Leadership, experience and a commitment to building a strong relationship with you, distinguishes the Ruggie Wealth Management team. We use a client-centered approach to achieve our high level of service.
Rather than having just one financial advisor working on your behalf, our dedicated group of professionals overseeing your financial plan could include an advisor, portfolio manager, and client relationship manager.
Thomas H. Ruggie, ChFC®, CFP® – Founder & CEO, Southeast
Tom, a veteran of the investment and financial planning industries, began his career in 1991 and subsequently founded Ruggie Wealth Management, which has three offices in Central Florida. The flagship company of Ruggie Capital Group, Ruggie Wealth serves individuals, small businesses and non-profit organizations.
Rob Clark, CFP® – Partner, Wealth Advisor
Rob Clark has been helping clients work toward long-term financial security for their families and their businesses since 2001. It is his goal to help his clients grow, protect, and manage their assets in the most tax-efficient manner. With attention to detail and organizational skill, Rob effectively manages clients’ portfolios, creating an integrated strategy aimed at meeting their investment and retirement objectives.
Rob is a Certified Financial Planner™ and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida. He serves on the Orange County Children and Family Services Board, the Orange County Animal Services Classification Board, the UCF Alumni Association Board of Directors, and is a Leadership Orlando Alumni. He enjoys spending time with his family, golfing and health/fitness. The Florida native was born in Sarasota.
Getting to Know Rob
Bucket List: Cruise to Alaska
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Favorite Food: Sushi
Anthony Van Ore, CFP® – Chief Operating Officer
Anthony “Tony” Van Ore has spent his entire career helping people. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida in 1991, a desire to help others led Tony to serve his community as a Deputy Sheriff. Five years later, he made a career change to financial services and continued his pursuit to help others by assisting individuals and families make smart decisions about their money.
Tony brings to his role as COO a diverse skill set in client services, trading, operations and management accumulated over 21 years in both the broker/dealer and RIA segments.
He has volunteered as an item writer for the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. and served on the Board of Trustees for the City of Casselberry Police Officers’ and Firefighters’ Pension Board.
In his spare time, Tony spends his time with family or enjoying his favorite hobby of motorcycling, touring the U.S. through backroads and racing on closed-circuit road courses at high speed.
Favorite Food: Pizza
What Motivates Me: Learning new things… then moving on to the next challenge.
Bucket List Item: Attend the MotoGP races at all 19 tracks in 15 countries. So far I’ve done one in Spain.
Audrey Ralicki, CFP® – Managing Partner
Audrey’s passion for educating and assisting individuals as they pursue their financial goals started in 2006 when she began her career in the industry. She received her bachelor’s degree in Finance with a concentration in Financial Planning from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Two years prior to graduation, she began working for a local Jacksonville financial advisor and obtained her 2-15 Life, Health and Variable Annuity license.
Her tenure with Ruggie Wealth Management (now Carson Wealth) started in 2011, and she has served in various roles within the firm. Her career began as an Advisor Assistant, working with Senior Wealth Advisors and clientele to support daily servicing needs. In July 2012, she obtained her Series 65 Uniform Investment Advisor licensure. Thereafter, Audrey worked directly with clients as their primary investment advisor, handling new-client and investment-account onboarding, financial planning and trading. During her early years with the company, she grew into a leadership position role alongside the RWM operations team by helping to provide oversight, support and procedural process within the firm.
In 2016, Ruggie Wealth Founder & CEO Tom Ruggie began a family office division centered around clientele with advanced wealth strategy needs. Audrey has since served as the Senior Registered Client Associate for Destiny Family Office, working alongside Tom as his primary assistant. Her role encompasses coordinating family office professionals, providing seamless integration of technology and above all exemplary service to family office members of all generations.
