Bruce Milam

Name: Composition Wealth
Price range: $

Chief Executive Officer

Bruce is the Chief Executive Officer at Composition Wealth and oversees the firm’s day-to-day operations while driving the formulation and execution of the firm’s growth strategy.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Bruce worked for nearly a decade at Freestone Capital Management, an RIA based in Seattle, where he served as Chief Operating Officer. During his tenure, he led vision and strategy efforts and contributed towards Freestone’s extraordinary growth accomplishments. Prior to that, Bruce spent over eight years as a Director at HBK Capital Management, building out the firm’s operations and technology infrastructure while also leading teams through large-scale transformations to drive scale and optimization.

Bruce received his Masters of Professional Accounting at Texas McCombs School of Business and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, Austin. In his time away from work, Bruce enjoys being active – ideally doing something outdoors, international travel, and keeping up with his twin teenage sons.

Fun Facts:

Is an avid reader with a goal to consume 25 books a year
Has attended 3 of the 4 tennis grand slam tournaments – only Australia remains
Loves carbohydrates more than they love him

Nate Angelo

Head of Wealth Management

Nate is the Head of Wealth Management at Composition Wealth and collaborates with the firm’s senior leaders to develop, refine, and execute its market and sales strategies, onboarding processes, financial planning framework, and holistic client experience. He ensures that Composition Wealth is a place focused on an advisor-client relationship that is transformative in nature, thereby impacting the lives of our clients in a meaningful and positive way.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Nate held senior leadership roles at RBC Wealth Management. He was the Pacific Northwest Complex Director, where he served in a Senior Managing Director capacity, growing the Pacific Northwest revenues by over 60% through advisor recruiting, coaching, and expanded advisor support. Prior to that, Nate was Head of Practice Management and Wealth Consulting, where he oversaw the growth of RBC’s U.S. advisory, wealth planning, and liquidity capabilities.

Nate received his MBA, Business from SBGE, Seattle Pacific University, and his bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University, Neeley School of Business. Outside of work, Nate is actively engaged in his community as President of Citizens for University Place Schools and as a volunteer high school baseball coach.

Fun Facts:

Coaching youth sports is a privilege
Think like a CEO, act like a servant
I’m a Go Giver

Dalton Shaughnessy

Chief Financial Officer

Dalton Shaughnessy is the Chief Financial Officer at Composition Wealth, where he oversees the firm’s FP&A, M&A and Real Estate teams. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, he plays a key role in shaping the firm’s financial strategy, driving growth initiatives, and positioning Composition Wealth as a leading RIA platform.

With over a decade of experience in investment banking and private equity, Dalton has built a career spanning Wall Street and global asset management firms. Before joining Composition Wealth, he was part of the North American Buyouts team at Corsair, focusing on technology and fintech investments. His earlier roles included leadership positions at The Carlyle Group and The Radcliff Companies, as well as investment banking at Credit Suisse, where he advised technology companies on M&A and capital strategies.

Dalton graduated from Georgetown University and, originally from Minneapolis, has recently made Los Angeles home with his wife, son and two dogs. Outside of work Dalton enjoys exploring the outdoors with his family.

Fun Facts:

Loves all things outdoors, especially hiking with his toddler son on his back
His favorite way to unwind is listening to blues music
Never says no to a cup of coffee

Matt Dmytryszyn, CFA®

Chief Investment Officer

Matt is the Chief Investment Officer of Composition Wealth and he is responsible for leading the investment team. In this role, he chairs the firm’s investment committee, directs the research agenda, and provides oversight of portfolio management, trading, and implementation. In addition, he is responsible for communicating the firm’s investment perspective to advisors and clients. Matt is also a member of the firm’s Leadership Team.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Matt was the Chief Investment Officer of Telemus Capital, where he directed the firm’s investment effort. Before that, he served as an analyst and portfolio manager at LaSalle Street Capital Management, a boutique domestic equity firm. In this role, Matt served as a research analyst covering large and small-cap U.S. equities. He also served as a Co-Portfolio Manager on the firm’s Small-Mid Cap strategy. Before joining LaSalle Street Capital Management, Matt was a Senior Research Analyst at Russell Investments, where he was responsible for researching large-cap investment strategies. Matt also served as the Chairman of the Direct Investing Research Committee, which oversaw the development of proprietary investment strategies.

Matt holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation and has his Series 65 license. He is active in the community, serving on the board of directors of Bridge Communities, and is a member of the Village of Downers Grove Planning Commission. In his free time, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters and can often be found on a platform tennis court.

Holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation.
Active Licenses: Series 65

Fun Facts:

Passionate platform tennis player, a good way to get some exercise and get outside during Midwest winters.
Although behind in his plan, he aspires to visit every major league ballpark.
Tries to stay active in the community and sits on the Board of Directors of Bridge Communities, a non-profit helping homeless families, and is a member of the Village of Downers Grove Planning Commission.

Matt Granski, CFA®

Chief Operating Officer

Matt is a partner at Composition Wealth and currently serves as the firm’s Chief Operating Officer. He is responsible for management, strategic planning, and growth for all areas of Composition Wealth outside of research and portfolio management.

Prior to being named the Chief Operating Officer, Matt was the firm’s President. He graduated with a B.A. in Business Economics, Dean’s List, from the University of California, Los Angeles and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation.

Matt is highly involved in philanthropic causes both locally and globally; he has spent time volunteering for Foundation for Peace, based in the Dominican Republic, as well as Social Entrepreneurs for Education, an LA-based organization.

Holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation.

Fun Facts:

Has yet to encounter a stock option plan structure that he couldn’t tackle
Holds the record for longest day worked at Composition Wealth
Once was approached for his home state’s infamous hit, The Jersey Shore

Marla Wooton, CRCP®

Chief Compliance Officer

Marla is the Chief Compliance Officer at Composition Wealth. With over 30 years of experience in Wealth Management, Investment Advisers, broker-dealer relations, and Client Service, Marla has built a career in operational management and compliance roles. Previously serving as both Director of Operations and Chief Compliance Officer for four years, Marla now focuses solely on compliance strategy and oversight. She plays a key role in supporting the firm’s talent and assets growth while ensuring adherence to a high standard of regulatory excellence. In 2023, she was a nominee for the Los Angeles Times Inspirational Women Award, and in 2024, she was a panelist at the National Society of Compliance Professionals (NSCP) Conference, sharing insights on industry best practices and regulatory trends.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, her journey included pivotal positions at renowned firms such as Deutsche Bank, Alex Brown, Bank of America Securities, Themis Asset Strategies, and Bel Air Investment Advisors.

Marla has been involved with student-athlete organizations, academic tutoring, and fundraising, and consistently volunteers with multiple non-profit organizations to help improve her surrounding communities.

Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional® (CRCP)® designation
Licenses previously maintained (inactive): Series 7, 24, and 63

Fun Facts:

Outside of running the back office for multiple leading investment firms, Marla can be found on the roller skating rink.
She’s proudly put all four of her children through college.
Marla climbed 75 flights of stairs last year for her local YMCA’s fundraiser.

Denise Waid

Managing Director, Marketing

Denise is the managing Director of Marketing at Composition Wealth and supports the firm’s growth strategies by providing a full spectrum of marketing services – including brand oversight and lead generation campaign creation and implementation. She provides leadership in managing both the internal team and external resources, inspiring teamwork and efficient execution.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Denise held creative and management positions for several advertising agencies throughout her career, most recently as the EVP/Creative Director and Partner of a mid-sized Austin firm for more than a decade.

Denise focuses her personal life around her family: her husband who is an award-winning Creative Director in the ad biz, and two beautiful children, Teal and Coby. Denise loves working with glass–both sandblasting and lampwork as well as fostering shelter pets and volunteering at the Austin Zoo, a sanctuary for exotic rescues.

Fun Facts:

Born and raised in San Antonio, she is an avid Spurs fan
Has fostered over 40 kittens and puppies
Lifelong dream is learning to blow glass

Antonia Burchman Recht

Managing Director, Growth Initiatives

Antonia is a Managing Director for Growth Initiatives at Composition Wealth and is responsible for implementing innovative growth strategies including M&A process management, recruitment and retention. Antonia works closely with new advisory teams to ensure seamless transition and integration to Composition Wealth’s platform and culture and facilitates long-term success.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Antonia worked as Executive Recruiter at an international recruiting agency where she worked with a variety of clients, including some of the largest financial service firms in Los Angeles. Before entering financial services, Antonia worked in the marketing division of a global hospitality group based in Los Angeles.

Antonia received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is committed to community empowerment through causes such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, a youth mentorship program and Defy Ventures, a coaching based movement to reduce incarceration statistics.

Fun Facts:

Has recruited over 60% of Composition Wealth’s employees
Since joining, has helped the firm win over 20 industry recognitions
Spends her free time at the farmers market or at a concert

Jay Rudwall

Director, Growth & Advisor Development

Jay Rudwall is the Director of Growth & Advisor Development at Composition Wealth, where he plays a key role in shaping the firm’s approach to organic growth, advisor development, and client experience. Based in our Seattle office, Jay partners across teams to build repeatable growth strategies, support advisor success, and ensure a consistent, high-quality standard of care for clients throughout their financial journey.

Prior to joining Composition, Jay led finance and strategy at Syndio, a Seattle-based tech start-up. Before that, he spent over three years at Brighton Jones, a $10B+ RIA, where he was instrumental in developing the firm’s business development team and systems. His work there helped establish a scalable growth engine and advisor training structure that continues to support the firm’s expansion. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and an MBA in General Management from Tennessee Technological University, where he was a four-year letterman, football team captain, and student-athlete leader.

Jay is passionate about creating thoughtful, intentional processes that drive both client impact and team empowerment. In his current role, he’s focused on enhancing the advisor experience and strengthening the pathways that help prospects confidently become clients.

His fun facts:

Dual-Citizen (and soon to be citizen of a third country).
Many years ago, was a college athlete and captain of the Tennessee Tech Football Team.
Enjoys cooking, traveling, staying active, a good new book, and concerts — especially seeing Mt. Joy.

Brandon Beckner, CFP®

Director, Financial Planner

Brandon is the Director of Financial Planning at Composition Wealth. Brandon guides the firm’s planning first philosophy and ensuring our advisory team has the tools needed to provide clients with a best-in-class financial planning experience. He leads internal training and educational sessions to help advisors bring relevant and timely advice to our clients. Creating comprehensive financial plans for high-net-worth clients also falls under his purview. Being an advisor himself, he excels at identifying strategies that are the best fit for each client’s unique needs.

Brandon started his professional career working with Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) and has done so ever since. He has held various wealth strategy-related roles, ranging from associate advisor to senior management. Most recently, he held the position of Financial Advisor and Vice President at EP Wealth Advisors, specializing in serving high-net-worth families.

Brandon received his B.S. in Finance from Virginia Tech’s Pamplin School of Business and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®). Curious by nature, he has plenty to fill his after-work hours. From scuba diving to backpacking to motorcycling and beyond, Brandon loves spending his free time exploring.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
Active Licenses: Series 65

Fun Facts:

Much to the dismay of his Seattle friends and despite growing up in the D.C. area, he is a diehard 49ers fan
His work in financial services began at 14 when he got a job with an Allstate agency
He likes to buy and sell rare sneakers

Aaron Hung

Associate, Client Service

Aaron is a Client Service Associate at Composition Wealth who collaborates with a team of dedicated advisors to ensure that the comprehensive needs of firm clientele are met.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Aaron served as a wealth management intern at an RIA based in West Los Angeles. There, he helped develop databases for prospective clients and facilitated the onboarding process through the creation and issuance of inter-brokerage transfer reports. Aaron has also gained experience in both traditional financial analysis and portfolio management across previous internship opportunities and extracurricular pursuits.

Aaron earned his bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University, graduating cum laude with a degree in Finance. During his time in university, he was actively involved in his immediate community, volunteering at the Center for Mission Effectiveness, a Christian nonprofit in Westlake Village where he worked to refine partnership strategy for 501(c)(3) organizations. Outside of the office, he enjoys skateboarding, road trips, classic literature, and searching for the next delicious recipe with which he can impress his friends and family.

Active Licenses: Series 66

Fun Facts:

Completed a solo road trip from Washington D.C. to Los Angeles in under 4 days (despite contracting carpal tunnel in both wrists)
Dislikes all forms of cheese with the exceptions of pizza, Cheez-Its, and Goldfish
Co-founded a vintage clothing store with his friends

Adam Messick, WMS℠

Wealth Advisor

Adam Messick takes a personal approach to our clients’ well-being and believes that a strong financial plan is built on the unique needs of each family. As a Wealth Advisor, his role is to understand our clients’ goals and motivations, guiding them through life’s uncertainties and celebrating their achievements. The trust they share helps him to deliver the clarity they need to make sound and intentional choices on their paths to financial success.

Adam began his career as a Financial Advisor at Ameriprise Financial in 2007. After spending time in sales and account management in the tech industry, he returned to wealth management in 2019 to join Vinoble Group, a financial consultancy based in the Pacific Northwest that merged with Composition Wealth in March 2025.

Adam earned a B.S. in Business with a focus in Marketing, Management, and Finance from Whittier College.

He holds the Wealth Management Specialist℠ designation.

