Large-firm, startup equity planning financial advisors in Aurora, CO

The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.

If you have startup equity as part of your compensation, you need an advisor who understands how to navigate the unique risks and opportunities it brings. A common mistake is treating startup equity like regular stock, which can lead to poor timing on sales or tax events. Large-firm advisors often have access to broader resources and specialized teams that can support complex equity planning.

  • Equity type expertise. Confirm they know the differences between stock options, RSUs (restricted stock units), and other startup equity forms.
  • Exit strategy planning. Ask how they help you prepare for liquidity events like IPOs or acquisitions.
  • Tax implications. Ensure they explain how your equity impacts your tax situation, especially in Colorado's flat income tax environment.
  • Integration with overall finances. Check how they balance your startup equity with other assets and financial goals.

Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.

Want help finding the right advisor?

Answer a few questions to see advisors matched to you.

user avatar

David M

Series 66

Aurora, CO

Merrill

David Martinez is a financial advisor at Merrill with five years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at several major firms, including Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan Securities, and Wells Fargo Bank. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management

David B

Series 66

Denver, CO

Edward Jones

David Bartfeld is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Aurora, Colorado, holding a Series 66 license and bringing 22 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 2013. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, with approximately $1.01 trillion in assets under management. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment solutions, including discretionary and non-discretionary strategies, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Retirement income strategy Divorce financial planning General estate planning guidance Wealth management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
user avatar

John R

Series 66

Aurora, CO

Key Investment Services LLC

John Ranieri III is a financial advisor at Key Investment Services LLC in Aurora, CO, holding a Series 66 designation with one year of industry experience. Prior to joining Key Investment Services, he held positions at UBS and MVision Private Equity Advisers and completed his education at the University of Colorado Boulder. Key Investment Services LLC is an SEC-registered investment adviser and wrap-fee program sponsor that provides portfolio management and model-based advisory products to individuals, trusts, estates, small businesses, and institutional plans through a network of financial professionals. The firm uses a multi-provider model and offers various wrap programs alongside custodial and trade execution services, integrating resources from KeyCorp affiliates.

ESG / Sustainable investing Tax-loss harvesting Passive / index investing Doctor or Medical Professional Founder/Business Owner Retired Values-based investing
user avatar

Darren W

Series 63, Series 65

Parker, CO

J.P. Morgan Securities

Darren Woon is a financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Securities with Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and five years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Trinity Wealth Securities, Florida Financial Advisors, and J.P. Morgan affiliates. J.P. Morgan Securities primarily serves institutional clients and retirement plan sponsors, providing investment consulting and advisory services through a quantitative asset-allocation process combined with centralized due diligence. The firm applies an ESG eligibility framework and offers a range of approved funds and strategies on a non-discretionary basis.

Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner
user avatar

Tonya H

Series 63, Series 65

Aurora, CO

OSAIC Institutions, INC.

Tonya Harper is a financial advisor at Osaic Institutions, Inc. with 31 years of industry experience. She holds the Series 63 and Series 65 designations and has worked at firms including Bellco Credit Union, Cuso Financial Services, U.S. Bancorp Investments, and St Johns Wealth Management. Harper is also the managing member of TM Harper Ltd, a private business. Osaic Institutions, Inc. is an SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plans, trusts, estates, and corporate clients through a network of investment adviser representatives. The firm offers customized advisory services, financial planning, ERISA plan services, and access to alternative investments and lending solutions, operating with a hybrid adviser/broker-dealer structure and a range of co-advisory and third-party manager arrangements.

