Board of Directors

Christine brings 30 years of experience in financial services to her clients. She began her career in the home office of Commonwealth Financial Network, giving her work an operational perspective and a fiercely independent edge. While there, one of her roles was Director of Commonwealth’s Service Center, where she and her team were the front line for supporting Commonwealth’s growing field of advisors. In 2000, Christine moved to Maine and started her own practice, using the same spirit of independence she enjoyed while at Commonwealth. She is the founder of Back Cove Financial. Located in Falmouth, Maine, Christine’s practice focuses on planning and investment management for families and individuals. With her entire career’s affiliation at Commonwealth Financial Network, Christine has always been an advocate for and practitioner of the independent financial advisor and channel.

Christine earned her bachelor’s degree in Economics from Pomona College, and went on to pursue her MBA in Finance and Operations Management from Boston College while working at Commonwealth. She currently holds her series 7, 63, 65 and 24 registrations, as well as her CRPS® designation. Christine lives in Maine with her husband and two sons.

Adam Malamed is the Chief Executive Officer of Sanctuary Wealth, where he leads the firm’s strategic vision, long-term growth initiatives and commitment to innovation in the wealth management industry. Since assuming the role in 2023, Adam has focused on building the platform of the future investing in top talent, advanced technology and scalable growth resources. His mission is to drive value for Sanctuary’s Partner Firms by helping them grow, operate more efficiently and build equity.

Under Adam’s leadership, Sanctuary continues to solidify its position as the premier destination for sophisticated and elite financial advisors and wealth management firms. He oversees the firm’s long-term strategy with an emphasis on business expansion, ensuring Sanctuary remains a leader in the Hybrid RIA space.

With over 25 years of experience in financial services, Adam is a seasoned executive, entrepreneur and board director. Prior to joining Sanctuary, he served as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Board Director at publicly traded Ladenburg Thalmann Financial, where he was instrumental in growing the firm’s revenue from $35 million to $1.5 billion.

Adam earned a B.A. in Business Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and completed the General Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Tim Stinson is President of Cetera Advisor Networks. Prior to this role he was the head of Wealth Management and Recruiting Sales and the executive leader responsible for the overall strategy and growth of wealth management and business development across Cetera Financial Group. This scope includes sales and consulting support of advisory platforms, and recruiting. In this role, he is focused on igniting asset growth and leading and attracting teams dedicated to the delivery of an Advice-Centric Experience® aimed to guide more clients to reaching financial well being throughout all stages of life.

Most recently, Stinson served as Cetera’s national sales manager, tasked with driving the growth of Cetera’s advisory platforms.

Prior to joining Cetera, he was senior vice president of business development in the Southwestern U.S. for the institutional platform at Northern Trust. Before Northern Trust, he was senior vice president at Fidelity Investments responsible for managing the Southwestern Institutional Wealth Services organization working with independent RIAs. Stinson also served in senior leadership roles at firms such as Fortigent and SEI.

Stinson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Saint Joseph’s University and has been a member of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School Executive Management Program, where he studied new leadership paradigms. He carries the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF)designation and holds his Series 7 and 24 securities registrations.

Shannon Reid is President and Head of Advisor Growth and Engagement, Osaic.

Von D. Cook II is an Accredited Investment FiduciaryⓇ, Registered Principal and Investment Advisor Representative for individuals, entrepreneurs and business owners, helping them accrue and manage their wealth. With twenty years of experience in the Securities industry, Von specializes in active asset management and comprehensive financial planning. He is driven by the belief that every client deserves premiere investment performance and services without high account minimums and exorbitant fees. Through working with hundreds of financial advisors, Von knows firsthand how critical the role of an OSJ Manager is to the success of breakaway financial advisors. He is committed to affording them the supervisory resources necessary to ensure they are operating within regulations, while affording them the independence to successfully build and manage their own brands.

Von launched his career as an Investment Advisor Representative with Morgan Stanley in the early 2000s before transitioning to ING Financial Partners as an OSJ Manager. Over the next decade, Von’s commitment to his clients’ best interests, combined with his depth of experience in OSJ Management, led him to launch Client Centric Advisors in 2017 under Cambridge Investment Research. As a member of Cambridge’s Compliance & Supervisions Advisory Council and a Cambridge Premiere Club top producer, Von frequently appears on leadership panels to present his experience, advice, and best practices.

