s ability to utilize equity and index options
to improve portfolio returns during periods of market volatility.
His firm has since amassed numerous recognitions of his
talent, including honors as: Top Financial Adviser by Financial
Times, Top DC Advisor Team with Assets Under Advisement
over $100M from National Association of Plan Advisors, Top
401K Retirement Plan Advisor Team by Financial Times,
Top 300 Most Influential Financial Advisors from Boston
Research, and a Top of the Pyramid Award from Transamerica.

JOSHUA COUGHRAN

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 58

Joshua Coughran, AAMS, CCIM, is currently the managing partnerand chief investment officer of Titan Retirement Advisors, a
Registered Fiduciary™ and independent, registered investment
advisor. He started the company in 2012 with a mission to be a lowcost, fee-based firm that targets a financial epidemic in our country.

Joshua and Titan Retirement Advisors are equally committed tocommunity activism and support several worthy organizations.
This includes SIRE, which provides therapy for people
who have special needs. Joshua also received an official
commendation from his city for playing an active and generous
role in supporting the Summer Lunch Program, which prepared
29,328 meals for 1,778 elementary school students.
When he is not occupied with work or philanthropic projects,
Joshua coaches youth basketball, engages in water sports, andmost importantly, enjoys time with his wife and four children.

Joshua is accredited as an asset management specialist andcertified commercial investment member and specializes inpublic and private investment analysis, portfolio management,
alternative investments, and risk management. All of these skills
play a significant role in his objective to help families, corporations,endowments, non-profit entities, and others to create andpreserve wealth. He states, “More than half of Americans aged
above 50 will never have the freedom to retire without assistancefrom family, friends, or government services. My goal is to change
that.”
To further his agenda, Joshua achieved licensure as an educator
and instructs the class, Retirement Planning Today, for large
and small venues around the country. He elucidates, “The fees
flowing out of investor accounts are not transparent. The financial
services sector reminds me of a shell game, where people rarely
know how fees are being allocated. The creation of the 401k was
an attempt to prepare Americans for retirement but the average
person doesn’t understand the basic dynamics of the program.
Bringing clarity and simplicity to the retirement industry has beena tall order and a primary objective in my career.”

Titan Retirement Advisors LLC | www.Investtitan.com
17171 Park Row Drive, Suite 380, Houston, TX 77084(713) 239-2866 | josh@titan-advisors.com

Managing Partner, Steffens Group

Jason formed The Steffens Group to give a more individualized
touch to both clients and candidates. His unique approach tointensely working only one job and one client at a time offers
an experience tailored to each of his clients and candidate’s
specific needs.
Jason majored in business management at the Universityof North Dakota, but always felt the "pull" of sales and withhis personality, thought that world would be a natural fit. He
started his career at TCF Bank as a bank lending manager
and went on to an exciting career at Ameriquest Mortgage

company, where he rose to the rank of divisional manager,
setting numerous company and industry records.
After the mortgage industry crash in 2007, Jason sought a
new career path and "stumbled" into executive placement.
Recruiting was a natural fit for him as he had spent his previous
career building and training high powered sales teams. He
was named as vice president of investment banking search
for Gemini Solutions, a Minneapolis firm, and is still close withhis mentors, who were supportive when he opened his own
firm in 2016.
Outside of his professional duties, Jason has previously been
involved in animal charities and is active in his church. He's
also the devoted husband and father of three children. In his
spare time, Jason is dedicated to his weightlifting and fitness
routine and was actually the 2004 National Drug Free Bench
Press Champion of his age group.

CONTACT JASON: 612-306-7797 or JASON@TSTGRP.COM

The Steffens GroupWe’ll Move You to the TOP!

The Steffens Group is a boutique recruiting firm located in
Minneapolis, Minnesota that specializes in the placement ofinvestment banking, corporate development, private equity,and exceptional finance/accounting professionals in major
metropolitan areas around the United States.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 59

Jason Steffens is the managing partner of The Steffens Group,a boutique executive search firm, located in Minneapolis,
Minnesota, that specializes in the placement of investmentbanking, corporate development, venture capital andexceptional finance and legal professionals in major metro
areas around the United States.

Kyle Dunn started his lengthy career in real estate project marketing before
segueing towards the private equity space. He established himself as aleading voice in real estate marketing – an industry where the offerings were
far too homogenous. He quickly moved into executive roles with Sotheby’s
International Realty and Second City Capital, before transitioning to his
present appointment.
Kyle’s day-to-day is based on his primary goal, which is to build effective
brand strategies and to push investment managers to re-think their approachto marketing. Meyler. Fostering financial literacy is paramount to his mission
and Kyle strives to reform traditional, antiquated processes in order to makethem compatible with the alternative investment products of today. He
elaborates, “I help people understand that engagement is essential and thatis typically reliant upon change. In a nutshell, we do whatever is necessary toincrease their exposure, so that they can focus on their clients.”
To that end, Kyle has been instrumental in bringing video into vogue within
the alternative investment sector. His creations include a private equity video
that held a world record in slacklining and a video that featured a pro surfer– widely viewed as the first hedge fund advertisement in the United States.
Kyle holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, with a major in marketing, fromthe University of British Columbia. Outside of the office, he enjoys sports
such as water skiing, white-water kayaking, and being outdoors.

Meyler Capital is reinventing the process of raising institutional capital and blazing a trail
toward a modernized and relevant business model that capitalizes on proven marketing
techniques and relationship building. Under the expert guidance of CEO, Kyle Dunn, and
COO, JD David, Meyler Capital provides investment managers with solutions that help toraise capital faster, increase productivity, and foster distinction within an oversaturated market.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 60

JD David first established himself as a successful trader and risk manager inthe early 1990’s, as an options market-maker for O’Connor and Associates
prior to its purchase by Swiss Bank and then as a managing director for
Credit Suisse, where he managed both derivatives and cash trading desks.
He then transitioned to executive roles for Interlachen Capital and JASP
Capital, before partnering with Kyle Dunn to form Meyler Capital.
Meyler Capital is entrepreneurial in spirit and as its chief operations officer,
JD is afforded the opportunity to wear many hats. He is depended on for
relationship management, content development, and client acquisition,
as well as co-captaining the expansion of the company. JD’s extensive
experience in finance allows him to competently advise alternative
investment managers and to also challenge their preconceived notions
on what is unique or what brings value. He states, “The capital raisingprocess is broken. It’s been far too inefficient for far too long and far
too much time is wasted because it is unwilling to evolve. As Kyle says,
paragraphs on freeway signs don’t work. If you do and say the samethings as everyone else, investors will just choose ‘everyone else.’ Getting
your reputation to precede you is critical. There’s a lot more to marketingthen walking into a room and expecting someone to write you a check.”
JD double majored in finance and real estate and minored in psychology at
Indiana University Bloomigton. Outside of the office, he maintains an active
agenda of philanthropic projects including serving on the board of his childrens’soccer team, mentoring students, and supporting educational projects.
(844) MEYLER1 | 380 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1700, New York, NY 10168
www.meylercapital.com | www.meylercreative.com | kyle@meylercapital.com | jd@meylercapital.com

2017 AWARDSWINNER
BEST MULTI-FAMILY OFFICE

Albany Financial Center
Suite 303, South Ocean Blvd.
New Providence, Bahamas SP-63158
Email: bdunn@holdun.com
Phone: 242.477.0157

CARIBBEAN

Brendan started working at Holdun in 2004, but was not afforded
any special advantages. He had to listen and learn, while earning
his place within the hierarchy. Eventually, operational control of
the office was passed to Brendan from his father, Stuart Dunn,
and he has since led the company's international expansion.
Presently, as CEO, Brendan wears many hats but his primary
focus is on overseeing the organization as a whole and ensuring
its perpetuity, profit, and progression.
Holdun Family Office traces its heritage back five generations
to industrialist and financier Sir Herbert Holt, who amassed
a business empire that spanned three continents during
one of the most tumultuous periods in history; the Great
Depression. He was the longest serving president andchairman of the Royal Bank of Canada, who, during his tenure,
had multiplied their assets fifteen fold. Sir Holt’s political poweris said to rival that of the Rockefellers and his legacy forms

the foundation that Holdun Family Office was built upon.
“Holdun” is a hybrid name, formed from the Holt and Dunn
families, who have since managed their established wealthacross five generations. Given its tradition, history, and historicalinvestment returns, Holdun has established a well-deserved
reputation as a discreet and private provider of personal financial
services that are not aligned with any financial institution. Instead,
it is committed to optimizing prudent returns by managing
clients’ interests alongside those of the Dunn family, ensuring analignment of objectives for all investors.
On April 26th, 2018, Holdun launched the Holt Accelerator, agroup of modern day brokers, who accelerate deal making
between fin-tech startups. As a tech-savvy investor, who hasmade many investments in startups including Uber, Addepar,
Taxfyle, and Stradigi AI, Brendan was perfectly suited to a role as
managing partner of this fledgling enterprise.
Brendan holds a Bachelor of Administrative and Commercial
Studies degree, with a focus on finance, from the University ofWestern Ontario.
Outside of his professional obligations, Brendan enjoys spendingtime with his family and children, as well as playing golf, tennis,
and swimming.

For a complete description of Holdun services, visit: www.holdun.com

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 61

Brendan Holt Dunn is the CEO of Holdun Family Office andmanaging partner of Holt Accelerator. Holdun, a 5th generation
family business that was awarded Best Multi-Family Office in the
Caribbean for two consecutive years (2017 and 2018), offers a fullsuite of financial amenities including wealth management, trust,
corporate, and concierge services, from its headquarters in the
Bahamas.

R

ob McInerney is the presidentof International Gold Vault Ltd., aprivately-owned company, basedin Vancouver, that specializes in thesale and purchase of precious metals.
IGV is unique in that they do not chargecommissions and they cater to every
level of buyer and seller, from novice
to experienced collectors. Primarily,
Rob deals with gold, silver, platinum,and palladium, which he has vaulted onbehalf of his clients around the world. He
prides himself on being able to educate
consumers in order to change the stigma
attached to the precious metals market.
He tells us, “What most people don’t
realize is that you don’t have to be wealthy
in order to partake of this commodity. In
fact, this is a relatively underutilized asset
that can be held in a physical form.”

Rob’s career in the precious metals
field dates back to August 2007, when
he started working for small, boutiquestyle precious metals office as a seniorbullion dealer. After 4 years of hard workand countless hours of experience, he
was promoted to vice president andcharged with responsibility over trading,
performance evaluation, client acquisition, market research, and supervision of staff. He was also trusted to oversee deliveries,
visit vaults, and serve as the voice of the company through monthly contributions to their in-house newsletter, The Report.
In 2017, Rob made the transition to independent ownership, bringing a wealth of skills he had acquired over the past decade.
His business model differed from other companies within the sector because Rob wanted to offer prudent advisory withoutcommissions or fees and protect consumers from irresponsible traders. Rob presently operates in more than 40 countries
worldwide, offers physical gold and silver for registered funds in Canada and IRA’s in the U.S. Rob is also an invited guest
speaker for financial advisors, who wish to expand their knowledge and offer precious metals to their clients.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 62

When asked what inspired him to pursue this line of work, Rob credits
the support and guidance he received from his father and brother,
who are both financial advisors, and the mentorship of Jim Rickards,
a celebrated NY analyst, who provided an intimate understanding ofmarket transactions, risk assessment, and forward-looking valuation.
Rob graduated high school in 1993 in Ontario. He immediately
embarked on a career flying airplanes, initially planning on becoming
a commercial pilot. He spent several years flying until, while still in
his 20’s, he realized there was another plan for him. Rob packed aduffel bag and moved to Vancouver with only a dream. Fast forward
seventeen years and he is now married with two children, and theproud owner of a thriving business.
Outside of work, Rob maintains an active profile within the community
through several charities such as PlanCanada.ca and as a pastmember of the Vancouver Board of Trade. His favorite indulgences
include fine wine, travel, golf, hockey, cooking, and of course,
spending time outdoors with his family.
Contact: www.internationalgoldvault.com | (833) 945-5555 or (604) 928-2086 | rob@internationalgoldvault.com

Anthony Macaluso is a prominent financial advisor for
Woodbury Financial, one of the nation’s leading wealthmanagement firms. Over the course of his exceptional
career, which spans over a decade and includes seniorlevel positions within prestigious firms, Anthony has
amassed an impressive portfolio of high-net-worth clientsand established himself as a leader in the industry.
Anthony completed his undergraduate studies at St.
John’s University, Pete J. Tobin School of Business, where
he earned a degree in finance. Following his educationand life goal of a job in the finance world he was hired by
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. After attaining his Series 7,
Series 63, and Series 66 licenses, he was then recruited
by Capital One Investments. Anthony was consistently
ranked among the top advisors nationwide as hecontinued to grow his practice.
He remained at Capital One for seven years, until theysold the investment arm of their business to Woodbury
Financial; a member of Advisor Group. With this shift,came an equivalent change in Anthony’s focus. He wasnow focused on maintaining his excellent relationshiprecord with new and existing clients. This experiencehas greatly increased his communications skills andfostered his appreciation for the value of long-term client
relationships. This philosophy has proven to be invaluable
and as a result, Anthony’s clients stayed with him throughthe transition and beyond.

