293: W2 versus Independent: Why Financial Advisors Shouldn’t Chase the Trend

293: W2 versus Independent: Why Financial Advisors Shouldn’t Chase the Trend

by Steve Weissman | Sep 24, 2026

292: Perfect Clients: The Financial Advisor Who Built a Practice Around Giving

292: Perfect Clients: The Financial Advisor Who Built a Practice Around Giving

by Steve Weissman | Sep 17, 2026

291: Are You Really Independent? The Question Every Financial Advisor Should Ask

291: Are You Really Independent? The Question Every Financial Advisor Should Ask

by Steve Weissman | Sep 10, 2026

290: Inside the Chairman’s Trip: Lessons from Elite’s Top Producers

290: Inside the Chairman’s Trip: Lessons from Elite’s Top Producers

by Steve Weissman | Aug 27, 2026

289: The One Last Move: An Alternative to Selling Your Practice

289: The One Last Move: An Alternative to Selling Your Practice

by Steve Weissman | Aug 19, 2026

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Pat Golden

Senior Business Consultant

Pat Golden serves as Senior Business Consultant at Elite Consulting Partners, bringing more than 20 years of wealth management experience and a background in sales and relationship management with Merrill Lynch, Eastwood Homes, and Ryan Homes. Having moved his own book of business three times, Pat understands the professional and personal considerations that come with an advisor’s transition. Excited to return to financial services, he draws on that firsthand experience to help advisors evaluate their options and navigate the details of a move with thoughtful, personal support.
Outside of work, Pat enjoys spending time with his wife, their three adult daughters, and a new grandchild. An active, outdoors-loving family, they enjoy hiking, boating, and time at the lake. Pat also enjoys mountain biking and riding dual-sport motorcycles, while his wife teaches yoga. His people-first outlook extends to his involvement with his local church and charitable organizations, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

PatrickGolden@eliteconsultingpartners.com 

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Todd Mills

Senior Business Consultant

Todd brings more than two decades of financial services experience to his role as Senior Business Consultant at Elite Consulting Partners. His career includes leadership positions within the wholesale space at Rock Harbor LLC, SunAmerica Retirement Markets, Sun Life Financial, and Lincoln Financial Distributors.
With a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities advisors face when evaluating a transition, Todd helps financial professionals explore their options, assess potential firm partners, and identify solutions aligned with their business and personal priorities. His relationship-focused approach is grounded in listening carefully, providing informed guidance, and supporting advisors throughout the due-diligence and transition process.

ToddMills@eliteconsultingpartners.com

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Greg Noble

Gregory Noble

Senior Business Consultant

Greg Noble is a Senior Business Consultant at Elite Consulting Partners with over 35 years of experience across capital markets, wealth management, and advisor transitions. Having served as a trader, advisor, and consultant, he brings a unique perspective to helping financial advisors evaluate M&A opportunities, succession plans, and firm transitions. Greg is known for his candid, advisor-first approach providing confidential guidance and tailored strategies designed to align with each advisor’s long-term goals.

gregnoble@eliteconsultingpartners.com

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Sean McMaster

Sean McMaster

Senior Business Consultant

Sean McMaster brings nearly 20 years of financial services experience and more than 13 years helping financial advisors evaluate strategic business opportunities. Prior to joining Elite Consulting Partners, he held leadership roles with LPL Financial, Osaic, and Cetera Financial Group, where he earned recognition as Osaic's #1-ranked recruiter in 2023 and Cetera's #2-ranked recruiter in 2025. Sean works closely with advisors and advisory teams to navigate independence, succession planning, growth strategies, and long-term business decisions, helping them align their goals with the right opportunities for their future.

seanmcmaster@eliteconsultingpartners.com

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Greg Muir

Senior Business Consultant

Gregory Muir is a Senior Business Consultant at Elite Consulting Partners with over a decade of experience in sales, recruiting, and business development. He specializes in helping financial advisors evaluate transition opportunities, align with the right firms, and unlock growth. Known for his relationship-first approach, Gregory focuses on listening, building trust, and delivering tailored guidance to each advisor he serves.

GregoryMuir@eliteconsultingpartners.com

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Brett Olson

Senior Business Consultant

Brett Olson brings a strong foundation in advisor support and business development to his role as Senior Business Consultant at Elite Consulting Partners. Prior to joining Elite, Brett spent nearly four years at LPL Financial, where he worked closely with advisors across multiple regions, helping them navigate growth opportunities, operational challenges, and strategic decisions. His experience in the broker-dealer environment gave him firsthand insight into the complexities of advisor transitions and the importance of aligning firm resources with long-term vision.

