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Member Biographies

Kristi Bell
Vice President of Operations, Ward T. Bell & Associates, Inc.
Phoenix, AZ

Kristi entered the insurance marketplace in 2003 following a career as an auditor with Ernst and Young in Southern California. Currently residing in Phoenix, Arizona she works along side her father and brother in the insurance marketing arena. Ward T. Bell & Associates, Inc. provides support for over 200 agents and independent producers around the nation and markets life insurance products for more than ten major carriers. The organization strives to stay at the peak of the industry through efficiency and effective marketing while promoting leading edge products and programs. Kristi holds her Life and Health license in the state of Arizona.

Frank P. Bevilacqua II, CPA
Principal, W3 Wealth Management
Akron, OH

Frank has been a principal in W3 Wealth Management since 2004. His practice also includes personal and business financial planning, estate planning, business succession planning, investments, qualified plans and insurance products.

A lifetime Akronite, Bevilacqua holds a Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, and international business from Bowling Green State University. He also serves on the board of directors of the Rockynol Retirement Community in Akron, and he is a member of the Northwest Summit County Rotary.

Jeremy S. Forbis, CFP®
Associate, CFH Financial, Inc.
Memphis, TN

Jeremy is a marketing graduate of Texas A&M University. He grew up watching his father, principal Jim Forbis, develop and grow a financial planning practice. Jeremy joined the firm in January 2001. Jeremy focuses on business planning, employee benefits, and personal asset growth and protection. Jeremy is known for his commitment to excellence and the outstanding service he provides the people he serves.

Jeremy holds Life, Variable, Health, & Accident Insurance Licenses; his Series 7; and is an Investment Advisor Representative

Brady M. Fineske
TFO- Fineske Herrick
Maumee, OH

Brady specializes in personal finance management, risk management, health and life insurance, as well as retirement planning strategies. His clients include small business owners,teachers, doctors, newlyweds and professionals planning for retirement. He is currently pursuing his Property and Casualty license and his CFP designation to become a more well-rounded advisor.

Brady and his wife, Katie, were married in September of 2002. They have 2 children, Jackson and Alivia. Brady recently published his first book, All You Have To Do Is Last!, about how to survive in the financial services industry. In his free time, Brady spends time doing what he loves most, coaching football and baseball. Brady and his family remain active in their parish, St. Joan of Arc and reside in Monclova Ohio just outside to Toledo.

Miles Harkleroad
Principal, Financial Integrity Group, Inc.
Chicago, IL

Miles works with high net worth individuals, highly compensated executives, and privately held business owners. His focus is providing clients with one planner who can coordinate and orchestrate the various facets of their financial planning. Often different advisors assist with tax, investment, business, and estate strategies throughout your lifetime, but they are not concerned if any of the strategies overlap or affect each other in an adverse manner.

Another common shortfall of this uncoordinated planning is lack of implementation; a plan does not become an effective solution unless it is implemented. We have structured our practice around offering clients independent unbiased opinions, total plan coordination, and assistance with the implementation of financial solutions.

The primary goal of his business is to develop long term relationships with a relatively small client base while delivering an exceptional level of service.

Matt Hoesly, CFP®
Resource 1
Virginia Beach, VA

Matt Hoesly entered the financial services industry in 2004 after some impressive educational accomplishments as valedictorian of his high school class and graduating with honors from St. Norbert College. He earned his degree in Business Administration and a minor in Economics in 2004. He relocated to Virginia to join Resource 1, Inc. in January 2006 and earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 2008.

He is ambitious in furthering his education and is currently working on his Masters of Science in Financial Services degree from the American College. His focus is currently on areas of personal financial advice, retirement planning and asset management.

Matt serves on the board of the local NAIFA chapter and is involved in their Young Advisor Team.Matt continues his athletic pursuits in several local team sports and volunteers as an assistant track coach at Virginia Wesleyan College.

Dave Minich, CFP®
Vice President, Applied Financial Concepts, Inc.
Cleveland, OH

David R. Minich began his career at a young age. When he was 14 years old, he began working for Applied Financial Concepts, Inc., which is an independent financial planning firm started by his father in 1982. He developed an interest in financial planning and decided to pursue this further by working for other financial planning businesses. After graduating from Wittenberg University in 2001, Dave accepted a full time position with Applied Financial Concepts, Inc. He has continued to advance himself by obtaining multiple securities and insurance licenses, and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation. As a result of his efforts he was promoted to Vice President and COO

Mehul Mistry, CFP®
Associate, Secure Planning Strategies

Mehul Mistry is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Investment Advisory Representative and has been with Secure-Planning Strategies for the past eight years. He has worked in the financial service industry since 1997. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and received his BA in Economics in 1997. Mr. Mistry values the importance of building long-term personal relationships as well as helping clients meet their investment goals. "I enjoy working as a partner in creating a secure future for my clients." Mehul specializes in college funding strategies, pre-retirement planning, investment management, and investment and estate planning for families with special needs members.

Craig Montanari, CLTC
Partner, Montanari Financial Partners
Hartford, CT

At Montanari Financial Partners, we help clients at all life stages protect their present and future earnings. The legacies left to us by our predecessors taught us the value of the products and services we offer our clients. We firmly believe a sound insurance plan is the cornerstone of any solid financial strategy. With that in mind, we specialize in the areas of wealth and income protection as we work with you to help build and preserve your net worth.