Anthony’s stellar reputation is not solely predicated upon
his proven ability to exceed client expectations, nor on his
well-established track record of success. Both clients andcolleagues recognize and respect his career progression,
which is the greatest indicator of the perseverance

and hard work he applies to every endeavor. “While educationand experience have played a significant role in my professional
development, it is ultimately the investment in effort that delivered
the greatest return” Anthony articulates.
This emphasis on the value of hard work can be attributed inpart, to Anthony’s father, who ran a home heating oil business on
Long Island. “My dad instilled in me, at a very young age, the work
ethic, morals, and responsibility, which is as much a part of mypersonality, as my professionality” he states. In complement of thisheritage, Anthony maintains an equally impressive profile within thecommunity through support of charities such as Toys for Tots andalumni benefits for St. John’s University.
CONTACT:
Office Locations:
1615 Northern Blvd., Suite 304, Manhasset, NY 11030
36-01 31st Avenue, Unit D2, Astoria, NY 11106
Office: 516-918-9615 | Cell: 516-317-9074 | Efax: 516-324-0094
Email: amacaluso@woodburyfinancial.net

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 63

Nowadays, Anthony’s role as a financial advisor has
evolved to include the management of a team of former
Capital One Investing advisors. While he still maintains his
signature hands-on approach and Five Star Service forexisting clients, he is committed to staying ahead of thecurve regarding market activity and current events thatmight affect the investment landscape in any way. Anthonyplaces the utmost priority on his fiduciary responsibilities
to clients and is determined to exceed their goals forboth immediate and continuing wealth management.
Anthony states, “Part of my job is to eliminate the fears ofmarket volatility by providing the most current, practical,
and relevant advice to my clients. They put their trust
in me and I reward that by providing greater value thanany other financial advisor.” Anthony holds himself to thehighest fiduciary responsibility and always puts his client’s
best interest first.

maintaining, and optimizing the core processor;
ensuring the core is maximized for optimal
performance and efficiency. This team also createda second support location in Colorado, a strategic
maneuver to keep the company running at all times
in the event of a (local or regional) disaster.
Group III (Mobile & Analytics) supports the credit
union by developing custom analytics and insights
into all of the credit union data. This group also
developed a mobile-first, mobile-only digital strategy
and is currently working on an in-house developed
budgeting and financial management tool. In addition,
this group has already built several cyber-security
tools to monitor emails, spoofing, spam, and more.
Dennis proudly manages these highly innovative techteams that have successfully leveraged technology,
analytics, data, infrastructure and people to create
numerous technical applications, programs andmodels to support and advance the Connex Credit
Union business model.
Connex Credit Union was founded 79 years ago (in1940) and Dennis joined the company in 2015, in their
75th year. A huge success story, Dennis explains that“the credit union started out with four or five guys
working for a telephone company, and now we haveover 58,000 members!” Notably, since he joined thefirm in 2015, Connex Credit Union has grown over
40% in assets.

Dennis Klemenz

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 64

VP/CIO, Connex Credit Union
As the chief information officer and vice president for Connex Credit
Union, Dennis Klemenz manages several highly effective teams comprisedof experienced and innovative IT professionals. He credits his team withadeptly managing the ever changing information technology needs offinancial services and for developing and implementing complex technicalsolutions for the credit union.
As CIO, Dennis oversees the information technology team and explained
how the team was re-organized to better serve the business in 2017. He
points out that, “We created three discrete areas to better support ourbusiness and technology roadmap.”
Group I (Infrastructure) supports cyber-security and the technical infrastructureof the credit union. This group is solely responsible for keeping the systems
running and secure. This team helped Connex to be one of the first financial
institutions to implement a hyper-converged infrastructure designed to
improve performance and enable scalability in the infrastructure.
Group II (Core) supports the core processor (software and infrastructure)of the credit union. This group dedicates 100% of their time to managing,

Prior to his current role, Dennis worked for overnine years at Sikorsky Aircraft as a manager of big
data/analytics, business intelligence, and innovation.
In addition to his career at Connex Credit Union,
Dennis is an adjunct professor at both Quinnipiac
University and the University of New Haven, teaching
Computer Science, Analytics, Mobile Development,
and Cybersecurity. He also serves on the advisoryboard for both universities.
Among all his other professional accomplishments,
Dennis works with startup companies in New Haven,
Connecticut. Along with a childhood friend, Dennis
is one of the founders of an organization in New
Haven (Breaking Into Tech) that helps startups andentrepreneurs gain traction and get the attention
they need to grow. He explains his commitment tothis cause as follows, “I want people to see all of thegreat things going on in this great city in between
Boston and New York.”
Connex Credit Union
412 Washington Ave., North Haven, CT 06473
P: (203) 603-5794 | www.connexcu.org
dklemenz@connexcu.org
Linkedin: /Dennis Klemenz
Facebook: /Connex Credit Union
Twitter: /ConnexCU
Instagram: @connexcreditunionAaron Safier is the founder and chief
executive officer of Sapphire Wealth
Advisory Group, a New York based firm thatprovides a full suite of financial services
for high-net-worth individuals, families,
and business owners. Aaron has a long
history of success within the financial
sector that encompasses more than 14
years of experience and several roles
in prominent companies. One of his firstcareer achievements was as a branchsales associate for M&T Bank, where hegarnered and managed client relationships
and was responsible for opening more than
$3M in new accounts within his first year.
Aaron followed this success with a role asa registered associate for Morgan Stanley,
where he worked closely with financial
advisors and money managers to create
investment proposals and investment
portfolios for their high-net-worth clients.
This role also allowed Aaron to further
augment his skillset through involvementwith securities research, investment
modeling, trust & estates, and insurance.

As a highly specialized finance professionalwith a proven history of success within theindustry, it was a natural progression for
Aaron to assume his most recent leadershiprole with Sapphire Wealth Advisory Group.
While he is depended on to oversee theoperations and ensure the firm’s continual
upward mobility, he remains devotedly
engaged with his clients. On a daily basis,
Aaron collaborates with his strategic

partners such as accountants and lawyers, to assist clients in addressing concerns
related to retirement planning, savings, asset protection, and investing. Similar toan architect, he constructs tailored financial plans based on their needs, goals, andresources in order to best prepare, protect, and provide for their financial success.
As a result of this compassionate and genuine approach, Aaron has established an
impressive and loyal roster of clients, who consider him not just an advisor, but atrusted friend.
A key element to Aaron’s value is his commitment to learning more aboutdevelopments in the financial planning industry. As a result, he has successfullycompleted the accreditation exam to become an Accredited Wealth Management
Advisor (“AWMA®”) and a Life Underwriter Training Counselor Fellow (“LUTCF”). He
is also an avid reader on topics relating to behavioral finance and the history ofWall Street and the financial industry. Aaron holds a bachelor’s degree in financefrom Yeshiva University, Sy Syms School of Business as well as an MBA in financeand international business from Iona College, Hagan School of Business. He has
been a frequent guest speaker to provide financial literacy workshops at a varietyof corporations, hospitals, and non-profit organizations. As an active alumnus
of his high school, he frequently provides workshops to graduating seniors on
different aspects of personal finance. Equally attentive to both the financial andlocal communities, Aaron maintains membership with the Manhattan Chamber ofCommerce. He also volunteers at a number of local organizations that cater tochildren with special needs.
When he is not helping people with their financial goals or engaged in a philanthropic
pursuit, Aaron enjoys spending time with his wife and 4-year-old son. He is an allaround athlete, who plays most sports, an avid runner and weight-lifter, and car
show enthusiast. Growing up, Aaron’s favorite hobby was building and launchingmodel rockets and his dream is to fly his own airplane.

Email: Asafier@SapphireWealthBuilders.com | Phone: 646-432-7875

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 65

In 2011, Aaron accepted an appointment
with Barnum Financial Group as a financial
planner and special needs planner. For thelast seven years, he has worked with families
who had dependents with special needs,
entrepreneurs, and young professionals,
helping them to make informed decisions
about their long-term financial planninggoals and establishing a legacy for the next
generation. Having a personal interest in
the area of special needs planning, Aaron
can relate to many of the challenges afamily may face. He has been a frequent
guest speaker at non-profits and special
education programs, providing financial
literacy workshops to parents on key
aspects that involve financial planning forfamilies that have children with special
needs. In the earlier part of 2018, Aaron was
asked to be a guest on television to sharedifferent ideas that relate to key aspects ofspecial needs planning.

Juan Carlos Lara is a managing partner of point5 FAMILY
OFFICE, an independent financial company comprisedof seasoned experts on emerging markets, dedicated to
managing client’s wealth. Under Juan’s expert guidance,
point5 focuses on utilizing additional nontraditional
metrics like sustainable, responsible, and impactful
investing to generate long-term financial returns.
Since accepting his appointment in 2015, Juan has
been charged with responsibility over the operationsof the Geneva, Switzerland office. point5 primarily
serves the community of Latin America, with a verystrong commitment to ESGs; environmental, social, andgovernance affairs. ESG compliance is paramount in all
the Group’s actions, as they represent a significant metricfor understanding the competency and efficiency of acompany’s management and ultimately, its performance.
Juan, originally from Mexico City, has witnessed many
forms of mismanagement, including corruption. He has,in fact, used this knowledge to refine his assessment ofpotential risk when evaluating an investment. This was anespecially relevant advantage in the earlier stages of his
career, when he founded LaraDorbecker Securities in
the USA and held executive positions with internationalbanking institutions such as UBS and HSBC.
Finance has always been one of Juan’s passions.
Coupled with his enthusiasm and proclivity toward
altruism, he is perfectly suited for his present role. Juansays, “I had considered a vocation as an economist
but preferred the more personal interaction involvedin client’s facing activities.” This penchant for helping
people has resulted in both a stellar reputation within
the industry, and an impressive roster of loyal clientele.
Juan prides himself on providing professional, ethical,
and transparent service. He states, “I think the industry is ripe for a disruptive approach to investing. More than 99% of actively
managed assets underperform in the long run, paradoxically they are led by brilliant professionals. Todays’ exclusion of
non-financial metrics in analysis distorts the comprehensive assessment of a complex corporate reality. I gauge investment
potential with additional criteria based on the company’s leadership and management. Integrity and strong governance are
the key ingredients I am looking for, and the outcome is usually good.”