BrettOlson@eliteconsultingpartners.com

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Gene Gendek

Director of Branch Development

Gene Gendek brings more than 25 years of experience in sales, account management, and relationship development to Elite Consulting Partners. With a background in higher education partnerships and a master’s degree in education, Gene’s ability to mentor, listen, and think strategically aligns seamlessly with Elite’s advisor-first mission. As Director of Branch Development, he oversees and supports the Business Development Associate team, focusing on quality improvement, leadership development, and operational excellence. Gene’s educator mindset, combined with his people-first approach, uniquely positions him to strengthen internal teams while helping advisors navigate meaningful transitions.

GeneGendek@eliteconsultingpartners.com

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Wade Shields

Director of Brand Strategy

Wade brings over a decade of experience in brand storytelling through video production, graphic design, and copywriting. He played a team leadership role in building a boutique creative agency in NYC from the ground up, where he developed and produced content for some of the world’s largest brands including Google, Ernst & Young, American Cancer Society, and FuelCell Energy. Wade has directed two feature-length films appearing in film festivals around the country, including an indie comedy and a brand documentary for a SF-based jazz radio station. He loves coffee, cats, and houseplants.

WadeShields@eliteconsultingpartners.com 

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Tom Richardson

Business Development Manager

Tom Richardson serves as Business Development Manager at Elite Consulting Partners, bringing over 20 years of sales leadership experience to the team. Prior to joining Elite, he managed a high-performing internet sales department, where he led a team of 15 and consistently exceeded growth targets. Tom is passionate about training and development, with a proven track record of turning new team members into top-performing professionals through mentorship and hands-on coaching. In his role at Elite, Tom will apply that same energy to supporting advisor transitions and cultivating long-term relationships. Tom is a lifelong South Jersey native driven by discipline and a belief in getting at least 1% better every day. Outside of work, he enjoys running half marathons, hiking, playing bass guitar, and spending time with his son, Ryder.

thomasrichardson@eliteconsultingpartners.com 

 

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John Neyer

Senior Business Consultant

John Neyer, BFA, LUTCF is a Senior Business Consultant at Elite Consulting Partners, bringing over 30 years of financial services experience in leadership development, business strategy, and practice management. His expertise lies in empowering financial advisors and firms to achieve their growth objectives through tailored, strategic solutions.
Prior to joining Elite Consulting Partners, John served as Executive Business Coach and Leadership Consultant at Decision Reflex Consulting, where he worked closely with senior financial advisors and C-suite executives to enhance performance and drive business success. His leadership experience also includes roles at Think2Perform, Neyer Consulting, Ameriprise Financial, and Waddell & Reed Financial, where he played a key role in business development and advisor coaching.
At Elite Consulting Partners, John specializes in providing independent transition solutions, helping advisors navigate the complexities of firm transitions, practice management, and business growth. His approach aligns with Elite’s commitment to delivering objective, customized guidance, ensuring advisors have the tools and insights to make informed decisions for their future.
John is known for his strategic mindset, problem-solving skills, and passion for leadership development. His ability to mentor advisors and guide organizations through transformational growth makes him a valuable resource for financial professionals looking to build high-performing, successful practices.
John is a proud U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, and a strong proponent of Marine Corps Leadership principles applications to business.

 

johnneyer@eliteconsultingpartners.com
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Mari Estenes

Executive Assistant to CEO

With 15 years of experience providing high-level administrative support, Mari is a dedicated and resourceful assistant committed to optimizing efficiency and ensuring smooth operations. Known for her professionalism, exceptional organization, and proactive mindset, Mari excels at streamlining workflows and enhancing productivity for the CEO, management team, and firm.

Beyond the office, Mari enjoys staying active - whether it’s through yoga, working out, or long walks with her pups. She believes balance, movement and a positive mindset are just as essential in life as they are in work.