Fun Facts:

Adam played lacrosse at Whittier College. Go Poets!
Since moving to Colorado in 2022, Adam has embraced the practice of the cold plunge and relishes the opportunity for a dip in a high mountain lake.
Adam and his wife Clarissa find their time happily consumed with family adventures, Legos, reading with their two daughters, as well as coaching their youth sports teams.

Alexander Cyrus, CFP®, CEPA®

Director, Wealth Advisor

Alexander Cyrus is a Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth, where he leverages his extensive experience to create and execute personalized financial strategies tailored to each client’s unique needs. His role involves building strong client relationships and working closely with the team to deliver outstanding service and support.

Before joining Composition Wealth, Alexander served as a Financial Advisor at Johnstone Financial, where he developed his expertise in client management and advisor support. His career began in a different realm when he managed his family’s 2,000-acre farm in Central Oregon while completing his college education. During this time, Alexander and his family embarked on a new venture in hemp cultivation starting in 2016, where he played a key role in establishing two businesses and bringing the new crop to market.

Alexander holds a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Oregon State University and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA®). His dedication to excellence is further highlighted by his Series 65 license. Outside of work, Alexander enjoys hiking, traveling, and skiing in the Pacific Northwest. He is also actively engaged in the Seattle community, contributing to Harvard Community Partners and participating in various fundraising activities.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
Active Licenses: Series 65
Holds Certified Exit Planning Advisor® (CEPA®) designation

Fun Facts:

Was on the Oregon State Cheerleading Team
Designed the centerpiece artwork in the Oregon office
Experienced in backcountry skiing

Ally Weisfeld

Specialist, Integrations

Ally is an Integrations Specialist at Composition Wealth and works closely with the tech and marketing team to ensure that our firm is growing with the right tools.

Before joining Composition Wealth, she worked as a client service associate, investment operations associate, and marketing and business development associate at Karp Capital Management.

Ally received her bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia with a double major in American Studies and Spanish. In her free time she enjoys spending time with friends, trying out new restaurants, and exploring the Bay Area.

Fun Facts

Donated 48 inches of hair to make wigs for people with cancer or alopecia
Was approached by a restaurant owner to make baked goods for two of his restaurants
Attended the Final Four and championship March Madness games in 2019 (and won, go Hoos!)

Amy Jones

Operations Associate

Amy is an Operations Associate for Composition Wealth. She works with the rest of the operations team to ensure that all the i’s are dotted, and t’s are crossed.

Prior to Composition Wealth, Amy worked in the mortgage industry, preparing documents, to ensure that client transactions were processed quickly and smoothly.

Amy received her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Oklahoma Christian University. She loves weekend trips to the Oregon Coast, playing the piano, and playing Pokemon Go with her three boys.

Fun Facts:

Can quote all the lyrics to Hamilton
Makes a better apple pie than your grandmother
Tries to oil paint in her “free time”

Andrew Ark, CFP®, CIMA®

Director, Wealth Advisor

As a Wealth Advisor, Andrew leverages his background in financial planning and investments to develop and execute strategies designed to achieve clients’ long-term goals. His objective is to simplify their financial lives by offering a full range of planning services, including but not limited to comprehensive financial planning, tax-advantaged portfolio construction, asset allocation, risk management, charitable planning, and wealth transfer planning techniques.

Andrew brings over a decade of experience in servicing the needs of successful individuals, families, and business owners to his role at Composition Wealth. Previously, Andrew was an Advisor at Wealthspire Advisors and an associate at EisnerAmper Wealth Advisors in their New York City Offices.

Andrew received his bachelor’s degree in economics from New York University and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) and Certified Investment Management Analyst® designations. In his free time, he is either at the beach with his dog or cleaning up Los Angeles’ coastline.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
Holds the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation

Fun Facts:

Has surfed over 500+ times across the country and around the world
Competed internationally and was on the NYU fencing team
Within the first two years of living in Los Angeles, he was flown to the South of France to partake in a TV show

Barbara Kettman

Director, Group Benefits

In her role on our Group Benefits team, Barbara Kettman supports business owners and executives in navigating the ever-changing workplace healthcare landscape, crafting unique solutions that seek to reduce risk and improve profits, while providing excellent benefits to their employees. She brings years of insurance and operational expertise to her work finding the right medical, dental, vision, and voluntary coverage to suit our clients’ priorities and budgets and meet the needs of their valued employees. Barbara joined our team when Vinoble Group, a financial consultancy based in the Pacific Northwest, merged with Composition Wealth in March 2025.

Barbara is active in the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce and is a volunteer with the Washington state advocacy team for Compassion International, an organization that works to end child poverty.

Barbara earned an associate degree in accounting from Pierce College. She is Health, Life, and Disability insurance licensed in Washington state.

Fun Facts:

Barbara is a skilled side-by-side (SxS) recreational vehicle pilot. She participates in an annual event in Arizona where she drives blindfolded, while an equally brave passenger instructs her through the course
She is part of a fiercely competitive Bunco league, which is comprised of dear longtime friends
Family plays a central role in Barbara’s life. She is a mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother to two sons, their wives, and four grandsons. They can often be found camping and hiking together, hunting for waterfalls or tearing around on their quads

Ben Offit, CFP®, CEPA®

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Ben is a Partner and a Senior Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth. With over 15 years of experience advising high-net-worth families and entrepreneurs, Ben specializes in wealth transfer planning, risk management, investment policy development, tax-advantaged portfolio construction, and asset allocation. He has earned multiple accolades, including being named a Five Star Wealth Manager by Baltimore Magazine from 2017 to present, a Top Wealth Manager Under 40 by Fortune Magazine, a Top Financial Advisor in America by Five Star Wealth Manager, a Top 100 Person in Finance, and a Leader in Finance by Baltimore Magazine. Ben is dedicated to helping successful professionals, entrepreneurs, and families confidently achieve their long-term financial goals.

Ben holds a degree in Entrepreneurship from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. While in college, he founded Offit Edutainment and developed an interactive, online football game to help students prepare for the SATs. He began his financial planning career in 2009, combining his passion for making a positive impact with his entrepreneurial drive. Ben founded Offit Advisors and merged the firm with Composition Wealth in September 2024.

He is a former Chairman of the Financial Planning Association (FPA), a founding Board member of the Terp Entrepreneur Network, and a graduate of Leadership Baltimore County. Ben is known for his excellent work ethic, high integrity, and keen ability to explain technical financial concepts in simple, understandable terms. His clients value his thoroughness, communication style, and dedication to follow-through.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
Holds Certified Exit Planning Advisor® (CEPA®) designation
Active Licenses: Series 65

Fun Facts:

Ben resides in Fulton, MD, with his wife Amanda, their sons Reed and Nate, and their dog Ray Ray
Enjoys exercising, reading, podcasts, music, traveling to new places domestically and internationally, and the Maryland sports teams
Was once a champion ping pong and tennis player

Benjamin Lake, CFA®, CFP®

Director, Wealth Advisor

Ben is a Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth and works with clients and their families to develop and implement financial plans designed to achieve their financial goals. He is passionate about helping people navigate their financial lives by finding creative opportunities that incorporate all areas of comprehensive financial planning, such as tax strategies, investment management, estate considerations, and risk management.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Ben worked as a financial advisor at an RIA in New York City. His primary responsibilities were working with clients to develop and implement financial plans, establishing processes to deliver financial planning advice to targeted groups of clients, co-managing the firm’s sustainable investment portfolio, educating clients and prospective clients about various topics related to personal finance, and business development. Previously, Ben was a Co-Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Lake Partners Inc., where he was involved in managing client portfolios, developing asset allocation strategies, and macroeconomic research. Ben also worked as an Analyst at Pacific Epoch, an investment research firm in Shanghai, China.

Ben graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree with honors in Asian and Middle Eastern Language and Civilization, with a concentration on China and a minor in Economics. Outside of work, Ben enjoys spending time with his wife and dog, traveling, playing soccer, and trying new cuisines.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
Holds a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation

Fun Fact:

Ben lived in China for several years, both as a student in Beijing and an investment research professional in Shanghai. Sadly, he has forgotten some of his Mandarin skills, but he can still order at Chinese restaurants with ease
He has played soccer competitively since he was a child. He still plays soccer with his wife in a recreational co-ed league in Brooklyn
He enjoys hiking through nature with his dog, Mango, and his wife

Blaine Thompson

Senior Associate, Wealth Associate

Blaine, a Senior Wealth Associate at Composition Wealth, collaborates closely with clients to develop tailored investment strategies and financial plans that reflect their goals and values. Before joining Composition Wealth, he was an Associate at Unionview Wealth Partners, where he supported high-net-worth families through investment research, portfolio management, and financial planning.

Blaine holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Finance from Boston College. A Seattle native, Blaine is glad to be back living and working in his hometown. Outside of the office, Blaine is likely out on Lake Washington, golfing, or playing tennis.

Active Licenses: Series 65

Fun Facts:

Once climbed (and descended) Mt. Ranier in a single day.
Will never turn down any type of competitive game.
Prides himself on giving the best Seattle restaurant recommendations.

Blake McKibbin, JD, ChFC®, CLU®

Director, Wealth Strategist

Blake McKibbin is the Wealth and Estate Strategist at Composition Wealth. Blake serves as a resource to Composition Wealth, their clients, and their clients’ attorneys and accountants in developing wealth transfer strategies for high-net-worth families in the areas of estate planning, lifetime giving, charitable giving, and business sale/business succession planning. In this role, Blake partners with financial advisors to meet individual clients and their attorneys and/or accountants, as well as present at educational seminars.

For 17 years before joining Composition Wealth, Blake has served in several roles in the financial services industry. Most recently Blake served as Director of Advanced Planning at Parcion Private Wealth, in Bellevue, WA; served as Wealth Strategist at RBC based out of the Des Moines, IA office; as President of Syverson Strege and Company in Des Moines, IA; as an Estate and Trust Specialist at Merrill Lynch based out of the Houston, TX office; and as the VP of Advanced Markets at Farm Bureau Financial Services in Des Moines, IA.

Blake received his Juris Doctorate from Drake University Law School and his Bachelor of Science from the University of Utah. Blake maintains his license to practice law in three states (however, in his role at Composition Wealth he does not engage in the practice of law), has attained the ChFC® and CLU® designations.

Active Licenses: Series 65
Licenses previously maintained (not active): Series 6, 7, 26, and 63
Holds the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) and Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) designations

Fun Facts:

Family consists of wife Betsy, son Louis, daughter Orlynn, a giant Irish Wolfhound named Barnaby, and two cats named Pearl and Lloyd
Worked at the Olympic Village during the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics . . . among other odd jobs in his formative years
A native of the prairies of Central Iowa; but has always been drawn to the mountains and ocean. His family now resides on Bainbridge Island, WA which serves as a perfect jumping-off point for them to pursue their active outdoors lifestyle.

Bob Driscoll, AIF®, CEPA®

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Bob is a Managing Director at Composition Wealth and works primarily with privately held business owners and non-profit executives to strategically manage their cash flow and build wealth through tax efficient strategies. He serves as an investment fiduciary to our client’s 401(k), 403(b), Profit Sharing, Defined Benefit Plans, and Endowments. Bob is also responsible for developing and delivering engaging content and communication programs to employees.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Bob held roles on John Hancock’s Retirement Plan Services and Fund teams in Boston, Mass. In these roles, Bob supported financial advisors’ efforts to grow and service their 401(k) business and collaborate with fund managers on the tax implications of their buying and selling decisions.

Bob received his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Denison University. He holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® designation. Bob spends his free time being active in the San Francisco Bay Area with his family.

Holds the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation

Fun Facts:

He’s an avid Notre Dame football fan along with the New England Patriots and Boston Celtics
Bob is a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs through the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center in Richmond, CA

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Bret Hamby, CFA®, APMA®, CRPC®

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

As a Wealth Advisor, Bret Hamby is a partner to our clients in weathering the sometimes-tumultuous storms of their financial lives. Leveraging his 20+ years of experience, he works closely with our clients to understand their needs, creating financial plans and portfolio strategies that serve as a lighthouse throughout all stages and market conditions while remaining tactical and responsive. Bret also acts as an investment and portfolio strategist for our firm, playing a key role in the creative application and implementation of the broader Composition Wealth investment viewpoint.

Bret was one of the founding Partners, CIO, and CFO of Vinoble Group, a financial consultancy in the Pacific Northwest that merged with Composition Wealth in March 2025.

Bret earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Washington.

Holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation
Holds the Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor™ (APMA™) designation
Holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™ ) designation

Fun Facts:

A post-bop jazz connoisseur, Bret was a gigging jazz musician as well as a Jazz Studies major at the University of Southern California before graduating from UW
Bret is a painter whose work hangs on several walls in our office
An avid reader, Bret is a Sherlock Holmes buff and has strong opinions on the perfect lighting for a reading nook

Brianna Sankar

Associate, Client Service

Brianna works closely with the advisory teams to give clients the best customer service experience. Brianna oversees the onboarding of new clients and the opening of new accounts for existing clients.

While pursuing her degree, Brianna interned with Composition Wealth for two years. During her internship, she supported the New York Composition Wealth team by contributing to special projects and providing key assistance across various initiatives.

Brianna earned a Bachelor of Science in Financial Mathematics and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Hofstra University. During her time at Hofstra, she served as Vice President of Finance for the Alpha Phi International Fraternity.