Annuities Tax-loss harvesting Founder/Business Owner Executive

Kimberly H

CFP®, CRPC®

Troy, MI

Innermost Wealth Management, LLC

I founded Innermost™ Wealth Management to create a more personal, thoughtful approach to financial planning and wealth management. My background in both finance and psychology shaped my belief that money is not just about numbers. It is deeply personal and connected to your values, goals, and life experiences. I work with professionals who want to grow and simplify their wealth, with a special focus on women navigating career growth, equity compensation, and major life transitions such as divorce. Many of my clients are balancing busy lives and complex financial decisions, and they value having a long-term financial partner who truly understands their needs. My firm is centered on ongoing wealth management through investment advisory relationships. Clients work with me for comprehensive financial planning and investment management that evolves with them over time. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® Candidate, I provide technical expertise and strategic guidance, while also recognizing the emotional side of financial decisions. My approach is compassionate, judgment-free, and designed to reduce stress while helping you feel more confident in your choices. I operate a fully virtual firm, working with clients across the country who appreciate flexibility and convenience. My goal is to simplify your financial life, provide clear advice, and help you align your wealth with what matters most to you. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, photography, cooking, and spending quality time with my Beagle, Gracie.

General retirement planning General tax planning Wealth management Startup equity planning Divorce financial planning Women Professionals Life coaching / goal alignment Established Professionals Approaching retirement Dual Income Family

George S

Series 66

Hartford, CT

Merrill

George Silvester is a Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, serving as a member of the Boston Executive Services Team since 2017. He works primarily with founders, executives, and key associates at both privately held and publicly traded companies, focusing on the intricacies of equity ownership and equity compensation. George's approach begins with understanding what is most important to his clients and assessing their current position relative to their goals, ultimately developing customized financial strategies that align with their evolving life needs, resources, and aspirations. George began his career at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management as a Summer Analyst in 2016, where he developed an understanding of the client-advisor relationship and the collaborative pursuit of clients’ life goals. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in Finance from Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business. Additionally, George has earned the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning, as well as the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. Outside of his professional work, George’s personal interests include biking, bowling, chess, cooking, golfing, hiking, and reading.

Exec comp design Startup equity planning Liquidity event planning Wealth management ESG / Sustainable investing Founder/Business Owner Executive

James V

Series 66

Stuart, FL

Fidelity

James Van Nice is a Benefits & Planning Consultant specializing in Executive Services. In this role, he partners with executives to help them understand their employer benefits and develop plans to work towards their financial goals. James has professional experience as an Investment Solutions Representative III at Fidelity Investments from 2023 to 2025 and as an Investment Solutions Representative II at Fidelity Investments from 2022 to 2023. Prior to that, he worked at Merrill Lynch as an Investment Solutions Representative I from 2021 to 2022 and as a Financial Advisor from 2018 to 2019. Outside of his professional work, James engages in fishing, fitness, golf, running, and volunteering.

Exec comp design Liquidity event planning Startup equity planning Executive

Adam N

CFP®, Series 66

Mankato, MN

Edward Jones

Adam Neubauer is a CFP® professional with 12 years of experience in financial advising, currently working at Edward Jones since 2014. He holds the Series 66 designation and is based in Mankato, MN. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, including discretionary and non-discretionary wrap fee solutions, separately managed accounts, and affiliated mutual funds, operating under a fiduciary standard.

Retirement income strategy Charitable giving & philanthropy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) General estate planning guidance Retirement withdrawal strategies Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
user avatar

Juan P

Series 66

San Francisco, CA

Optimo Capital

Juan Polanco is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with Optimo Capital in San Francisco, CA, and has 11 years of industry experience. Before founding Optimo Capital, he worked at Carr & Ferrell LLP for two years. Outside of his advisory role, Mr. Polanco works full-time as an engineer at PacBio and mentors startups and founders at the Founder's Institute and LoyalVC. Optimo Capital advises founders of venture-backed companies, recently funded startups, and private investors on portfolio supervision and capital-raising. The firm uses a combined top‑down and bottom‑up analytical approach with a supervisory and consultative model, focusing on tailored services such as Investment Policy Statements, due diligence management, and pitch material preparation.

