Top financial advisors working with military members and veterans in Columbia, MD

Freddie Watson is a financial advisor with Lincoln Investment Planning, Inc. in Rockville, MD, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 45 years of industry experience. He has been with Lincoln Investment since 1989. Outside of his advisory role, he serves as president of Watson Family Farms LLC. Lincoln Investment Planning, LLC is a large enterprise firm serving individual and high-net-worth investors, trusts, charities, and retirement plans, including a long history with educators and 403(b) and 457(b) program participants. The firm offers financial planning, portfolio management, and advisor-led consulting, supported by an in-house Investment Management & Research team that constructs model portfolios and employs third-party managers.

Max Hoffman is a Series 66 licensed financial advisor with two years of industry experience. He is currently with Fidelity Investments and previously worked at Equitable Advisors. Fidelity’s Strategic Advisers LLC provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients, including discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, fund advisory, and model portfolio delivery. The firm employs a combination of proprietary fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction.

Eric Wells is a financial advisor with Cambridge Investment Research Advisors holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and three years of industry experience. He has worked at Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. since 2023 and has concurrent experience with the federal government and T. Rowe Price dating back to 2010. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors is a large SEC-registered firm serving a diverse client base, including individuals, retirement plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent professionals, employing a range of portfolio management strategies and proprietary models.

Jeffrey Grodsky is a CFP® professional with 17 years of industry experience, currently serving as a financial advisor at Cetera. His prior roles include positions at Avantax Investment Services and Carmichael & Associates Inc. In addition to his advisory work, he is involved with Palumbo Financial & Tax Services LLC, where he provides tax preparation and accounting services. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC is an SEC-registered firm supporting a nationwide network of independent advisors, serving individual, retirement plan, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients. The firm offers a multi-manager platform with a range of portfolio management options, including model portfolios, third-party managers, and bespoke strategies, with over $256 billion in assets under management.

Eric Armentrout is a financial advisor with Empower Advisory Group, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and seven years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at T Rowe Price and Equitable Advisors. Empower Advisory Group provides financial planning and investment management primarily to employer-sponsored retirement plan sponsors and their participants, as well as certain retail brokerage clients. The firm emphasizes long-term portfolio returns and integrates its services closely with Empower’s recordkeeping and administrative platforms.

Craig Schwegman is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Erie, PA, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and over 30 years of industry experience. He has been with Edward Jones since 1995. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients, offering a range of advisory programs and investment strategies supported by a nationwide network of over 23,700 financial advisors.

Jonathan Pollack is a Financial Consultant currently serving clients at Fidelity. He has held several roles within Fidelity Investments since 2023, including Investment Consultant, Relationship Manager, and Financial Representative. Prior to joining Fidelity, he was a Financial Advisor at Ameriprise Financial Services LLC from 2022 to 2023. His professional background is complemented by his service as a U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret, which has contributed to his strategic approach to financial planning. Jonathan holds a California Insurance License, supporting his work in financial consulting. Born and raised in Northern Nevada, Jonathan is committed to serving his community. His personal interests include family activities, fitness, football, military service, pets, and volunteering.

Quintina Wallace is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in small business retirement plans and qualified plan education. She partners with business owners to design, implement, and service retirement plans that align with their workforce needs and business objectives. Quintina helps plan sponsors evaluate plan designs, fulfill fiduciary responsibilities, and improve participant outcomes by coordinating with recordkeepers, TPAs, accountants, and other service providers. Quintina holds professional designations including Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). She earned her Bachelor's degree from Albany State University. Quintina also serves as a resource for retirement plan participants, providing education and personalized guidance to assist them in making informed financial decisions throughout life transitions such as retirement and career changes. Beyond her professional role, Quintina is involved with organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association, the COVA Christian Chamber of Commerce, and the National Association of Plan Advisors. Her personal interests include camping, hiking, and spending time with her family.

WHAT I DO: I help Locum Tenens physicians and advanced practice providers gain clarity about their finances, identify opportunities and pitfalls, and stay on track with a trusted accountability partner. WHY IT MATTERS: Three recurring concerns stand out in my conversations with Active Duty Military and Civilian physicians and advanced practice providers: Skill Atrophy – Concerns about staying clinically sharp and staying competitive due to limited patient volume or exposure to diverse clinical settings. Financial Catch-Up – After years of training, many feel the pressure to fast-track savings and build long-term financial security. Time Flexibility – A deep desire for greater control over one’s schedule to prioritize family, entrepreneurship, or personal goals. These pressures often lead physicians to pursue Locum Tenens work—part-time or full-time—for its higher earning potential and flexible structure. But with that flexibility comes greater financial complexity, making a clear strategy and support system more important than ever. HOW I DO IT: Together, we assess your strengths and gaps across the six pillars of financial planning: Cash Flow Management, Risk Management, Estate Planning, Tax Strategy, Retirement Planning, and Investment Management. Then, we develop action items over 3 months to strengthen your financial foundation. Clients are empowered to self implement recommendations or collaborate with us for efficiency and accountability. NEXT STEPS: Ready to take control of your financial future? Connect with me on LinkedIn or reach out directly at [email protected]—I’d love to learn more about your goals and how I can help. MORE ABOUT ME: I rediscovered my love for running three years ago thanks to one of my sons, starting with local 5Ks around the San Francisco Bay Area. Since then, I’ve become especially fond of the half-marathon distance, with races like the Oakland and San Francisco Half under my belt. Marathon training is next on the horizon, and I’m looking forward to the challenge. I also love exploring new places—favorites so far include Ilocos Sur (Philippines), Tokyo, Seoul, Busan, Barcelona, Lisbon, and London.

Scott Cadieux is a CFP® with 27 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has worked at Fidelity Brokerage Services, Strategic Advisers LLC, and Fidelity Personal and Workplace Advisors before founding Echelon Private Wealth LLC, where he has been since 2020. Outside of his advisory work, he owns and operates a vending machine business and works as an independent insurance agent. Echelon Private Wealth provides discretionary portfolio management, asset allocation advice, and goal-based financial planning to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm uses a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis alongside modern portfolio theory, offering customized investment strategies including options programs managed on a discretionary basis.