A few fun facts about Brianna:

She enjoys going to Manhattan and the beach when it is nice outside.
She loves to travel and explore new places.
She is from Arizona!

Brian Bunker, CFA®

Director, Portfolio Manager

Brian is a Portfolio Manager at Composition Wealth and is responsible for making fixed income investments for the firm's clients.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Brian was a Senior Credit Research Analyst at Aviva Investors responsible for analyzing investment grade and high yield credits in the healthcare and automotive sectors. Brian started his career at The Federal Reserve Board of Governors and also has fixed income experience at BMO Capital Markets and Neuberger Berman.

Brian graduated with a B.A. from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received a Master in Finance degree from Princeton University. He later became a CFA charterholder. Outside of work, Brian enjoys traveling, spending time with his wife and son, and watching/playing sports.

Holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation.
Active Licenses: Series 65

Fun Facts about Brian:

He lived in Brussels, Belgium as a child
He is a Lifelong Cincinnati Bengals fan - it was hard to admit until they drafted Joe Burrow
He visits Colorado every summer to get out of the city and enjoy fly fishing, horseback riding, and archery

Brian Johnson

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Brian is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth and has worked in wealth management for over 8 years. Brian works with clients to develop and implement customized financial plans and investment strategies. He also spends time with other departments at the firm to build out processes that enable his team to implement strategies to provide top notch client service.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Brian was with a Tennessee-based wealth management firm where he supported areas of advisor growth, reporting, and client service.

Brian received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance from Belmont University, Dean’s. Brian serves as the Director of Finance for Young Entertainment Professionals, Los Angeles, the local chapter of an organization that focuses on networking and providing opportunities for young professionals in the entertainment industry. He is also actively involved in community causes such as volunteering for inner city elementary programs. In his free time, he enjoys flying wingsuits, as well as playing and making music.

Active Licenses: Series 66

Fun Facts:

By age 12, graduated from a nationally recognized financial planning course
Once recorded a song in the famed RCA Studio B in Nashville, TN
Has jumped out of an airplane over 550 times

Brian M. Johnson, CFP®, CRPC®, CEP®, APMA®

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Brian Johnson is a Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth. Since he began his career in 2006, Brian has employed his expertise in small business, tax planning, and estate planning strategies to provide concrete, actionable steps, guiding his clients through all stages of their financial lives. A third-generation small business owner, Brian was one of the founding Partners and CEO of Vinoble Group, a financial consultancy in the Pacific Northwest that merged with Composition Wealth in March 2025.

Brian serves as the co-director of The Soule Foundation, established in 2017 to honor his father Dwight, which raises money for charities focused on providing clothing, school supplies, meals, and other supportive services for local families. He also coaches for the South Sound United League (SSUL) and Cascade Foothills Soccer Club (CHFC).

Brian earned a B.A. in business administration/marketing from the University of North Dakota.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
Holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation
Holds the Certified Estate Planner™ (CEP®) designation
Holds the Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor™ (APMA™) designation

Fun Facts

Brian is a martial arts practitioner of Balintawak Eskrima, PTK and NSI, and has begun dabbling in Muay Thai
Before becoming a Wealth Advisor, Brian trained to be a commercial pilot
A consummate outdoorsman, Brian enjoys hiking, camping, skiing, and climbing. He’s summited Mt. Rainier three times, as well as several other peaks, at one point nearly coinciding with the birth of one of his daughters – a near miss that his wife, Sadie, who is an independent business health insurance broker, won’t let him live down

Brian Mohoric, CRPC®

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

In service of our clients who are business owners and executives, Brian Mohoric acts as an investment fiduciary for many of our clients’ 401(k), 403(b), Profit Sharing, and Defined Benefit Plans. Prior to becoming a Wealth Advisor in 2016, Brian spent 17 years designing, implementing, and administering retirement plans for small and mid-size businesses. This experience allows him to provide unique insights to business owners and employees alike. He has a particular passion for employee engagement, offering financial literacy and investment education to the invaluable workforces that make our clients’ professional dreams possible. Brian works closely with owners and executives in managing their personal finances, so their goals outside the workplace can be achieved as well.

Brian earned a B.A. in Public Relations with a minor in Business from Central Washington University. He was one of the founding Partners, CTO, and Qualified Plans Director of Vinoble Group, a financial consultancy in the Pacific Northwest that merged with Composition Wealth in March 2025.

Holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation.

Fun Facts:

Brian is a level 2 open water certified SCUBA diver
In college, He was a cheerleader and served as captain of a team of 15 talented performers
Brian and his wife Crystal, a registered dental hygienist, host an annual cornhole tournament in their backyard, complete with a highly coveted trophy awarded to the winner

Brock Moseley

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Brock is the Founder and Managing Partner of Miracle Mile Advisors (now Composition Wealth). Over the last two decades, he has served in several capacities within the organization, including as the Head of the Investment Committee and the Risk Management Committee. His life passion is working with entrepreneurs and high-net-worth families to develop customized life plans that incorporate wealth management as well as tax and estate considerations.

Prior to founding the firm, he spent nine years developing strategic investment solutions for high-net-worth families and foundations at Morgan Stanley & Co. and Bel Air Investment Advisors. His primary responsibilities included portfolio construction, evaluation, and management. Before entering the investment advisory business, Brock was a Vice President in the Energy/Technology Group with the Los Angeles-based boutique investment banking firm Brockett Tamny & Company.

Brock earned his bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, with concentrations in Finance, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation. Brock currently serves as Chairman Emeritus and a member of the Board of Directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles. He is also an active member of YPO (Young Presidents Organization), serving as an active member in both the YPO Bel Air Chapter and the YPO Gold Wilshire Chapter. He is also very active in civic causes and was selected as an inaugural member of the California Community Foundation’s Ambassador Within program, aimed at civic leadership and community-building enterprises in Los Angeles. Brock lives in Bell Canyon with his wife, Susan, his daughter, Frankie, and his son, Lincoln.

Awards and Recognition

Investment News See It Be It Role Model, 2020
Investment News Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion, 2020
MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management

Fun Facts:

Named the firm “Miracle Mile” after the neighborhood in which he was raised
Has been involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters for over 40 years
His favorite escape is Whitefish, Montana

Carolyn Orlik

Associate, Client Service - Retirement

Carolyn is a Retirement Client Service Associate and supports the day-to-day needs of retirement plan clients, including trustees and plan participants.

Prior to joining the firm, Carolyn was a trust administrator and account manager for 401(k) corporate retirement plans. She also worked in the nonprofit arena, keeping many balls in the air, including managing volunteers for a performing arts center.

Carolyn earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science at San Francisco State University. Carolyn loves hiking the Sonoma Coast and can often be found enjoying live music events and cheering on the Warriors. She also enjoys serving her community as a board member for a local nonprofit and is an avid podcast listener of various genres while commuting to the office.

Fun Facts:

Self-proclaimed Rummikub champion
Knows all the best beer places in Sonoma County
Co-exists with a 6-foot ball python snake

Chris Ciehanski, CPA, CFP®, CRPC®

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Chris is a Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth, with almost 40 years of experience in accounting and financial services. Chris’s career brought him from the world of Big 8 accounting and Fortune 500 corporate work in healthcare and distribution, where, after almost 20 years, he and his wife and business partner, Wendy, broke away from a major brokerage firm to form Centricity Wealth Management in 2013. Chris served as a Managing Partner and Financial Advisor at Centricity.

As an advisor for the last 30 years, his passion has been working with multi-generation families, executives with an emphasis in healthcare, and MLB players to solve the complex financial challenges they face due to the nature of their careers and the success it brings.

Chris received his BSBA in Accounting from Ohio State University in 1987, his CPA certification in 1989, and his CFP® in 2011. He enjoys cycling, scuba diving, horology, and charitable giving in his free time.

Fun Facts:

Has run in all 50 states
Has swum to shore from Alcatraz twice
Has been a hospice volunteer for almost 25 years

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Christina Marsh

Senior Associate, Client Service

Christina joins Composition Wealth as a dedicated financial professional whose passion for guiding clients through their financial journeys brings her deep fulfillment. She has 25 years of experience, most recently serving clients for three years at Centricity Wealth. During this time, she worked closely with Chris and Wendy Ciehanski, whom she has known for over two decades. Before her tenure at Centricity, she spent 15 years working with the same advisory team through significant transitions—from Merrill Lynch to Morgan Stanley, ultimately establishing an independent RIA.

Originally from Central New York, she now resides with her husband of 32 years on five acres of land with a pond. They have two adult children and cherish the peace and beauty of rural living.

Fun Facts

Is proud of her Italian heritage and, with her daughter, is actively involved in the Chicchi Club, a local Italian women’s organization
Holds an undergraduate degree in Art History; her office features original artwork, including an oil painting by her father
Ran her first marathon at age 50, has completed four, and plans to run at least one more

Christine Ngwiri

Associate, Data Analyst

Christine is a Data Analyst at Composition Wealth, where she supports the firm’s strategic decision-making through data interpretation, visualization, and performance analysis. With a strong foundation in data engineering and analytics, she helps transform complex information into actionable insights that drive smarter business outcomes and more informed client experiences.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Christine served as a Finance Systems and Data Associate at GiveDirectly and held data leadership roles at Invent Consulting and X-fusion. Her experience spans financial systems, data architecture, and pipeline development, with a focus on data engineering that bridge technical and business needs. She also spent over three years as a Technical Program Manager at Pinnacle Integrated Solutions, specializing in ERP and data consulting.

Christine holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science from Multimedia University of Kenya, where she graduated with Second Class Honors, and earned a Data Science certificate from Strathmore University. She is fluent in multiple data languages and tools, including T-SQL, Power BI, and Python.

When she is not crunching numbers, she will most likely be outside adventuring mountains and lakes or camping
She is an avid reader (count long blogposts and threads on X as a read) who likes to dive into almost any well put topic. Currently enjoying history and science reads
She asks “why” more than a toddler. It’s her superpower

Coleman Chamberlain

Associate Research Analyst

Cole is an Associate Research Analyst at Composition Wealth, where he specializes in private investments, leveraging his passion for transforming research into value.

Prior to joining Composition, Cole worked as an Acquistions Analyst for Inland Private Capital Corporation, a firm specializing in multi-owner, tax-focused private placements. His background also includes financial analyst roles at other real-estate focused investment firms.

Cole earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he studied Finance with an emphasis in Certified Financial Planning and a certificate in Real Estate.

Fun Facts:

Cole is passionate about snowboarding and technology
He loves building and repairing computers, and gaming
Loves exploring the latest tech innovations

Connor Wilhelm, CFP®

Director, Wealth Advisor

Connor is a Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth and works with clients to build tailored financial plans designed to enhance their financial picture through each phase of life.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Connor worked in multiple roles at UBS. Most recently, he was a Senior Wealth Strategy Associate, where he helped develop customized wealth management plans for HNW and UHNW families.

Connor received his Bachelor’s degree from California Lutheran University. He currently holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation and has his CA Insurance License #19087543. In his free time, he enjoys staying active by playing basketball, going skiing, and traveling.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
Active Licenses: Series 66
Licenses previously maintained (not active): Series 7

Fun Facts:

Always ready for an adrenaline rush, he had been skydiving, bungee jumping, cliff diving and has done backflips in a plane
Avid skier and have skied most of the major mountains in the US
Full name is John Charles Connor Wilhelm

Craig Borkovec

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Craig is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth and has worked in the financial services industry for over a decade. He and his team take a goal-oriented approach when helping Ultra-High Net Worth families build customized financial plans. The scope of their work typically is centered around scenario planning for future wealth transfers, tax mitigation, and asset protection.

Prior to joining the firm, Craig began his career at Fidelity Investments where he structured financial plans and investments for their clients. He spent the next stage of his career on the sell side at DWS Asset Management, where he worked with financial advisors to analyze portfolio allocations (composed of Individual Stocks, ETFs, Mutual Funds, & Alternative products) and implement adjustments based on current market and macro-economic trends.

Craig sits on the board of Refugee JumpStart, a non-profit focused on professionally coaching refugees worldwide to help strengthen their employability and overall well-being. Craig received his bachelor’s degree in Finance from Saint Louis University where an elective course ran by financial advisors titled, ‘Financial Literacy and how to Apply It’ was his hook into the financial services industry.

Fun Facts:

Is an avid Chicago sports fan (Cubs > Sox) and misses playing year-round golf since moving back to Chicago from southern California
Has a 3-year-old daughter who keeps him and his wife up to date on all the latest Disney movies
Volunteers at Operation HOPE, Banking on our Future to help improve financial literacy in low-income, underfunded areas, and school programs

Craig J. Hanson, CFA®

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Craig Hanson is a Partner and Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth. He engages primarily with high-net-worth families in the areas of holistic financial planning, comprehensive investment and portfolio management, estate planning, and wealth transfer considerations. He views his role to be both a complex problem-solver and a trusted steward of his clients’ financial aspirations.

Craig has been active in the financial services industry since 2009. Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Craig was a partner and Financial Advisor at Seattle-based RIA Unionview Wealth Partners.

Craig earned his Bachelor’s in Economics from the University of Washington. As a lifelong Pacific Northwest resident, Craig now lives north of Seattle with his wife and two young boys where he enjoys coaching his son’s youth soccer team. When he is not in the office or spending time with his family you can find him on the ski slopes, the golf course, or out on his bicycle.

Holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation
Active Licenses: Series 66

Fun Facts

Comes from a blue-collar background; his mother was the first female journeywoman mechanic in the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 32 Seattle union
Has a twin brother
Once was part of the opening act for a Grammy-nominated recording artist

Curtis Christian

Senior Associate, Client Service

Curtis is a Senior Client Service Associate at Composition Wealth and focuses on the onboarding of new clients. In this role, he strives to make each interaction with clients a “white-glove” experience, while working closely with the investment and advisor teams.

His professional experience in the financial services industry spans over 12 years beginning with Fisher Investments as a Research Assistant while attending college full time. Prior to Composition Wealth, Curtis worked in the investment banking world supporting a team of private equity advisors.

Curtis graduated from San Francisco State University with a bachelor’s degree in Finance with a minor in Religious Studies.

Licenses previously maintained (not active): Series 7 and 63

Fun Facts:

Curtis had also been a professional musician and a published songwriter
He enjoys volunteering in the community, travel and exploring all the cuisine, culture, and natural beauty of Northern California with his wife

Daniel Tang, CFP®

Director, Wealth Advisor

Daniel is a Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth and works closely with clients to structure investment strategies and financial plans designed to enhance their personal financial goals.

His experience at a large wealth management institution prior to joining Composition Wealth Advisors, coupled with his background on the client service and onboarding team, bolsters his ability to provide a straightforward and strategic experience for clients.

Daniel earned his bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley in Environmental Economics and Policy and holds his Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
Active Licenses: Series 65

Fun Facts:

He loves watching the Golden State Warriors, savoring the Bay Area culinary landscape, and dominating the local cycling, tennis, and water polo scenes
He played water polo growing up and was the captain of the Cal men's club team
He (mostly) conquered his fear of heights by going skydiving

Daniella Tagliavia

Associate, Client Service

Daniella is a Client Service Associate at Composition Wealth and works closely with the advisory teams to give clients the best customer service experience.

Before joining Composition Wealth, Daniella worked as a permanent substitute teacher where she communicated closely with students and staff creating a fun and engaging atmosphere within the classroom. Along with that, Daniella has her own Etsy shop where she sells reading journals and communicates with her customers on a daily basis.

Daniella received her bachelor's degree in mathematics from St. Joseph’s University. In her downtime, Daniella enjoys hanging out with her family and friends, playing tennis, and reading a good book.

Fun Facts:

Her ideal day is going to the beach with a good book
Loves eating/trying new foods (is literally a bottomless pit sometimes)
She played tennis all through high school and still plays once in a while

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Darren Stauffer

Manager, Operations

Darren is an Operations Manager at Composition Wealth, responsible for overseeing the operations of our Baltimore office. He manages the timing and delivery of financial plans and reports for clients. Working closely with Mitch Caplan, he ensures that our clients receive the highest level of personal service.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Darren spent 27 years working in client service and operational roles for Caplan Financial Group, LLC. As a result of his longevity with the firm, he has gained extensive experience in all operational facets of a high-touch, personalized financial planning firm. He was instrumental in taking the firm from a one-line telephone system with no computer to the technologically advanced operation it is today.

Darren has earned and maintained the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®) designation since 2009. He served four years with Youth With a Mission as the executive assistant to the CEO. Darren has been active in his church for many years, serving on the church board and teaching classes. He and his wife, Pam, are licensed foster parents, providing respite and emergency care for children in need.

Fun Facts:

Darren, Pam, and their three adult children have all sung together in public. They have one granddaughter and more on the way!
Been on multiple mission trips to Mexico, Guatemala, and Ecuador
Enjoys driving and taking care of his classic truck

David Bleeck, CPA

Director, Senior Wealth Advisor

David is a Director at Composition Wealth and provides investment advice to his business management clients through the firm. He has over 15 years of professional experience in the financial services industry advising high net worth clients on a variety of financial planning, investment, and tax-related issues. He is also a CPA and Partner with Goodfriend & Jacobs, a boutique family office, business management, and CPA firm located in Santa Monica.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, David was a senior manager at an international entertainment business management firm servicing clients in the music, film, tv, and new media content industries. He started his career at a Los Angeles-based CPA firm in the audit and assurance department, spending several years completing financial statement audits and reviews of mid-size, privately held businesses in various industries and in the non-profit sector.

David holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from San Diego State University and a Master’s degree in Taxation from California State University Northridge.

Is a Certified Public Accountant
Is a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of CPAs
Active Licenses: Series 65

Fun Facts:

Served in Bolivia as a Micro-Enterprise Development volunteer for the United States Peace Corps
Was a foreign exchange student in Argentina during his senior year of high school
Is an active member of the SDSU Aztec Mentor Program

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Desiree Vigil

Senior Associate, Client Service

Desiree is a Senior Client Service Associate with Composition Wealth, joining the team in 2021. She works closely with advisory teams to enhance the overall client experience.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Desiree worked as a manager and trainer for 8 years at a large virtual receptionist company where she discovered her passion for training fellow employees on processes and providing clients with exceptional service.

Desiree received her bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences – Family Studies from California State University, Sacramento, and minored in Spanish. She and her husband live in Boise, ID with their 2 cats and enjoy reading, hiking, and trying new restaurants and coffee shops.

Fun Facts:

Has over 300 Lego sets
Enjoys spicy food and has yet to find a spicy dish she can't handle
Is an avid San Francisco Giants fan and has a goal of visiting every MLB stadium

Dominic Salvatierra

Associate, Client Service

Dominic is a Client Service Associate at Composition Wealth, where he works on the operations and client onboarding team.

Before joining Composition Wealth, Dominic worked as a financial analyst for a manufacturing company, where he provided customer service and financial analysis.

He graduated from Sonoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. In his free time, Dominic enjoys playing rugby, hanging out with his husky, and going on hikes.

Fun Facts:

German citizen
Die-hard bay area sports fan

Edwin Calva

Associate, Client Service

Edwin is a Client Service Associate at Composition Wealth and collaborates with the advisory teams to elevate and support the overall client experience and needs.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Edwin served as an Accounts Receivables Specialist with a company that acquired 20 firms in a year, where he managed financial transactions and ensured accurate receivables processing. Following that, he participated in the FADP Merrill Lynch program and transitioned into a role as a Loan Manager, overseeing various aspects of loan management. He was also a Credit Fraud Analyst at City National Bank, where he detected and prevented fraudulent activities for the benefit of their clients.

Edwin received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, earning a degree in Sociology with a focus on Technology Management and Economics. Before this, he attended Community College, obtaining five Associates, including Business Administration, Business Technology, and Math + Science. It was during his time in City College that he developed a keen interest in finance.

Fun Facts:

Grew up horseback riding
Throughout his life, he has played over 5 instruments - now only knowing 1
Loves cooking new recipes and can spend hours in the kitchen without realizing

Eli Saldamando

Associate, M&A Analyst

Eli is an M&A Analyst at Composition Wealth, supporting our inorganic and organic growth strategies.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Eli was an analyst at PIMCO. He also worked at IEQ Capital, a $32B RIA in LA as an associate on their client-facing team.

Eli received his bachelor’s degree in Economics & Accounting from UC Santa Barbara.

Fun Facts:

Growing up his family has always had a beagle (and still do)
Huge fan of breakfast burritos!
He likes to head to the beach or go off-roading on the weekends

Elizabeth Brittain

Associate, Operations

Elizabeth is an Operations Associate at Composition Wealth and works with the rest of the operations team to ensure a seamless experience for clients and advisors.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Liz worked in the investment management industry in a variety of roles, most recently focused on operational design and creation of new client accounts and pooled vehicles.

Liz received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley. In 2021, she and her husband moved to a small town in beautiful Door County, Wisconsin (from NYC!) and enjoys being part of a tight-knit community: Friday fish fries, brats, local brew pubs and distilleries, free summer concerts, hiking and, of course, the Packers.

Fun Facts:

Born and raised in CA, Liz has lived in a variety of places – including Oregon, Washington DC, New York City, Tasmania, and the Netherlands
As part of a global community of so-called “perfumistas”, she owns over 100 fragrances and has attended Sniffapalooza in NYC
There’s always at least one cat in the household, usually more

Emil Georgiev

Senior Associate, Portfolio Strategist

Emil is a Trader at Composition Wealth and works closely with the advisors at the firm to provide trading support for clients.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Emil worked at an RIA as an investment advisor where he helped maintain client relationships, oversee investment activity, and rebalance portfolios.

Emil received his bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, earning a major in Business Administration with a concentration in Financial Management. He also completed internships in the fields of portfolio management and trading. Outside of work, he enjoys basketball, skateboarding, and art.

CFA™ level 1 exam passed

Fun Facts:

Was born in Bulgaria and is fluent
Knows how to drive a manual car
Loves to travel but gets airsick every time

Gerard V. Tamparong, CFA®, CFP®

Managing Director, Senior Wealth Advisor

Gerard is a Managing Director at Composition Wealth and has more than 20 years of experience in institutional investment management. He heads the client service of the firm’s institutional investment group.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Gerard was Senior Vice President and senior portfolio manager in the asset allocation management group at Payden & Rygel, where he made investment decisions for pension plans, foundations, endowments, Native American Indian tribes, non-profit organizations, schools, and union portfolios.

Gerard received his bachelor’s degree in Biology from Loyola Marymount University. Gerard holds the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designations. Additionally, he holds 66 securities licenses. Gerard is a member of the CFA Institute and the CFA Society of Los Angeles. He is also a member of the board of directors of the Inland Empire United Way and an active member of Rotary International, is the Treasurer of the Arcadia Rotary Club.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
Holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation

Fun Facts:

First appeared on CNBC with his college friends and their investment club
Won the LA County Net Amateur golf tournament in 2014
Wrote code for his first investment job, testing for Y2K compliance

Gino Valente

Associate, Portfolio Strategist

Gino is an Investment Analyst at Composition Wealth and aids in the analysis of portfolio performances, maintaining data processes, and prospective client proposals.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Gino worked as an Investment Services Associate at Karp Capital Management and a Market Analyst at REPS & Co.

Gino received his bachelor's degree in International Economics from the University of California, San Diego. Outside of the classroom, Gino enjoys giving back to the community and volunteering at San Diego Habitat for Humanity.

Fun Facts:

Studied German for two years and plans to become fluent
Loves tennis, cycling, and riding his dirt bike
Has completed the 75 Hard Challenge

Grace Paulson

Integrations Analyst

Grace is an Integrations Analyst at Composition, where she streamlines the onboarding of new teams and processes into the firm’s evolving operational framework. By leveraging her expertise in analytics, relationship management, and strategic planning, she ensures a seamless transition as we welcome new partners to the firm.

Prior to joining Composition, Grace served as an Institutional Sales Analyst at Russell Investments, where she drove business growth on their Go-To-Market team. Specializing in Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) sales, her contributions focused on optimizing sales strategy and strengthening client relationships.

Grace received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Finance from the University of Washington’s Michael G. Foster School of Business. In her free time, Grace enjoys skiing, hiking, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Active Licenses and Certifications:

Series 7
Series 63
CFA Level 2 Candidate

Fun facts:

She woke up at 2am to climb Half Dome at Yosemite National Park.
She’s an avid skier and enjoys touring in the backcountry.
She holds a record at the Washington State Fair for the longest Mutton Bustin' ride.

Grant Johnstone, JD, CFP®, CDFA®

Managing Director, Senior Wealth Advisor

Grant is a Managing Director at Composition Wealth and provides financial planning and investment allocation services to his clients. He has over 25 years of experience as a Financial Advisor specializing in the investment and planning needs of high net worth clients.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Grant was the CEO and founder of Johnstone Financial Advisors. Concurrently, Grant is the CEO and founder of Johnstone Brokerage Services, a FINRA member firm that provides continuity of service for legacy annuity products.

Grant earned his law degree and bachelor’s of business administration degree in Economics from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification and holds Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA® ) designations.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
Holds a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) designation

Fun Facts:

Has 2 pet ducks that he has raised with his kids in his backyard
Is a farmer-in-training on a historic family farm (est.1893) in Center, Texas
Enjoys restoring vintage pinball machines and composing electronic music

Jackson Greer

Associate, Client Service

As a Client Service Associate at Composition Wealth, Jackson Greer maintains the engine that drives our client outreach, assisting his team members in delivering exceptional service, all while keeping up with our clients’ busy lives. He manages scheduling and client inquiries; or, as he likes to say, he “makes sure everyone gets to the right time and place.”

Jackson began his career in wealth management in 2022, having worked with students in Special Education and in operations and event production in the tech industry before joining us. He was a member of Vinoble Group, a financial consultancy based in the Pacific Northwest that merged with Composition Wealth in March 2025.

Jackson earned a B.A. in History from Marquette University.

Fun Facts:

No stranger to a road trip, Jackson has visited all 50 states – and 48 of them twice!
Having grown up in Salinas, CA, the San Francisco Giants are Jackson’s baseball team of choice, but his passion for the sport extends beyond mere spectatorship. A fount of baseball knowledge, both present and past, he does statistical research on historical baseball stats and has created a database by which players of different eras can be evaluated against one another.
Jackson is a true movie buff. He makes full use of his SIFF cinema membership, is always adding to his DVD collection, and often recommends films for his fellow Composition Wealth team mates to enjoy.