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 66

In addition to his financial expertise, Juan is a gifted public speaker, who is often invited to present at conferences andsymposiums around the world. He enjoys talking to people and sharing his experiences with other wealth managers andfinance professionals and has received numerous standing ovations for his compelling lectures.
Juan is a member of ARIF, a Switzerland based organization comprised of only the top performing wealth advisors and financial
professionals. He holds numerous industry certifications, including Series 55 Equity Trader, Series 24 General Securities
Principal, Series 53 Municipal Securities Principal, Series 63 Uniform Securities Agent State Law, Series 65 Uniform Investment
Adviser Law, and Series 7 General Securities Representative. He is knowledgeable in 4 languages; English, French, Italian,and Spanish, and an active member of The Fight Against Corruption. Since 2015, he has also been an active participant of The
United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Juan completed his undergraduate studies at Universidad Iberoamericana, Ciudad de México, where he earned a Bachelor of
Science degree and continued his postgraduate studies in managerial finance and marketing management at the prestigious
Harvard University.
When he is not engaged with the obligations of managing point5 FAMILY OFFICE or involved in a philanthropic pursuit, Juan
enjoys collecting and riding motorcycles, participating in Swiss Alpine farmer culture initiatives, and spending time with hiswife, and their three daughters in Mexico.

JEFFERY HILL, MBA
When Jeffery Hill began his career at New York Life Insurance
Company, he gained four years of valuable experience in thefinance and insurance industry. During his time at the company, hereceived numerous awards including Case Rank Leader of the Year,
Agent of the Month (over ten times), Ambassador of the 50 Billion
Dollar Empowerment Program, and Class Leader of the Year, allwhile pursuing and achieving an MBA.
After experiencing a highly successful career at New York Life,
Jeffery decided to use his experience and in-depth understandingof the finance industry to build his own brand. His business goal
was to focus on specific financial investments and options that
could best serve his clients in the most tax advantageous way.
In 2013, Jeffery founded The Hill Financial Group. As CEO andfounder of the company, Jeffery and his team work with individuals
and business owners to help them increase their wealth throughnontraditional, yet highly lucrative investment opportunities beyond
a traditional 401K investment. His goal is to keep his clients' money
safe, liquid, and productive and the motto of the Hill Financial Group
is to create financial security and peace of mind for every client.
Jeffery is also a licensed insurance agent and a long standing
member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial
Advisors (NAIFA). He proudly sits on the local and state level boardof directors for NAIFA. As a highly successful and licensed agent
at Hill Financial Group, Jeffery offers his clients a wide variety ofsolutions to meet their insurance and financial needs, including:College Funding
401k Rollovers
Retirement and Lifetime Income Strategies
Buyer and Seller Arrangements
Business Planning
Estate Planning

In addition to receiving his MBA, Jeffery is also currently matriculating
through the RICP (Retirement Income Certified Professionals)
program through the American College. His personal motto for life
is, “If you don’t work, you don’t eat, if you don’t grind, you don’t
shine.” He adds that work/life balance is still very important andeven when you build a successful business, you still need to beable to take time away and enjoy life through vacations and timewith family.
Jeffery currently resides in North Little Rock, Arkansas, where serveson the board as VP of Membership for Hi-Noon Toastmasters andSeargent of Arms for Advanced Toastmasters. He is also a Certified
Life Coach and a proud member of the New Life Church.

Hill Financial Group Inc.: A Wealth Accumulation Firm
4601 John F Kennedy Blvd., #94503, North Little Rock, AR 72190
Cell: 501-908-1582 | Office: 501-291-0708 | LI: .in/jeffhfg
EM: Jeff@thehillfinancialgroup.com | www.thehillfinancialgroup.com

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 67

•
•
•
•
•
•

DAN HOLLOWAY
Mr. Holloway’s professional experience working insemiconductors, real estate development, and solarPV, has allowed him to excel in his current role as VPof origination and acquisitions for Sustainable Capital
Finance (SCF).
Dan spent over 5 years on the origination side with
Cobalt Power, a large EPC in Mountain View, California.
He launched Cobalt’s commercial sales team andgrew Cobalt’s sales by over 200% in the process.
Dan was responsible for all commercial and industrial
origination efforts, and developed relationships
with banks, investment groups, and other financiers
to provide funding for all of Cobalt’s commercial
projects. In his time at Cobalt, Dan was involved in theorigination, development, construction, and financingof over 200 solar projects.
Previous to working with Cobalt Power, Dan spentnearly 15 years in the semiconductor industry, selling
ASICS, and other complex computing solutions to thetelecom, storage and router markets. He amassed
over $150mm in chip sales during that period.
Prior, and contemporaneous to his time in the semiconductor and solar industries, Dan successfully developed,
constructed, and financed several real estate projects in California, both individually and as part of an investment
team. Dan’s extensive knowledge and experience in real estate development has parlayed itself into the development
procedures adhered to by SCF.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 68

Dan is currently responsible for building and managing relationships with SCF’s developer and EPC partners. Dan
also manages SCF’s software partner relationships and is heading up SCF’s efforts to streamline the financing anddevelopment process for both the C&I and small utility scale marketplaces.
Lastly, Dan assists in evaluating new PV and storage technologies in a continued effort to lower installation costs, andto improve financial returns for investor.
Dan received his BA in business economics from University of California Santa Barbra and his MBA from San Jose
State University.
Dan has a passion for all things sustainable. He believes that mankind has all the tools it needs, right now, to start
weaning itself off of fossil fuels and to start reversing the effects of climate change. Dan wants to be part of thatsolution. His interests include beach volleyball, travel, emerging technology and playing lacrosse with his daughter.

CONTACT:
99 Almaden Blvd, Suite 720, San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: (408) 462-1723 EM: inquiries@scf.com

Chirag Patel has long known and demonstrated how
innovation is vital for organizations to gain competitive
advantage. Today, as leader of EY Foundry, a global
corporate venturing group with offices in New York,
Brazil, Sydney, and soon in the UK, Chirag has provenhimself as a seasoned executive, venture investor, andentrepreneur.
At the EY Foundry, Chirag and his team are focused on
acquiring, building, and investing in digital companies
that will leverage novel business models and deliver
new customer experiences across several industries
including financial services, healthcare, legal, humanresources and tax. The EY Foundry is also actively
financing and developing emerging technologies suchas blockchain, AI, data/analytics, and cryptocurrencies.
With an impressive track record for acquiring, funding,and growing startups, as well as transforming existing
businesses into digital ones, Chirag is proud of his teamand portfolio. Their successes include EY TaxChat™,
which allows people to file their taxes via mobile phone,and EY Navigate™, a hybrid, digital-human financial
wellness service that provides employees with anactionable path for managing their financial journey. The
service recently won the distinguished HR Executive
Product of the Year Award. Under Chirag’s leadership,
the company also acquired Andy CAAT (now EY CAAT™),a tech start-up which develops tools to aid investors incryptocurrency for their bookkeeping, accounting, andtax compliance needs.

As an innovator, established entrepreneur, and venture
investor, Chirag was quick to identify the Internet’stransformative power for future organizations, launching
Viant in 1996, which grew from a three-person operation
to a multi-billion-dollar public entity within just four years.
In 2008, Chirag started Highnote Foundry. The venture
capital and venture services firm focused on investingin technology startups that are re-defining the financial
services, healthcare, media, and entertainment industries.
His team of experienced entrepreneurs and corporate
executives operate with a deep network of venture
capitalists, entrepreneurs, and global 100 executives, toturn ideas in to multi-billion dollar businesses.
Earlier in his career, Chirag held positions as president
and CEO and later, venture partner at the leading VC
firm, Trident Capital. He also served as president and
CEO for Diligent, a SaaS and analytics platform, and vicepresident and general manager of Viant, which provided
Internet and digital strategy consulting services. At
Merrill Lynch, he developed software technology forlarge corporations, and at Oracle, he built and launched
expansive commercial software solutions and operated
a consulting business.

Contact:
218 West 18th, 9th Floor | New York, NY 10011
Phone: (212) 773-9954 Ext: 39954
Chirag.Patel3@ey.com
LinkedIn: /chirag-patel-33425

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 69

While many corporate venturing groups are delivering
innovation theatre, Chirag and his team at the Foundry
are focused on delivering measurable outcomes.

Joseph Camberato, President/Co-Founder
Joseph Camberato’s passion for businessgrowth began early in his career. He witnessedbusinesses struggle due to lack of capital andthe challenging process of obtaining financing.
To help guide other businesses to the next level,
he co-founded National Business Capital &Services (National) in 2007. What started out of
his spare bedroom, has grown to a team of 100
employees and has helped tens of thousands ofclients nationwide obtain over $1B in businessfinancing.
With a focus on their customers’ individual needs,
National utilizes a high-tech, digital application
platform that is connected to over seventyfive lenders; streamlining and accelerating theprocess for small business loans, lines of credit,
SBA loans, franchise financing, commercial
mortgages and other business financing
products. Decisions which typically take weeks
and months are shortened to just hours.
In addition to driving business throughNational’s sales and marketing teams, Joseph
recently started National Business Services,a new division offering a full range of services
including payroll, business insurance, credit
card processing, credit repair, marketing, andbookkeeping services. This new division not
only helps business owners reduce costs but
streamlines their operations, keeps all theirneeded services under one roof and helps
owners put their energy into growing.

CONTACT:Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 70

Office: 631-237-8827 | Fax: 631-883-8536 | Toll Free: 844-NBC-LOAN
info@national.biz | www.national.biz
Executive Offices:
608 Johnson Avenue, Suite 3, Bohemia, NY 11716
Corporate Headquarters:
1 Corporate Drive, Suite 202, Bohemia, NY 11716
National Business Capital South:
2423 N. University Drive
Coral Springs, FL 33065
Email: info@NationalBusinessCapital.com | Phone: 888-488- GROW
Facebook: /GrowByJoe | Instagram: @GrowbyJoe | Twitter: @GrowbyJoe
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/growbyjoe

Focused on creating a winning, purpose-driven
culture, NBC is a Feeding America partner. The
nonprofit is the nation’s largest, domestic hunger
relief organization. For each client funded,
National donates ten meals to the organization.
In addition, National was proudly recognized by
Delivering Happiness. The workplace culture/coaching organization ranked nationally among
the top ten percent of companies with the best
workplace culture in the country.
A member of the Young Presidents Organization(YPO), Joseph is actively engaged in thebusiness community. He and his company havebeen featured in many news outlets, including
Forbes, Inc, Business Insider, Yahoo Financeand Newsday.

ROGER COLEMAN
CEO of Coleman Group Partners, LLC

Roger Coleman is the CEO of Coleman Group
Partners, LLC, where he leads deal sourcing
and evaluation of mid-to-late stage private
equity investment opportunities and facilitatescomprehensive industry and company market
analyses, as well as valuations, to determine
return on investment (ROI) and potential risks.
Prior to his current role as CEO, Roger was amanaging director for Morgan Stanley (19892016).

Roger graduated from Marist College Schoolof Management with a BS in businessadministration and international global studies
and subsequently began what has become along, multi-faceted career on Wall Street. During
this time, Roger founded a new division in thefinancial services industry; corporate services,which deals with the administration and tradingof corporate equity plans. As such, he could beconsidered the father figure for global equity
administration, which is now a multibillion dollar
industry.
Roger maintained leadership over one hundred
Fortune 500 clients through a comprehensive
suite of corporate services and products,
including global equity stock plan administration,
trading, asset managements, and financial
analysis. He hired, coached, and grew a coreteam of experts and a national network ofadvisors, who developed and expanded an
asset portfolio valued at +$26B, and establisheda robust client network of c-suite stakeholders
to identify new service opportunities. Roger has

also managed in excess of 300 professionals, ranging from financial
advisors, implementation specialists, RFP/RFI specialists, administrators,
and IT personnel and has a well-documented record of relationshipmanagement, financial modeling, valuation, and analysis.
Outside of his presence as a business executive, Roger is known for
his impact and philanthropy with serving the community. He has been
associated with the Plandome Fire Department since 1994, having
served as the fire chief between 2005 and 2007, and remains alifetime member. Roger is also the founding chairman, board member,mentor, and advisor for Tuesday’s Children, since the non-profit’s
creation. Tuesday’s Children serves communities affected by actsof terrorism and provides support and mentoring for youth, families,
and communities impacted by events on 9-11. His charitable spirit
extends to many important causes, where Roger is known as either amajor benefactor, benefactor, or donor, including Tisch MS ResearchCenter, Plan International, Children’s Aid, and Manhasset Valley Park.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 71

As a seasoned and accomplished executive,
who focuses on driving the analysis, sourcing,closure, and management of high-volume, public
and private equity asset portfolios, corporate
services/global equity administration, and asset
management, Roger’s expertise has resulted
in his management of more than twenty-six
billion dollars, while at Morgan Stanley andits predecessor firms. With demonstrated
achievement in identifying and securing new
business, implementing large-scale corporate
services assignments, and developing a highly
successful high-net-worth asset management
practice, Roger has proven himself as an expert
on relationship management, raising assets,financial modeling, valuation, and analysis forvarious investment opportunities and to supportclients in meeting their financial goals.

