Michael Sheppard

Andrew Leeman is a financial advisor with Eagle Strategies (NY Life) based in Independence, OH. He holds Series 7, Series 63, and Series 66 exam licenses and has eight years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at NYLIFE Securities LLC, Dynamic Wealth Advisors. Outside of finance, he owns rental properties and Miller Muscle, LLC, an online strength and nutrition coaching business. Eagle Strategies LLC provides financial planning, investment advisory, and retirement plan consulting services to individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, trusts, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm emphasizes client-directed solutions and utilizes third-party managers and model portfolios, operating as an indirect subsidiary of New York Life.

Alec Derrig is a CFP® and Series 65 license holder based in Akron, Ohio, with one year of experience at Sand Run Wealth Management. His prior work includes roles at Kauig Companies Limited and Apple Growth Partners, as well as four years at Kent State University. Outside of advising, he is involved with a family office through his other business activities. Sand Run Wealth Management is an Ohio-registered investment adviser serving individuals and families with investment management and financial planning services. The firm employs a long-term, goals-based investment approach tailored to client objectives and emphasizes tax-aware strategies through diversified portfolios.

Todd Pouliot is a financial advisor at Gateway Financial with 21 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and previously worked at Sigma Financial Corporation for 12 years before joining Gateway Financial in 2019. Gateway Financial is an independent advisory firm serving individual clients, retirement plans, and corporate clients. The firm employs a largely passive, asset-class-driven investment approach based on Modern Portfolio Theory, supplemented by fundamental and technical analyses, and offers a range of services including continuous investment management, financial planning, employee benefit plan consulting, and held-away account monitoring.

Ryan Kitson is the sole advisor at WRK Investments, LLC, based in Solon, Ohio, with 18 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has operated WRK Investments since 2011. WRK Investments provides discretionary investment management services to individuals, high net worth clients, families, trusts, estates, and small businesses. The firm’s investment approach combines proprietary fundamental and cyclical research focused on mid, large, and mega-cap equities, utilizing long-term holdings alongside occasional short positions, margin, options, and tactical strategies.

Martin Jaras is the principal of Jaras Financial Services, Inc. in Brecksville, Ohio, with 39 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked in various capacities including investment advisory, insurance sales, and business consulting. Outside of financial services, he operates Dirt Wranglers, LLC, a small local equipment business. Jaras Financial Services primarily serves individual investors along with retirement plans, corporate entities, and charitable organizations. The firm offers asset management, financial planning, and retirement-plan administration, managing portfolios on both discretionary and non-discretionary bases using fundamental and technical analysis.

Peter Laakso is a financial advisor with Priority Investment Management LLC in Akron, OH. He holds a Series 65 designation and has 12 years of industry experience, including a decade at Meridian Capital Management Group, Inc. from 2014 to 2024 and prior self-employment from 2010 to 2016. Priority Investment Management LLC provides discretionary asset management services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, and business entities. The firm offers customized investment programs using a mix of fundamental, technical, charting, and cyclical analysis, with an emphasis on managing accounts separately and allowing clients to vote their own proxies.