David L. Pelland, CFP®
Principal, Bear Pelland Alda Advisors
Fairlawn, OH

Established in 1976 by the late Bernard Bear and Lawrence W. "Buzz" Pelland, CFP®, Bear/Pelland Associates continues into the next generation. As successor and son of Buzz, David entered the family business in May of 2000 with a degree in Finance from Miami University in Oxford, OH. He is a Board CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and is registered with the State of Ohio as an Investment Advisor Representative with ALDA Advisors, Inc. (dba Bear/Pelland Associates). He is further registered with ValMark Advisers, Inc., a SEC Registered Investment Advisor. David is a Registered Representative (Series 7 & 66) with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority through ValMark Securities, Inc and licensed in various states. As a member of Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), the Financial Planning Association, and several other industry associations David's commitment to the industry is self evident.

Actively involved with the Greater Akron & Fairlawn Area Chambers of Commerce, David has been consistently involved in the community and is one of the Fairlawn Chamber's Board of Directors. David also spends time tutoring students in reading, math, and science at Helen Arnold Elementary in the Akron Public School System and supporting Habitat for Humanity.

David & his wife Jillian live in Fairlawn Heights with their three year-old daughter Ella, one year old son Owen, and two dogs Charlie and Dug the Pug. They are all nature lovers and enjoy hiking, biking, golf, and a great bottle of Bordeaux.

Richard Storms
Principal, St. Pedro & Associates
President, Term Life 4-U
Royersford, PA

In July of 1999, Rick joined St. Pedro & Associates bringing with him a combination of business savvy and entrepreneurial ambition developed from successfully launching and growing several businesses.

Rick earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of North Texas. He secured his Life and Health Insurance Licenses and currently holds a Series 7 Securities License and Series 24 Principal's License. Rick has earned membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) since 2001 and has been recognized for his achievements by NAIFA (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors

Involved in the community in which he lives and works, Rick is a member of many locally based organizations such as the Limerick Economic Development Council and the Spring-Ford Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Spring-Ford Chamber of Commerce and previously served as the president. Rick and his wife, Tara, live in Gilbertsville with their two children.

Russ Talone, CFP® CLU®
Talone Financial Group
Collegeville, PA

Russ is a Certified Financial Planner CFP and Chartered Life Underwriter CLU and has been in the financial services industry since 2002. He is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University, where he received a BA in Finance and International Business.

In working with businesses, Russ consults with owners and key employees to develop solutions in the areas of employee benefits, retirement plans, succession planning, and risk management. With individuals, Russ prefers to follow a comprehensive planning process that incorporates all aspects of a family's finances to best serve their unique goals. Russ enjoys teaming up with other professionals in the fields of commercial insurance, tax, law, real estate, and lending to bring many layers of expertise to a client's corner.

Russ is an active member of the Montgomery County Estate Planning Council, Penn State Alumni Association, and the Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce. He is on the leadership committee for the Smeal Business Club in Philadelphia, and currently serves on the board of The Elpis Foundation.

Ross Winfield, CHFC
The Frieden Agency / John Hancock
Virginia Beach, VA

The Frieden Agency has been helping individuals and businesses in the Hampton Roads area since 1928. They help create competitive Employee Benefits packages and assist individuals with their overall retirement planning needs.

Ross entered into the practice in May of 2000 following in the footsteps of his Father, Brian Winfield, who has been with the agency since 1973. Ross, much like his father, has been an MDRT producer since 2004 and made Court of the Table in 2008 and 2009. He now focuses on full financial planning and helps his clients achieve the goals they set for retirement and beyond.

Ross was born and raised in Virginia Beach and met his wife of 10 years, Kristy, here. They are now lucky parents of Aiden and Adeline and are planning on staying in the area to help it continue to grow.

Daniel R. Zajac, CFP®
SimoneZajac Wealth Management Group
Exton, PA

Daniel R. Zajac joined SimoneZajac Wealth Management Group, LLC in October 2004 after graduating from Drexel University with a degree in finance. Since graduation, Daniel has demonstrated his commitment to the financial planning profession by attaining the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP®) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designations.

As a team member with SimoneZajac, Daniel assists individuals and business owners in making a variety of financial decisions including investment planning, insurance and income protection, retirement planning, and 401k design and administration. He has also worked with individuals holding concentrated equity positions.

Involved in the community in which he works, Daniel is an assistant coach for Downingtown East High School's soccer team, and is involved with the Chester County Young Professionals network. He is currently single and resides in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Sarah Kaplan, RHU
Kaplan Financial Group
Bethesda, MD

Sarah Kaplan has been a partner at Kaplan Financial Group and Kaplan Benefits Group, LLC, since 2003. She specializes in helping to develop financial solutions for corporations, business owners, and individuals. Sarah offers a vast array of financial strategies, services and products to help implement these solutions. These include an in-depth financial needs analysis and business, estate and retirement planning strategies tailored to client's needs. Sarah will work jointly with clients’ CPAs, attorneys, and other professionals to create a well-integrated, simplified financial program designed to help meet all of their financial goals.

She is a graduate of the University of Maryland’s R.H. Smith School of Business and recently completed the course work for a Wharton Certificate in Retirement Planning.