Von holds FINRA Certifications including General Securities Representative (Series 7), General Securities Principal (Series 24), Uniform Combined State Law (Series 66), Future Managed Funds (Series 31), and State Insurance Licenses. As a member of Florida Vistage, Von collaborates and advises other leading CEOs and business owners to achieve next-level results for their companies, clients, and themselves.

Von holds a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University.

As Managing Partner of Undivided Wealth Management and the Founder of Relational Advisor Organization, Gary has developed a unique relational approach that focuses on what truly matters most to his clients. His vision goes beyond financial management, helping individuals and businesses achieve their ideal life purpose through Relational Life Planning. His commitment to holistic financial advice is rooted in understanding his clients’ core values, enabling them to live with purpose and supported by a strong financial foundation.

Gary’s commitment to creating transformational client experiences is evident in his creation of the Undivided Experience Center, adjacent to his wealth management firm. His leadership in the financial services industry has earned him numerous accolades, including recognition as one of the Fastest Growing Advisors to Watch by Advisor Hub in 2022. He has served on several prestigious advisory councils, such as the Kestra Private Wealth Council and the Fidelity Advisor Council. His firm, Undivided Wealth Management, has received multiple awards, including the Humanitarian Service Award, the Partnership and Culture Award, and the Most Innovative Firm honor.

Gary also serves as an adjunct professor at Washington University and mentors MBA students at Saint Louis University, reflecting his dedication to shaping the next generation of leaders. Gary holds a B.A. in Personal Finance from the University of Missouri – Columbia and an MBA from Washington University.
Gary is led by his faith and is a devoted husband to Sarah and father of three children, Jack, Charlie and Abbey.

Dale’s humble beginnings help him understand how important finances are to families, individuals and business owners. He’s passionate about helping others and partnering with business owners to build success stories.

Dale and his wife Kim have two children, Trey and Lexi. Dale enjoys real estate, sports, traveling and spending time with his family. Dale is a survivor of the September 11 World Trade Center attack and has shared his story through hundreds of speaking engagements, articles, and interviews.

Brian Kovack is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kovack Financial Network, a leading independent broker-dealer and registered investment adviser supporting financial professionals nationwide. With nearly three decades of experience in the financial services industry, Brian oversees the firm’s strategic vision, growth and advisor experience.

A respected industry leader, Brian served two terms on the FINRA Board of Governors (2016–2021) and previously on the FINRA District 7 Committee. Since 2003, he has acted as a FINRA Dispute Resolution Arbitrator and served as an Enforcement Hearing Officer for FINRA disciplinary hearings.

Brian holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Florida, where he played Division I football for the Gators and was recognized as an SEC Academic All-American. He later earned both a Master of Accounting and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Nova Southeastern University, and holds the CRCP designation from the FINRA Institute at Wharton.

Brian resides in Lighthouse Point, Florida with his wife, Stacey, and their daughter Harbor. Outside of the office he enjoys boating, traveling and aviation.

Kathy serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of Lincoln Investment, a leading financial services firm dedicated to enhancing the client and financial professional experience. She joined Lincoln Investment in 2020 as Chief of Staff to CEO Ed Forst and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2022. In December 2024, Kathy was named President & COO as well as the
formal successor to Mr. Forst; she will assume the role of President & CEO before the end of 2026.

Throughout her tenure, Kathy has been recognized for her ability to build and empower best-in-class leadership teams, drive organizational strategy and oversee operations, service, program management and human resources. Her leadership is distinguished by a strong focus on operational excellence and transformational initiatives.

Kathy brings more than 30 years of experience in financial services, strategic planning, sales, distribution, talent recruitment and change management for Fortune 100 companies. Prior to Lincoln Investment, she held senior leadership positions at The Hartford, Prudential, Lincoln
Financial, MetLife, Equitable and American Realty Capital.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from LaSalle University and an MBA from St. Joseph’s University. Kathy has earned certifications from The Wharton School and Smith College, is Series 7/24 securities licensed and recently completed the CEO Program at Columbia Business School.

Kathy resides in Ambler, Pennsylvania with her husband, Todd, and her two daughters, Jenna and Erin.

Tom is the Founding Principal of My Advisor & Planner. Since starting in the industry in 1987, he has started, grown, and sold several Broker/Dealers, SEC-Registered Investment Advisory Firms, and insurance agencies.

