Joseph G Lester

For Kurt, planning and investing are means to an end—after all, what’s the point of accumulating wealth for accumulation’s sake? His goal is for clients to fully enjoy their wealth both today and in the future. As such, he focuses first on helping clients map out their life, creating a detailed picture of their hopes, dreams, and wishes. Only after that big-picture plan is established does he dive into the details and identify prescriptive action steps. Then, and only then, does he discuss the best way to invest their money. This intentional order aims to ensure each strategy has a specific purpose, and that every decision the client makes is driving them closer to their long-term goals. Kurt enjoys working with young entrepreneurs and specialized professionals who are early in their careers. Many of his clients have never had a personalized financial plan, and they appreciate his fresh perspective. He challenges conventional wisdom, always seeking the “why” behind a strategy rather than simply accepting the status quo. In doing so, he often discovers additional avenues for growth, methods for clients to more efficiently achieve their goals, or ways to save on taxes. Kurt lives in Rochester, New York, with his wife Sarah and their two young children, Kai and Isla. They’re an active family that loves to be outside as much as possible, and when each of his kids turned three, Kurt taught them to ski—something he was very excited about, having started skiing himself at the age of two. They also enjoy cooking together, going on road trips, and watching movies.

Karl Khuns is a financial advisor at Stone Oak Capital LLC in Rochester, NY, with 18 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Lord Abbett, ESL Investment Services, Boyd Capital, and Engleson and Associates. Stone Oak Capital LLC provides portfolio management and financial planning primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients, offering tailored investment policy statements and discretionary management across a broad range of investment types. The firm’s investment process integrates fundamental analysis, modern portfolio theory, and technical analysis to create client-specific portfolios and employs both long- and short-term trading strategies.

John Howe is a CFP® professional with 14 years of industry experience, currently serving as the sole advisor at Hamewith Wealth. His previous roles include positions at Generation Capital Management, St. John Fisher University, LPL Financial, and Wells Fargo Clearing. Hamewith Wealth is an independent registered investment adviser that offers discretionary portfolio management, wealth management, and comprehensive financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses. The firm’s investment approach combines passive and active fund strategies grounded in Modern Portfolio Theory, with options for ESG or values-based investments, and includes monitoring of held-away accounts and K-12 retirement plan advisory services.

Priscilla Baker Jones is a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) with 13 years of industry experience. She has been with Occam Capital Management, LLC since 1998, serving as its sole advisor. Occam Capital Management provides discretionary investment management and hourly consulting to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pensions, trusts, and estates. The firm applies a top-down analysis of global economic factors combined with a fundamental value approach to equities, alongside an investment-grade, laddered fixed-income strategy, focusing on long-term appreciation and income.

Christopher Coleman is a financial advisor at Fiduciary First Advising, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation with six years of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at Sage, Rutty & Co., Inc., and consulting work. Fiduciary First Advising, LLC is an independent advisory firm serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, and businesses with tailored investment management and comprehensive financial planning. The firm uses a primarily passive investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, managing discretionary portfolios with index mutual funds and ETFs, and integrates planning with regular monitoring and updates.

Ziad Wehbe is a financial advisor at Balfour Capital Management with 12 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Balfour Capital since 2017, with prior experience at Royal Alliance and Principal Life Insurance Company. Balfour Capital Management serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, corporations, and business owners by providing financial planning and investment management services. The firm focuses on long-term portfolio construction using diversified mutual funds and ETFs, supplemented by REITs, equities, bonds, and options, and offers business consulting services including retirement plan review and succession planning.