In 2018, she was promoted to Managing Partner of Ruggie Wealth Management and continues to work primarily in the Destiny Family Office division. Audrey brings a vast array of knowledge and best-practice skills to our team, with experience, passion and a positive attitude. She continues to strive to further her industry knowledge and is in the process of pursuing her licensure as a Certified Financial Planner.
Getting to Know Audrey
Passions: Yoga, crafting, spending time with my family, playing with my dachshund – Layla
Favorite Food: Pasta! But almost anything Italian
Best Piece of Financial Advice You Received: Save first, then budget for spending
Favorite Quote: Inhale positivity, Exhale negativity
Favorite Movie or TV Show: All shows on the Food Network
Favorite Holiday: Halloween
Biggest Accomplishment: Becoming managing partner at Ruggie Wealth Management
Louis Shinaman, ChFC®, CEP® – Senior Wealth Advisor
Lou is a Chartered Financial Consultant, Registered Investment Advisor, Certified Estate Planner, and a senior member of our investment management committee.
He began his career by becoming a Registered Representative in 1996. His expertise is working with high net worth Individuals, as well as small to medium-sized businesses. He works with a team of industry professionals to coordinate a complete financial wellness program for his clients. This includes financial planning, wealth accumulation and estate planning, income taxation, life and health insurance, business taxation and planning, investments and retirement planning.
Lou is the father of two daughters, one who was born with a serious heart defect and other complications known as tetralogy of Fallot and DiGeorge syndrome. He donates his time to provide personalized financial planning to families of children with special needs to help them as they plan for their future and their children’s future. His unique experience translates to a deeper understanding of the issues, concerns and questions many clients have, and allows him to connect with them in often profound ways.
He is honored to sit on the board of UCP of Central Florida, which is dedicated to enriching the life of children of all abilities, providing individualized support, education, and therapy services to thousands of children across seven campuses in Central Florida.
Lou attended primary school in Central Florida and received his Associate of Science Degree from Valencia College. He has traveled overseas as a public speaker focusing on investments and technical analysis. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, traveling, and playing tennis. Lou is also fluent in Spanish.
Jorge A. Romero, CFP® – Senior Wealth Advisor
Jorge A. Romero is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner (CFP®) and began his career in the financial services industry in 2004 after having served honorably in The United States Marine Corps. Jorge’s focus is on the establishment of strong and long-lasting relationships with clients by addressing their goals and dreams through a holistic, comprehensive and disciplined financial-planning process. Jorge also consults on a variety of personal financial topics such as asset allocation design, portfolio analysis & risk management, and retirement & estate planning.
Jorge received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Pre-Law along with a Minor in Latin American Studies from The University of Central Florida in 2008. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Financial Planning and Taxation and is a member of The Financial Planning Association of Central Florida, as well as the Estate Planning Council of The Villages®.
In his spare time, Jorge enjoys spending time with friends and family; he is also an avid reader of history, international relations and linguistics books. Jorge speaks Spanish, some Italian, and French and is always trying to learn new languages. He also loves cycling, both outdoor and on his Peloton®, as well as tennis, and learning about wine.
Getting to Know Jorge
What’s Your Favorite Food: Aged Prime Steak
If I Could Meet Anyone, Past or Present, It Would Be… Albert Einstein
Favorite Book: One Hundred Years of Solitude
Favorite Movie or TV Show: Forrest Gump
What Motivates You? Solving Complex Problems
Favorite Holiday: Festivus
Name Something on Your Bucket List: Learn to speak Farsi
Place You’d Most Like to Visit: The Mariana Trench
Morgan Hatfield – Senior Wealth Advisor
From investors in the initial stages of planning and creating their financial futures, to those needing to manage their wealth, Morgan brings a range of services to her clients to help them reach their financial goals, including holding educational seminars for retirement plan participants. “I give advice to my clients as if they are my own parents or grandparents.”
A graduate of the University of Central Florida with a degree in Finance, she not only has a depth of financial knowledge and knowledge of retirement products such as 401 (k) plans, she knows the local market and has had a strong presence in the community for many years. Morgan is a part of the 2019 Leadership Lake County Class.
