Top CFOs is pleased to announce our Financial Advisors of Houston for 2022. Houston is a world-class city where the energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, healthcare, research, and transportation industries converge. Boasting the second-most Fortune 500 headquarters of any U.S. municipality within its city limits, Houston has also become an alluring magnet for successful individuals. This year’s awardees use their remarkable wealth management expertise and insight to help their clients navigate the waters of personal finance management.
Among this year’s notable advisors is Miles Milton, Executive Vice President and Chief Wealth Management Officer of Hancock Whitney, who along with his team maintains $34bn in total assets under management and administration. Alfred Park, Private Wealth Advisor and Vice President with Goldman Sachs, conducts individual security, asset class and portfolio analysis for a select group of wealthy families, individuals and institutions. Also featured is Lisa Marcelli, Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor with B. Riley Wealth, who builds comprehensive investment strategies for high-net-worth individuals and families and measures her success by her client’s ability to live financially abundant lives.
Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of Top CFOs’s Financial Advisors of Houston for 2022.
Alfred Park
Private Wealth Advisor & VP, Goldman Sachs
Alfred Park is the Private Wealth Advisor and Vice President with Goldman Sachs, the leading global financial institution that delivers a broad range of financial services across investment banking, securities, investment management and consumer banking. Park co-leads a team that manages money for a select group of wealthy families, individuals and institutions. In his role, he conducts individual security, asset class and portfolio analysis.
Before joining Goldman Sachs, Park served in the United States Navy as an executive division officer and then as an operations officer. He continues to serve on the boards of several nonprofit organizations including those of the Fisher House Foundation, Bridge Builders, and Girls Inc. of Greater Houston. Park received an MBA in investments and financial markets from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. He received his undergraduate degree in political science from the United States Naval Academy.
Edwin Warren
Specialty Wealth Advisor of Sports & Entertainment, Truist Wealth
Edwin Warren is a Specialty Wealth Advisor of Sports & Entertainment with Truist Wealth. The Sports and Entertainment Specialty Practice exists to deliver team-based, tailored banking, credit and investment solutions exclusively to firms and individuals in the sports and entertainment industry. As a trusted partner and advocate, they leverage deep industry knowledge to help individuals achieve financial goals. To qualify, individuals must be in the sports or entertainment field and have $1 million in assets with Truist or be affiliated with a sports or entertainment business banked by the Sports and Entertainment Specialty Group.
Warren brings over 10 years of comprehensive wealth management and banking experience to the group. He works with a team of experts whose sole focus is to bring comprehensive and highly customized business and personal financial solutions to athletes, league executives, entertainment professionals, attorneys and firms in his market. Together they develop a holistic financial plan that helps meet their clients short- and long-term goals. Warren has earned the professional designation of Accredited Wealth Management Advisor. He graduated from Morehouse College with an undergraduate degree in accounting and finance.
Thomas Brandino
Wealth Advisor and Senior Vice President, Frost Bank
Thomas Brandino is a Wealth Advisor and Senior Vice President at Frost Bank. He first joined the firm in 2008. Frost provides banking, investments, and insurance services to businesses and individuals throughout Texas. Founded in 1868, Frost is one of the 50 largest U.S. banks by asset size. Brandino is a Certified Financial Planner with more than 25 years of experience in providing comprehensive wealth management solutions to affluent clients. He has a particular expertise in investment management, tax, and estate planning. He has proven success in establishing and maintaining quality relationships with clients through holistic analysis of client resources and objectives.
Previously, Brandino was a regional sales manager at Atlas Securities and before that, a VP at JP Morgan Chase. Earlier in his career he worked with Van Kampen as an internal wholesaler. Brandino earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Houston.
Miles Milton
EVP & Chief Wealth Management Officer, Hancock Whitney
Miles Milton began his professional career 36 years ago. Today, he is the Executive Vice President and Chief Wealth Management Officer of Hancock Whitney. In his role, Milton is responsible for delivering comprehensive wealth management solutions to affluent individuals, families, institutions and foundations through a team of multi-disciplined investment, fiduciary, brokerage, advisory and private banking professionals. He and his team maintain $34bn in total assets under management and administration.
Milton first got his start in 1986 as a financial advisor at Fidelity Investments. From there, he went on to Bank of America, before eventually rising to become an SVP and senior managing director at Northern Trust, his most recent position prior to joining Hancock Whitney. Milton graduated from Baylor University of Hankamer School of Business with an undergraduate degree in business administration and finance.
