North Star Advisory Group, LLC

Mark Kangas is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license, with 24 years of industry experience. He is currently with North Star Advisory Group, LLC in Beachwood, OH, and previously worked at Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc., Stifel, Wells Fargo Clearing, and A.G. Edwards & Sons. North Star Advisory Group serves individual and high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and charitable organizations, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and specialty consulting such as real estate and antiques and collectables consulting. The firm manages approximately $289 million across 439 client relationships, focusing on client-tailored strategies and regular monitoring and rebalancing of portfolios.

Forrest Kuchling is a financial advisor at North Star Advisory Group, LLC with a Series 65 designation and two years of industry experience. Prior to joining North Star Advisory Group, he held positions at Geauga Financial Advisors and has experience in various roles outside finance, including work at DoorDash and Inverness Country Club. North Star Advisory Group serves individual and high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm customizes portfolios based on clients’ objectives and risk tolerances, employing a mix of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis, with an emphasis on fixed-income securities and mutual funds/ETFs.

Erik Keister is a financial advisor with North Star Advisory Group, LLC and holds a Series 66 designation. He has 22 years of industry experience and also operates Erik Keister Legal Services, LLC, a law firm, and serves as head coach of the Cleveland Fusion football team. North Star Advisory Group is a team of six advisors serving individual and high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and charitable organizations. The firm offers portfolio management, financial planning, and specialty consulting with a focus on tailored investment strategies in fixed income, mutual funds, and ETFs.

Rachel Smylie is a Series 65 licensed advisor with North Star Advisory Group, LLC, where she has worked since 2024. She has two years of industry experience, including prior roles at Skylight Financial Group and various community-based positions. North Star Advisory Group serves individual and high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and charitable organizations. The firm provides portfolio management, financial planning, and specialty consulting, utilizing tailored investment strategies across fixed-income securities, mutual funds, and ETFs.

Nicholas Stern is a Series 65-licensed advisor at North Star Advisory Group, LLC with less than one year of industry experience. His background includes several roles in education and golf-related positions prior to joining the firm. North Star Advisory Group serves individual and high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and corporations. The firm offers customized portfolio management and financial planning, employing a combination of fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis with an emphasis on fixed-income securities and mutual funds/ETFs, along with specialized consulting on real estate and antiques and collectables.

Brian Duffield is a Series 65-licensed advisor with North Star Advisory Group, LLC, based in Beachwood, OH. He has four years of industry experience and has worked at several firms, including Highland Consulting and Union Home Mortgage. Duffield has been with North Star Advisory Group since 2021. North Star Advisory Group serves individual and high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans and charitable organizations, providing portfolio management, financial planning, pension consulting, sub-advisory services, and specialty consulting. The firm customizes strategies based on client goals and risk tolerance and offers niche services such as real estate and antiques and collectables consulting.