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.

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 who holds the ChFC® designation and has 34 years of industry experience. He has worked at firms including Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc., Master Planners & Associates, PKS Investments, and CS Planning Corp d/b/a The Collingwood Group. Outside of his advisory work, he is an 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 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, often managing accounts on a discretionary basis.

Gerard Murray is a financial advisor at Ascent Wealth Partners, LLC with five years of industry experience. Prior to joining Ascent in 2025, he worked for Patriot Asset Management, Inc. and its parent, Patriot Federal Bank, for a total of 14 years. Outside of his advisory role, Murray serves as Town Justice for the Town of Mohawk in Montgomery County, New York. Ascent Wealth Partners serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans, offering wealth management, customized portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm employs a primarily long-term investment approach, focusing on large-cap equities and high-grade fixed income, and also utilizes options strategies and occasional private fund investments.

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.

Sarah Owens is a financial advisor at Strategic Financial Services in Utica, NY. She holds a Series 65 designation and began her advisory career in 2025. Prior to joining the firm, she was affiliated with the University of Manchester and Timperley Altrincham Lacrosse Club and worked at Access Federal Credit Union. Strategic Financial Services serves a diverse client base including individuals, families, trusts, corporations, not-for-profits, and employer retirement plans. The firm employs model-based investment strategies combining quantitative factors, fundamental analysis, and ETF/mutual fund implementations, supported by digital planning tools to assist in financial planning and portfolio management.

Laura Powers is a ChFC® with 13 years of industry experience. She has worked at Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. for nine years and has been with Strategic Financial Services since 2004. Outside of advising, she was involved with Bellavista Restaurant for 16 years. Strategic Financial Services serves individuals, families, institutions, corporations, and retirement plans with wealth management, portfolio management, and fiduciary consulting. The firm emphasizes model-based, discretionary investment management with customization options and integrates tax-aware planning alongside coordination with outside professionals.

Neil Edmonds is a financial advisor at Ascent Wealth Partners, LLC with six years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has been with Ascent since 2015. Edmonds is also a licensed insurance agent and occasionally offers insurance products to clients. Ascent Wealth Partners serves individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans with wealth management, 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.

Nancy Kowalczyk is a financial advisor with Ascent Wealth Partners, LLC in New Hartford, NY, bringing seven years of industry experience. She has been with Ascent Wealth Partners since 2011. Outside of her advisory role, she manages a rental property in Utica, NY. Ascent Wealth Partners serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, businesses, and retirement plans, providing wealth management, 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 options strategies.

Curtis Pearsall is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor with three years of industry experience, currently with Strategic Financial Services in Utica, NY. Prior to joining Strategic Financial Services, he worked at Collaborative Business Solutions LLC and spent over a decade at Upstate Cerebral Palsy Inc. He serves as Treasurer and a member of the Finance Committee for Connect Ed, a care management organization. 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 combining quantitative factor tilts, macro and fundamental analysis, and uses digital planning tools to support client financial plans and portfolio management.

Sophia Tsoupelis is a financial advisor at Ascent Wealth Partners, LLC with two years of industry experience. She holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked for Strategic Financial Services, Inc. for five years. Outside of finance, she has experience working as a hostess at Symeons Greek Restaurant. 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 combining fundamental and technical analysis, focusing on large-cap equities and high-grade fixed income, supplemented by mutual funds, ETFs, and customized option strategies.

Francesca Asher is a CFP® professional with five years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Strategic Financial Services in Utica, NY. She has been with Strategic Financial Services for ten years. Strategic Financial Services advises individuals, families, institutions, corporations, and retirement plans, providing wealth management, institutional portfolio management, and fiduciary consulting. The firm employs a largely model-based, discretionary investment approach with options for customization and integrates tax-aware planning alongside coordination with outside professionals.

Martin Moshier is a financial advisor at Ascent Wealth Partners, LLC with 22 years of industry experience. He holds the Series 63 designation and has been with Ascent Wealth Partners since 2011. Prior to that, he worked at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments from 2011 to 2017. 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 that combines fundamental and technical analysis, focusing on large-cap equities and high-grade fixed income, and also facilitates client access to private investment funds.