View the complete list of awardees.
Dean Theiss
President of Wealth Management, Prosperity Bank
Dean Theiss is the President of Wealth Management for Prosperity Bank. He first joined the organization in 2019. At Prosperity Bank, they believe in a community banking philosophy where personal relationships and great experiences go hand-in-hand. They provide convenient technology options that their customers expect, all backed by the highest level of security. Prosperity provides personal banking services and investments to consumers and small to medium sized businesses throughout Texas and Oklahoma. Founded in 1983, they rank among the top 100 U.S. banks in assets.
Previously, Theiss was an executive director and trust officer at J.P. Morgan and before that, an AVP and trust officer at First Victoria National Bank. Earlier in his career he worked with Sanwa Bank California as an AVP and trust officer. Theiss earned an undergraduate degree in management and accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University.
Lisa Marcelli
SVP & Financial Advisor, B. Riley Wealth Management
Lisa Marcelli is a Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor with B. Riley Wealth, a subsidiary of B. Riley Financial. Her passion is building comprehensive investment strategies for high-net-worth individuals and families and helping clients navigate life events as they arise. She measures success by her client’s ability to live financially abundant lives. She is privileged to have worked with up to 3 generations of family members in her 30+ years as a financial advisor.
Marcelli is supported by an accomplished local team and national company. As a result, she provides introductions to investment bankers, institutional traders, and specialty financial consultants skilled in asset disposition, asset appraisal, corporate analytics, and corporate forensics. Before joining B. Riley Wealth, Marcelli was an SVP and financial advisor at Wunderlich Securities and before that, a financial advisor at Sanders Morris Harris. Earlier in her career, she worked with Banc One Securities Corporation as a financial advisor. Marcelli graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with an undergraduate degree in economics.
Mariel Braun
Senior Wealth Advisor, Baker Tilly US
Mariel Braun is a Senior Wealth Advisor with Baker Tilly US. She first joined the firm in 2018 as a financial advisor. Baker Tilly US, a leading advisory CPA firm, that provides clients with a genuine coast-to-coast and global advantage in major regions of the U.S. and in many of the world’s leading financial centers like New York, London, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago. Baker Tilly is an independent member of Baker Tilly International, a worldwide network of independent accounting and business advisory firms in 148 territories, with 38,000 professionals and a combined worldwide revenue of $4.3bn. Braun is an experienced financial planning professional, providing high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients with comprehensive wealth planning.
Previously, Braun was a guidance specialist at United Capital Financial Advisers. She earned an undergraduate degree in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University.
Justin Makris
Principal & Financial Advisor, Wealth Design Group
Justin Makris is a Principal and Financial Advisor at Wealth Design Group. He has been working with families to help strategically balance their current lifestyle and financial needs with long term security and success. Makris and his firm work to empower families to experience purpose, freedom and abundance. Their mission is to inspire and coach families on the truths of investing and design a plan that supports their purpose. Clients have access to products, specialists, and services tailored to fit their unique needs and specific goals. Successful individuals and organizations have chosen to work with Makris because of his honesty, dependability, understanding of the financial markets, and dedication to providing excellent service for his clients. His goal is to transform current thinking and experience of money to result in financial freedom and the confidence necessary to live life with purpose.
Prior to joining Wealth Design Group, Makris served with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, and before that with Capstone Asset Management. He graduated from Baylor University.
Ron Sauvageau
Partner & Financial Advisor, Intrua Financial
Ron Sauvageau is a Partner and Financial Advisor of Intrua Financial. He first joined the firm in 2009. Intrua Financial is an independent wealth management firm committed to being involved beyond the expected and provides extensive financial solutions and expertise. In his roles, Sauvageau is focused on delivering highly responsive and individualized financial planning strategies to each client. Their wealth planning practice focuses on serving high-net-worth corporate executives, business owners, and families from the Houston area, across Texas, and throughout the United States. They are committed to building lasting relationships by delivering goal-oriented financial results and exceptional client service.
Previously, Sauvageau was an associate VP with Merrill Lynch Private Client and before that, a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. He earned an undergraduate degree in applied economics from the University of Minnesota.
