CFP®-certified, business succession planning financial advisors in Mount Sterling, KY

Melody Townsend is a CFP® professional with 15 years of experience, currently serving as an advisor at Townsend Financial Planning since 2006. She is the managing member of Mountain Sage Holdings, LLC, a commercial property management business in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. Townsend Financial Planning is an SEC-registered, fee-only fiduciary firm that provides financial planning and investment management services to individuals, families, and small businesses. The firm employs a long-term, buy-and-hold investment strategy using diversified, low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, and offers a range of engagement types including trustee services and retirement-plan consulting.

Farley Stephenson serves as Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role held since 2022. He has been with Fidelity Investments since 2011, progressing through various positions including Financial Consultant, Senior Portfolio Specialist, and Portfolio Specialist. His career reflects extensive experience in financial and investment solutions as well as retirement planning. Stephenson emphasizes a collaborative approach to financial strategies, aiming to simplify complex topics into actionable steps to empower his clients. His work is grounded in building trust and designing personalized plans that adapt to the evolving needs of individuals and families. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Farley Stephenson engages in activities such as camping, fishing, hiking, running, and volunteering.

John Saunier is a financial advisor at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. with 11 years of industry experience and holds the Series 66 designation. He has worked at Edward Jones and has been with Raymond James since 2018. Saunier is also involved with Central Bank & Trust and Central Investment Center Inc., where he sells and services investment clients and supports investment-related activities. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to individual, high-net-worth, institutional, and nonprofit clients. The firm offers tailored non-discretionary planning and consulting using analytical tools and supports institutional consulting and portfolio management through a large advisor network.

Robert Becker Jr. is a financial advisor with LPL Enterprise, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and six years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc., and United Financial Services. Becker also serves as a notary and independent sales agent outside of his advisory role. LPL Enterprise provides investment advisory and brokerage services to a diverse client base, including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, and corporate entities, using model-driven portfolio management and access to third-party asset managers.

Lindsay Rice is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Mt Sterling, KY. She holds the ChFC® designation and Series 66 license, and has nine years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones in 2017, she worked for Clark County Public Schools from 2011 to 2016. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving over four million individual and institutional clients, including both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth households. The firm offers a range of advisory programs, managed strategies, and affiliated investment products, supported by a large nationwide network of financial advisors and branch offices.

Ethan Siekkinen is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license, currently serving as a financial advisor with Plante Moran Financial Advisors. He has one year of industry experience and has previously worked at J Wilson Wealth Management and operated Rizzo Lawn Care. Plante Moran Financial Advisors, LLC provides investment advisory, financial planning, and estate planning services to a diverse client base including individual households, institutional clients, and sovereign wealth funds. The firm employs a multi-disciplinary investment process and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, manager search, and tax-lot accounting services.

Michael Ipp is a financial advisor with Raymond James Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 designations and bringing 42 years of industry experience. He has been with Raymond James Financial Services Advisors since 2010 and serves as an independent contractor for 1792 Wealth Advisors. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors provides financial planning, investment consulting, and advisory services to a diverse client base, including individuals, high-net-worth clients, corporations, and institutional clients. The firm offers tailored, non-discretionary planning and uses analytical tools to support client decision-making, while also maintaining specialized programs such as municipal advisory services and SIMPLE IRA Employer Advisory & Consulting Services.

Jeffrey Macdonald is a CFP® and ChFC® with 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at Investment Management & Planning LLC and LPL Financial since 2010, following two years at Wells Fargo Clearing. Investment Management & Planning LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm constructs tailored portfolios using mutual funds, ETFs, equities, and fixed-income securities, employing fundamental analysis and continuous supervision, and operates as both a wrap program sponsor and affiliated registered representatives of LPL Financial.

Patrick Ferguson is a financial advisor at Intentional with 17 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Commonwealth Financial Network, and LPL Financial. In addition to his advisory role, he is a licensed agent involved in the sales of fixed and traditional insurance products. Intentional provides discretionary portfolio management and financial planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, families, businesses, and institutions. The firm offers pension consulting, estate planning support, business exit planning, and due diligence on alternative investments, utilizing a combination of fundamental, technical, and economic analysis within a fiduciary framework.

Jerald Liesman is a financial advisor at Frost Investment Services with 33 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has worked at Frost Brokerage Services, Inc. and Frost Bank since 1993 and 1987, respectively. Frost Investment Services is a retail-focused, SEC-registered adviser serving individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and business entities. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management, comprehensive financial planning, and managed account programs that integrate model portfolios from its affiliate with third-party managers, utilizing a research-driven investment process and providing optional tax and ESG overlay services.

Sarah Currier Barrella is a CFP® professional with 26 years of experience in financial advisory services. She currently works at Santander Securities LLC and Santander Bank, NA, having previously held positions at TD Bank and Citizens Securities, Inc. Barrella is based in Boston, MA. Santander Securities LLC serves a broad retail client base with approximately $3.14 billion in regulatory assets under management across 10,800 client relationships. The firm offers investment advisory services, portfolio management through wrap-fee programs, and financial planning, operating both as a registered investment adviser and a FINRA-registered broker-dealer.

Elanna Gould is a CFP® professional with six years of experience, currently advising at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors in Cleveland, OH. Her background includes roles at PepsiCo and The Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Center, as well as academic experience at The Ohio State University. She is also an independent insurance agent for various companies. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors serves a broad client base, including individuals, retirement plans, and charitable organizations, offering financial planning, investment management, and retirement advisory services through a network of independent professionals. The firm provides a range of portfolio management options, proprietary and third-party strategies, and various custody platforms tailored to client objectives.

Ethan Siekkinen is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license, currently serving as a financial advisor with Plante Moran Financial Advisors. He has one year of industry experience and has previously worked at J Wilson Wealth Management and operated Rizzo Lawn Care. Plante Moran Financial Advisors, LLC provides investment advisory, financial planning, and estate planning services to a diverse client base including individual households, institutional clients, and sovereign wealth funds. The firm employs a multi-disciplinary investment process and offers both discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, manager search, and tax-lot accounting services.

Jace Hart is a CFP® with nine years of industry experience and currently serves as a financial advisor at Rockwall Wealth Management. His prior experience includes roles at Leo Wealth, LPL Financial, and Fidelity Brokerage Services. Rockwall Wealth Management provides portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting services to individuals, trusts, plans, charitable organizations, and businesses. The firm emphasizes diversified, low-cost ETF model portfolios with a focus on tax efficiency, liquidity, and systematic macro tilts, offering both traditional and advanced investment strategies tailored to client objectives.

Jeffrey Macdonald is a CFP® and ChFC® with 18 years of industry experience. He has worked at Investment Management & Planning LLC and LPL Financial since 2010, following two years at Wells Fargo Clearing. Investment Management & Planning LLC provides investment advisory and financial planning services primarily to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm constructs tailored portfolios using mutual funds, ETFs, equities, and fixed-income securities, employing fundamental analysis and continuous supervision, and operates as both a wrap program sponsor and affiliated registered representatives of LPL Financial.