Tom is active in both professional and philanthropic communities. He is the Past President of the Fox Valley Estate Planning Council and is involved in several area Chambers of Commerce.

Tom and his wife, Gina, reside in Elgin, IL, along with their two rescue dogs. They are especially proud of their two grown children. Outside of work and spending time with family, they enjoy traveling and socializing at Elgin Country Club where Tom is a past President.

Robert Milmore joined First Command Financial Services as a Financial Advisor in November 2014. He previously worked for 3 years as a private wealth manager at top research and wealth management firms. Prior to that, he served for seven years in the United States Army, where he was a company commander in the 82nd Airborne Division, platoon leader in the 101st Airborne Division and a ranger instructor in the 4th Ranger Training Battalion. Currently, Robert is a member of Army Reserves. He is a Lieutenant Colonel and serves as a Space Operations officer at Peterson Space Force Base.

A graduate of United State Military Academy with a Bachelor’s degree in Law, Robert holds Series 7, 63, 66, 26 and 24 securities licenses plus life and health insurance licenses in Colorado. He is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

Robert is committed to coaching clients to pursue their financial goals and lifetime dreams by bringing sound financial knowledge and trustworthy advice to a lasting relationship with each individual and family he serves.

Rob has more than 25 years of financial services experience and serves as the Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer for Commonwealth Financial Network, the nation’s largest privately held independent broker/dealer-RIA. He has developed and implemented compliance and supervision programs across a large financial services organization subject to multiple regulatory frameworks; and has coordinated responses for hundreds of regulatory inquiries over the years.

Rob possesses a leadership presence, with the communication and organizational skills to effectively influence other executive leadership on prudent courses of action. He is a strategic thinker who drives innovative regulatory compliant solutions.

Rob previously served on the Financial Services Institute’s Compliance Council in a leadership capacity. He earned his Master of Business Administration from Babson College – Franklin W. Olin Graduate School of Business and Bachelor of Science degree from Northeastern University. He also holds the Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional designation as well as FINRA Series 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 24, 27, 30, 31, 53, 55, 63, and 66 registrations. Rob also served as a Legal Specialist in the U.S. Army Reserves and serves as the Executive Sponsor of the Military Community employee resource group at Commonwealth.

Chris Perry serves as President of Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR). With over $5 billion in revenues and part of the S&P 500® Index, Broadridge is a global Fintech leader enabling corporate governance, powering capital markets, enabling client communications and helping wealth and asset management firms grow worldwide. The company provides technology, communications, data and analytics solutions to businesses around the world.

He is focused on driving Broadridge’s overall growth strategy, including overseeing Broadridge International as well as helping lead M&A, DEI and ESG strategies. Chris also oversees all client and marketing activities globally and is responsible for delivering the company’s annual sales targets spanning all business units and product lines. He has been a driving force behind the transformation of the organization from a portfolio of companies to an enterprise cloud-based services provider. Broadridge has enjoyed eight years of consecutive record setting sales under Chris’ leadership.

Prior to joining Broadridge, Chris has held numerous management and commercial roles at Thomson Reuters (NYSE: TRI), and its predecessor, Thomson Financial. There he served as Global Managing Director of Risk for the Financial and Risk Division, where he was responsible for overseeing Governance, Risk and Compliance, as well as Pricing and Reference services. Previously, he served as President of Global Sales and Account Management of the Financial and Risk Division responsible for US$6 billion in revenue and responsible for 4,000 professionals worldwide. Earlier in his career, Chris worked in several FinTech companies and institutional trading and retail brokerage for Kemper Financial Services’, Blunt Ellis & Lowie unit as well as correspondent firms of both Prudential and Pershing.

Chris is former Chairman and ongoing member of British American Business, a membership organization that enables transatlantic commerce. He serves on the Board of Directors on several non-profits including Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, NPower an organization that provides underprivileged youths and military veterans with the opportunity to build tech skills and achieve their potential, the United Way of NYC and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. In addition, he is a sponsor of the Women on Wall Street Association, a New York-based business leadership organization that helps accelerate careers of women in financial services and unites business professionals in support of equality, executive leadership and breaking the glass ceiling.

Chris holds a B.S. in Finance and Economics from Northern Illinois University and an MBA in Marketing from Lewis University, where he serves on the Board of Trustees.