Jeffrey Gardner
Wealth Advisor, Terramar Wealth
Jeffrey Gardner is a Wealth Advisor with Terramar Wealth. He brings over two decades of financial planning experience to the firm. Gardner is passionate about guiding clients through all stages of their financial planning. He is focused on customized, active and professional investment management, client communication and client service. His expertise is in retirement planning, educational funding as well as non-retirement investment strategies. He takes his fiduciary responsibility seriously, always putting client interest first. Gardner's practice is an all-inclusive practice, offering his professional services to a wide range of clients in an effort to provide financial literacy and wealth accumulation.
Before joining Terramar Wealth, Gardner was a district manager and financial advisor at Independent Capital Management. He graduated from Chapman University with an undergraduate degree in marketing and finance and holds Series 6, 7, 24, 63, 65 licenses.
Bud Landrum
SVP & Private Wealth Advisor, Texas Capital Bank
Bud Landrum began his professional career 24 years ago. Today, he is a Senior Vice President and Private Wealth Advisor with Texas Capital Bank. In his role, Landrum is responsible for working with high-net-worth clients to aid them in effectively managing their wealth, first by identifying each client’s unique goals then coordinating a team of specialists to implement custom, comprehensive wealth plans to help accomplish those goals.
Landrum first got his start in 1998 as an enterprise sales manager at BindView Development Corporation. From there, he went on to National Oilwell Varco before eventually rising to become an SVP and wealth advisor at Wells Fargo Private Bank, his most recent position prior to joining Texas Capital Bank. Landrum graduated from Baylor University.
View the complete list of awardees.
Jason Danziger
Wealth Advisor, Avalon Advisors
Jason Danziger is a Wealth Advisor with Avalon Advisors. Headquartered in Houston and with an office in San Antonio, Avalon’s breadth of expertise in asset allocation, traditional and alternative investments, risk management and portfolio construction create a best-in-class platform for their clients. In his role, Danziger works with clients and their advisors to help them achieve their long-term goals using a variety of income tax, philanthropic, gifting and estate planning techniques. He has 19 years of experience. He began his career in 2003.
Prior to his current role, Danziger worked at Goldman Sachs, where he assisted private wealth management clients in a similar capacity. Before joining Goldman Sachs, he was a financial planner and assistant vice president for a regional trust company in Houston. Danziger began his career in public accounting, specializing in tax compliance for flow-through entities and oil and gas companies. He graduated from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas with a master's degree in public accounting and taxation. He received an undergraduate degree in business administration from Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis.
Kim Trimble
Senior Vice President and Manager of Private Wealth, Bank of Texas
Kim Trimble is a Senior Vice President and Manager of Private Wealth at the Bank of Texas.
As a division of BOK Financial, the Bank of Texas is a financial services partner for consumers, businesses and wealth clients alike. What began in 1910 as a regional source of capital for the energy industry has become one of the strongest, most vibrant financial institutions in the country, fueling economic growth and security across the American Midwest and Southwest.
In her role, Trimble develops and coaches a team of private banking professionals in targeting high-net-worth clients with their financial needs including loans, deposits, trust, estate planning and wealth planning. She has 20 years of experience. She began her career in 2002.
Kevin Wright
VP & Private Wealth Advisor, The Scruggs Group
Kevin Wright is the Vice President and Private Wealth Advisor with The Scruggs Group of Rockefeller Capital Management. He joined the firm in June 2020 and has spent over 7 years in the industry. The Scruggs team develops deep relationships with clients to help ensure they understand their priorities and cultivate a plan that puts them on a path towards financial success. Wright uses his technical knowledge to execute various portfolio strategies and carries expertise in the equity, fixed income, alternative and options markets.
Before joining Rockefeller Capital Management, Wright was a financial advisor with UBS Financial Services. He graduated from Texas A&M with a master’s degree in finance and from the University of Texas at Tyler with an undergraduate degree in finance. Wright is a CFA Charterholder.
Richard Heard
Vice President & Financial Advisor, Wealth Enhancement Group
Richard Heard is a Vice President and Financial Advisor of Wealth Enhancement Group. Wealth Enhancement Group is an independent financial planning firm with a team approach to comprehensive planning and a commitment to long-term client relationships. As a wealth enhancement financial advisor, Heard helps his clients integrate all financial aspects of their life in alignment with their objectives in a flexible and coordinated game plan, designed to adapt as life changes and evolves. His passion is to see every client pursue their version of financial success.