She was named a Five-Star Professional Wealth Manager in 2016
Getting to Know Morgan
Passions: Roller skating, feeding the cows on our property, spending time with family and friends.
Best Piece of Financial Advice You Received: If you can’t afford to pay for it now, then you shouldn’t buy it.
Favorite Quote: My life is mine.
Hidden Talent/Skills: Roller skating
Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving
Biggest Accomplishment: Buying property with my husband, where we will build our forever home.
Carol Mulcahy – Senior Wealth Advisor
Carol is passionate about helping her clients thrive and views her role as an advisor as one in which she supports, motivates and inspires them to explore and fulfill their vision of financial success. She uses her ability to explore and analyze complex situations to create confidence in the financial decisions people make along the journey of life.
Her own journey in the investment industry began in 1984 in Boston. Since then, she has acquired numerous licenses and her Chartered Retirement Plan Specialist designation, and worked in both the retail and institutional side of the financial industry.
She combines her professional expertise and the knowledge gained from life, career transitions and long-term planning to provide exceptional client service and to handle unique situations & family dynamics, which all make her exceptionally valuable to her clients and their families.
Her thesis at Leslie University was “Pension Plans as a Necessary Supplement to Social Security” and the benefits of starting to plan for retirement early in life. She has served on the board of directors for the West Palm Beach Friends of Fisher House since 2010.
Biggest Accomplishment: Raising an amazing son who is now a U.S. Navy Aviator
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Favorite Food: Steak
Jenni Cheney – Senior Operations Analyst
With more than 15 years of experience in the banking/financial industry, Jenni is a knowledgeable, enthusiastic professional and problem solver committed to outstanding client and advisor relations. Her primary focus is trading and advisor oversight.
The Florida-native was born in Orlando and recently moved back to Florida following Hurricanes Irma and Maria, after living in the U.S. Virgin Islands. She attended Gordon State College in Georgia and enjoys traveling, attending concerts and spending time with her family.
Getting to Know Jenni
Favorite Beverage: Monster Energy
Favorite Holiday: Halloween
Favorite Quote: “Always remember that you are unique, just like everyone else.”
Eric Inge – Vice President, Retirement Plans
Eric has been recognized for his expertise and top performance helping employers/plan sponsors and employees with an array of employee benefits, including 401(k) plans, group health, payroll outsourcing, human resources, workers’ compensation insurance, and workplace safety. He has also taught continuing education classes covering retirement planning, health insurance and labor law compliance.
During his eight years as a Senior Sales Consultant at Paychex, he was first named Rookie of the Year and then qualified for the company’s Inner Circle Elite (ICE), an honor awarded to only 25 reps company-wide (3,000+. He later brought his client-centered approach to his positions as Vice President of Jordan Dynamics, where he added 401(k) and payroll to their line-up of services, and as partner in Redwood Recovery Solutions.
In 2013, Eric was named “Man of the Year” by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of the Palm Beaches and now serves on their board, and in 2015-16, he served on the Board of Governors of Leadership Palm Beach County. He is also actively involved with Place of Hope and many other charitable and community-building organizations. An avid CrossFit Athlete, Eric and his wife especially enjoy time raising their two children.
David Melnyk, CFP® – 401(k) Specialist
David helps other young professionals and business owners meet their most cherished financial goals by educating, supporting, and encouraging them along the way.
A graduate of the University of Florida with a B.S.B.A. in finance and a Certificate in Personal and Family Financial Planning, it was his run-in with cancer that ignited his passion for using financial planning to live a great life even in the most unpredictable circumstances.
He has been quoted in Business Insider, GoBankingRates.com, and Florida Today for his expertise in working with entrepreneurial young professionals and helping them lay a solid financial foundation.