IG: cointraderinc

in giving clients fair buy & sell prices on gold and silver bullion,
while making available historical and unprecedented selections ofcertified rare coin treasures.
Victor designs Coin Trader’s products and services with retirement
asset preservation in mind, while working to build their client’s hardearned wealth. Victor suggests customized plans that are designed
to help clients have the peace of mind and confidence regardlessof economic cycles, catastrophes or anything unexpected.
Victor DelGiorno is president and CEO of Coin Trader Inc.,a nationally respected, full service precious metals andrare coin firm. Coin Trader is known throughout the U.S. forproviding the kind of personal relationship that clients expect
in a trusted financial advisor and friend.
At Coin Trader, Victor strives to ensure clients receive anhonest and expert approach to both tangible asset investingand private wealth management. Victor and his team offer
an array of products and services, providing their clients theprivacy and financial insurance needed in today’s rapidlychanging, unpredictable world. Victor’s team asks a lot ofquestions and takes the time needed to get to know theirclients, with the goal to address all of their specific needs.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 72

Serving their clients and their families honorably is a top priority
for Victor, who says, “We believe it is significant for you to knowthat when you work with Coin Trader, you are buying direct fromthe source, eliminating the unnecessary middleman such as iscustomary with the big boy retailers advertising on national
radio and TV. Unlike those companies, we are always available
to buy back your holdings and collections, we believe this is
the only way to know that a dealer is honorable.”

Coin Trader also provides free numismatic and bullion portfolio
evaluations. New and existing clients, who have been accumulatingin the past, are invited to receive an updated evaluation of theirprecious metals and/or rare coin portfolio at no cost. Victor takes
extra care to articulate, “All of this is our way of serving you ina digital age in which personal service and attention to detail
seems to be a thing of the past. In today's economic, social andgeopolitical environment, increasing your holdings, or getting
good and honest advice on how to begin, is more important than
you may think.”
Victor welcomes the opportunity to answer any questions andoffers a private, complimentary, wealth management consultation.
Contact him at: 504-267-6004 or email: victor@cointraderinc.com
For real time gold and silver Spot prices visit: goldpricesnow.com

Coin Trader specializes in precious metals, PCGS & NGC
Certified Rare U.S. Coins, and NGC Certified Ancient
Coins, private collection assistance, and other typesof hard to find acquisitions. Other signature services
include private wealth management, experienced public
auction representation, hard asset trust accounts, andtangible asset portfolio development, along with accuratecoin, currency, and precious metals appraisals.
As a member of multiple industry associations, including
American Numismatic Association (ANA), Industry Council
for Tangible Assets (ICTA), Professional Coin Grading Service(PCGS), Numistatic Guarantee Corporation (NGC), andCertified Acceptance Corporation (CAC), Victor takes pride

Coin Trader is proud to be involved in the annual Rich Mauti Tennis
Tournament to benefit cancer research.

Benjamin Hansell is a financial advisor for the worldrenowned wealth management enterprise, Merrill Lynch.
Ben joined Merrill Lynch in 2018 as an independent
advisor. He soon met his current partners, who werealready working together and getting along well.
Presently, along with his colleagues, Rob Bezzone, asenior advisor with over 25 years of experience in thefinance sector, and Greg Bayvel, a South African nativewith a great team mentality, the team works with ultrahigh-net worth individuals to create unique financial
plans that align with the specific needs of each client.
Overall, Ben and his team focus on two client types;
senior level executives of large corporations andwealthy entrepreneurs. For the former, they are
depended on to evaluate stocks and manage diverse
asset portfolios, and for the latter, the team offers andsustains a minimum of $5M of other financial products.
Ben’s personal expertise is in positioning investment
vehicles, balancing portfolios, tax reduction strategies,
and wills, although he is able to assist with virtually every
aspect of wealth management.

The similarity between Ben and his team manifests inmany other ways, especially charitable initiatives. They
participate in marathons to benefit cancer research andsupport numerous other healthcare projects, including ahospital in Africa. They also share a love of sports; Ben
plays lacrosse for the Merrill Lynch team, who won the2018 Championship, Greg played lacrosse for Rutgers,
and Rob wrestled for Villanova.
Ben received his bachelor’s degree in economics from
Hampden-Sydney College, where was on the Academic
All-Conference Lacrosse Team for all four years. He
maintains an active role within the community as a board
member of the New York City Club and as a former
member of the leadership group who helped to financetwo local churches. When he is not at the office or engaged in aphilanthropic pursuit, Ben enjoys racing BMW automobiles and has
claimed a few amateur awards.
Contact:
100 Campus Drive, Floram Park, New Jersey 07932
Phone: (973) 301-6328 | benjamin.hansell@ml.com

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 73

Ben elaborates, “The team and I design, implement,
and monitor customized wealth management strategies
that help our clients pursue their financial goals
without unnecessary investment risk. My own wealthmanagement approach is about using capital to help
turn goals into reality. When our clients succeed, we
succeed.” He continues, “We are an honest group, whichis rare in this industry. We all have unique strengths andwe get along very well, which is of vital importanceto the client. If we can’t agree, we certainly couldn’t
advise properly. The synergy we have is appreciated byour clients and has been the driving force behind our
success.”

automatically excluding lenders that cannot offerloans, thereby increasing their closing rate.
As the owner of MBL, McKenley has multiple
responsibilities ranging from overseeing operations
and managing clients to establishing partnerships
with lenders and ensuring that the company’s
technology advances with the trends of the industry.
He draws experience from a fifteen-year career in thereal estate and construction sectors, which included
roles as project manager, realtor, and advisor. As
a result of his hard work and professionalism,
MobileBusinessLoan.com has helped over 80
entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. To
date, he has helped secure over $34M in businessfinancing for business owners nationwide, not tomention helping business owners establish over
$5M in business credit.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 74

In addition to owning MBL, in 2010, McKenleyalso founded MACG Real Estate Group, LLC, athriving real estate agency that offers a full suite ofservices for both buyers and sellers of residential
properties. MACG specializes in assisting lowercredit or income-challenged homebuyers, whichis particularly rewarding for McKenley, who states,“There is nothing quite like the feeling of seeing aclient find and buy their dream home. It’s what drives
me to grow the company, as well as myself.”

McKenley A. Washington is Northern New Jersey native who has
overcome great obstacles in his personal life to become the successful
businessman he is today. McKenley is a business finance consultant
and the owner of the innovative lending platform, MobileBusinessLoan.
com, an Atlanta-based financial services company that specializes in
expediting the application and approval process through a proprietary
online platform. McKenley has been in the real estate and financial
industry for over 15 years. Through strategic partnerships with morethan 2000 financial institutions, MBL is able to offer businesses avariety of financing options, including personal loans, start-up loans,
SBA, commercial, and real estate loans, as well as working capital,
merchant cash advance, and unsecured lines of credit.
MobileBusinessLoan.com is the first online platform to connect
borrowers directly to the lending source. While they occupy the same
market space as Lending Tree, MBL sets itself apart through a clientfocused business model. Unlike other platforms that call themselves“direct”, MBL does not gather information and sell it as “hot leads”
to competing lenders. Their technology qualifies clients in real-time,

McKenley is licensed in both New Jersey and Georgia
and is currently pursuing licensure in Florida. He is
also on track to attain a Certified Financial Consultant
License. He attended Plaza School of Technology,
where he received degrees in computer-aided
drafting and architecture AutoCAD which he applied
to his work for several prominent architectural andengineering forms in the tri-state area. Additionally,
McKenley studied graphic design and completed
coursework in business management at William
Patterson University of New Jersey. He is currently
taking the steps to attend Florida International
University to obtain a Juris Doctor degree in law.
Outside of work, McKenley maintains an active role
within the community. He spends a lot of his time
donating clothes and food to the many homelesspeople on the streets of Atlanta. He is also active
in several community based organizations such as
the Black and Latino Council of Georgia and theBright Path Youth Foundation. In his spare time, heenjoys travel to new destinations around the world,
painting, and reading. He is an active entrepreneurwith several ground breaking ventures in place so be
ready to hear the name McKenley “Mac” Washington
in 2019 and for years to come!

For more information on how to get your business financed or how to obtain financing for any type of real estatetransaction, contact McKenley at one of the following: www.mobilebusinessloan.com | www.MACGrealestate.com
getapproved@mobilebusinessloan.com | 404-484-1809 | P.O. BOX 14341, Atlanta, Georgia 30324

With his impressive education, successful career in accounting
and finance, and admirable list of volunteer accomplishments
and involvement in public service, it is no surprise that Xingang
Wang is passionate about everything that he does.
Xingang was born and raised in China and attended Beijing
Jiaotong University, receiving a Bachelor of Engineering (BENG)
degree in transportation management engineering. After
college, he relocated to England and continued his education
at the Imperial College London, obtaining a Master of Science
degree (MSc) in transport. While pursuing his degree in London,
Xingang worked as a consultant for Atkins, one of the world’s
most respected design, engineering and project management
organizations.
He then shifted his focus from engineering to finance andreceived a master’s degree in mathematical finance from the
University of Oxford. While pursuing his additional graduate
studies and education, Xingang began his professional
career in finance working for several major and world
renowned financial organizations including JP Morgan,
Wells Fargo, Barclays Bank and Scotiabank, where heheld several management positions. In 2015, Xingang also
graduated from the Program for Leadership Development(an executive MBA alternative program) at Harvard Business
School. He is also a director of a property investment firm.

Xingang is also very involved in his community and politics. His
goal is to set a positive example to local families and community
members. He served as a local councilor for the Claygate
Parish Council, where is he is vice chairman of the council, amember of the Leadership and Management Committee for
the Hinchley Wood Primary School, a magistrate for the HM
Courts & Tribunals Service, a trustee for the Chinese Welfare
Trust organization, and is a career mentor for recent businessschool graduates from Oxford University.
Xingang is a published author of several books and workpapers
including:
•
•

•
•

Book: How to Become A Product Controller – publishedin 2014
Discussion Working Paper: Optimal Timing of IPO:
Preliminary Evidence from Alternative Investment Market,
European Financial Management Association Annual
Conference, Netherlands, 2015
Book: How to Enter Top UK Universities - published in
2004
Paper: The Design of Intelligent Operation and Surveillance
System, 4th Annual Conference of Communication &Transportation Systems Engineering, China,2000

Xingang was also the recipient of several prestigious awards
for both his professional and political work including:•••

UK and European Outstanding Persons Award winner/Big
Ben Award, 2016
Best of Best Award, Scotiabank, 2014
Wholesale Operation Award, Wachovia, 2007

Xingang’s motto is “work hard, play hard” and he follows theteachings of the philosopher, Confucius, who preached, “Selfcultivation, a well-managed family, and bringing justice andharmony to the world.” He lives in the United Kingdom with hiswife and children.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Email: xingang.x.wang@gmail.com
Phone: +44.770275.7248
www.esherwalton.com/people/cllr-xingang-wang
www.manchesterconservatives.com/general-electioncampaign-2015-0
www.xingangwang.com/
www.facebook.com/xingang.wang.71
www.linkedin.com/in/xingang-wang-276482/
www.twitter.com/xxingang

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 75

Xingang currently works as a subject matter expert in productcontrol function in the investment banking industry, where
he analyzes complex financial products from a mathematicaland accounting perspective. He explains that his primary
responsibilities include profit and loss attribution analysis
and independent price validation; both key internal control
functions in modern finance.