Jamie Price is President and CEO of Osaic, one of the nation’s largest networks of independent financial professionals. He is responsible for the management of more than 2,300 employees, who serve the needs of the firm’s more than 10,600 financial professionals. He is a member of the Advisor Group Board of Directors.

Jamie has deep financial services and entrepreneurial experience, and a track record of building innovative investment solutions in the wealth management space. He is focused on field management, technology, and service, combined with a desire to drive profitable growth for advisors. Reflecting his passion for client-driven businesses, just prior to joining Advisor Group, Jamie invested in and led the startup 1-800DOCTORS, a concierge service that connects patients with medical professionals. The role put him in daily contact with consumers and reinforced the importance of understanding client trends to drive business strategy across technology, product, education, and service platforms.

As Head of Wealth Management Advisor Group Americas at UBS, Jamie was responsible for North American client-facing businesses, including 7,300 employees and 7,000 financial advisors located in more than 400 offices across the continent. Under his leadership, UBS was able to propel financial advisor growth, as measured by McLagan, from No. 3 to No. 1. As President and COO of Prudential Securities, he led the firm to achieve the highest national broker-dealer client satisfaction ranking from JD Power and Associates. Jamie also sits on the board of Invest in Others, an organization that recognizes and honors advisors who give back to their community.

Jamie attended the Charles H. Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon, where he earned a B.S. degree in Finance/Economics.

Frank Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Private Advisor Group, is the strategic, visionary and culture architect of the firm. His leadership inspires the company to fulfill its mission: to form meaningful relationships with financial advisors, inspire entrepreneurs to build successful independent businesses and change the lives of everyday investors. By empowering our community, he has built a strong foundation for a generational financial services firm poised for long-term success.

Frank brings 20 years of progressive leadership in financial services to the team. Prior to joining Private Advisor Group, he held key leadership roles at CUNA Mutual Group and LPL Financial, where he excelled in business development, strategic consulting and fostering client relationships.

Frank earned his Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a Graduate Certification in Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Penn State University. He holds FINRA series 7 and 66 securities registrations.

Frank actively supports various philanthropic causes, including Invest in Others and Defend the Fatherless. Locally, he is a dedicated advocate for the development of education and athletic programs at Lake Pointe Academy in York, SC.

Frank lives in Rock Hill, SC with his wife and two children. Outside of work, he enjoys boating, aviation and working on whatever is parked in his garage on a given day.

Marc Squires is head of Sales and Relationship Management for Fidelity Clearing for Institutional Wealth Management Services, which offers wealth management professionals and firms access to the investment, technology and platform solutions they need to serve their investor clients and grow their businesses. Institutional Wealth Management Services is a part of Fidelity Investments, a leading provider of investment management, retirement planning, portfolio guidance, brokerage, benefits outsourcing and other financial products and services to institutions, financial intermediaries, family offices and individuals.

Fidelity Clearing serves independent, bank, insurance, full service and institutional broker-dealer wealth management firms. The clearing business provides wealth management professionals and firms access to the investment, technology and platform solutions they need to serve their investor clients and grow their businesses. In this role, Mr. Squires is responsible for ensuring the satisfaction of Fidelity Investments’ diverse broker-dealer clients and prospects by helping them meet their business goals and supporting them in the evolving wealth management landscape. He and his team provide Fidelity’s broker-dealer clients and prospects access to a flexible, open-technology environment, extensive practice management resources, wealth management investments and related execution and clearing services.

Prior to assuming his current position in April 2020, Mr. Squires led a Fidelity Institutional Business Management team for five years that was responsible for driving strategy, planning, field services, competitive analysis, agile transformation and business development support for Fidelity’s clearing and custody businesses, while maintaining a focus on the strategic and tactical efforts of the firm’s sales and relationship management teams. He also held multiple positions within Personal Investing and Workplace Investing before joining Fidelity Institutional in 2007.

Mr. Squires earned his bachelor of arts degree in justice from American University. He also holds the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 7, 24, and 63 licenses.

Growing up with parents who are both financial advisors, Mary was exposed to the financial world at an early age. Her interest in the industry began as a college student helping her parents around the office. She grew to know their clients personally and understand the basics of how their practice operated.

Mary initially pursued a career as an educator, earning a Master in Biology Education from Converse College and taught at Polk County Early College and Dorman High School as a Student Teacher. She was ultimately drawn to the idea of using her teaching background to help make investing – a foreign and confusing concept for many people – relatable and understandable.