Away from work, David enjoys adventuring with his wife. You can find them watching the Gators play, biking around town, soaking in the sun at the beach, or planning out their next international trip.
Getting to Know David
Quote: “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”- Job 1:21
Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Movie: Forrest Gump
Bucket List Item: Running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain
Biggest Accomplishment: Convincing my wife to marry me (she’s way out of my league!)
Sarah Anemone – Client Relationship Manager/Advisor Assistant
Involved with all aspects of Ruggie Wealth Management, Sarah serves as the firm’s nerve center, coordinating several responsibilities to provide smooth operations so that client service is sustained at peak efficiency. Her duties include client coordination, servicing client accounts, managing advisors’ calendars, life insurance processing and facilitating all internal and external communications – as well as assisting with day-to-day needs.
Sarah began with Ruggie Wealth in 2002, which aligned with Carson Wealth in 2018. She made office management her specialty from the beginning of her career. Her formidable experience includes more than 10 years improving inner-office procedures at two other companies. Strong communication skills, efficiency and the willingness to accomplish the task at hand are among the professional abilities that allow Sarah to excel.
A native of Luray, VA, Sarah lives in Eustis with her husband. In her non-work time she enjoys spending time with her two granddaughters, bike riding, local wine tastings and traveling.
Getting to Know Sarah
Bucket List Items: Attending the Kentucky Derby and traveling to Alaska.
Makayla Bowman – Client Relationship Manager/Advisor Assistant
Makayla has a passion for achieving and maintaining relationships with people, which is why she feels she is a great fit for our team! The Tampa-Florida-native grew up as a self-proclaimed ‘military brat’, which required her to live all over the world.
A recent English Literature graduate from the University of Central Florida, she is currently enrolled at UCF as a graduate student in their MBA program.
In her free time, she loves working on her business which is geared toward health and wellness. She has a strong passion for working out and believes that taking good care of yourself is very important.
Getting to Know Makayla
Random fact: I love my dog
Bucket list: taking a trip to Thailand and riding an elephant
What motivates me: making my parents proud
Colleen Arredondo – Senior Advisor Assistant
In her role as Senior Advisor Assistant, Colleen works closely with advisors and clients. She holds her Series 65 and has completed all of the prerequisite coursework in preparation for the CFP® exam. Colleen shares, “When it comes to paperwork, I am a perfectionist. I enjoy taking the complex and making it simple and understandable to our clients.”
A New Hampshire native, Colleen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications/Business from Southern New Hampshire University. After nine years as a military wife, she and her family moved to The Villages® community where she served as a transaction coordinator for a prominent real estate team.
When she’s not having movie nights with her three children, Colleen likes to go to the firing range, car shows, and antiquing.
Getting to Know Colleen
Favorite Movie: Alice in Wonderland
Favorite Holiday: Halloween
Bucket List: Skydiving
Place I Would Most Like to Visit: Ireland
Travis Ely – Intern/Assistant
Travis genuinely enjoys interacting with our clients, which can be felt in his welcoming personality and willingness to help in any way needed. He makes it a point to be understanding, respectful and a good listener.
A life-long affinity for numbers has driven Travis toward the field of Finance. He completed a four-year high school finance program and is currently finishing his degree in Finance at the University of Central Florida, where he is on track to graduate in the spring of 2019. Prior to receiving this internship, he was a manager at Firehouse Subs for just over two years while taking classes. He has also held jobs in construction and landscaping during the summers.
Growing up in Gainesville, he has been a huge fan of college football ever since he can remember, spending a significant amount of time playing team sports, including seven years of baseball, five years of football, two years of basketball, and sandlot football and soccer games in the church where he grew up.
Getting to Know Travis
Favorite Quote: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
If I Could Meet Anyone, Past or Present, It Would Be: Robin Williams
Hidden Talent/Skills: Lucid Dreaming
What Motivates You: My family, and the drive to become someone who truly holds value and meaning to others.