Jave Ragan, CPA, CFP®

Managing Director, Senior Wealth Advisor

Jave Ragan is a Senior Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth, bringing more than 25 years of experience guiding high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families through the complexities of wealth management. He works closely with clients to design comprehensive financial plans that integrate investment management, estate planning, tax strategies, and philanthropy, helping them align their financial decisions with their values and long-term goals.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Jave served as a Senior Wealth Advisor at Bordeaux Wealth Advisors and spent nine years as a Senior Wealth Planning Strategist at Wells Fargo Private Bank, where he partnered with clients on estate planning, business succession, and family meetings to foster intergenerational wealth transfer. His earlier career includes leadership roles as a Relationship Manager at Greene Wealth Management and as a Senior Project Manager at The Rainier Group, advising privately held businesses on advanced estate and investment planning strategies.

Jave earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from Washington State University. Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification and holds a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.

Outside of work, Jave enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest, spending time with his family, and staying active in his local community.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
Holds the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation

Fun Facts

Has been Heli skiing in Canada three times.
Coached youth baseball and soccer for 8 years.
Enjoys riding motorcycles both on- and off-road.

Jeanne Berger

Associate, Client Service

Jeanne is a Client Service Associate with Composition Wealth, joining with Team Offit of Columbia, Maryland in October 2024. Developing relationships with our clients is a focus that brings a great feeling of accomplishment.

With 8 years of experience with the Offit Team, Jeanne previously owned and operated Early Childhood Learning Centers where she found gratification in providing quality childcare and early education to families, and mentoring to the teachers and staff..

With a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Leadership in Administration from Stevenson University, she continues to mentor teachers and staff from her former childcare centers. Spends as much time as possible with her four granddaughters, Mallory, Nadia, Makenzie, and Elliott, and her Maine Coone cat, Jake.

Fun facts:

Favorite game – Mah Jongg
High score in Duckpin Bowling – 196
Favorite Teams – Orioles and Ravens

Jeff Alpert, JD

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Jeff is a Managing Director and Partner at Composition Wealth and works closely with clients to design and implement customized financial plans and family office solutions based on their unique needs. Jeff leads the reinsurance practice at the firm, which includes supporting hundreds of automotive and RV dealers nationwide.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Jeff was a corporate attorney for a national law firm.

Jeff received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California Los Angeles and law degree from Duke University. He sits on the Board of Directors of Miracle Mile and American Dawn, Inc. in addition to advising the Board of Pray.com. In his free time, Jeff officiates collegiate lacrosse and volunteers on the UCLA Alumni Scholars Board.

Fun Facts:

Jeff was a former competitive eater and made his national TV debut on The Wheel of Fortune

Jeffrey Jacobs, CPA

Managing Director, Senior Wealth Advisor

Jeff is a Managing Partner at Composition Wealth and provides investment advice to his business management clients through the firm. Jeff has over 25 years of professional experience in the financial services industry advising high net worth clients on a variety of financial planning, investment, and tax related issues. He is also a CPA and principal with Goodfriend & Jacobs, a boutique business management CPA firm in Santa Monica.

Prior to founding Goodfriend & Jacobs, Jeff was the principal owner and founder of Jacobs Management Group, Inc. and prior to that the tax manager at International Business Management, Inc., both companies servicing the financial, tax, and investment needs of high net-worth clients in the entertainment industry.

Jeff earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He is a Certified Public Accountant and member of the California Society of CPA’s.

Active Licenses: Series 65

Fun Facts:

Loves playing and writing music
Originally went to college to become an electrical engineer and to design musical instruments
Enjoys swimming, reading, and a competitive game of billiards

John Caffrey, CFP®

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

John is a Managing Partner at Composition Wealth and has over 37 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has dedicated his career to furnishing a full range of financial services, products and strategies. Thorough and innovative, John has helped hundreds of professionals, institutions, high net worth individuals and business owners realize financial independence.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth as a Managing Director, John was the owner of Castle Asset Management, LLC, an independent, SEC-regulated investment advisory firm. In addition to working directly with some of the firm’s key clients in the advanced planning area, he oversees the New York office for the firm.

John is a graduate, Cum Laude, from the State University of New York Oswego with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and a Minor in Economics. Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification. He received his designation through the College of Financial Planning in Denver, Colorado, in July of 1988. John is a member of the Financial Planning Association.

John was one of the Founders and sat as the vice-chairman of Empire National Bank. He also works closely with and supports Angela’s House. Angela’s House assists families caring for medically frail children. He currently lives in Hauppauge, NY, with his wife Laura, his sons Ryan and Tyler, and daughter Victoria.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
Is a member of the Financial Planning Association

Fun Facts:

Loves to be outdoors in the Adirondacks
Has competed in triathlons since 1992 and finished 13 Ironman distance races
His earliest childhood memory is being in the bleachers on bat day at Yankee Stadium

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John Pozniak III

Senior Associate, Client Service

John is a Client Service Manager at Composition Wealth and is responsible for managing the day-to-day communication and workflow for our domestic and international clientele. Once a client’s financial plan has been constructed, he takes charge of completing the action items necessary to implement the plan.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, John was a Client Service Manager at Caplan Financial Group (CFG), which was acquired by Composition Wealth. Before that, he was a manager at Qbit PC, an online computer electronics company. As manager of Qbit’s customer care division, he was responsible for post-sale customer service for all corporate and individual clients.

John graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Psychology degree from Salisbury University. He is the Treasurer of The Matt Trone Foundation, a non-profit charity he helped create after his best friend suddenly passed away. He is also a member of Team Mattitude, which has been one of the Top Community fundraising teams for the Maryland Heart Walk for the past 6 years.

Fun Facts:

He and his wife Teri love to volunteer at their local animal shelter, BARCS, and play foster parents to rescue dogs in search of their "fur"ever home. Recently "foster failed" on their 20th foster and adopted their current "dogter", Lily Rose
Love to travel and feel that the best way to experience a new country and its people is by eating its food!
Born in Keflavik, Iceland and spent some time in Adak, AK, and Winter Harbor, ME, before his family finally settled down in the Fort Meade, MD area

Kaitlyn Mahoney

Associate, Client Service

Kaitlyn is a Client Service Associate at Composition Wealth and works to ensure seamless communication and support between clients and advisors by addressing their inquiries and facilitating transactions with precision and care. She works in support of Composition Wealth’s mission to empower clients to reach their financial goals.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Kaitlyn worked as a Customer Success Manager for a Healthcare firm. She also has previous experience in the financial world, working with advisors and clients to reach financial freedom and gain financial literacy.

Kaitlyn holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University. She is very active in the health and fitness community and enjoys spending time volunteering at numerous non-profits.

Fun Facts:

Has a strong passion for living a healthy, active lifestyle… we are talking gym-before-work type of person
Spends her free time cooking and baking for friends and family (She also brings her treats into the office occasionally 😉)
She has a two-year-old King Charles Cavalier, as per the photo, he is simply the best!

Katie LaPlante

Senior Associate, Compliance Officer

Katie is the Senior Compliance Officer at Composition Wealth and has over 15 years of professional experience in the financial services industry. Katie is responsible for overseeing the ongoing operations and procedures for her advisory team. She leads the administrative team to ensure that the team has the proper operational controls, administrative procedures, and people systems in place to effectively support our advisors and their clients.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Katie was the Managing Principal and Chief Operations Officer of Johnstone Financial Advisors, an RIA located in Lake Oswego, OR.

Katie earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Portland State University. Katie enjoys spending her free time with family and friends, reading, hiking, jogging, and, whenever possible, escaping on a road trip to the beautiful Oregon Coast.

Licenses previously maintained (not active): Series 7, 26 and 63

Fun Facts:

Could beat anyone in F.R.I.E.N.D.S. trivia
Has completed the Hood to Coast relay 3 times
Is a Christmas season fanatic

Kyle L. Breslow, CPA

Director, Senior Wealth Advisor

Kyle is a Director at Composition Wealth and provides investment advice to his business management clients through the firm. Kyle has over 10 years of professional experience in the financial services industry, advising high net worth clients on a variety of financial planning, investment, and tax-related issues. He is also a CPA and senior manager with Goodfriend & Jacobs, a boutique family office, business management, and CPA firm located in Santa Monica.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Kyle specialized in tax at an entertainment business management firm servicing clients in the music, film, & tv. Kyle started his career at an international CPA firm in the audit and assurance department in San Francisco before moving into the private sector as a financial controller, and then becoming a business manager/advisor after moving to Los Angeles.

Kyle holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from California Polytechnic University of San Luis Obispo and is a CPA.

Is a Certified Public Accountant
Is a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of CPAs

Fun Facts:

Is the son of an immigrant mother from Casablanca, Morocco, and he has traveled to Morocco to visit family and learn about his Jewish roots
Has a one-of-35 made, 1957 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce and attends Cars and Coffee Malibu on a weekly basis, as well as enjoys driving PCH with the top down with his wife
Is an avid hiker. Hiked the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim in less than 24 hours and has hiked to the peak of Mount Whitney with his now wife

Langley Thomas

Associate, Trader

Langley is a Trader at Composition Wealth and works with the trading and investment teams along with many of the firm’s advisors to execute trades for the firm’s clients. He also implements investment strategies for their portfolios and handles portfolio rebalancing.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Langley worked as an Associate at Lenox Advisors and as an Analyst at The Kairos Companies in the wealth management and private equity industries, respectively. He also has experience in talent management and stock market research through prior roles and internships.

Langley received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Active Licenses: Series 66

Fun Facts:

Played cornerback in football for nearly a decade including on UPenn's Sprint Football team, which is a lightweight league for schools in the Northeast
Recently fed an ostrich at an ostrich farm in Solvang, CA
His girlfriend is an identical twin and he occasionally gets them confused

Laura Sendldorfer, ChFC®, CIC®

Director, Wealth Advisor

Laura is a Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth, bringing a wealth of expertise and a passion for helping clients achieve financial peace and freedom. Originally from Germany, Laura’s diverse background enriches her approach to wealth management. Since starting her career in financial services in 2017, she has specialized in guiding entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and families through money management, investments, and insurance planning.

Before joining Composition Wealth, Laura began her career as an insurance specialist, laying the foundation for her transition into wealth advisory. Her ability to tailor strategies to her clients' unique needs and long-term goals has made her a trusted partner for those seeking financial success.

In addition to her professional role, Laura serves as the Chairman of the Financial Planning Association of Maryland, demonstrating her leadership within the financial planning community. Her commitment to professionalism, transparency, and client-centered service ensures that each individual or family she works with receives expert guidance and peace of mind as they navigate their financial journey.

Holds the Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation
Holds the Certified Insurance Counselor® (CIC®) designation
Active License: Series 65

Fun Facts:

Loves to travel and explore new cultures
Indulges in culinary experiences

Lawrence Goodfriend, CPA

Managing Director, Senior Wealth Advisor

Lawrence is a Managing Director at Composition Wealth and provides investment advice to his business management clients through the firm. Lawrence has over 20 years of professional experience in the financial services industry, advising high net worth clients on a variety of financial planning, investment, and tax-related issues. He is also a CPA and principal with Goodfriend & Jacobs, a boutique business management CPA firm in Santa Monica.

Prior to founding Goodfriend & Jacobs, Lawrence was a principal at Goodfriend & Associates, CPAs (which he merged into Goodfriend & Jacobs). Lawrence started his career at a large CPA firm specializing in real estate.

Lawrence earned his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from San Diego State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the California Society of CPA’s.

Is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Active Licenses: Series 65

Fun Facts:

Splits his time between Los Angeles and Rhode Island, and enjoys the beaches in both places
Is a proud husband and father of four
Completed undergrad with a Minor in Japanese and subsequently lived in Japan for a year

Lee Henley

Senior Associate, Client Service - Retirement

Lee is a Director of Retirement Operations at Composition Wealth and works closely with business owners regarding 401(k) and 403b retirement plan design options and ongoing ERISA compliance matters. She also works closely with retirement plan investment providers, third-party administration firms, and plan participants.

She has been in the financial services & securities business for over 35 years. Lee began her career at Fidelity Investments and was instrumental in establishing and managing one of Fidelity’s first retail investment centers in San Francisco.

Lee is a member of the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA), Western Pension & Benefits Council, holds a California Real Estate License, and a Cash Balance Consultant Certificate. (Series 6, 7, 24 & 63 Securities licenses previously held).

Holds a California Real Estate License
Holds Cash Balance Consultant Certificate

Fun Facts:

Was in her high school band with the hard hat guy from the Village People.
Owned and rode horses growing up.
Enjoys taking care of other people’s dogs when they travel and is an avid SF Giants fan.

M. Katherine (Katie) Pieper

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Katie is a Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth, with almost 40 years of experience in financial services. Katie’s career brought her from the capital markets on Wall Street to the Pacific Northwest in 1989, where after 20 years, she and her business partner broke away from a major brokerage firm to form Unionview Wealth Partners (formerly Unionview Investment Group) in 2009. Katie served as Managing Partner and Financial Advisor at Unionview.

For the last 25 years, as an advisor, Katie’s passion has been working with multi-generation families to realize the goals for their lives and subsequent generations. Incorporating retirement, estate and tax planning along with college savings and charitable giving into financial plans and seeing those plans come to fruition is what she finds truly rewarding.

Katie received her Master’s in Finance from Seattle University in 1994 and her BA in Political Science from the University of Tennessee a long time ago. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, cycling, yoga, traveling with her husband and two daughters, and spending time with her extended bi-coastal family and friends.

