Cristian Enrique Barbalena

I began in this industry in 2010 in the aftermath of the financial crisis, working in a largely transactional, commission-based role during my first year. My employer at the time focused heavily on investments and placed little emphasis on financial advice. My following employer was fee-based - favoring the AUM business model - and focused much more on financial planning. At face value, this was a great change for me. However, as my career progressed and I learned more about our industry, my feelings on the AUM business model began to evolve. Over time, I became disenchanted with the notion that an advisor should be entitled to a cut of a client’s portfolio. It also began to dawn on me that – in this industry – most employers would value me based on how much money I brought in each year, and not necessarily on how much I was helping my clients. This ultimately is what led me to breakaway, become fully independent, and establish Fair Asset Management. I am a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional. Back in 2010 when I got my start, this was considered the “gold standard” credential of the financial planning profession. This designation - while important & valuable - represents minimum, baseline knowledge, and serves as a starting point to furthering your expertise through continuing education. I went on to become a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® professional. The CPWA® curriculum focuses on serving the needs of clients with a minimum net worth of $5 million and goes far deeper than the CFP® into areas like high-net-worth estate planning strategies, and planning for corporate executives. My experience as a CPWA® professional uniquely qualifies me to develop specific strategies to minimize taxes, monetize & protect assets, maximize growth, and transfer wealth. I then became admitted to practice before the Internal Revenue Service as an Enrolled Agent (EA). Enrolled Agent status is the highest credential the IRS awards. As taxes are intertwined with virtually every aspect of financial planning, having such a broad base of knowledge & expertise allows me to help clients navigate an ever-changing tax landscape. Enrolled Agents, like tax attorneys & CPAs, are unrestricted as to what types of tax matters they can handle. In addition to the above credentials, I am also a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®), and Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®).

Jian Kong is a financial advisor at Amerina International Capital Management LLC in Dallas, TX, with 13 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with Amerina since 2012, also working at Alphabetwise Capital LLC since 2022. Kong serves as the managing member of Amerina, overseeing daily operations and investment management. Amerina International Capital Management LLC provides discretionary investment supervisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and corporations. The firm employs a blend of fundamental, technical, charting, and cyclical analysis, utilizing both long- and short-term trading strategies with discretionary authority to execute transactions on behalf of clients.

James Browne is a financial advisor at Coleman River Capital LLC in Dallas, TX, with 22 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been with Coleman River Capital since 2003. Coleman River Capital LLC provides investment advisory and portfolio management services to a diverse client base, including individuals, trusts, charitable organizations, and pension plans. The firm employs a combination of fundamental and technical analysis to construct concentrated long and short portfolios using U.S. equities, ETFs, and listed options, including strategies such as short sales and margin trading tailored to client risk profiles.

Ryan Ammon is a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) with 13 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Double Eagle Wealth Management LLC in Dallas, TX. Prior to founding Double Eagle Wealth Management in 2024, he spent 12 years at Edward Jones. He is also a licensed insurance agent offering fixed insurance products. Double Eagle Wealth Management provides discretionary asset management, comprehensive financial planning, and retirement plan consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, nonprofit organizations, and corporate entities. The firm utilizes a mix of separately managed accounts, ETFs, alternative investments, and integrated tax services, serving a client base that includes corporate clients and pension plans.

Ross Pauley is a CFP® professional with 25 years of experience in financial advising. He is the principal of Capital Achievements, LLC in Dallas, TX, where he has worked since 2017. Prior to that, he operated Pauley Financial Services, Inc. for over two decades and was involved with Now's the Time - Move Forward, LLC from 2022 to 2024. Capital Achievements provides investment management and financial planning services to individuals, families, and trusts, managing over $154 million in client assets. The firm focuses on active asset management, comprehensive planning, and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary account management, with a client base that is relatively small compared to its asset size.

Warren Covert is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor at FSO Wealth in Dallas, TX, with one year of industry experience. His prior roles include work with Global Fiduciary Partners LLC and the U.S. Department of State. FSO Wealth provides financial planning and investment management to individuals and high-net-worth clients, offering services that include seminars and workshops for institutional and public groups. The firm emphasizes a planning-first approach with tailored recommendations and primarily non-discretionary investment management, alongside formal educational offerings and self-directed courses.