MariEstenes@EliteConsultingPartners.com

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Julie Mizerany

Private Client Consultant

Julie's expertise in financial services, obtained through her more than decade of experience as a financial advisor, provides her with a unique perspective that informs her role as Transition Consultant at Elite Consulting Partners. Of particular focus for Julie is guiding financial advisors looking to transition their business to a new phase, whether it be a new broker dealer, clearing firm, or a successor that they trust. By applying active listening skills gained while obtaining her Master's Degree in Counseling, Julie learns about her client's business model, needs, and future goals so that she can provide adequate recommendations and collaborates with the advisor throughout the process to ensure a seamless transition.

ju***@*********************rs.com

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Sue Cheema, Chief Information Officer

Sue Cheema

Chief Information Officer

Sue is an information technology and Salesforce expert, with specialization in creating scalable strategies for CRM solutions implementation that amplifies enterprise productivity. Her responsibilities include maintenance and management of Salesforce data and processes, as well as Salesforce automation initiatives to enhance and accelerate the sales growth and overall efficiency of the Elite team.

suecheema@eliteconsultingpartners.com

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John Schreppler

Chief Financial Officer

John is an accomplished financial professional with a proven track record in growing and scaling companies through strategic financial management. Previously, he served as a financial controller for a leading international importer and supplier of custom-made promotional products in Philadelphia, where he honed his expertise in financial oversight and operational optimization. With a passion for driving financial performance, John is dedicated to fostering sustainable growth and innovation within the organization.

johnschreppler@eliteconsultingpartners.com

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John Storz

Senior Business Consultant

In my role as a senior consultant for financial advisors, I bring a deep understanding of advisor needs shaped by my start in the industry as a Business Development Associate. That foundation allows me to see transitions from both a strategic and relationship-driven perspective. Known for my ability to listen closely and develop creative, customized solutions, I help advisors navigate complex transitions with confidence and clarity.

 

Outside of work, I channel my creativity by playing guitar in a band, an outlet that mirrors my collaborative and adaptive approach to problem-solving.”

johnstorz@eliteconsultingpartners.com

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Joseph Greco

Managing Director, Elite Advisor Successions

Joseph began his career with Kuttin Wealth Management, the #1 Ameriprise Financial franchise, where he held a variety of roles and ultimately worked alongside the firm's CEO and senior leadership team to support both organic and inorganic growth initiatives. During his tenure, he sourced more than $400 million of AUM in acquisition opportunities and helped generate over $60 million in organic assets under management through strategic CPA partnerships nationwide.

Today, Joseph serves as Managing Director of Elite Advisor Successions, where he helps financial advisors accelerate growth through mergers and acquisitions, while also guiding practice owners through succession planning and business monetization strategies. Since joining Elite in 2023, Joseph has advised on more than $650 million in transaction volume, helping advisors maximize the value of their businesses and create successful transition outcomes.

joseph@eliteconsultingpartners.com

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Julian Chenault

Senior Business Consultant

Julian is a powerhouse in the financial services recruiting and consulting profession, notable for her reputation as a fearless client advocate and champion for advisor success. Her career boasts more than 30 years of sales and client-facing service experience. Most recently, Julian held the role of Senior Consultant at the Gershman Group. Her approach to transition consulting merges both intellect and process, providing clients with the curated, personal assistance that secures multiple offers.

JulesChenault@eliteconsultingpartners.com

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Carla Wade

Business Operations Administrator

A proud Texas State University alumnus, Carla has established herself as an administrative powerhouse, optimizing systems, processes, and workflows with particular expertise in the financial services field. Most recently, Carla served for more than six years as Executive Assistant at Hughes & Associates – Placement Partners Inc.

carlawade@eliteconsultingpartners.com

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Dakota Stevens

Senior Business Consultant

Dakota Stevens holds a Master of Science in Finance from EDHEC Business School in France. Before joining Elite, he gained valuable experience as both an internal and external recruiter at LPL Financial, where he served as AVP, Associate Regional Director. Dakota has also worked in private banking as an Associate Private Banker in Luxembourg and has a background in Property & Casualty Insurance. Outside of work, he is passionate about linguistics, chess, surfing, snowboarding, and traveling. Colleagues and friends alike recognize Dakota for his infectious positivity and joyful demeanor, often describing him as one of the happiest guys on the planet.
da***********@*********************rs.com
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Jason Andrus

BUsiness Consultant

After many years of honorable service in the U.S. Coast Guard, Jason brings more than two decades of consummate sales, coaching, and consulting professionalism. Among his career highlights are the roles of Senior Business Development Manager at Redstone Payment Solutions, National Recruiter and Managing Director, respectively, at Hughes & Associates Placement Partners, Inc. His attention to detail allows Jason to guide advisors to the best firm that supports the advisor’s business and personal needs.

