Valentino Leon is an Investment Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2026. In this capacity, he guides clients with growing assets by connecting them with appropriate resources and teams, and assists clients in the early stages of their financial journey by providing practical direction for the future. Prior to his current position, Valentino served as a Relationship Manager at Fidelity Investments from 2025 to 2026 and as a Financial Representative from 2024 to 2025. This progression has contributed to his experience in financial advising and client relationship management. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Valentino has interests in art, fitness, golf, motorcycles, and music.

Paul Stento is a Series 66 licensed advisor with Merrill in Albany, NY, and has 23 years of industry experience. He has worked with Merrill Lynch since 2003 and with Bank of America, N.A. since 2011. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies managed by internal teams and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Ryan Hussey is a financial advisor at LPL Financial with 16 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and worked previously at Next Financial Group Inc for 12 years. Hussey also maintains a non-variable insurance business activity related to investment advisory services. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves individual clients, retirement plans, financial institutions, corporations, and charitable organizations through a national network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, financial planning services, and utilizes model portfolios and research from multiple sources.

Peter Bernstein is a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Clearing, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 33 years of industry experience. He has been with Wells Fargo Clearing since 2016 and previously worked at Wells Fargo Advisors LLC from 2009 to 2016. Wells Fargo Advisors is a national securities firm serving individual, corporate, and institutional clients with investment advisory services, financial planning, and retirement plan consulting. The firm manages roughly $671 billion in assets and offers a range of brokerage and advisory solutions supported by research and analytics from Wells Fargo Investment Institute.

Eric Besaw is a financial advisor at Merrill with 16 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, and Scottrade. Outside of his advisory work, he serves as a committee member for the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society and owns Bluebird Acre Farm LLC, a nursery and agriculture business focused on growing fruit and nut trees and shrubs. Merrill provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary investment strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutions.

Cory Bonanno is a financial advisor at Cetera with 15 years of industry experience. He holds the CFP® and Series 66 designations and has been affiliated with Cetera and its related entities since 2013. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved with Bonanno Financial Advisors, LLC, a financial services business where he supports sales activities. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm that serves a broad range of clients, including individuals, employer-sponsored retirement plans, corporate and charitable entities, and institutional accounts. The firm offers diverse portfolio management and consulting services through a multi-manager platform, featuring a variety of program options and affiliations that support comprehensive investment solutions.

Christopher Ardito is a financial advisor with Primerica Advisors holding Series 65 and Series 63 licenses and one year of industry experience. His prior experience includes roles at PFS Investments Inc., Primerica Financial Services, CDPHP, Memory Gardens, Elemental Landscape, Muhlenberg College, and the Guilderland School District. Primerica Advisors sponsors and manages a wrap-fee asset management program primarily serving individual investors, corporate, and charitable clients. The firm operates at scale with thousands of advisors and offices, offering model-based investment strategies supported by third-party asset managers and custodians.

Valerie Cassick currently serves as Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role she has held since 2026. She has been with Fidelity Investments since 2018, progressing through positions including Financial Consultant and Investment Consultant. Prior to joining Fidelity, Valerie worked in wealth management and financial analysis roles at Northwestern Mutual and Ayco, a Goldman Sachs company. In her work, Valerie collaborates with clients and their families to understand their financial needs and goals. She develops comprehensive strategies related to investments, savings, and income, aiming to help clients establish plans focused on financial freedom and flexibility. Her professional background encompasses financial consulting, relationship management, and project management. Outside of her professional work, Valerie enjoys activities such as camping, cooking and baking, spending time with family, fitness, social events, and traveling.

Casey Mcpartlon is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Fidelity Investments in Albany, NY. He has over a decade of experience in the financial industry, including an 11-year tenure at Citizens Bank before joining Fidelity in 2025. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, employing a blend of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction. The firm is notable for its registration as a commodity pool operator and its use of systematic methodologies and AI-driven research in managing model portfolios.

Timothy Distefano is a financial advisor at RBC Capital Markets with 10 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. His prior work includes roles at City National Bank and The Ayco Company, L.P./Mercer Allied. Outside of his advisory duties, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Center for Disability Services and participates in alumni and community association activities. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, serves a wide range of clients including individuals, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers tailored investment advisory programs that incorporate both in-house and third-party managers, with options for customized portfolio management and financial planning.

