Elaine Polemenakos

Debra Rosenthal Ritter is a CFP® with 36 years of industry experience, currently serving at Retirement Management Systems. Her prior roles include positions at Geneos Wealth Management Inc, Capital Asset Advisory Services, LLC, WFG Investments, Inc., and RosRit Financial Group, LLC. Outside of advisory work, she is involved in home care services plan sales. Retirement Management Systems provides savings-plan management, discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and plan-sponsor consulting for individual clients and retirement plans. The firm uses risk-based model portfolios developed with LSA Portfolio Analytics and serves a high number of clients with substantial assets under management.

Ricky Moore is a financial advisor at Arkadios Wealth Advisors with 31 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has worked at firms including SagePoint Financial and The Oak Financial Group, where he serves as president. Outside of his advisory role, Moore is a minister and pastor at Brazoria Church of Christ, involved in teaching, counseling, and church financial planning. Arkadios Wealth Advisors provides investment and wealth management services to individuals, trusts, businesses, and retirement plans through a combination of advisor-managed accounts, third-party money managers, and financial planning. The firm employs an integrated operating model with an internal portfolio team offering discretionary management and a variety of investment strategies.

Michael Degan is a financial advisor at Encompass More Asset Management LLC with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked previously with Appreciation Financial, Bluebell Construction, and Team Velocity Marketing. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in insurance and annuity sales as a field sales associate. Encompass More Asset Management LLC serves individual and high-net-worth clients by providing discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to private placements. The firm employs a model-based investment approach that integrates quantitative, qualitative, and fundamental analysis, and manages approximately $582 million for about 4,000 clients.

Jeremy Vernor is a financial advisor with Arkadios Wealth Advisors, holding a Series 66 credential and bringing 21 years of industry experience. He has worked at Arkadios Wealth Advisors since 2021 and previously worked at Sagepoint Financial and The Oak Financial Group. Vernor is a board member and finance committee chair of the Brazoria County Community Foundation. Arkadios Wealth Advisors provides investment and wealth management services to individuals, trusts, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm offers customized investment plans, portfolio reporting, and financial planning, supported by an internal portfolio team that delivers models, strategies, and trade execution across diverse asset classes.

Nicole Smith is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with five years of industry experience. She is currently with Merit Financial Advisors and has previously worked at firms including Commonwealth Financial Network and OneAmerica Securities. Outside of financial advising, she serves as a board member for United Against Human Trafficking, where she advises on strategic planning and participates in organizational oversight. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion and serving a diverse client base that includes individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach through customizable model portfolios and offers specialized services such as independent fiduciary and ESOP trustee work.

Patrick Beale is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 20 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. His prior experience includes roles at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Commonwealth Financial Network, Global Wealth Advisors, and LPL. Outside of his advisory work, he is co-owner of Pearland Elite Training Center, LLC, a teaching and coaching business operated by his wife. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion with 144 advisors serving individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and institutions. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach utilizing model portfolios and modular sleeves, overseen by a central Investment Management team and committee, while allowing advisors flexibility in portfolio management.