Stephen Basile is a financial advisor at Ascent Wealth Partners, LLC in New Hartford, NY, holding a Series 66 designation with nine years of industry experience. He has worked at Ascent since 2018 and previously spent two years at The Ayco Company, L.P./Mercer Allied. Ascent Wealth Partners provides wealth management, customized portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans. The firm employs a long-term investment approach focused on large-cap equities and high-grade fixed income, utilizing both fundamental and technical analysis.

Melissa Fernalld is an advisor with Strategic Financial Services in Utica, NY, where she has worked since 2007. She holds five years of industry experience. Strategic Financial Services advises individuals and families, institutions, corporations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans, offering wealth management, institutional portfolio management, and retirement-plan advisory services through model-based investment management with case-by-case customization.

Judith Vicks Sweet is a CFA® charterholder with four years of industry experience, currently serving at Strategic Financial Services in Utica, NY. She has been with the firm since 1988. Outside of her advisory role, she serves on the governing board of Lifetime Care Companies and participates in finance committees for several nonprofit organizations, including Save the River, ITOG, and the Episcopal Diocese of Central NY. Strategic Financial Services provides wealth management, institutional advisory, fiduciary retirement plan services, and financial planning to individuals, families, trusts, corporations, not-for-profits, and employer retirement plans. The firm employs model-based investment strategies combined with quantitative and fundamental analysis and supplements portfolio management with digital planning tools to support client financial plans.

Matthew Johnson is a Series 66-licensed financial advisor with Strategic Financial Services in Utica, NY, bringing two years of industry experience. He previously worked at Grove Point Investments, Cadaret Grant & Co., and several other financial and non-financial organizations. Strategic Financial Services provides wealth management, fiduciary retirement plan services, and institutional advisory to individuals, families, trusts, corporations, not-for-profits, and employer retirement plans. The firm employs a model-based investment approach combining quantitative factor analysis, fundamental research, and the use of sub-advisors, supported by advanced digital planning tools.

Michael Panzer is a financial advisor at Strategic Financial Services in Utica, NY, holding a Series 65 credential with eight years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Mid Atlantic Capital Group and Community Bank NA, among others. Strategic Financial Services provides wealth management, institutional portfolio management, and retirement-plan advisory services to individuals, families, institutions, and corporations. The firm employs a largely model-based, discretionary investment approach with customization options and integrates tax-aware planning alongside fiduciary consulting and participant education.

Alan Leist is a CFA® charterholder with 29 years of industry experience, currently serving at Strategic Financial Services since 2005. He previously worked at Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. for 13 years. Outside of his advisory role, he serves on the board of AAA Northeast, providing strategic guidance and oversight to senior leadership. Strategic Financial Services offers wealth management, institutional advisory, fiduciary retirement plan services, and financial planning to individuals, families, trusts, corporations, not-for-profits, and employer retirement plans. The firm employs model-based investment strategies combining quantitative factor tilts, macro and fundamental analysis, and uses digital planning tools to support client financial plans.

Gregory Tedone is a financial advisor at Strategic Financial Services with 11 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services, QCI Asset Management, and TIAA-Cref Individual & Institutional Services. Strategic Financial Services provides wealth management, institutional advisory, fiduciary retirement plan services, and financial planning to individuals, families, trusts, corporations, not-for-profits, and employer retirement plans. The firm employs model-based investment strategies combining quantitative factor tilts, macro and fundamental analysis, and uses digital planning tools to support portfolio management and financial planning.

Alan Leist Jr. is a CFP® with 47 years of industry experience, currently advising at Strategic Financial Services in Utica, NY. He has worked at Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. for over three decades and founded Alan Leist Planning Group Inc., where he practiced for more than 40 years. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as a director at Indium Corporation of America, a manufacturing company in Clinton, NY. Strategic Financial Services serves individuals, families, institutions, corporations, and retirement plans, offering wealth management and fiduciary consulting. The firm employs a largely model-based, discretionary investment approach with customization options and integrates tax-aware planning alongside retirement plan advisory services.

Aaron Evans is a CFP® and CFA® at Strategic Financial Services in Utica, NY, with six years of industry experience and fourteen years with the firm. He serves on the Investment Advisory Group for the Community Foundation of Oneida Herkimer Counties and on the Regional Advisory Board for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield in Central New York. Strategic Financial Services advises individuals, families, institutions, corporations, and employer-sponsored retirement plans, offering wealth management and retirement-plan advisory services with a model-based, discretionary investment approach that allows customization and integrates tax-aware planning.

Joseph Leo is a financial advisor at Quartz Partners Investment Management with 20 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has worked with firms including Benchmark Investments, Etico Partners, Etico Wealth Management, and Dinosaur Securities. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as treasurer and chair of the investment committee for Pathfinder Village, a local nonprofit organization. Quartz Partners serves individual investors, retirement plans, institutions, and financial intermediaries by providing model-based investment management through separately managed accounts, model portfolios, a digital investing platform, and advisory services. The firm combines top-down macro analysis and bottom-up stock selection across multiple model series, managing accounts mostly on a discretionary basis and supporting various platform sponsors through multiple delivery arrangements.