Fun Facts:

Has lived in 7 states and visited 49…only an Alaskan adventure remains
Has 54 first cousins
Listens to about 20 podcasts a week

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Marie-Capucine Bignolas

Associate, Office Adminsitrator

Marie-Capucine (Marie) is the Executive Office Administrator and has a close collaboration with each department of the firm. She strives to provide the most impeccable service possible to the whole family, including clients and everyone behind her desk, from advisors to interns, while cultivating valuable relationships with custodians and vendors.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Marie studied literature and sociology back home in France. Since her arrival to the United States, she has taught Middle-school French, and slung shots for an artisanal coffee roaster on the East Coast before becoming a medical interpreter here in Los Angeles. A life-long student & volunteer, trotting in a straight line across the globe, she discovered finance by studying an introductory course on world markets long distance from the University of Geneva a few years back.

She holds a bachelor’s in Sociology, CS, and CSPO Certifications with various licenses in fields ranging from anatomy of the lower limbs to 19th-century epistolary Japanese art. She is currently a member of the Junior League of Los Angeles and enjoys working with Aviva in Hollywood whenever she can find the time to serve. Other hobbies include chess, hiking, woodworking, reading, cooking, and yoga.

Fun Facts:

There are statues of her face standing on several French highways
She learned yoga simply to imitate a National Geographic photo she saw at age 6 of a ballerina’s back bend
She loves a good cigar with a wedge of lemon

Mark R. Dennie, MSPFP, CFP®, CRPC®, APMA®, CLTC®, BFA™, MPAS™

Director, Wealth Advisor

As a Wealth Advisor, Mark Dennie is driven by creating ah-ha moments, seeing the light bulb go off when he provides immediate and impactful value to the clients sitting across from him. A proponent of multigenerational planning, he acts as a resource to our clients and their extended families, not only offering advice towards achieving their shared goals, but serving as a sounding board and facilitator in sometimes difficult “what if” conversations. By opening the lines of communication and taking an educational approach to such topics as retirement planning, insurance protection, and long-term care, he empowers our clients to make sound financial decisions.

Mark began his career in 1994 and, as a lifelong learner who is committed to providing practical and responsive advice to his clients, has consistently worked to build out the tools in his toolkit ever since. He joined our team when Vinoble Group, a financial consultancy based in the Pacific Northwest, merged with Composition Wealth in March 2025.

Mark earned a B.A. in Economics from Western Washington University and a M.S. in Personal Financial Planning from the College for Financial Planning.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
Holds aBehavioral Financial Advisor™ (BFA™) designation
Holds a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation
Holds an Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor℠ (APMA™)
Is a Certified Long-Term Care® (CLTC®) professional
Holds a Master Planner Advanced Studies™ (MPAS®) designation

Fun Facts:

Mark is a driving instructor for the Porsche Club of America, Pacific Northwest Region. In fact, his need for speed is a family affair; his two daughters have started autocrossing and learning the art of high-performance driving
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Mark can’t say no to Marionberry pie. We make sure he has a pie to celebrate his birthday each year
Mark and his wife Valerie, who owns her own health and beauty business, have a blended family of four children and cherish the times when they can all be together sharing a good meal

Matt Cheney, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®

Director, Wealth Advisor

Matt is a Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth and helps manage client relationships to ensure top-quality service for his team. Since 2004, he has been working with individuals and families to craft comprehensive financial plans to meet their goals with confidence and peace of mind. Matt is passionate about staying abreast of changes to the laws and developing proactive strategies to help his clients. He believes that his clients deserve to have an advisor work as hard for them as they did to build their wealth.

Matt received his bachelor’s degree in Management from Loyola University Maryland.

Outside of work, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, whether it's spending time at their home on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, traveling, or golfing.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ® certification
Holds a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) designation
Holds a Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®) designation
Active Licenses: Series 65

Fun Facts:

Avid golfer
Annual tradition with his dad of playing golf in Ireland
Proud girl dad!

Max Koep

Director, Growth Initiatives

Max is a Director of Growth Initiatives at Composition Wealth and focuses on organic and inorganic growth. His role is pivotal in streamlining acquisitions, introducing and scaling referral streams, and improving the efficiency of our advisory teams.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Max was a Business Analyst at Freestone Capital Management, a $9B RIA in Seattle, Washington. Max also worked at a boutique investment fund based out of New York called Agena Investment Management leading their quantitative modeling efforts and go-to-market approach.

Max received his Bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business. Outside of work, he is an avid skier, tennis player, and spikeballer. He prioritizes getting out and exploring the mountains.

Fun Facts:

He has asphalt in his face (avoid street car tracks on bikes)
His grandparents were born on 4 different continents
He is an avid skier and has logged more than 40 days of the last 4 ski-seasons

Michael Attaway, CFA®

Director, Portfolio Management

Michael is the Director of Portfolio Management at Composition Wealth. He has over 10 years working in investment services and has worked in a variety of industries including banking, accounting, and wealth management. He uses his knowledge and expertise to help drive portfolio construction and investment strategy execution.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Michael served as the Director of Investment Services where he coordinated the development of investment models and managed the trading team at Karp Capital Management.

Michael received a Master of Science degree in financial analysis from the University of San Francisco and is a CFA® charter holder.

Is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) holder

Fun Facts:

Enjoys spearfishing in Mexico, and can free dive 20+ meters
Loses his voice after almost every San Francisco 49ers game
Hosts an annual party called Wing Fest, where wing eaters enjoy dipping wings in a buffalo sauce fountain

Michael Cocom

Associate, Client Service

Michael is a Client Service Associate at Composition Wealth and is responsible for tracking the company's daily workflow and performing on-ground assistance in completing team projects. Michael has over two years in the insurance/finance industry.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Michael was a pro boxer and a financial representative at Northwestern Mutual. He specialized in comprehensive planning pertaining to insurance and trained hard to compete in his bouts. Michael holds his life, accident, and health license aside with his pro boxing card.

Outside of work, he enjoys watching movies, playing video games, and hanging out with his friends.

Fun Facts:

Can do a backflip
Was vegan for five years
Can juggle for one hour straight

Michael Wirth

Director, Finance

Michael is the firm’s Director of Finance and helps prepare the firm’s budget and long-term projections. Prior to his current role, Michael was a Financial Analyst where he worked closely with the Investment Strategy Group and advisors at the firm to provide client portfolio evaluations, asset allocation recommendations, and model development.

Before joining Composition Wealth, Michael worked at an acquisitive insurance brokerage with a national footprint, where he aided in integrating new agencies onto the platform and performed corporate financial planning and analysis duties. He also completed internships in the fields of investment banking, wealth management, and energy consulting.

Michael received his bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, earning a major in Economics and a minor in Political Science. Outside of work he enjoys electric biking and online gaming with friends.

Holds an active Series 65 license

Fun Facts:

Enjoys hiking
Was a competitive bowler until college
Has a hole-in-one in golf

Mikayla Bucher

Associate, Client Service

Mikayla is a Client Service Associate at Composition Wealth, supporting the needs of our clients and advisors to ensure a positive and efficient experience.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Mikayla worked as a Sales and Trading Summer Analyst in the Corporate and Investment Banking sector of Wells Fargo. She participated in a rotational program moving through different sectors of the Fixed Income division, gaining experience on the Corporate Rates and FX, Municipal Bonds, and Credit desks. Before that, she gained further financial and clientele experience as an intern with an insurance agency in Los Angeles.

Fun Facts:

Would make custom cakes and desserts throughout high school and college, and recently made her first wedding cake
Is a huge fan of all things trivia, movies, and board games (although can get pretty competitive at game nights)
Has over 80 living relatives in Switzerland

Mitch Caplan

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Mitch is a Managing Partner at Composition Wealth and has over three decades of experience delivering comprehensive financial and investment advice to individuals and families. He was the Founder and President at Caplan Financial Group (CFG) and combined his firm with Composition Wealth Advisors in February 2024. Mitch’s thinking was: “Our clients deserve a top-notch platform for financial planning and investing as well as for future growth. Composition Wealth provides all that and so much more.”

Before registering as an independent advisory firm, Mitch was part of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in the mid and late 1990s. Mitch built the foundation of his career as a CPA and lawyer before entering the financial planning field.

Mitch received his Bachelor of Accountancy with distinction from George Washington University in 1985 and then earned his law degree with honors at the University of Maryland School of Law in 1993.

Juris Doctor, completed Spring 1993
Inactive License: CPA

Fun Facts:

Spends a week each fall in Florida playing “fantasy camp” baseball with former pros
Has taken an annual trip with his 4 closest high school friends each of the last 45 years
Loves surf fishing. Has reeled in many different species over the years

Nick Hunter

Director, Technology

Nick Hunter is the Director of Technology at Composition Wealth, where he leads the firm’s technological advancements and digital infrastructure development. Nick ensures that both internal and client-facing technologies are cutting-edge, secure, and efficient.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Nick worked as an Enterprise Applications Manager at Brighton Jones, an RIA based in Seattle. He and his team were responsible for ensuring that all applications were integrated and aligned with the company’s business objectives. Nick collaborated closely with different departments to understand their needs and therefore customized and streamlined software solutions to improve efficiency and productivity.

Nick received his Bachelor’s degree from Washington State University with a concentration in Finance and Economics and has his Salesforce Admin Certification. Outside of work, he can be found outdoors walking his dogs, spending time with friends and family, or teaching himself his next DIY home renovation project.

Holds the Salesforce Admin Certification

Fun Facts:

Sold a mason bee business at the age of 15
DIY home renovator with a mentality of "if you can dream it, you can build it!"
Started skiing when he was 2 years old and has been skiing/snowboarding ever since; he has a goal of hitting the slopes on each continent!

Nicole Griggs

Senior Marketing Associate

Nicole is the Senior Associate of Marketing at Composition Wealth and supports the firm’s brand and business strategy through creative leadership, thoughtful storytelling, and marketing execution. She drives content strategy and campaign development across channels, ensuring every initiative reflects the firm’s commitment to clarity, warmth, and excellence.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, she spent over a decade in marketing, brand strategy, and copywriting roles, supporting B2C and B2B companies across industries. Her experience includes leading email and content strategy for national retail brands, managing multi-channel campaigns for mission-driven organizations, and driving customer engagement with thoughtful, insight-driven storytelling.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College. Outside of work, Nikki has a deep love for fantasy and sci-fi novels, a growing houseplant collection, and a habit of falling down research rabbit holes for fun.

Fun facts:

She lived in a self-built camper van for 3 years and traveled the country with her husband and dog
Recently published her debut novel!
She was 6th in the country in college for swimming the 200-yard breaststroke

Nicole Pavlovic

Director, Client Service

Nicole is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Composition Wealth and supports the firm’s Client Service team working to standardize current internal and external processes to ensure exceptional service from all levels of the business.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Nicole worked as a Senior Client Service Associate at Freestone Capital Management, an RIA based in Seattle. There she worked alongside a partner-level Financial Advisor providing all-encompassing support for clients with an emphasis on holistic wealth management.

Nicole received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington, Michael G Foster School of Business with a concentration in Finance and a Certificate of International Studies in Business. Outside work, she can often be found outdoors – hiking or skiing in the mountains, swimming in the ocean, or picnicking in a park.

Fun Facts:

Found true happiness traveling solo around New Zealand and living in a van for 3 months
Loves a good concert
Having grown up with an aerobics instructor as a mom, I am patiently waiting for step aerobics to come back in style

Paul D'Eredita

Director, Strategic Initiatives

Paul is a Director of Strategic Initiatives at Composition Wealth and manages projects that help the firm deliver more impact and value for its clients. He specializes in process optimization, reporting and analytics, and project management. Paul leads integration efforts as we welcome new partners to Composition Wealth with greater frequency.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Paul spent nearly five years in strategic and analytical roles. Most recently, he was a Business Analyst at Faire, an online wholesale platform that helps small business owners buy and sell wholesale products.

Paul received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Outside of work, he prioritizes spending quality time with his family. He is a bonafide home cook and brings loved ones together over fresh Italian meals made from scratch.

Fun Facts:

Childhood sport was racing motocross
Ran a marathon (very slowly) at age 16
Cooks a 7-seafood course spread every Christmas Eve

Peter Karp

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Peter is a Managing Partner at Composition Wealth and has over 25 years of experience delivering comprehensive financial and investment advice to affluent individuals and families and successful business owners.

He established Karp Capital Management in 2004 as an independent financial management firm in order to provide clients with an objective alternative to large brokerage houses. Peter believes that financial professionals should work directly for their clients, providing advice without being fettered by the bureaucratic structures found at large financial institutions.

Peter is licensed as an insurance agent and real estate broker. He is also a member of the Financial Planning Association, adhering to its Code of Ethics. Peter enjoys spending time with family, running, skiing, and experiencing the great restaurants of San Francisco.

Licensed as an insurance agent

Fun Facts:

Peter earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and biochemistry from the University of California at Santa Barbara; he also attended Wharton's School of Business
He is a supporter and contributor to the Marin Foster Care Association and Becoming Independent (BI), a non profit community benefit organization that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live meaningful and productive lives
When Peter is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family hiking, fishing and traveling. He is also a collector of 60’s muscle cars and enjoys traveling to car shows with his son throughout the United States

Pete LaPlaca, CFP®, ChFC®, AEP®

Director, Wealth Advisor

Pete has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and offers advanced wealth management and comprehensive financial planning to high-net-worth individuals.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Pete was a Director at SVB Private, a division of First Citizens Bank, and an Investment Counselor at Citi Private Bank. Pete is also an adjunct professor at Berkeley College, where he teaches undergraduate finance and CFP classes.