Before joining Wealth Enhancement Group, Heard was a senior client advisor at Fitzgerald Wealth Management and before that, a director of strategic accounts at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Earlier in his career he worked with VHA as a VP, general counsel and secretary. Heard graduated from The University of Texas School of Law with a JD and from Vanderbilt University with an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering.
Randy Price
Executive Managing Director & Wealth Manager, Steward Partners Global Advisory
Randy Price is the Executive Managing Director and Wealth Manager of Steward Partners Global Advisory. He first joined the firm in 2018. Steward Partners Global Advisory is an employee-owned, full-service partnership, catering to family, institutional and multigenerational investors. Their financial advisors deliver comprehensive wealth planning and investment strategy implementation, professional asset services, private banking, institutional consulting, international advisory and business solutions. They pride themselves on delivering bespoke service with an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Previously, Price was a managing director and financial advisor at RBC Wealth Management and before that, a VP and financial advisor at Smith Barney. Earlier in his career he worked with Shell as an accountant. Price earned an MBA in banking and finance and an undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Amy Buck
SVP of Wealth Management, Third Coast Bank
Amy Buck is a Senior Vice President of Wealth Management at Third Coast Bank. She first joined the organization in 2021. Third Coast Bank was launched in 2008 by a group of local entrepreneurs with a passion for supporting the business community along the Texas Gulf Coast. Since then, their bank has grown to $2bn in assets, with over 250 employees, and 12 locations. They've expanded to serve more Texas communities while maintaining their focus on responsive service and long-lasting relationships. They provide working capital for businesses to build, expand, and remodel facilities, purchase equipment, and refinance/restructure existing loans.
Previously, Buck was a VP at Wells Fargo. She earned an undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Houston-Downtown.
Ben West
SVP & Financial Advisor, Prime Capital Investment Advisors
Ben West began his career in the financial services industry in 2006, joining Prime Capital Investment Advisors in April 2019. As Senior Vice President & Financial Advisor, West works with his clients to navigate every aspect of their lives that involves a dollar sign. Adhering to the fiduciary standard, he makes the best interests of his clients his first and only priority. West chose to become an advisor because he believes that open communication and ongoing planning are the keys to better decision making and a more satisfying life. Through listening and empathy, he understands people’s beliefs and values about money. Applying education, experience and creativity, he develops a plan that progresses with each of his clients’ lives.
West graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a degree in personal financial planning. He is a Certified Financial Planner professional and has obtained the FINRA Series 65 License and the Chartered Mutual Fund CounselorSM certification. He first got his start in 2009 in account services at Edelman Financial Engines.
View the complete list of awardees.
Susan Wedelich
Senior Vice President and Private Wealth Advisor, Westwood Holdings Group
Susan Wedelich is a Senior Vice President and Private Wealth Advisor with Westwood Holdings Group, a focused investment management boutique and wealth management firm. Wedelich joined Westwood in 2017 in her position as a wealth advisor. As an attorney with over 20 years of experience, including nearly 15 years at her previous firm, J.P. Morgan, she is focused on helping clients overcome their financial complexities and navigating financial planning and estate planning challenges.
Wedelich first got her start in 1999 as an associate attorney at Crain, Caton & James. From there, she went on to Harris County Probate Court. Wedelich earned her JD from South Texas College of Law and her undergraduate degree in political science and economics from Texas A&M University.
Kate Langthorn
Financial Advisor, IMG Financial Group
Kate Langthorn began her professional career 10 years ago. Today, she is a Financial Advisor at IMG Financial Group, a comprehensive and independent financial services firm headquartered in Houston, TX. Langthorn specializes in assisting business owners, professionals and families with the accumulation and preservation of wealth. Her passion is to create efficient long term financial strategies, focusing on life’s big events. She helps people move from being well-intentioned into action. Some of her specialties include business planning, succession strategies, legacy planning, investment advisory, and insurance planning.
Langthorn is a Registered Representative and Investment Advisor Representative of Securian Financial Services, Inc. She received an undergraduate degree in business administration in finance from Texas A&M University and holds the Series 66 and 7 Securities Registrations along with her life and health licenses. She began her role as a financial advisor in the Hawaii office in 2012.