BHG & Associates believes that good client relationships are built throughteamwork and client involvement, delivered through our advisors, client associates
and access to the global resources of Merrill Lynch. Our goal is to be your primarysource for financial advice and guidance. We want you to value the dedication anddiligence we provide at each step of the wealth management process.

Anthony Richard Bottini III, CRPC®, AAMS®
First Vice President - Portfolio Manager
Wealth Management Advisor Retirement Benefits Consultant“Rick” is a founding and managing partner of BHG Associates, awealth management advisory group at Merrill Lynch.
His group works closely and serves their clientele of affluent
families, charitable organizations, successful business owners, andcorporate executives.
Since joining Merrill Lynch in 2011, at their flagship office in lower
Manhattan, Rick has spent his entire career as a wealth managementadvisor with the firm.
Rick was recently recognized by Forbes as one of America’s
Top Next- Generation Wealth Advisors in 2018. He holds theChartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM and Accredited AssetManagement SpecialistSM designations, as well as Series 7 and 66
FINRA registrations.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 76

In addition to being a qualified portfolio manager, Rick is a oneof a select group of Merrill Lynch advisors that has earned thedesignation of Retirement Benefits Consultant, specializing in large
institutional defined contribution plans, providing ERISA 3(21)(A) (ii)1
Fiduciary Advisory Services.
Rick is a graduate of Hamilton College, where he majored in both
economics and political science. He developed a passion for the
sport of rowing while attending The Kent School and continued
competing throughout his collegiate career. Rick also competed internationally and his team became the first
American crew to qualify for the Prince Albert Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta. At Hamilton, Rick wascaptain of the Varsity Rowing Team and was honored to be named to both the ECAC National Championship and
NESCAC All-Conference teams. In addition to his academic and athletic pursuits, Rick also served as presidentof the Delta Chi fraternity.
In August, Rick and his lovely wife celebrated their wedding in the Catskills. The couple currently resides in
downtown Manhattan.

Contact:
Rick Bottini, BHG Associates
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Inc. Global Wealth Management
225 Liberty Street, 40th Floor, New York, NY 10281
212-236-5884 | anthony.Bottini@ml.com
http://fa.ml.com/BHG.Associates

Carl Fairbank
Founder/Chief Executive Officer

To learn more about boldMODE,
please visit www.boldmode.com
Breakout Capital Finance, LLC
6862 Elm St., 3rd Floor, McLean, VA 22101
P: (703) 852-6010 I Toll Free: (888) 318-3534

Built on the pillars of transparency,
honesty, and doing what’s right forsmall business.
And we mean that. We’re working for small
businesses every day, providing responsible
working capital solutions tailored specifically foryour business. We know each customer carries a
unique story, and with dozens of different formsof working capital available in the market, the“one size fits all” approach utilized by many of ourcompetitors leaves many small businesses fighting
an uphill battle with a product that doesn’t match
their business. We also understand that capitalalone isn’t enough, which is why we regularly
produce important educational resources foryou. But we don’t stop there; we are constantly
working as your advocate, to ensure that small
businesses across the country continue to haveaccess to alternative forms of working capital thatare transparent, affordable, and free of predatory
practices. Our tagline says it all: Empowering Small
Business. We want to put the financial control
back into the hands of small business owners andallow you to focus on what you do best: runningand growing your business.

Carl Fairbank is the founder and chief executive officer ofBreakout Capital Finance, a Virginia-based fin-tech (financial
technology company) that provides small business loans,merchant cash advances, credit lines, and other funding options
to small businesses in need capital. On the technology side,
Breakout Capital develops advanced platforms that streamline
underwriting, analyze risk, and identify opportunities for
optimization of the lending process.
Under Carl’s astute direction, Breakout Capital garnered
positions on the board of the Innovative Lending Platform
Association and on the task force of The Partnership for Lending
in Underserved Markets, which promotes access to capital forminority-owned businesses. They were named as a Red Hot
Company, recognized as one of the Top 50 Companies toWatch by Silicon Valley Review, and voted Top Small Business
Lender by U.S. Business News.
In complement of these business accolades, Carl has personallyamassed an enviable roster of honors that include a 40
Under 40 Award from the Commercial Finance Association
and recognition as a Top Finance and Tech Executive by CV
Magazine. Additionally, as a nationally recognized industry
leader and prominent speaker on small business finance, Carl
maintains a position on the finance council of Forbes.
In conjunction with his executive role at Breakout Capital,
Carl runs boldMODE, a private investment fund that invests inearly stage companies, which are poised to revolutionize theirindustry. He also maintains an active role in the community as
a volunteer for Martha’s Table, an organization that provides
meals to the homeless, and as a steering committee member of
the Smithsonian Institute.
Prior to founding Breakout Capital, Carl held senior level
positions with prominent financial institutions such as Capital
One Financial Corporation, FBR Capital Markets & Co., ChronGo,
and CRF Ventures. He graduated from American University with
a B.S. in business administration and economics.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 77

To learn more about Breakout Capital,
please visit www.breakoutfinance.com

MANAGEMENTFINANCIAL PLANNERS | INSTITUTIONAL MONEY MANAGERS | CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS ESTATEPLANNING ATTORNEYS | CERTIFIED DIVORCE FINANCIAL ANALYSTS | TRAVEL PLANNERS
CONCIERGE MEDICINE PHYSICIANSTARIF HOMSIFINANCIAL ADVISOR

Tarif Homsi is a financial advisor for Mink Wealth Management, a trusted wealth management firm with decadesof collective experience in the industry. Based in Washington, D.C., the firm provides all aspects of financial
planning, investment management, tax and estate planning, retirement planning, and more.
In 2016, Tarif assisted with the establishment of Mink Wealth Management and took on a role as a senior associate.
After just one year, he transitioned into his present appointment, where he works as a direct partner to manage
clients’ wealth and ensure their financial well-being. Tarif is highly admired for his practice of full transparency andcommitment to educating clients on their finances, potential risks, and how to best manage those risks. Among
Tarif’s competencies are his signature ‘Goal Based Financial Planning’ and active management technique, which
are both paramount to ensuring a successful outcome for his clients.
Tarif started his career in the finance sector at UBS Financial Services as an intern before being promoted to an
associate position. Prior to his internship, he earned a B.A. in economics from the University of Rochester, where
he was awarded the Renaissance and Global Scholarship, a highly selective scholarship awarded to only twenty
students in the world. Tarif also attended Damascus University, where he studied finance and banking. Originallyfrom Syria, Tarif has a diverse cultural background and speaks two languages; Arabic and English.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 78

Driven by his passion for helping people, Tarif endeavors to improve upon the technology utilized by the financial
industry in hopes of making existing processes simpler and more secure. As a student of behavioral economics,
he believes that there is a psychological factor involved with investing and tries to explore his clients’ directives
from an academic perspective in order to best educate them to make sound decisions.
Tarif maintains an equally dynamic philanthropic profile within the community and is especially engaged withprojects that benefit refugees. Understanding the effects of war, he hopes to foster opportunities for disadvantaged
and displaced immigrants.
In his spare time, Tarif likes to read about politics, history and archeology. One of his favorite books, Sapiens,
details our progress as human beings and elucidates on many other topics that relate to Tarif’s business acumen.
His favorite pastimes include playing chess, dancing, being around friends, and good conversations.

CONTACT:
www.Minkwealth.com | tarif@minkwealth.com | 703-748-5839
7901 Jones Branch Dr., Mclean, VA 22102

DENTAL MANAGEMENT LLC
Providing support to ensure success of partner dentists

ELLIOT ZIBEL
CO-FOUNDER/CEO

Elliot Zibel is the co-founder and chief executive officer of Select Dental Management, LLC. Select Dental
Management is a dental support organization that provides non-clinical management services to dental
practices, enabling clinicians to focus 100% of their time on providing high quality patient care. Selectspecializes in office management, accounting, marketing, IT, financial management, vendor relations(suppliers, insurance companies, labs etc.), human resources, and employee training. The company wasestablished in 2017 and is currently affiliated with four practices, generating five million in revenue andemploying forty one individuals. In his capacity as CEO, Mr. Zibel oversees all of the day-to-day operationsof Select, including acquisition sourcing and diligence, financial and operational analysis, marketing, IT, andrevenue cycle management.
Prior to founding Select Dental Management Mr. Zibel had a 16 year career in the investment management
industry, where he was responsible for investments of over $2B and advised CEOs and board members on
strategic plans and operational initiatives, as well as capital allocation. He has also founded two companies,
one which was sold to PPG for $65 million in 2018, and provided growth capital investments for over twenty
companies with personal capital.

When asked what has inspired him most about his current endeavor, Elliot replied, “There is a tremendous
opportunity to help more and more dentists improve the quality of patient care and experience at theirpractices. My favorite part of our work is seeing the amazingly positive reviews from our patients and the way
our talented clinicians transform the smiles and the lives of our patients each and every day”
When Elliott is not engaged with the obligations of running his business, he enjoys playing soccer, travel,
visiting the beach, watching the Patriots, and spending time with his three children Emerson, Zander, andJacob.

CONTACT:
30 Browning Rd., Short Hills, NJ 07078 | P: 917.359.2186
E: ezibel@selectdentalmanagement.com | www.selectdentalmanagement.com

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 79

Mr. Zibel is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), a member of the New York Society of Security Analysts(NYSSA), and has served in an advisory board member for both H&R Block and Steris Corporation. He is also
currently a board member at Myclean. He attended Union College, where he graduated cum laude with adegree in economics and political science and served as captain of the men’s soccer team.

Lee Mercado is a seasoned veteran of the finance industry, with more than twenty
years of experience in the banking industry, At the age of twenty, Lee started his
career in finance as a bank teller, shortly after studying computer industrial design at
Saunders Trade and Technology.
In 1999, he became a branch manager of Yonkers Savings Bank and Loan, where he
was in charge of directing the banks' aggressive business development goals. Only
five years later, a greater opportunity was presented as vice president and branchmanager of Chase, which he accepted. For six years, he worked with Chase, focusing
on driving strategic and operational objectives while also maintaining a customercentric environment.
Success did not end there, in fact, it only progressed more. Future endeavors would
include branch manager at Bank of America and vice president and branch manager
at Capital One. In both jobs, Lee continued to demonstrate his ability to build profitable
relationships and effectively drive revenues. Those achievements all resulted in the
promotion to vice president of business banking, where Lee consistently held therank of Top 5% of all business bankers.
Currently, Lee has devoted his experience and expertise to the formation of LM
Business Solutions, where he has been engaged as chief executive offer since 2009.
Along with his current position in finance, he is depended on greatly to consult
with, educate, and prepare businesses on commercial lending. Lee also aides inknowledge of business and personal credit rankings, loan submission procedures,risk assessment, cash flow, and lender programs. In all these areas, Lee takes pride inwhat he does and doing it well. Lee has established a history of success in all of these areas, quite often, he is able to secure fundingfor challenged borrowers that have been turned down by his competitors.
The enviable reputation has resulted in numerous accolades for Lee, including back to back Business Banking Pinnacle awards(awarded to the top 5% of bankers nationally), an Inspire The Way Peer Award (awarded by senior leadership for inspirational leaders),
and a Community Banking for Good Peer Award (awarded for outstanding community involvement) as well as being recognized forachieving top results in profit and loss among a group of 128 bank branches and top sales results in a group of 338 bank branches.
Lastly, Lee has served as a business mentor to students and his community, not only contributing his time and resources to manyorganizations, but specifically helping the City University of New York and as an instructor for Junior Achievement USA. Lee's
story continues to grow and expand, while he serves as a mentor to his peers as well as a success story in the banking andfinance community. Contact: (914) 819-7007 | businesssolutionsbylee@gmail.com