Pete graduated from Hofstra University and has his MBA from Long Island University. In his free time, Pete plays Dek hockey and is a head coach for the Town of Oyster Bay Youth Dek Hockey, where he coaches 6- to 8-year-olds how to play and excel in the sport.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
Holds an Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) designation
Holds a Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) designation
Active Licenses: Series 65

Fun Facts:

Has an unusually high tolerance for hot weather
Is a drummer trapped in a guitar player's body
Is a college professor

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Robyn Flynn

Associate, Operations - Insurance

Robyn is the Director of Insurance Operations at the firm, where she assists in designing and implementing new insurance policies for the advisory teams. She has worked in the insurance and financial planning industry for over 33 years.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Robyn worked at Castle Asset Management, where she specialized in insurance planning, as well as assisting and servicing both insurance and investment clients. Preceding Castle, Robyn worked at MetLife and Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance companies. She currently holds a NYS Insurance License.

She is actively involved in the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, where she has organized a head-shaving event for the past 15 years to raise funds for childhood cancer research. Robyn enjoys spending time with family and friends, but mostly enjoys biking with her husband and exploring new areas.

Holds a NYS Insurance License

Fun Facts:

Loves to spend her free time biking or walking with her husband
Loves to read a good novel
Hates the taste of coffee

Rusty (Russell) Hoss, CFA®

Director, Equity Research

Rusty is the Director of Equity Research at Composition Wealth and is charged with creating equity portfolios for the firm’s clients.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Rusty founded New Sheridan Advisors, an investment management firm focused on international investments, which was acquired by Champlain Investment Partners (CIP) in 2015. While at CIP, Rusty was a partner and portfolio manager of the firm’s Emerging Market strategies. Rusty began his career at Roth Capital Partners, where he started as a research analyst covering U.S. consumer companies and eventually became a partner and Director of Research.

Rusty graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and served five years in the Air Force, primarily as a cost analyst on a multibillion-dollar defense communication satellite system. While in the Air Force, Rusty received his Master of Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University’s College of Business Administration and later became a CFA® charterholder. Outside of work, Rusty enjoys riding mountain bikes, spending time with family and friends, and attempting to keep up with his teenage girls.

Is a Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) holder

Fun Facts:

Enjoys international traveling and has been to 23 countries and counting
Played basketball and rugby at the United States Air Force Academy
To celebrate his 40th birthday, he completed Ironman Boulder

Samantha Kennedy, CFP®, CDFA®

Director, Wealth Advisor

Samantha is a Wealth Advisor who is honored to partner with individuals and families as they work to reach their personal financial goals. She has learned that no two individuals are the same and relies on her 10 years of experience to build a unique roadmap that has clear action items for the families she supports. Her mission is to provide clarity as to the financial actions that will have the largest positive impact on one’s future. Samantha provides comprehensive financial planning support that includes but is not limited to building tax-efficient distribution strategies in retirement, unwinding a concentrated stock position, year-to-year tax planning, charitable giving, and estate planning.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Samantha was a Lead Advisor at Mainsail Financial Group in Bellevue, WA, and was an Associate Director at Global View Capital Advisors.

Samantha earned her bachelor’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University, with a concentration in finance and a minor in mathematics. Outside of work, Samantha enjoys reading and running as well as tutoring middle/high-school students in math.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
Holds a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) designation
Active Licenses: Series 65

Fun Facts:

Was adopted at the age of 3 from China and looks forward to welcoming a child to her family soon
Starts the day with a run or workout on the elliptical
Has donated 10” of hair to Locks of Love

Samuel Coquillard

Partner, Managing Director

Sam is a Partner & Managing Director at Composition Wealth and has over 30 years of investment experience in both equities and fixed income. He provides financial expertise to a predominantly high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth client base.

Sam started his career at Schroder Wertheim in institutional sales, and segued to Merrill Lynch, Chase H&Q, and then was a Senior Vice President at Los Angeles-based investment advisory firm Chelsea Management Company. Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Sam was a Managing Director at Pacific Global Investment Management.

Sam received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. As a third-generation Californian, Sam is a devout supporter of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Committed to giving back to the Jesuit system in which he was raised, Sam is an active philanthropist and supports education, having previously served on the board of Verbum Dei and St Michael’s School.

Active Licenses: Series 65

Fun Facts:

Third-generation Californian
Active philanthropist and supports education
Sports enthusiast

Scott Fleener

Senior Associate, Information Technology

Scott is a Senior Information Technology Associate at Composition Wealth, supporting the firm’s internal technology infrastructure and providing hands-on IT support to team members across the organization. Based in the Seattle office, he ensures that systems run smoothly, securely, and efficiently — enabling every department to stay connected and productive.

Before joining Composition, Scott served as an IT Senior Specialist at Boston Consulting Group, where he supported regional operations and provided advanced technical solutions across the Seattle office. He also held roles at Clearlink, Bloodworks Northwest, and Energy Northwest, where he was responsible for equipment management, troubleshooting, and systems support in both clinical and corporate environments.

Scott holds an Associate of Arts and Sciences in Computer Science from Columbia Basin College and completed advanced animation coursework at Animation Mentor. He also holds certifications including the CompTIA A+ and the ITIL® 4 Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management.

He has been snowboarding for over 25 years
He has broken his collarbone 4 times
He was one of the first 100 Seattle Kraken Season Ticket holders

Sean V. Owen, Ph.D., CFP®, CAP®, CRPC™, APMA™

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Sean V. Owen is a Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth. Believing that clarity of purpose is central to a sound financial plan, he engages our clients in visualizing the lives they want for themselves, their families, and their community. His advice is rooted in the personal, whether creating retirement projections, education planning for younger family members, or preparing for a meaningful purchase. An advocate of charitable planning, Sean also partners with our clients to align their resources with their philanthropic motivations.

Sean was one of the founding Partners of Vinoble Group, a financial consultancy in the Pacific Northwest that merged with Composition Wealth in March 2025.

Sean serves on the professional advisory councils for PAWS, a nonprofit that rehabilitates injured wildlife, and Seattle Foundation, a community advisory group that shares ideas on charitable giving, discusses new issues in philanthropy, and establishes relationships with other local professionals, such as attorneys and accountants, who also advise their clients on dynamic giving strategies. He is a former Board member at Cornish College of the Arts and One Square Inch of Silence.

Sean earned a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Southampton, an M.Mus in Historical Musicology from King's College London, an M.M. in Classical Guitar Performance and a M.M. in Musicology from New England Conservatory, and a B.M. in Classical Guitar Performance from Cornish College of the Arts.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
Holds a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) designation
Holds a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) designation
Holds an Accredited Portfolio Management Advisor™ (APMA™) designation

Fun Facts:

Sean is a leading expert on the life and music of the English composer Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji
Sean is an avid chess player
Sean’s wife Tricia is an ex-professional ballerina turned psychotherapist; they are happy parents to two cute and comical cats

Selenne Calderon

Senior Associate, Client Service

Selenne is a Senior Client Service Associate at Composition Wealth, where she plays a vital role in supporting clients with care, precision, and responsiveness. She brings nearly a decade of experience in investment operations and client service across top-tier financial firms, offering a deep understanding of the behind-the-scenes systems that ensure a seamless client experience.

Before joining Composition Wealth, Selenne served in client service and operational roles at Fort Point Capital Partners, Hall Capital Partners, Toronado Capital Management, and Cambridge Associates. Her background includes everything from onboarding high-net-worth clients to overseeing investment operations, all with a sharp eye for detail and a commitment to excellence.

Selenne earned her Bachelor of Arts in Politics from the University of San Francisco. She is passionate about giving back to her community and has most recently volunteered with Dress for Success, a non-profit that focuses on empowering women by providing employment resource for unemployed women.

Fun facts:

She met NBA all-stars Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton while on vacation
Collected almost all of the 50 state quarters
Has two small dogs (Pebbles & Oreo)

Shane Larson, CFP®

Director, Senior Wealth Advisor

Shane is a Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth and works with individuals and families to create comprehensive wealth plans, emphasizing generational wealth transfer, charitable gifting, and estate planning.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Shane worked for another wealth management firm in Marin County, where he worked with a select group of clients, developing and managing their wealth plans.

Shane graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is also a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and completed his certificate program at the University of California, Los Angeles. Shane lives in Marin County and spends most of his free time chauffeuring his son to all his activities.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
Active Licenses: Series 66
Licenses previously maintained (not active): Series 7

Fun Facts:

Completed the 204-mile Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic
Has a personal goal of seeing all 30 MLB stadiums (19 so far!)
Huge fan of pizza and enjoys making it with his son at home

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Sharon Simmons

Senior Associate, Client Service

Sharon is a Senior Client Service Associate at Composition Wealth and works closely with the advisory teams to support their clients. Sharon has a keen eye for detail and a passion for delivering exceptional client experiences. She ensures smooth operations and maintains strong client relationships. Sharon’s commitment to excellence and her ability to anticipate client needs contribute significantly to the high level of service that Sam’s practice is known for.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Sharon worked in the securities industry since 2000 in various capacities at Chase H&Q, Merrill Lynch Institutional Trading Desk, Chelsea Investment Management Company, and Pacific Global Investment Management Company. Her favorite part of her job is helping and interacting with clients. “All things are possible if you believe" Mark 9:23. She has been active with Boy Scouts of America since 2016, volunteering as a committee member, merit badge counselor, fundraiser chair, and summer camp leader. Her two sons earned their Eagle Scout rank in March 2024. She also volunteers with the Orangewood Foundation, helping foster youth obtain resources.

Fun Facts:

Completed four half marathons (and would like to complete one more within the next 2 years)
Enjoys doing anything outdoors, especially rollerblading
Has six siblings, and her three sisters are her best friends

Sophia Trakhtman

Director, Wealth Advisor

Sophia is a Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth and has a passion for guiding clients through an extensive financial education program where she can talk with them about personal finance and the importance of planning ahead. She is committed to providing clients with consistent service needed in developing, implementing, and maintaining a comprehensive business and individual strategy.

Before Composition Wealth, Sophia worked in the insurance business and worked as an insurance agent at Mutual of Omaha.

Sophia graduated at Towson University.

Active Licenses: Series 65

Fun Facts:

Enjoys teaching ballet
Loves spending time with family, her husband, and her 2 dogs

Stacey Smith

Director, HR/Recruiting

Stacey is the HR/Recruiting Director with Composition Wealth, supporting the Executive Team and working hard to create a positive experience for our clients and staff.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Stacey supported the President and Vice President of Strategy at Karp Capital Management. She previously worked in the Oil and Gas industry for 14 years as an Assistant to Senior Executives, developing her skills in executive support, project management and client relations.

Stacey is a native Texan and received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from The University of Texas at Arlington. She currently lives in Spring, Texas with her husband and two daughters. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

Fun Facts:

She coaches her daughter’s basketball team
She visited Neverland Ranch and signed Michael Jackson’s memory wall after he passed away
She has loved escargot since she was 2 years old and would eat it for every meal if she could

Steven Stalick

Senior Associate, Client Service

Senior Client Service Associate who works closely with our advisors to create a phenomenal wealth management experience for our valued clients.

Before Composition Wealth, Steven spent nearly a decade working with boutique luxury hospitality companies. He later transitioned into the financial services industry, working directly with clients and institutions who invest across public and private capital markets.

Steven obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a concentration in Finance from Golden Gate University while working full-time. He also holds his life, accident, and health insurance license. Apart from work, Steven is passionate about spending time in nature and empowering disadvantaged youth through his involvement with Larkin Street Youth Services.

Holds the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 65 license.

Fun Facts:

Once owned a lowrider with hydraulics (’85 Cadillac Fleetwood)
Loves spending time outdoors whenever he can, whether he is running, hiking, bicycling, surfing, etc.
Once accepted a bet to eat only cheeseburgers for an entire month and won!

Suzanne Taylor, CFP®

Director, Wealth Advisor

Suzanne is a Wealth Advisor on the Retirement Services team at Composition Wealth, bringing over 22 years of experience in financial services.

Suzanne began her career as a Personal Financial Advisor with Ameriprise. She was Director of Investor Services at Shelton Capital Management, and later served as a Senior Retirement Advisor with ShareBuilder 401k. She has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification.

Suzanne received her bachelor’s degree in Film Studies and English Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. She was raised in Kentucky but has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1996. Outside the office, Suzanne spends her time reading and enjoying the outdoors. She is also a board member and past president of the Rotary Club of San Francisco Evening.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification

Fun Facts:

She is obsessed with her two pit bulls, Libby Littlespoon and Edna Krabapple
When she was young, she wanted to be a professional actress; she still does a little bit of acting on the stage (see: fun photo)

Ted Crites

Senior Associate, Wealth Associate

Ted is a Client Service Associate at Composition Wealth and provides operational support while managing client relationships to ensure top-quality service.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Ted worked as an Operations Assistant at Caplan Financial Group, assisting his advisor in providing administrative and operational support. Before that, Ted was a Case Manager and Legal Assistant to the senior partner at Manring & Farrell, where he served as an advanced liaison between attorney and client by developing cases and strategies with clients, overseeing legal and medical research, and networking with doctors, judges, and attorneys to complete objectives.