Zarir Sethna
Financial Advisor, Eagle Strategies
Zarir Sethna is a Financial Advisor with Eagle Strategies. He first joined the firm in 2005. Since 1988, he has been privileged to work with successful business owners, physicians, and executives to help them achieve their financial objectives. He works with clients to crystalize their goals, align their wealth with the things that matter most, and help them to take action. Sethna specializes in providing highly customized insurance solutions, asset protection, wealth management, and retirement planning services with thoughtful oversight and ongoing monitoring of progress.
Sethna is a member of The Nautilus Group®, an exclusive service of New York Life Insurance Company that is only open to approximately 225 of the company’s more than 12,000 agents. They offer unparalleled support in estate, business, retirement, philanthropic and sophisticated life insurance planning. In addition, Sethna is a Court of the Table Life and Qualifying Member of the Million Dollar Round Table, which is recognized throughout the industry as the standard of excellence in life insurance sales performance. He serves on the Board of Directors of NYLARC, the largest agent owned reinsurance company in the world, and is a member of the Association of Advanced Life Underwriters and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. Sethna earned an undergraduate degree with an emphasis in finance from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.
Brandon Gay
VP & Financial Advisor, Sovereign Wealth Advisors
Brandon Gay is a Vice President and Financial Advisor with Sovereign Wealth Advisors. He has managed the financial affairs of individuals and families since 2010, and takes full advantage of the unique privileges and access that being an independent wealth consultant through LPL Financial. Gay thrives on being able to provide experienced, objective, personalized investment recommendations to clients. He is committed to helping businesses, families and individuals pursue their financial life goals by taking the stress out of money management.
Prior to joining Sovereign Wealth Advisors, Gay was a successful wealth consultant with Wells Fargo Advisors and advisor of the year for their Sugar Land Office for 2013. He graduated from the University of Houston with an undergraduate degree in finance and holds Series 7, 63, 65 and general lines insurance licenses.
Tom Noble
Founder, President, CEO & Financial Advisor, The Noble Group
Tom Noble began his professional career 27 years ago. Today, he is the Founder, President, CEO and Financial Advisor of The Noble Group. At The Noble Group, their team’s steadfast focus is on developing effective, efficient and comprehensive financial planning for individuals and families, as well as wealth management for corporate retirement plan sponsors and participants. Noble and his team manage more than 150 retirement plans and $1.5bn in assets. He continues to work with plan sponsors and a select number of individual clients in an effort to provide the highest level of attention to their growing needs.
In 1995 Noble served as an SVP of investments and retirement plan consultant at Raymond James. He graduated from Washington and Lee University with an undergraduate degree in economics and psychology.
Nelson Gonzalez
Partner & Financial Advisor, Amicus Financial Advisors
Nelson Gonzalez is Partner and Financial Advisor for Amicus Financial Advisors. He serves high-net-worth clientele and lawsuit settlement recipients in the Houston area. Gonzalez also serves the citizens of Houston as a Houston Firefighter/EMT and provides pro-bono financial education to firefighters he meets in the firehouses and stations when on duty. He recently accepted a position as an Adjunct Professor at Rice University and will be teaching part of their wealth management course at the Glasscock School of Education. Gonzalez believes that it is essential to articulate a secular attitude towards maximizing personal financial goals and that his holistic approach in financial planning can help individuals achieve those goals.
Gonzalez graduated from Texas Tech University with his master’s degree in personal financial planning. He holds a CFP®, a Texas insurance license for Life, Accident, Health and HMO. Additionally, he holds his Series 66, and is currently in the process of obtaining his Registered Settlement Planner certification. Before joining Amicus Financial Advisors LLC as an investment advisor representative, he served as a paraplanner for two and a half years.
Forest Busby
VP & Financial Advisor, Woodforest Wealth Strategies
Forest Busby is a Vice President and Financial Advisor with Woodforest Wealth Strategies. He first joined the firm in 2017. Since 2000, Woodforest Wealth Strategies has provided customized wealth management solutions to businesses and individuals. Their assets under management were approximately $1.1bn as of April 2020. The firm’s financial advisors have an average of more than 20 years of financial industry experience and use their collective specialized knowledge to personally provide insightful guidance, while keeping professionalism, ethics and integrity at the forefront of all they do.
Previously, Busby was a private client advisor at JPMorgan Chase Bank and before that, a financial advisor at Edward Jones. Earlier in his career he worked with Dow Chemical as a senior R&D manager. Busby earned a PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware and an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from the University of Houston.
View the complete list of awardees.