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 80

Paul Thompson is vice president and senior loan officer at
Pacific Western Bank. His finance experience ranges fromtop 20 to community banking. His history with investment
structures has involved senior and mezzanine financing
as well as private and tax-credit equity. Clients haveincluded REITs, multigenerational real estate firms, private
equity funds, renewable power companies and healthcare
providers.
Paul has an impressive educational background that
culminated with a Master of City and Regional Planning from
University of Pennsylvania that focused on finance, realestate, and economic development. He also completed
his undergraduate studies at Franklin & Marshall College,
where he earned a Bachelor of Arts.
Paul’s decision to pursue a career in finance was inspired
by John Fry during his tenure as President of Franklin &Marshall College. “John’s transformative leadership createdvalue from mutually beneficial relationships between the college, the local economy, and its communities. Similarly, I want to build
a career that achieves financial, social, and ecological value.”
Paul is also faculty at Georgetown University in its Masters of Real Estate Program. Outside of work, Paul enjoys yoga, bicycling, andspending time with his family and friends.
Contact: 5404 Wisconsin Avenue, Second Floor, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 | Office: 301.841.2739 | www.pacificwesternbank.com

Marc Levin is a financial advisor and partner with The Stanger Tacktill Group of
Oppenheimer, located in Melville, NY. Marc is a scholar and has been awarded
by his alma mater, Hofstra University, where he earned his B.B.A in finance,
for several accomplishments in financial services. He has also earned his AIF®
designation from The Fiduciary Institute.
The Stanger Tacktill Group of Oppenheimer is comprised of an investment teamof financial advisors that specialize in retirement planning to both corporations
and individuals, with over six decades of combined experience. The mostdifferentiating competency within the practice, which the team prides themselves
on, is their dedication to consulting on 401(k) corporate retirement plans.
Prior to joining Oppenheimer with The Stanger Tacktill Group, Marc was alreadya fielded expert in the financial services industry. His vast experience includes
serving as a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, as well as
managing private equity investments for ultra-high net worth individuals at
Standard Capital.
Since partnering with Larry Stanger’s and Daniel Tacktill’s existing practice,
Marc and the team have had several accomplishments, including being ranked
as a TOP 401k Advisor in the United States by Financial Times Magazine. The
team has earned the 401(k) business of many very prominent companies in the
New York tri-state area, which Marc attributes to the team-player mentality his
partners share with him.
“We are able to understand and solve the problems companies are facing with
their retirement plans better than most advisors due to our team structure and dynamic. We each specialize in different roles whenit comes to managing our business; from investment screening to education meetings, we each divide our time differently, whichallows us to manage our clients with a red-carpet concierge like service”, says Marc.
When asked what inspired him to pursue his career, Marc recalled that he has always understood the multi-generation legacy
families could benefit from with proper planning and diligence. “The goal of a 401(k) or IRA is to provide you with enough income toretire. Unfortunately more often than not, this is seldom seen; mainly in part due to a lack of correct advice. There are many financial
advisors that are not serving as a fiduciary, which means directing clients on what is in their best interest. This is a major disservice;
we always service our clients in a fiduciary capacity” Marc states.
Contact Details: 401 Broadhollow Road, Suite # 401, Melville, NY 11747 | P: (516) 391-4852 | E: marc.levin@opco.com

Jaime transitioned into the banking and financial services industry when he joinedMonterey Bay Bank as a senior network administrator and information security officer.
In that role, he managed the business network and all network applications. In 2004,
Jaime joined Santa Cruz County Bank, at its founding. He held the role of assistantvice president and information security officer, where he developed, implemented, andmanaged the Company’s information security program. He continued to advance within
Santa Cruz County Bank and is currently the senior vice president, chief information
officer and chief information security officer for the Bank. In this role, he oversees
all aspects of the technology and information systems of the business, including thedevelopment and recommendation of technology strategic goals and objectives.
Jaime has a passion and flair for both technology and business and feels fortunate
for the opportunity to combine his expertise in his current role with a successful bank.
Jaime holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer information systems from
DeVry Institute of Technology, numerous accredited technical certifications, and is alsoa graduate of the Western Bankers Association, Executive Development Program. He
has been featured in Hispanic Executive magazine and Industry Standards magazine.

www.linkedin.com/in/jaimemanriquez

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 81

Jaime Manriquez credits his early career experience at IBM with helping him transition
into the banking industry and a successful fifteen-year career in a senior position with
Santa Cruz County Bank. As a technical support engineer for the global services divisionat IBM, Jaime was part of the IBM migration team, in charge of converting hardware andsoftware platforms. In that role, he implemented and integrated new software to adhere
with existing standards as well as working on numerous Y2K preparation projects.

Erin Drake is the president and co-founder of Patriot
Commercial Lending Solutions (PCLS), a private, veteranowned, commercial loan brokerage that specializes inequipment financing, working capital, lines of credit,
consumer financing, commercial real estate, factoring, andfranchise financing.

PHOTO CREDIT: Karen Sullins Photography.

Established in 2017, PCLS offers alternative solutions tobusiness owners who have been unsuccessful in acquiring
capital through traditional funding sources. Through theirsignature “gold-star client service” and network of over 100
private lenders, the company has established itself as avenerable rival amid a competitive market.

Erin can be credited for the swift success that PCLS has already realized but humbly acknowledges the value of the support she
has received from her staff. She elaborates, “As a veteran-owned company, we focus on small businesses because they are thebackbone of this country. We understand that borrowers with credit or revenue challenges can still afford loans and could greatly
benefit by an infusion of capital. We don’t look at the client on paper; we view the whole scenario and find the right program, withthe right lender, so that businesses can sustain, grow, and prosper.”Erin’s lengthy experience within the finance sector encompasses commercial real estate, land acquisition and development, andportfolio management. While fostering her company’s growth and tending to the operational obligations that her role as president
demands, she is also engaged with client relations and enjoys meeting new people. She states, “I look forward to assisting people
who have been turned down by banks and other lenders. It’s especially rewarding to get them the capital they need and to seethem succeed as a result of my efforts.”
Contact: 5001 State Highway 23, Suite 3-148, Oneonta, NY 13820 | 607-930-4243 | www.PatriotCLS.com | erin@patriotcls.com
Sarath Degala is the vice president of BIP Capital, a venture capital company that specializes
in helping entrepreneurs and businesses grow, evolve, and endure.
Sarath, aptly known as a “dynamic healthcare operator”, specializes in cultivating teams,
coaching business leaders, developing strategic initiatives, and fostering change within thehealthcare industry. Simply put, he helps advance portfolio companies who operate within
the healthcare IT and technology enabled services markets.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 82

Drawing upon an enviable and lengthy career in the healthcare sector, Sarath finds ways
to address and resolve challenges related to a variety of inefficiencies that healthcaretechnology companies often experience. By analyzing products, evaluating leadership,
studying technologies, and examining business models, he improves the probability ofsuccess for companies through enhancing efficiency, expanding networks and revenues.
At the same time, Sarath is making healthcare safer, more affordable, and more accessible
to patients across the nation.
Sarath has spent the majority of his seventeen year career in various executive leadershiproles in a variety of healthcare settings with Ascension Health, WellStar Health System,
and Tenet Health from operations, finance, physician practice management, ASC’s andM&A. A graduate of the University of Central Florida (UCF), he holds a master’s degree in
healthcare administration from UCF as well as an MBA from Goizueta School of Business at
Emory University. After grad school, Sarath spent seven years as a consultant, advising andrestructuring under-performing health systems throughout the country. He then transitioned through several impressive leadershiproles before finding a home at BIP.
Outside of work, Sarath maintains an active role within the community as a member of Hands on Atlanta, the Healthcare Financial
Management Association, and the American Hospital Association. In his spare time, Sarath is a father and husband of three children
and enjoys coaching all types of sports for his children, playing tennis and golf, and is a self-proclaimed ‘foodie’.
3575 Piedmont Rd., Bldg. 15, 7th Fl., Ste. 730, Atlanta, GA 30305 | sdegala@bipcapital.com | 404.550.5571 | www.bip-capital.com

Balavignesh (Bala) Thirumalainambi
Government Affairs/Finance Director, NJII
Balavignesh (Bala) Thirumalainambi started his careerat the New Jersey Health Information Technology
Extension Center (now NJIII) in 2010, as a meaningful
use manager. He was then appointed to director of thedepartment, where he was tasked to convert 5000
New Jersey physicians and hospitals from paper toelectronic health records for compliance with theAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) andthe Health Information Technology for Economic andClinical Health Act (HITECH). In this role, Bala directeda staff of 50 specialists and consultants and developed
an outreach program to educate providers on the needto adopt new technology to improve patient health. As
a result of Bala’s work, more than 8,000 physicians converted to EHRs, the EHR adoption rate in New Jersey rose from 15% tomore than 80%, and he helped write and win another grant from the federal government which assisted healthcare providers
from New Jersey, Maryland, and Puerto Rico saved more than $135M in healthcare costs while improving the health of over
500,000 chronically ill patients.
In 2016, Bala was named director of NJII’s Government Affairs and Finance Office, where he acts as the primary liaison between
NJII, the State of New Jersey, and the federal government, and represents NJII’s healthcare division to secure funding for various
projects. He is also leading the creation of a new, for-profit company, Health Care Innovation Solutions, which will further valuebased care in America.
While not at work, Bala spends much of his time educating students on healthcare policy and HIT at the New Jersey Institute ofTechnology Community (NJIT) and other community colleges. Most notably, he has not forgotten his home nation, Tamil Nadu,
India, where he contributes funding to homeless shelters that protect, feed, and educate orphaned children.

Adam Ludolph, BHK, CC, is a financial advisor for The Co-operators, aCanada-based company that provides their growing network of clientswith insurance and investment planning that maximizes profits while
reducing tax liabilities.

As a financial advisor, Adam primarily works with small businesses toensure they obtain the best group benefit plan for their unique needs
and introduces RRSPs that simplify the process for both employers andemployees. He is also presently poised to assume ownership of theagency, which is especially impressive since Adam is ten years younger
than most of his colleagues, who have twice the length of experience.
Despite his age, Adam has amassed advanced expertise thatencompasses mutual funds, life insurance, financial planning, businessadministration, and franchising. This level of competence was recognized by The Co-operators network and subsequently resulted
in the firm recruiting him to direct their plans for market growth. Adam shares the credit for his many successes with associate
financial advisor, Andrew J. Smith and associate insurance advisor, Shae Brophy, noting that their support has been invaluable.
On a personal level, Adam maintains an active role within the community through support of the United Way, YMCA, and as afeatured mental health advocate on TEDx Talk. He is also an avid hockey fan, whose favorite team is the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Email: adam_ludolph@cooperators.ca | Phone: 519.365.7279

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 83

Adam has more than a decade of experience within the financial sector
as a business owner and advisor. He accepted his current appointment
in 2015 and in just the past four years, has already been recognizedwith numerous accolades including, 2017 Financial Planner of The Year,2017 Investment Company of the Year, 2018 Financial Planner of theYear, and 2018 Insurance Salesperson of the Year Runner Up by Best of
Chatham-Kent, Chatham Daily News.