Athanasios Liapis is a Team Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He specializes in retirement planning, relationship management, and wealth management strategies. His client focus includes family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, individual and corporate investment strategy, and retirement income. Athanasios graduated from SUNY Oneonta with a degree in business economics. He holds the professional designations of Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Since 2015, he has been serving clients with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He is bilingual in Greek and English. He resides in Coxsackie, NY with his wife BobbieJo and their two children. Athanasios is an avid New York sports fan and enjoys baseball, football, reading, skiing, and soccer, as well as staying active in his local community.

Todd Slingerland is a CFP® professional with 37 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with LPL Financial since 2016. He has also been associated with CFPLLC, LLC and Wealthone LLC since 2003. Outside of his advisory work, he owns an insurance agency specializing in fixed, life, disability, and long-term insurance products. LPL Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, financial institutions, and charitable organizations through a large national network. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services, providing both discretionary and non-discretionary management supported by research, model portfolios, and various technology tools.

Kevin Kelly is a financial advisor with RBC Capital Markets in Albany, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and with 41 years of industry experience. He previously worked at Janney Montgomery Scott for 14 years before joining RBC Capital Markets in 2022. Kelly serves as president of the Wildwood Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on nature conservation. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, serves a diverse client base including individual investors, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers tailored advisory programs combining in-house and third-party investment management with a variety of portfolio management and financial planning services.

Michael Deorocki is a financial advisor at RBC Capital Markets in Albany, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 25 years of industry experience. He has been with RBC Capital Markets since 2014. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, serves a diverse client base including individual investors, institutions, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs with tailored investment strategies implemented through a combination of in-house and third-party managers, supported by RBC’s extensive capital markets and affiliated asset management resources.

James Watkinson is a financial advisor at RBC Capital Markets with 28 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at both RBC Capital Markets since 2009 and City National Bank since 2016. Watkinson serves on the boards of two nonprofit organizations in Albany, NY, including the Northeastern Association for the Blind Albany and St Catherine's Center for Children. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, serves a diverse client base including individual investors, institutions, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs with tailored investment strategies implemented through in-house and third-party managers, supported by integrated capital markets and asset management capabilities.

Jason Bays is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) with 18 years of industry experience. He is currently with LPL Financial and has previously worked at Private Advisor Group, Securities America, and OSAIC. Bays is also the founder and CEO of Bays Horizon Advisory, a financial planning and investment advisory firm. LPL Financial is a national investment adviser and broker-dealer serving individuals, retirement plans, institutions, and charitable organizations. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and financial planning services supported by in-house and third-party research, with both discretionary and non-discretionary management options.

Brandon Glasser is a financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in Albany, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Citizens Securities, Citizens Bank, and Trustco Bank. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC provides investment consulting and advisory services primarily to institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors through its Institutional Consulting Services program. The firm uses a combination of quantitative asset-allocation modeling and centralized due diligence, incorporating an ESG eligibility framework in its recommendations.

Tristan Mccarthy is a financial advisor at Fidelity with 23 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has been with Fidelity Investments since 2012, including roles at Fidelity Personal and Workplace Advisors. Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company, provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including registered investment companies and a Charitable Gift Fund. The firm uses a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction to develop model portfolios comprising mutual funds, ETFs, and ETPs.

Michael Shapiro is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 28 years of industry experience. Before joining Cetera, he worked at Voya Financial Advisors for seven years. He is also senior vice president of Professional Planning Group and operates as an independent insurance agent in Albany, NY. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a nationwide network of over 10,000 advisors. The firm offers a range of portfolio management and financial planning services and utilizes a multi-manager platform that includes affiliated and third-party managers.

Thomas Duclos is a financial advisor at Charles Schwab with 13 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at TD Ameritrade and Scottrade. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. serves primarily high- and ultra-high-net-worth individuals through its Schwab Wealth Advisory wrap fee program and affiliated managed-account and financial planning services. The firm combines non-discretionary advisory relationships with access to affiliated discretionary separate managed accounts and a formal alternative-investment onboarding process.