JasonAndrus@eliteconsultingpartners.com

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Jim Primiani

Chief Technology Officer

James’ career is notable in his dedication to cutting-edge thought leadership in the fields of technology, systems management, cyber security, telecommunications, hardware and software support, and computer systems maintenance. A diligent and detail oriented professional, James spent the last 26 years of his career at Miele serving in the roles of Technical Services Specialist, Technical Services Supervisor, IT Helpdesk Technician, and IT Helpline Manager, respectively.

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Kaylor Bankler

Senior Business Consultant

Kaylor is a serial entrepreneur, who has established himself within the financial services industry as a thought leader in mergers and acquisitions, succession planning, and business strategy. Kaylor’s business acumen and adept leadership skills were forged in his roles as Owner and Managing Partner of Bankler Consulting Group and Principal Owner of Bankler Real Estate Group, LLC. A graduate of Villanova University’s School of Business, Kaylor is a committed life-long learner and takes pride in staying on the cusp of cutting-edge resources and information impacting the financial services industry.

kaylorbankler@eliteconsultingpartners.com

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Domenic Diele

Senior Business Consultant

Domenic has established himself as a leading professional within the financial services industry – a reputation earned through his diligent commitment to a consultative sales approach which establishes relationships and develops business opportunities. Among his many resume highlights are the positions of Vice President Business Consultant at John Hancock Investments, Regional Vice President at RidgeWorth Investments, Regional Sales Director at AllianceBernstein, and Mortgage Loan Officer at United Mortgage Corp.

domenicdiele@eliteconsultingpartners.com

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Brantly Blew

Senior Business Consultant

Brantly has proven himself a rising star in financial services, amassing experience as both a financial advisor and insurance professional during his early career. Among points of distinction, his resume includes roles as Insurance Agent at Present Financial Partners, Financial Services Representative at Northwest Mutual, and Business Development Associate and Internal Regional Director at LPL Financial. A graduate of California State University – Dominguez Hills, Brantly has made it his career mission to provide advisors with the strategic insight necessary to help achieve their goals and realize personal and practice success.

brantlyblew@eliteconsultingpartners.com

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Frank LaRosa

Chief Executive Officer

Frank LaRosa, CEO of Elite Consulting Partners, is a sought-after industry leader providing transition and recruitment services as well as guidance and advice for financial advisors, wealth management professionals, and entrepreneurs. His expert opinion is frequently quoted in publications including Barron's, Investment News, OnWallStreet, AdvisorHub, and Forbes Business Council. Frank is also the host of the top-rated podcast and YouTube Channel “Advisor Talk with Frank LaRosa”.

frank@eliteconsultingpartners.com

856-316-4651

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Kerry Kennelly-Brown

Senior Business Consultant

Kerry brings with her a wealth of financial services industry recruiting expertise, serving as President and Owner of KB Consulting for more than a decade with a specific concentration in supporting transitions for advisors and firms within the Independent, RIA, and Hybrid spaces. As a seasoned recruiting professional, Kerry has forged strong relationships within the financial services industry which have allowed her to provide a customized and purposeful approach to every financial advisor transition she handles.

ke***@*********************rs.com

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Lance Slater

Private Client Consultant

As a long-standing member of the Elite Consulting Partners Senior Transition Consultant team, Lance  successfully guides advisors toward the best firm in order to support their business and personal needs. His main goal is to assist the advisor through all aspects of the transition process in order for them to continue focusing on their own clients while successfully moving to a new firm partner.

la***@*********************rs.com

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Mike Rubel

Senior Business Consultant

A veteran financial and business services professional with more than four decades of expertise, Mike brings with him a wealth of knowledge and industry gravitas which will afford the advisor and firm clients he works with an extraordinary level of insight. Mike's career trajectory is punctuated by leadership and advisory positions at recognized top firms in the financial services field.

mi*******@*********************rs.com

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Peter Quigley

Senior Business Consultant

Peter brings with him almost 25 years of expertise as a financial advisor, serving in corporate leadership positions, with a career focus on advising high net worth individuals, families, and corporations with a focus on strategic financial planning. Peter joining the Elite Consulting Partners team is particularly notable as Peter himself tapped Elite Consulting Partners to handle his own transition as part of the Reilly Quigley Wealth Management Group.

