Wheeling, WV 1320 National Rd. Office

Dustin Defranco is a financial advisor with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. He has worked with Founders Financial Alliance and LPL Financial since 2016. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary, fee-based investment management and financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate retirement plans. The firm employs an evidence-based investment approach tailored to individual goals and risk tolerances, combining asset allocation, rebalancing, and a mix of strategies, alongside turnkey support for advisors.

Heather De Franco is a financial advisor at Founders Financial Alliance, LLC with a Series 66 designation and one year of industry experience. Prior to entering the financial industry, she worked as a homemaker and operated a photography business for nearly a decade. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary, fee-based investment management and financial planning to individual and high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate retirement plans. The firm employs an evidence-based investment approach tailored to clients’ goals and risk tolerances and offers comprehensive advisor support alongside its multi-pronged business model.

Paul Barnette is a financial advisor at Founders Financial Alliance, LLC with 26 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has previously worked with Wells Fargo Clearing and Prudential Equity Group, LLC. Barnette has been with Founders Financial Alliance since 2020. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary, fee-based investment management and financial planning services to individual, high-net-worth, charitable, and corporate retirement plan clients. The firm employs an evidence-based investment approach tailored to individual goals and risk tolerances and offers additional services including retirement plan consulting and a FlatFeeCIO program.

Bruce Trushel is a ChFC® with 44 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is currently with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC and LPL Financial, joining both firms in 2022. His previous roles include positions at Wells Fargo Clearing, PNC Wealth Management, and J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, LLC. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary, fee-based investment management and financial planning to individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate retirement plans. The firm uses an evidence-based investment approach tailored to client goals and risk tolerances, combining asset allocation, rebalancing, multiple strategies, and third-party manager solutions.

Joshua Schmalz is a financial advisor with Founders Financial Alliance, LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 66 credentials and bringing 13 years of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at WesBanco Securities Inc and WesBanco Bank. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary investment management, financial planning, retirement plan consulting, and related advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm employs an evidence-based investment process using ETFs, third-party managers, and regular portfolio monitoring, and offers a flat-fee family-office style program combining multiple advisory services.

Derek Simpson is a financial advisor at Founders Financial Alliance, LLC with eight years of industry experience. He has held positions at J.P. Morgan Securities and Unified Bank prior to joining Founders Financial Alliance. Simpson is also a commissioned notary for the states of West Virginia and Ohio. Founders Financial Alliance provides discretionary, fee-based investment management and financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients, charitable organizations, and corporate retirement plans. The firm employs an evidence-based investment approach tailored to client goals and risk tolerances, combining asset allocation, periodic rebalancing, and a mix of strategies including modern portfolio theory and third-party manager solutions.