Ted earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Capital University, where he was a four-year varsity athlete and senior captain on the men’s lacrosse team. Ted is completing the required coursework for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation. Outside of work, Ted enjoys live music, is an avid reader, and loves his Indiana Pacers.

Active Licenses: Series 65

Fun Facts:

Has lived in six different states
Tutored English in Seoul, South Korea
Plans to write and publish a book one day

Thomas Baker, CFA®, MBA, JD

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Tom is a Senior Wealth Advisor and Partner at Composition Wealth. For over 30 years, he has worked closely with a select number of individuals, families, and trusts, helping them meet their unique needs.

Tom started his own investment management firm in his Silicon Valley garage on a folding table with a used computer and typewriter. He began Blue Oak Capital with three central tenets: transparency, clarity, and liquidity. Philosophically, that meant being transparent with clients about how their assets were managed, explaining complicated topics simply and thoroughly, and ensuring that clients always had access to their funds when needed.

Tom earned a BA in Economics and English from the University of Michigan. He also received an MBA and J.D. from Santa Clara University and passed the California State Bar. He has earned his Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Tom has been a mentor to disadvantaged students at Menlo-Atherton High School for many years and has also mentored international Impact Entrepreneurs to help them further their business ventures.

FUN FACTS:

While at the University of Michigan, Tom entered and won an Entrepreneurial Business Plan contest open to all students at UofM with two other classmates.
He has ridden his bike from Oregon down the California coast multiple times, as well as on trips through France, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Slovakia, Czechoslovakia, and Estonia.
Tom enjoys chess, woodworking, reading, rucking, and traveling. He fully acknowledges and embraces his stepdaughter’s assessment of him: “You are not hip.”

Tiffanie Belanger

Senior Associate, Client Service

Tiffanie is a Senior Client Service Associate and works closely with advisory teams in order to enhance the overall client experience.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Tiffanie worked as a Client Relationship Manager at Pathstone where she provided comprehensive client support, identified business opportunities, and managed operational teams in fulfilling client requests. Before Pathstone, she was an Associate Director at Evoke where she was responsible for allocating client assets, managing client portfolios, and partnering with general partners relating to alternative investments.

Tiffanie earned her bachelor’s degree in finance from California State University, Northridge. Tiffanie is passionate about animals and volunteers at local dog shelters around Los Angeles to give back to the community.

Fun Facts:

Has 2 French Bulldogs named Tug and Denver
Learned how to snowboard by watching YouTube videos
Played softball in college and won Best Defensive Player and Most Inspirational Player every year

Timothy Shaw, CFP®

Director, Wealth Advisor

Tim is a Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth and has over 2 decades of experience in the financial services industry and on Wall Street. Tim works with clients to develop and implement customized financial plans and investment strategies.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Tim worked as a proprietary options trader for 15 years, which included having his own firm, Shaw Trading LLC, from 2006 to 2010. Since then, Tim has worked as a financial advisor at Citibank.

Tim graduated from Lafayette College and has his MBA from Fordham Business School.

Has obtained CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification

Fun Facts:
Ran the NYC Marathon
Has his picture taken in Rolling Stones magazine in an article about Wall Street. Unbeknownst to him at the time, his future wife was also in the picture!
Is an expert options trader

Tracy Wenzel

Associate, Administrative Assistant

Tracy is an Associate / Administrative Assistant for Composition Wealth who integrates a quality approach into operational processes and systems. Although she began with MMA in 2024, her vocational experience dates back to 2013 with a similar position at Caplan Financial Group, LLC as an administrative assistant. Tracy is responsible for scheduling client meetings, maintaining accurate documentation of advisor meetings, updating and troubleshooting data in the CRM, and handling various projects assigned to her.

Prior to 2013, Tracy worked as a sales representative for a regional golf business where she secured contracts and ensured paperwork was completed properly. She was also an administrative assistant for a collection agency, where she handled new client accounts and updated debtor history.

She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Valley Forge with a Bachelor of Science in Bible. After graduation, she worked as a houseparent at a children's home in Texas. Currently residing in Florida with her husband and two teenage sons, she enjoys playing tennis, relaxing on the beach, baking, and participating in her local church community.

Fun Facts:

Won a ski getaway for two through a call-in radio contest
Visited Cape Town, South Africa and took a cable car ride up Table Mountain, one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World
Riding in a hot air balloon is on my bucket list

Travis Atkins

Senior Associate, Client Service

Travis is a Senior Client Service Associate and works closely with advisory teams to ensure a seamless, pleasant client experience.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Travis worked as a Sr. Client Relationship Associate at Merriman Wealth Management, where she coordinated the daily operations for a fast-growing advisory team in Seattle. Before Merriman, she was the Client Relationship Manager at EP Wealth Advisors, where she was responsible for overseeing the client services team for the Pacific Northwest Region.

Travis earned her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Meeting Management from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI. Travis loves to travel and explore the great outdoors with her husband and two rescue dogs.

Fun Facts:

When not spending time exploring the PNW, she likes to travel as much as possible. She’s visited 15 countries so far, and has been to 43 out of 50 states with a goal to visit all 50 states before turning 50! She’s also lived in 8 of those states
Loves animals and volunteers as an “adventure foster” for a local Seattle rescue, taking puppies and dogs out of the shelter for a day of fun. She also has two rescue dogs of her own
Met her husband on an airplane; they dated long distance for 1.5 years until deciding to finally live in the same city together

Travis Palmer

Senior Associate, Trader

Travis is a Portfolio Manager at Composition Wealth and assists the investment team with analysis and adjustments to the investment strategy on an ongoing basis. He plays a key role in the implementation of the strategy across all asset classes.

Travis comes from working in various trading and research roles within the wealth management side of the financial industry. In these roles, he managed forex and equity activity for the books and participated in developing the approach to the investment plans.

He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in management from Dominican University and a Master of Finance degree from Santa Clara University. In his free time, he enjoys alpine skiing, wreck diving, and hiking around wine country.

Fun Facts:

He got certified to sail under Australian maritime law while living in Sydney
Swam with sharks in the South Pacific
He is double-jointed in both thumbs

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Trish Oseback

Senior Associate, Client Service

Trish is the Operations/Branch Manager at Composition Wealth and is responsible for overseeing the ongoing operations for the New York advisory team. She is instrumental in the implementation of the operational controls and administrative procedures that positively impact the client’s experience. Trish has over 16 years of professional experience in the financial services industry.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Trish was the Director of Operations of Castle Asset Management, an advisory firm located in Hauppauge, NY and assisted the advisor in growing his business to $375 million dollars in assets under management. Preceding her tenure at Castle, Trish worked for AT&T for 20 years. During that period, she held various positions and concluded as an operations manager in their teleconference division. While working at AT&T, Trish was recognized regularly and was awarded the Leading Legend Award for her Outstanding Performance.

Outside of work, Trish has participated in The Wounded Warrior Project. She enjoys hiking and riding her bike with her husband, and most of all, she enjoys spending time with her family and babysitting her granddaughter.

Fun Facts:

Played on a Women’s Soccer League – and was told she has a “mean throw in”
Strives for at least 10,000 steps daily
Has a dream of visiting every National Park – so far she has visited 11 of them

Wendy Ciehanski, CRPC®

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Wendy is a Partner and Senior Wealth Advisor at Composition Wealth, with 25+ years of experience in financial services. She began her career in financial services in 1996 when she joined Merrill Lynch following a successful career in healthcare services. She graduated from Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) designation awarded by the College for Financial Planning. Wendy also holds an active Real Estate license.

In addition to spending time with clients, Wendy is active throughout the community. She is active in supporting breast cancer research. She gives to the next generation of business leaders by speaking at various schools and universities throughout Ohio, hoping to inspire young people through Junior Achievement or college students who want to know more about a wealth management career path.

Outside of work, Wendy enjoys running, visiting, and hiking national parks, and spending time with her family.

Fun Facts:

Extremely gifted jigsaw puzzler
Has run 3 marathons and too many other road races to count
Snorkeled the Silfra Fissure
Super fan of the Goo Goo Dolls

Weston Schroeder

Senior Associate, Accountant

Weston is a Senior Accountant at Composition Wealth and supports the entire firm's operational finances.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Weston was the Chief Accountant of a national non-profit supporting underserved children. He also previously spent time in public accounting where he consulted for numerous professional service firms.

Weston is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Accounting. He is currently studying to acquire his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.

Fun Facts:

Loves spending time outdoors - holds two scuba diving certifications and makes ski trips to Mammoth Mountain
Grew up in suburban Chicago and moved to California in 2012
Had two vertebrae removed to make room for a (literally) oversized brain

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William Blanton

Partner, Senior Wealth Advisor

Billy is a Managing Director at Composition Wealth and has over 20 years of experience in investment management.

Prior to joining Composition Wealth, Billy was President and CEO of Vintage West Capital Management. His career began with Merrill Lynch in 1998, in which his diverse experiences range from providing financial advice and investment management services to overseeing four branch offices. In 2007, he continued to expand his services by joining Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management Group.

Billy received his bachelor’s degree in Public Administration at San Diego State University.

Fun Facts:

Was inducted into the San Diego State University Aztec Hall of Fame for Football in 2015
Enjoys early morning Paddle Boarding along the San Diego beaches
Gives back by spending afternoons and weekends coaching youth sports

Zachary Weisenthal

Associate, Client Services - Operations

Zach is a Client Service Associate at Composition Wealth. He graduated from Towson University's College of Business and Economics in May 2023 with a concentration in Financial Planning. Zach maintains his Series 7, Series 66, and SIE licenses.

With a strong interest in personal finance from an early age, Zach briefly served in an advisory role before finding his niche in operations, where he thrives on the behind-the-scenes work that supports client and advisor success. Outside of the office, Zach enjoys working out, spending time with friends and family, and exploring new sushi spots.

Fun facts:

I started a web design business when I was 13
I love sushi
I have 2 cats and a dog

A History of Building
Successful Relationships

Team Members

Denise Waid

Ally Weisfeld

Amy Jones

Barbara Kettman

Brian M. Johnson, CFP®, CRPC®, CEP®, APMA®

Brian Mohoric, CRPC®

Chris Ciehanski, CPA, CFP®, CRPC®

Christina Marsh

Darren Stauffer

Elizabeth Brittain

Grant Johnstone, JD, CFP®, CDFA®

John Pozniak III

Katie LaPlante

Matt Cheney, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®

Mitch Caplan

Sophia Trakhtman

Stacey Smith

Ted Crites

Thomas Baker, CFA®, MBA, JD

Tracy Wenzel

Wendy Ciehanski, CRPC®

Let's Compose Your Financial Story

A History of BuildingSuccessful Relationships

Team Members

Denise Waid

Ally Weisfeld

Amy Jones

Barbara Kettman

Brian M. Johnson, CFP®, CRPC®, CEP®, APMA®

Brian Mohoric, CRPC®

Chris Ciehanski, CPA, CFP®, CRPC®

Christina Marsh

Darren Stauffer

Elizabeth Brittain

Grant Johnstone, JD, CFP®, CDFA®

John Pozniak III

Katie LaPlante

Matt Cheney, CFP®, CIMA®, CPWA®

Mitch Caplan

Sophia Trakhtman

Stacey Smith

Ted Crites

Thomas Baker, CFA®, MBA, JD

Tracy Wenzel

Wendy Ciehanski, CRPC®

Let's Compose Your Financial Story

Bruce Milam

Nate Angelo

Dalton Shaughnessy

Matt Dmytryszyn, CFA®

Matt Granski, CFA®

Marla Wooton, CRCP®

Denise Waid

Antonia Burchman Recht

Jay Rudwall

Brandon Beckner, CFP®

Aaron Hung

Adam Messick, WMS℠

Alexander Cyrus, CFP®, CEPA®

Ally Weisfeld

Amy Jones

Andrew Ark, CFP®, CIMA®

Barbara Kettman

Ben Offit, CFP®, CEPA®

Benjamin Lake, CFA®, CFP®

Blaine Thompson

Blake McKibbin, JD, ChFC®, CLU®

Bob Driscoll, AIF®, CEPA®

Bret Hamby, CFA®, APMA®, CRPC®

Brianna Sankar

Brian Bunker, CFA®

Brian Johnson

Brian M. Johnson, CFP®, CRPC®, CEP®, APMA®

Brian Mohoric, CRPC®

Brock Moseley

Carolyn Orlik

Chris Ciehanski, CPA, CFP®, CRPC®

Christina Marsh

Christine Ngwiri

Coleman Chamberlain

Connor Wilhelm, CFP®

Craig Borkovec

Craig J. Hanson, CFA®

Curtis Christian

Daniel Tang, CFP®

Daniella Tagliavia

Darren Stauffer

David Bleeck, CPA

Desiree Vigil

Dominic Salvatierra

Edwin Calva

Eli Saldamando

Elizabeth Brittain

Emil Georgiev

Gerard V. Tamparong, CFA®, CFP®

Gino Valente

Grace Paulson

Grant Johnstone, JD, CFP®, CDFA®

Jackson Greer

Jave Ragan, CPA, CFP®

Jeanne Berger

Jeff Alpert, JD

A History of Building
Successful Relationships