Lions Assurance Financial is a highly successful, independent businessconsulting and wealth management advisory firm that focuses on three
key areas of the financial industry: business advisory, capital markets, andrisk management. The experienced team at Lions Assurance Financial
focuses on serving the business and wealth management needs ofprivately owned business generating 3-50 million in revenue including
independent business owners, family owned businesses, and business
partners. Lions Assurance Financial works with capital providers including
investment banks, private equity firms, venture capital firms, capital
advisory firms, accredited investor platforms, commercial banks, andspecialty finance firms.
Lions Assurance Financial prides itself on approaching the wealthmanagement advisory process in a holistic manner, taking into consideration
all four inextricably linked wealth management aspects including finance, organization, communications, and technology. They
provide customized wealth management solutions and support for clients in diverse industries. The goal of Lions Assurance
Financial is to provide advice and proper courses of action for advanced planning issues to help businesses plan for growth and exit
strategies and ultimately achieve their desired objectives. Some of the elite services that Lions Assurance Financial provides include:
buy-sell agreements, deferred compensation, employee group benefits, executive compensation, succession planning, mergers
and acquisitions, due diligence and valuations, business sales, and business plans.
The knowledgeable team at Lions Assurance Financial has gained comprehensive experience and adapted to the industries of
the clients they serve and now focuses on ten specialized industries including: automotive and trucking, commercial real estate,
hospitality, financial services, retail and e-commerce, marketing and advertising, biopharmaceuticals and healthcare, engineeringand infrastructure, green energy, manufacturing, and logistics. Due to their commitment to a client centric model and exceptional
service that they provide, most clients have been with them since their inception.
Ariel Tavor is the founder and principal of Lions Assurance Financial. He founded the company in 2015, after working as a financial
advisor and Million Dollar Round Table council member at New York Life. Ariel has 10 years of comprehensive experience in thefinancial services industry and has received multiple awards for his accomplishments. Ariel currently oversees their family office
investment group and sits on the board of directors on several companies and real estate developments. Ariel graduated with BA
in economics and political science from Queens College and studied the Master of Business Administration Program at Fordham
University. Ariel spends much of his free time with his family and sits on the board of directors of non-profits he is closely affiliated with.
11 W. 25th St., 8th Fl., NY, NY 10010 | 646-586-3053 | ariel@lionsassurancefinancial.com | www.lionsassurancefinancial.com | LI: /arieltavor

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 84

Lis Silveira is the VP of finance at Just Salad, a multinational fast casual concept committed
to cultivating healthier lifestyles by serving real food at an affordable price. Just Saladlaunched in 2006 with one location in midtown Manhattan and now employs over 1,000
people across 34 locations throughout New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Chicago,
Hong Kong, and Dubai.
Lis joined the Just Salad team in 2017, following a decade-long career in restaurant financethat began while she was pursuing a degree in accounting from City University of New
York-Hunter College. Prior to graduation, she had already worked with the AltamareaGroup for nearly five years, transitioning from a part-time role in accounts payable tofinance manager, and then to head of restaurant finance. In 2016, she accepted an
appointment as director of finance with Dos Toros Taqueria, where among many otherachievements, she directed all aspects of finance and accounting for all taquerias.
In her present role, Lis works closely with Nick Kenner, CEO and founder of Just Salad,
to implement strategic initiatives, create financial models, and conduct feasibility studies
on the company’s long-term goals. The Just Salad team also relies on her assessment of
current and future trends within the industry.
“Working at Just Salad is a natural fit for me as I personally try to lead a very healthy andactive lifestyle, and I feel very fortunate to be part of the brand’s growth and expansion.”
When not in the office, Lis can be found satiating a steady diet of boutique fitness classes
including Barry’s Bootcamp, Fhitting Room, and Tonehouse.
Originally from Brazil, Lis moved to the US to attend college. She did not initially intend to enter the hospitality market, but afterworking in it, she discovered a flair and passion for the industry. Nowadays, her enviable career seems to be on a steady incline
and if history provides any outlook for the future, Just Salad can look forward to exponential growth under the astute financial
guidance that Lis provides.

H.E. Sania A. Ansari: Chair Person of Ansari Group LTD.
As the CEO and chairperson for the Ansari Group LTD., aglobal consulting firm that she founded in 2017, Ms. Ansari uses
her diversified work experience and global life experienceto provide her clients with elite strategy, consulting, digitaltechnology, and operations services.
Sania, whose ancestors came from Saudi Arabia, was born in Pakistan and raisedin Canada. Through her successful global consulting business, she works withmultinational companies around the world that want to expand into the Middle Easternmarket. Her clients also include the various governments to enhance the traderelations between the respective countries.
As a woman entrepreneur, Sania likes to live by the motto, “A strong woman looks
a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink.” She oversees all complex projects andprograms within her business and she is involved in bilateral business development
between multinational companies and UAE enterprises, as well as the overall market
development of UAE.
In addition to her role as chairperson for the Ansari Group Ltd, Sania serves as aconsultant for the private royal offices in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and she has
worked directly with the royal families for almost four years, providing economic and political insights into business developments
and trends regarding countries of interest. Sania also acts as the primary point of contact and a bridge for global partners and the
UAE and works closely with her clients to help them identify and analyze any legal or regulatory factors that may affect their ability tosuccessfully enter the UAE markets. By assisting them in creating and enhancing effective business, communications, political, andfinancial networks, she is able to build strong relationships within the UAE market.
Sania is listed in the Who’s Who Hall of Fame and equally passionate as a humanitarian. She is involved in many philanthropic efforts
and charitable organizations, especially those focused on women, youth, and refugees. She is the chairperson for the United Refugee
Green Council of Canada, ambassador for the Global Tolerance Faces, goodwill ambassador for youth and women empowerment for
the International Human Rights Commission, goodwill ambassador for Wonder Women Association of Pakistan, and youth ambassador
for International Youth Ambassadors Foundation.
sania.ansari@ansarigroups.com | contact@saniaansari.com | www.saniaansari.com | LI: /he-ms-sania-a-ansari | FB: /h.e.ms.sania.a.ansari/

Since 2015, Pernon has executed the responsibilities of the latter position by
providing expert assistance to clients on various forms of life insurance, finance,and credit repair. As a seasoned veteran of the insurance trade, he utilizes overa decade of experience to ensure his clients make educated decisions on both
short- and long-term planning. His particular niche, which is typically overlooked in
his industry, is life insurance for employees of large companies such as healthcare
agencies, hospitals, and mental health facilities. These policies are especiallyunique because they do not require underwriting and have no cost for theemployer.
Pernon’s initial interest in the insurance industry stems from his upbringing. His
father owned an insurance brokerage for fifty years and taught him all about thebusiness. Pernon worked for his father for twelve years, starting from when he
was just nineteen, and has been licensed since he was twenty. This dedicationand longevity has resulted in several formal accolades, including his ten-yearlong position as president’s cabinet member of Security Mutual Life Insurance
Company, which is only offered to the top 5 performers in the industry.
Equally attentive to the community, Pernon instructs weekly college prep classes
through a program called, Family Service Network. He also hosts college tours,
mentors high school students, and is a member of both the Lions Club of Bedford Stuyvesant and the Brooklyn Chamber ofCommerce.
Email: Goldnlifegrp@gmail.com | Phone: (516) 315-3197 | www.goldnlifegrp.com

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 85

Pernon Dunston is the chief executive officer of the Dunston Group LLC, a North
Carolina company that specializes in property development, and the CEO of
Golden Life Group, which offers employee benefits and insurance products.

Patrick Lawler is a Certified Financial Planner™ for the Advanced Advisor Groupat McAdam Financially Advanced™, a Philadelphia-based firm that was named
one of the Top 50 Fastest-Growing Firms​in the RIA Industry, by FA Magazine.
Patrick has been with McAdam since 2012 and works independently from oneof five McAdam offices located throughout the country, which was voted as oneof the Best Financial Advisors in Boston, by AdvisoryHQ. His primary focus is on
assisting clients with their short and long-term financial goals. Patrick has madeimpressive strides in his career by employing modern, comprehensive strategies
that yield impressive results, as confirmed by his roster of loyal clients.
He states, “When I first started out, it was exciting to provide financial guidance
that I was confident about. I began to build trust and my clients praised my service
through referrals. Now, it’s even more rewarding because I am starting to see theresults of my labor as clients retire, grow their families, and achieve their financial
goals.”
Prior to accepting his current appointment, Patrick was a district manager, charged
to oversee and train dozens of financial advisors. While he performed well above
expectations in that role, he missed the more personal interaction involved with
one-on-one client consultations and went back into practice for himself.
When asked about his inspiration, Patrick credits his parents for providing anenvironment that exposed him to his mother’s experience as an educator and his
father’s expertise as a business owner. This blend of skills, coupled with Patrick’s
innate proclivity for problem solving, fostered a natural progression into his career.
Patrick also benefits from a firm academic foundation, which includes a Bachelorof Science degree in finance, marketing, and international business from SaintMichael’s College while being a captain for the baseball team.

84 State St., Ste. 1040, Boston, MA 02109(857) 753-4046 | www.McAdamFA.com
patrick.lawler@mcadamfa.com

Outside of the office, Patrick maintains an active profile within the industry as thesecretary and treasurer for BNI South Shore Networks and within the community
as a Big Brother for the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation of America. In his sparetime, Patrick enjoys golfing, staying active, watching sports, and the Boston culture.
www.advisoryhq.com/articles/top-rated-wealth-managers-in-massachusetts/#McAdamFinancial-Review

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 86

Richard (Rick) Northrup is the president and CEO of OSB Community Bank, aMichigan-based financial institution that originated in 1907. OSB Community Bank,
which primarily services clients in Lenawee, Jackson, and Washtenaw counties,
places a particular emphasis on the “community” aspect of their name. Their staff
and executives reside within their service areas and focus specifically on local
businesses, residents, and commerce. Rick elaborates, “Banking is more thanprocessing a deposit or making a loan. It is volunteering time to various community
organizations and committees, donating much needed resources to community
programs, and being consultative partners to our clients.”
Rick’s enviable career in finance and banking dates back to 1984, when he served
as an account supervisor and financial analyst for Valassis. Throughout his upward
progression, he held executive roles with leading banks such as Comerica, Key
Bank, United Bank & Trust, and Old National Bank. While his responsibilities
and achievements are too numerous to mention, he has established a stellar
reputation that is based on experience, integrity, and improved results. This status
can be credited in part for his latest appointment, which began in 2015, when the board of OSB Community Bank recruited him to
restructure and revitalize banking operations.
At OSB, Rick developed effective strategies and performed a large recapitalization in 2016. He brought in people he worked withpreviously to improve service, and solved the credit and capital issues that existed for years before his arrival. By 2017, the bank wasagain profitable and growing exponentially. Rick states, “Thanks to the talent and efforts of our attentive staff and the loyalty of our clients,
OSB Community Bank can continue to focus on the provision of five-star service for the hard-working citizens of southern Michigan.”Rick earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Western Michigan University before earning a masters of business administration
degree from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business. Outside of work, he enjoys sports, performing in a band, and mostof all, spending time with his wife and family.
Contact: 417 South Main Street, Brooklyn, Michigan 49230 | 517.592.1060 | Rick.Northrup@osbcb.com

Delilah Panio
VP, Capital Formation, Toronto Stock Exchange
Exec. Director/Co-Founder, We Are EnoughAs a capital markets expert with over 17 years ofexperience, Delilah Panio has advised many companies
on the complex process of going public and provides
expertise and understanding of private and publicfinancing options in the United States and Canada.
As the vice president of capital formation for Toronto
Stock Exchange (TSX) and TSX Venture Exchange(TSXV) based in Southern California, Delilah educatescompanies within the U.S. about the benefits oflisting on Canada’s premier equity exchanges. She ispassionate about and extremely committed to helping
entrepreneurs and management teams access thegrowth capital they need to create and build greatcompanies. In Canada, U.S. companies can go public
at an earlier stage than in the U.S. markets and access“public venture capital”, a topic that Delilah frequently
speaks about at industry events.
Prior to her current capital formation role, Delilah gained ten years of capital markets experience including as the director of businessdevelopment and strategy, also at TSX and TSXV. Delilah is also the founder of Stiletto Dash, a consulting firm that works with earlystage companies on their business and funding strategy and particularly works with women entrepreneurs on getting investor-ready.
As a female professional and a humanitarian, Delilah is the executive director and co-founder of We Are Enough. The mission of thisnon-profit organization is to educate women of all socio-economic levels on why and how to invest in women-owned businesses
and/or with a gender lens in the public markets. Delilah is personally interested in supporting and empowering women to understandtheir investing power and take control of their money by using their current capital to align with their values and make money. Delilah
explains that, “In 2019, We Are Enough will launch a global campaign to get more women to invest in women which will have an
extraordinary multiplier impact.”
Delilah is a frequent speaker and mentor for accelerators such as the Stubbs Alderton Markiles LLP Preccelerator® Program,and a pitch coach for several organizations including Women Founders Network. She is the former co-chair of Women in LAVA
(Los Angeles Venture Association) and is a super activator for SheEO, an innovative funding model that encourages women tocontribute $1,000 each into a perpetual fund to invest in women-led ventures. Delilah has an MBA in enterprise development fromthe University of Calgary and a BA in English from the University of Regina. She is also certified as a Neuro-Linguistic Programming(NLP) Master Practitioner.