In 2014, Mary joined her parents’ practice. It turned out to be the perfect fit. After six months, both she and her parents knew that there was so much potential for growth, and Freehold Wealth Management has organically evolved from there.

Mary and her husband, Mac, have two children, Neville and Amelia, and an English Cocker Spaniel, Nile. Having grown up riding horses and competing at the Grand Prix Level in show jumping, Mary enjoys nothing more than making a connection as a rider with a horse. Most weekends, you can find her and her family enjoying the outdoors, hiking, gardening, swimming, biking, and exploring their surrounding area.

President and Chief Executive Officer of First Command Financial Services Mark Steffe is a seasoned leader with more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Since joining First Command in 2010, he has held senior leadership roles across advisor operations, strategy, and enterprise transformation.

Appointed CEO in 2020, Mark has guided the organization through significant change while reinforcing its mission of serving military families. He also serves on the boards of First Command Financial Services and First Command Bank. Mark earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Illinois, where he graduated with high honors. He holds Series 7, 8, 23, 63 and 65 securities registrations and completed the Harvard University Advanced Management Program in 2015.

As a Financial Advisor with Capital Analysts of Jacksonville, Florida, Inc., Ben Wuerffel has extensive experience in comprehensive retirement planning, where he works alongside business owners and professionals, retired individuals and others focused on attaining financial freedom.

Ben began his professional career as a Certified Long-Term Care Specialist (CLTC) and seminar consultant for several local advisors. He also worked as an advisor in a firm specializing in investment management before joining Capital Analysts of Jacksonville in January of 2011. His areas of specialties include investment planning and wealth management, pre- and post-retirement planning, executive benefits and his favorite, philanthropic planning.

An avid Gators fan, Ben follows a longstanding family tradition of being active in various sports. He has also volunteered at UNF, his alma mater, as a continuing education instructor.  Additionally, Ben is a former Chairman of the Board at Project SOS, a community organization charged with empowering youth to make healthy life choices and decisions. As Chairman, he guided and expanded Project SOS, which is currently being offered in 22 public schools for students in middle and high school.  Ben was the youngest chairman in the history of Project SOS. He has served as a board member for the Boys and Girls Clubs of NE Florida, The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Desire Street Ministries, and the Blueclaws Baseball Foundation. He is a member of the Estate Planning Council and the Financial Planning Association locally.

A native of Destin, Florida, Ben received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Florida and recently earned a Graduate Certificate in Personal and Family Financial Planning from the University of Florida. He earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER TM certification in 2014 and the Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) Designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies in 2013.  Ben holds the FINRA Series 6, 7, 24, 26 and 66 registrations through his affiliation with Lincoln Investment. He is also a licensed Life and Health Insurance agent.

Dale E. Brown, CAE, is the founding president and CEO of the Financial Services Institute (FSI). Established in 2004, FSI is the only organization advocating on behalf of independent financial services firms and their affiliated independent financial advisors. FSI’s mission is to advocacy for a regulatory environment that works for investors and the independent financial advisors who serve them. FSI represents more than 65 independent financial services firm members and their 30,000+ affiliated financial advisor members.

Dale brings more almost 40 years of association management experience to FSI with broad leadership in government relations and constituent advocacy. He leads FSI’s advocacy strategy, interacting frequently with regulators and policymakers in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining FSI at its launch, Dale guided the government relations, corporate and broker-dealer programs for the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and the International Association for Financial Planning (IAFP). Dale led the successful fight in the mid-1990s against the IRS’s attempts to force broker-dealers to re-classify independent contractor representatives as statutory employees.

Dale was named a Certified Association Executive (CAE) in 1995. He is a past president of the Georgia Society of Association Executives (GSAE), and a recipient of GSAE’s President’s Award in 1995 and 2001. In May 2002, he received GSAE’s highest honor, the Clifford M. Clarke Award, given annually to an association executive who has demonstrated exemplary personal leadership and service to his or her own association, the association community and the general community.

Dale has been recognized by Registered Rep magazine as one of “Ten to Watch” in 2005; included in Boomer Market Advisor’s “Forward Thinking Five” in 2006; and was named for nine consecutive years as one of ThinkAdvisor’s 25 most influential individuals in and around the planning profession. He was named by InvestmentNews as one of the Power 20 for 2012.

Dale attended the University of Georgia and graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science.