pe**********@*********************rs.com

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Don O'Fee

Senior Business Consultant

Don brings with him a prestigious resume boasting more than four decades of experience in financial services leadership positions. Most recently, Don served for over 16 years as Senior Marketing and Regional Marketing Director, respectively, at Lincoln Financial Group. Other firms of note for which Don has shared his talent include Aim Management/Invesco, Pioneer Mutual Funds, Putnam Investments, and EF Hutton & Co. The immense level of expertise which Don brings to his position of Senior Transition Consultant will inform his interactions with advisors seeking to find their next firm partner with a particularly insightful and nuanced level of industry insight.

do*@*********************rs.com

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Julie Mizerany

Private Client Consultant

Julie's expertise in financial services, obtained through her more than decade of experience as a financial advisor, provides her with a unique perspective that informs her role as Transition Consultant at Elite Consulting Partners. Of particular focus for Julie is guiding financial advisors looking to transition their business to a new phase, whether it be a new broker dealer, clearing firm, or a successor that they trust. By applying active listening skills gained while obtaining her Master's Degree in Counseling, Julie learns about her client's business model, needs, and future goals so that she can provide adequate recommendations and collaborates with the advisor throughout the process to ensure a seamless transition.

ju***@*********************rs.com

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Kyle Kroberger

Senior Business Consultant

In addition to his commendable service as a United States Navy S.E.A.L., Kyle has established a well-regarded career as an award-winning investment management professional and tenacious business developer with a passion for building influential and lasting relationships with financial advisors. Kyle has amassed a distinguished resume, with notable positions of leadership within the financial services industry.

ky***********@*********************rs.com

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Bruce Fox

Private Client Consultant

As a seasoned recruiting professional and long-standing Senior Transition Consultant within the Elite Consulting Partners team, Bruce is motivated by achieving optimal transition opportunities for his advisor and firm clients. His ongoing goal is to serve as the bridge connecting advisors and firms to unbiased and actionable opportunities while providing competitive intelligence that ensures a successful transition.

br***@*********************rs.com

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Tricia Fischer

Private Client Consultant

Tricia brings with her decades of expertise through a professional career dedicated to utilizing training, business development, and recruiting as the primary tools to help her clients solve their problems and achieve their goals. A graduate of the University of Delaware, Tricia has maintained the spirit of a perpetual student through her focus on higher-level thinking as a means to advance her own career and serve her clients.

tr***********@*********************rs.com

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Chuck Dixon

Senior Business Consultant

Chuck is a long-standing Elite Consulting Partners team member with a dedicated focus to carrying out the company mission to provide unparalleled service, unbiased advice, and expert guidance to advisor and firm clients alike. Additionally, Chuck works diligently to ensure his clients' objectives and goals are realized during their due-diligence and transition process.

ch***@*********************rs.com

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Mike Carroll

Private Client Consultant

Michael has achieved an impressive financial services industry career, punctuated by leadership positions with an emphasis on business development and advisor engagement. Michael's career highlights include Manager, Franchise Recruiting and Engagement at Ameriprise Financial; Regional Business Development Manager at Korn Ferry Hay Group; Director of Business Development at Great Valley Advisor Group; and Senior Sales Representative and Relationship Management Account Coordinator at Lincoln Financial Distributors.

mi************@*********************rs.com

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Stacey Frank

Chief Revenue Officer, Executive Vice President of Sales

Stacey has been a valued member of the Elite Consulting Partners team since 2018, during which time she has utilized her more than two decades of recruiting expertise to influence the growth trajectory of Elite Consulting Partners. Among the many Elite Consulting Partners initiatives which have benefited from Stacey's valued insight is the Elite Next Level Process. This first of its kind construct for the financial services industry, utilized by Elite's seasoned team of consultants, guides advisor and firm clients alike towards the opportunities which elevate practice growth and transition advisor goals into reality.

st****@*********************rs.com

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Brian Selfridge

Senior Business Consultant

Brian holds significant expertise working with key decision-makers in financial services,  from C-suite executives at the largest international conglomerates into the mid-market through main street business owners. Under Brian's oversight, the Corporate Services division offers retained recruiting services and differentiated pay-per-call lead generation service perpetually sourcing financial advisors in transition. Additionally, larger inorganic growth opportunities are regularly sourced like BD and RIA tuck-ins or successions.

br***@*********************rs.com

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JC Young

Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer

JC holds more than 30 years of senior leadership expertise in business development. In particular, JC's capability to serve financial advisors by aligning their practice vision with the ideal recruiting opportunity is in unique alignment with the Elite Consulting Partners mission to transition advisor goals into reality. Additionally, JC's capacity for relationship building and business development is optimally suited to furthering the already rapid growth trajectory of Elite Consulting Partners.