Business ownership considerations Wealth management Founder/Business Owner
user avatar

Jeffrey P

Series 66

Dacula, GA

Merrill

Jeffrey Park is a financial advisor at Merrill with eight years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at Merrill and affiliated firms since 2011, including roles at JPMorgan Chase Bank and J.P. Morgan Securities. Outside of his advisory work, he is a sole owner and co-owner of family rental properties in Lawrenceville, Georgia. 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, offering model-based and discretionary strategies for individuals, high-net-worth clients, and institutional investors.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management
user avatar

Scott M

Series 63, Series 65

New York, NY

Morgan Stanley

Scott Mahoney is a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in New York, NY, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 34 years of industry experience. He has been with Morgan Stanley since 2009, including roles at Morgan Stanley Private Bank, N.A. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved with Giants Foot Cubed LLC. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a large SEC-registered investment adviser and broker-dealer that serves both individual and institutional clients. The firm offers a wide range of advisory programs and financial planning services supported by structured planning tools and broad investment resources.

General estate planning guidance
user avatar

Elizabeth B

Series 66

New York, NY

J.P. Morgan Securities

Elizabeth Brown is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with J.P. Morgan Securities in New York, NY, where she has worked since 2012. She has 26 years of industry experience. J.P. Morgan Securities provides institutional consulting services to clients such as corporations, foundations, and defined contribution plan sponsors, offering asset allocation advice, investment manager and fund searches, and customized performance reporting through a select group of Wealth Advisors. The firm combines large institutional advisory operations with brokerage, distribution, and investment management capabilities.

Wealth management Executive Founder/Business Owner
user avatar

Wesley P

Series 63, Series 66

Fort Worth, TX

Wells Fargo Clearing

Wesley Pool is a financial advisor at Wells Fargo Clearing with 15 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and previously worked at JPMorgan Securities LLC for seven years. Outside of finance, he has been involved with #TagMeBro LLC and Fry Street Public House. 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 approximately $671 billion in assets and offers both brokerage and advisory solutions.

Retired Founder/Business Owner
user avatar

Willie M

Series 63, Series 66

Cary, NC

Equitable Advisors

Willie Myles is a financial advisor with Equitable Advisors in Cary, NC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing 16 years of industry experience. He has worked at Equitable Advisors since 2016, previously serving at Axa Advisors and MSI Financial Services. Outside of advising, he is a co-chairman of a fundraising campaign for Alpha Light Fund Inc., a nonprofit focused on renovating the House of Alpha. Equitable Advisors serves a range of clients including individuals, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations, providing financial planning, retirement consulting, and asset management through a network of representatives and third-party managers. The firm offers various investment vehicles and ERISA fiduciary services, relying on third-party program sponsors and an affiliation with a publicly traded parent company.

Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Business exit / sale strategy Concentrated stock management Equity Recipients (RS/RSU, SOP, ESPP) Long-term care insurance Founder/Business Owner Retired Executive Approaching retirement Sandwich Generation
Warmer team member

Not sure where to start?

We'll help you think it through—whether you ultimately need an advisor or not. Warmer helps you compare advisors clearly, so you can choose with confidence.

Find your advisor

For advisor listings, we rely on sources including public filings and data provided by advisors, and we cannot guarantee that all information is current or accurate. Advisors are independent and may not have reviewed or updated this information. Please review an advisor’s Form ADV and do your own diligence before deciding whether to work with them.

Advisor matching and introductions are provided by FinanceHQ LLC (“FHQ”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warmer and an SEC-registered investment advisor. We receive compensation from certain participating advisors for introductions or referrals. This creates a conflict of interest because we have an incentive to recommend advisors who compensate us, including those who pay us more. You pay no fee to use our matching service, and advisor fees are not increased because of a referral or introduction. We do not review the ongoing performance of advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.

By using our service, you agree to our Terms of Service and Advisory Agreement, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. Please review FHQ’s ADV Part 2A and Form CRS. Logos provided by Logo.dev

© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. (“Warmer”)