Peter Tagliaferro started his professional career in the financial services industry in 2002.
After assisting several start-ups with pre-revenue development, he shifted his focus toinvestment strategy for small to midsized operational businesses.
In 2013, Pete joined Facilitated Growth at its inception stage and has since served as
director of investment strategy. Working closely with the CEO, he is depended on to
oversee client accounts, lead client financing initiatives, maintain contact with investors,
and manage the consulting staff.
Over the past six years, Pete has further refined his focus to private finance, utilizing his
skills to identify new opportunities and assist entrepreneurs in their business development
enterprises.
Pete attended SUNY Albany, where he studied business and political science. Despite his
active agenda, he often mentors college students through the Facilitated Growth Intern
Program, which he initiated in 2015.
Contact: peter@facilitatedgrowth.com

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 87

delilah.panio@tmx.com | https://us.tsx.com | delilah@weareenough.biz | www.weareenough.biz | LI: /delilah-panioHelping others reach financial independence and the fruits of their life-long labor
motivates Jimmy Diehl professionally. As a financial advisor with Mass MutualNorthern California, based in Walnut Creek, CA, Jimmy also finds it rewarding toserve those just starting out in their professional careers.
Whether his client goals include preparing for milestone life events like retirement
or college, or whether they are simply looking for life, disability income, or long-termcare insurance protection Jimmy takes pride in helping clients navigate through thepros and cons of each financial strategy through education.
While the bulk of his time is devoted to clientele, Jimmy also trains advisors to assist
in their career growth and success, as he feels fortunate to have been mentored byrespected members of his industry.
Prior to his current role, Jimmy worked in several management positions for
Walgreens, teaching him patience, interpersonal skills, how to manage people, andthat clients come first.
Education has also been a top priority for Jimmy, who holds an MBA and is certified
as a Family Business Specialist (CFBS), Retirement Income Certified Professional(RICP), and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF).

Jimmy Diehl, MBA, CFBS, RICP, AIF
Financial Advisor/Managing Associate

In his work, Jimmy adheres to the saying, “Being smart doesn’t make you qualified
to be an advisor. Asking the right questions, albeit challenging or uncomfortable attimes, while listening and connecting with people is ultimately what leads to success”.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 88

Michael DiSpirito is a private wealth manager for Woodbury Financial, a member ofAdvisor Group based in Manhasset, New York. Woodbury Financial has a 100-year
history and 8000 advisors nationwide. With a multitude of investment products, frommanaged portfolios, mutual funds, annuities, hedge funds, private equity, and bankCD’s, the firm practices a relationship-based model, which fosters loyalty from theirclients. Woodbury financial is a product agnostic firm. Evidenced by their three-timenomination as Broker-Dealer of the Year, Woodbury Financial has established itself
as a leader in the financial services sector.

Michael DiSpirito, MBA, ChFC, MSFS, AEP
Chartered Financial Consultant

Michael’s affiliation with Woodbury Financial is the result of Capital One’s sale to
the Firm. His enviable career in finance dates back to 1997, when he served as anadvanced financial advisor for American Express Advisors. Other impressive roles
followed, including positions with CitiGroup/Smith Barney as a senior advisor andestate planner, and executive appointments with MetLife, HSBC, and Capital One.
Throughout his career progression, Michael acquired a comprehensive knowledgeof wealth management, retirement planning, will and trusts, estate planning, defined
benefit plans, and insurance. He maintains a working relationship with more than 300
companies, which is especially beneficial to his significant roster of pre-retiree andretiree clients. As a known expert in his field, Michael was invited to be a guest on the
Jim Cramer Mad Money Radio Show.

After completing university and his BSCE, Michael was hired by a construction management company and his first project was the1986 modernization of the Statue of Liberty. Michael clearly articulates his goal to be one of altruism. He finds that the primary reward
for him is the positive impact he has on the lives of people and their families. This humanitarian philosophy is also manifest in his
active role within the industry and community. Michael is a member of the Nassau County Estate Planning Council and sits on theadvisory board of Long Island’s New Ground Charity. He supports Wounded Warriors, Tuesday’s Children, Social Security causes,
and was a mentor in the Junior Achievement Program. Michael has also done his fair share of soccer coaching and acted as “balletdad” for local productions of The Nutcracker.
CONTACT: 1615 Northern Blvd., Suite 304, Manhasset N.Y. 11030 | Mdispirito@woodburyfinancial.net | 516-281-4754

Michael Ott is a managing partner at Summit Wealth Strategies, a successful financial
planning firm that offers a full range of financial products and services. The primary
goal of the business is to provide advanced and profitable financial strategies to eachand every valued client.
After graduating with a dual Master of Science degree in accounting and business
management from Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, Michael began his careerin financial services as an investment banking manager with Citi. In that role, hesuccessfully built an investment management team that grew in excess of 900% in
acquisitions of assets and receivables over the 4 years he managed the division.
In 2006, Michael took his financial expertise and experience in a new direction andpartnered with his father, Gary, in the financial planning industry at Summit WealthStrategies. Together, Michael and his father built a highly successful financial planning
organization with a strong and experienced team to manage assets for clients all overthe country. When his father retired, he became managing partner and grew the firm
to over $700 million in assets under advisement. In 2010, Michael became a Certified
Retirement Planning Specialist (CRPS®) through The Wharton School with an emphasison advanced financial wealth management, social security and Medicare planning,
charitable planning, family protection, and legacy planning.
Michael and the entire team at Summit Wealth Strategies are committed to supporting
their community through sponsorships, donations and volunteer work. Michael ispersonally involved in several charitable organizations including starting a young
professional’s foundation for Saint Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis as well as supportingorganizations that provide help and assistance to those affected by Down Syndrome.
Mike lives in Chesterfield, MO with his wife, Kelly, and their three children. In his free time
he loves attending sporting events and enjoys coaching youth baseball and soccer.

Sid Miramontes - CEOMiramontes Capital

When Sid founded Miramontes Capital in 2015, he wanted to be able to offer asuite of investment plan options and services to clients at every level, from highlevels executives to school teachers. Miramontes Capital offers individualizedplans and services based on the specific needs of the client including retirement
planning, investments, financial planning, life insurance and long term care.
They also have a team of trust attorneys that handle estate plans and CPAs tohandle specific financial investments. In addition to being the CEO and CIO,
as an experienced retirement planning specialist, Sid oversees the retirement
planning division of Miramontes Capital.
Miramontes Capital prides itself in providing clients with a first-class andcustomized service experience to best suit their retirement objectives. The
team at Miramontes Capital truly offers personalized service and steadfastly
provides portfolio reviews for each client every 30-45 days. This provides themthe opportunity to make any necessary adjustments on a regular basis.
Before founding Miramontes Capital, Sid gained his experience working as senior vice president at Morgan Stanley for over twelve
years and as a managing director of wealth management for UBS for seven and a half years. Miramontes Capital was listed on
the Forbes Best in State Wealth Advisor list in 2018, on the Barron’s Top Financial Advisor list three times, and was named Top
Advisor in Orange County by Financial Advisor Magazine in 2017. Sid also authored two books; Retirement: Your New Beginningand Retirement: Your Income Strategy.
620 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660 | www.Miramontescapital.com | (800) 460-1595 | sean.dailey@miramontescapital.com

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 89

As the CEO of the investment company he founded, Sid Miramontes is focusedon assisting each client with all of their individual investment and retirement
needs. Unlike big investment firms that easily lose sight of their smaller, individual
clients, the team at Miramontes Capital is dedicated to helping each client withall of their needs.

Alan Rabb is a prominent finance professional with more than three
decades of experience in the CPG industry; twenty-nine of which havebeen with The Coca Cola Company. Since accepting his first position
with the legendary Fortune 100 beverage company in 1989, Alan has
transitioned through several roles of increasing responsibility, including
senior vice-president – finance for the sparkling and strategic marketingareas, the CFO for the US operations business, which included
management of a business affairs team, forecast center of excellence,procurement and productivity areas, the national retail sales financeand franchise leadership finance functions as well as finance leadershipfor the North America marketing brands and associated P&L’s.
His long and enviable career culminates with his present appointment,
which involves co-leading the implementation of global marketinginvestment tool and system. This is a transformational project for Coca
Cola Company and will equip marketers and finance associates witha full spectrum view of investments for marketing in the business wellinto the future.
Alan’s success in the finance sector can be attributed to the combinationof his experience and broad academic foundation. He holds a BBA
in accounting from Emory University and an MBA in both financeand international business from Mercer University. Initially, Alan had
considered pursuing a career in law or criminal justice but eventually
moved towards a career in corporate America. Alan will culminate thisfascinating career with his retirement at the end of 2018.
This well-earned hiatus from corporate life will also allow him some
downtime to indulge in his favorite activities, such as photography,
swimming, travel, and spending time with his family. In addition, Alan isin the process of completing a book that he has been working on for some time. His book will be releasedin early to mid 2019 and explores how to lead a fulfilled life while balancing all of the pressures that yourlife can put in front of you. The fundamentals he outlines in this book will be equally relevant to his future,
as he considers several options, among them he has formed a new consulting company, ACS Consulting
Solutions.

Top 100 People in Finance Magazine - Page 90

His consulting company, ACS Consulting Solutions, will specialize in consulting in the areas of businessand financial process work, agility and efficiency, as well as the previously mentioned forensics field witha focus on both criminal forensics and fraud examination. He will complete his ACFE certification in early
2019, which will compliment the certification he just completed in criminal forensics from Colorado State in
the fall of 2018. After spending some time with Alan, one thing is certain; he will succeed in whatever hedoes and leave an impact on all those that he touches. Contact: alan@acsconsulting.solutions.

Dan A. Murphy, MBA, CLU
Managing Director, LION STREET
dmurphy@lionstreet.com

Ben Gothard
Founder/CEO, Goathard Enterprises
bgothard@gothardenterprises.com

Louis Wolkenstein
Principal, The Investment Advisor(877)414-9021

William Croisettier
Managing Partner, Web3 Capital
415.854.9500

Wayne Kimmel
Managing Partner of SeventySix Capital
wayne@seventysixcapital.com

Tom Hegna, CASL, ChFC, CLU
Economist & Author
www.tomhegna.com

Christopher M. Uhl, CMA, MOSM
10minutestocktrader.com
Email: chris@10minutestocktrader.com

Robyn Browdy
Partner, Ricks Consulting Group, Inc
www.rickscg.com

Giuseppe Donvito
Partner, P101 Ventures
39 02 36595255

Lorraine S. Fox, MBA
Director, P&G Alumni Network
415.371.7894

Paul Szurek
VP, Growth-Stage Software Investments
pszurek@insightpartners.com

Tom Williams
Managing Director, Multi Family Officetomwilliamsnyc@gmail.com

Ben Johnson, VP, CBA
Vice President, First Bank Texas
Ben.Johnson@go2FBT.com

Candace WannerMarketplace Director, Equity Zen(877) 490-6121

Stacey Tisdale
On-Air Financial Journalist
stacey@mindmoneymedia.com

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