Danielle Lawrence is a Series 66 licensed advisor at Leigh Baldwin & Co., LLC with two years of industry experience. She has been with Leigh Baldwin & Co. since 2018, excluding a brief period working in the spa industry and freelancing in marketing and branding projects outside of investment activities. Leigh Baldwin & Co., LLC provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, including high-net-worth clients, as well as institutional clients such as pension plans, foundations, and trusts. The firm employs a blend of fundamental and technical analysis with a mix of long- and short-term positions and offers access to third-party advisory programs alongside its systematic investment offerings.

Jacob Storsberg is a financial advisor at Strategic Financial Services with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has prior work experience with Michael Collea State Farm and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Strategic Financial Services provides wealth management, institutional advisory, fiduciary retirement plan services, and financial planning to individuals, families, trusts, corporations, not-for-profits, and employer retirement plans. The firm employs a model-based investment approach that integrates quantitative factor tilts, fundamental analysis, and ETF/mutual fund implementations, supplemented by digital planning tools to support financial plans and portfolio management.

Charles Burmaster Jr. is a financial advisor with CS Planning Corp and holds the ChFC® designation and Series 63 license. He has 33 years of industry experience, including roles at Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc., Master Planners & Associates, and PKS Investments. In addition to his advisory work, he is a member and owner of Collingwood Group LLC, a pass-through entity for tax purposes. CS Planning Corp, operating as Vertical Ascent Wealth Management, provides investment supervisory, portfolio management, consulting, and financial planning services to a diverse client base. The firm uses a multi-advisor model to construct broadly diversified portfolios tailored to individual risk tolerances, monitoring accounts on an ongoing basis and typically managing them on a discretionary basis.

Gerard Murray is a financial advisor with Ascent Wealth Partners, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and four years of industry experience. Prior to joining Ascent in 2025, he worked at Patriot Asset Management, Inc. for nine years. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as Town Justice for the Town of Mohawk, Montgomery County, New York. Ascent Wealth Partners advises individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans, offering wealth management, discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services. The firm employs a primarily long-term investment approach focused on large-cap equities and high-grade fixed income, supplemented by mutual funds, ETFs, and customized option strategies.

Michael McGraw is a CFP® and holds a Series 63 license with 10 years of industry experience. He has worked at Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. for six years and has been with Strategic Financial Services since 2011. Strategic Financial Services advises individuals, families, institutions, corporations, and retirement plans, offering wealth management, institutional portfolio management, and fiduciary consulting. The firm uses a largely model-based, discretionary investment approach with customization options and integrates tax-aware planning alongside coordination with outside professionals.

Cody Carnaya is a CFP® professional at Strategic Financial Services with four years of industry experience. He has worked at Strategic Financial Services since 2020 and previously held roles at Equitable Advisors, Wegmans Food Markets, and Central New York Research Corporation. Strategic Financial Services provides wealth management, institutional advisory, fiduciary retirement plan services, and financial planning to individuals, families, trusts, corporations, not-for-profits, and employer retirement plans. The firm employs a model-based investment approach combining quantitative factor tilts, macro and fundamental analysis, and uses digital planning tools to support financial plans and portfolio management.

Scott Mccartney is a CFA® charterholder with nine years of industry experience, currently serving at Ascent Wealth Partners, LLC since 2011. He holds board and committee roles with several nonprofit and public organizations, including chairing audit and finance committees for entities focused on technology, education, and employment for disabled persons. Additionally, he contributes to investment oversight for arts and educational foundations. Ascent Wealth Partners advises individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans, providing wealth management, discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan advisory services. The firm employs a primarily long-term investment approach that combines fundamental and technical analysis, focusing on large-cap equities and high-grade fixed income, supplemented by mutual funds, ETFs, and customized option strategies.

Benjamin Petell is a financial advisor at Strategic Financial Services with a Series 65 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Strategic Financial Services in 2023, he worked at Daniel T. Dreimiller, CPA, and has experience at Oak Hill Country Club, St. John Fisher University, and Cedar Lake Country Club. Strategic Financial Services provides wealth management, institutional advisory, fiduciary retirement plan services, and financial planning to a diverse client base including individuals, families, trusts, corporations, not-for-profits, and employer retirement plans. The firm employs a model-based investment approach that integrates quantitative factor tilts, fundamental analysis, and uses sub-advisors for specialized needs, supplemented by digital planning tools for scenario analyses and projections.

Charles Burmaster is a financial advisor at CS Planning Corp with seven years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and has previously worked at Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc., as well as in various roles related to professional hockey. CS Planning Corp, operating as Vertical Ascent Wealth Management, provides investment supervisory, portfolio management, consulting, and financial planning services to a diverse client base including individuals, businesses, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm employs a multi-advisor model to construct diversified portfolios tailored to clients’ risk tolerance and goals through systematic strategies and ongoing monitoring.

Alexys Jacobs is a CFP® professional with one year of experience at Strategic Financial Services. Prior to joining Strategic Financial Services in 2025, Alexys worked at Rockbridge Investment Management and Fust Charles, LLP. Strategic Financial Services provides wealth management, institutional advisory, fiduciary retirement plan services, and financial planning to individuals, families, trusts, corporations, not-for-profits, and employer retirement plans. The firm employs a model-based investment approach that integrates quantitative factor tilts, macro and fundamental analysis, and uses sub-advisors for specialized needs, supplemented by digital planning and aggregation tools.