Top exec comp design financial advisors in Trenton, NJ

Santo Costa is a financial advisor at Merrill with a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at DME Capital and Tink Construction LLC, as well as an eight-year tenure at Burn the Floor. He is based in Trenton, NJ. 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. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Ralph Puzio is a financial advisor at Mercer Financial Group, Inc. in Trenton, NJ, with 41 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 63 designation and has worked at U.S. Discount Brokerage, Inc. since 2002 and Jefferson Pilot Securities Corporation since 2000. In addition to advisory services, he is involved in tax preparation, insurance, and annuity sales. Mercer Financial Group serves a small client base, managing approximately $6.3 million in assets across 14 relationships. The firm offers portfolio management and financial advice primarily on a non-discretionary basis, alongside accounting, tax, and insurance services, with multiple industry affiliations including broker-dealer and insurance roles.

Hardy Hodges III is a Series 66-registered financial advisor with Fidelity in Trenton, NJ, bringing 18 years of industry experience. His career includes 15 years at Merrill, along with roles at Bank of America and Fidelity Investments. Outside of finance, he operates small businesses selling flavored green teas and engages in affiliate marketing. He works with Strategic Advisers LLC, a Fidelity Investments company that provides investment management and advisory services to retail and institutional clients. The firm employs a combination of fundamental research, quantitative analysis, and algorithmic portfolio construction across various investment vehicles.

Edward Adams is a financial advisor with Cetera, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 26 years of industry experience. He has worked with Cetera since 2006 and has been involved in multiple related business activities, including serving as an adjunct professor at Rider University since 1988 and managing his own CPA practice focused on tax and audit services. He also holds board roles in organizations such as Paedeia, Inc., a medical development company, and the Trenton Cycling Revolution. Cetera Investment Advisers LLC serves a broad client base including individuals, retirement plans, corporate, charitable, and institutional clients through a multi-manager platform offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to both affiliated and unaffiliated third-party managers.

Gilbert Varnes Jr. is a financial advisor with GCVSVC1 LLC in Trenton, NJ, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 24 years of industry experience. He has been associated with Mutli Financial Securities Corporation since 2006. Outside of advisory work, he is involved in tax services, credit repair, and acts as a notary public. GCVSVC1 LLC operates as an independent firm with a sole advisor, providing personalized financial services.

Ken Mason is an Executive Planning Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a role he has held since 2025. In this capacity, he works closely with clients to develop wealth strategies that incorporate their workplace benefits, aiming to support them in pursuing their financial goals. Ken emphasizes building trust through a consultative approach, ensuring clients receive personalized and understandable financial plans. He is committed to helping clients achieve peace of mind by focusing on what matters most to them. Specific details about his education, credentials, or personal interests were not provided.

Lambros Violaris is a Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, bringing 30 years of experience in assisting individuals and institutions with wealth management and income generation. His client focus areas include college education planning, divorce transition planning, executive compensation, institutional investment consulting, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, women and wealth, sports and entertainment, individual and corporate investment strategy, and retirement income. He holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned a Bachelor's Degree from Bob Jones University. Outside of his professional work, Lambros enjoys adventure sports, baseball, biking, chess, drawing and sketching, hiking, spending time with his family, traveling, and watching movies.

Todd Caudle is a financial advisor at Executive Investment Services, LLC with 36 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has worked at Executive Investment Services since 2009, as well as at Independent Financial Group during overlapping periods. Caudle is an officer and principal of Medical Professionals Financial Group, a marketing entity within the investment channel. Executive Investment Services provides asset management and financial planning to individual clients, including high-net-worth households, and consulting for small- and medium-sized businesses. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management with strategic and tactical asset allocation, and integrates investment management with insurance and executive-benefit services.

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.

Seth Austin is a financial advisor at Edward Jones in Kennesaw, GA, holding a Series 66 credential with three years of industry experience. Prior to joining Edward Jones, he was involved with several organizations including Orange Cone Productions and served as owner of CrazyLegs Creative Group, a marketing agency. He is also engaged in medical health navigation on a consulting basis. Edward Jones is a full-service wealth management firm serving more than four million individual and institutional clients, including both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth households. The firm offers a range of advisory programs and investment strategies, supported by a nationwide network of advisors and branch offices.