Fernando Ascenso

Collecting coins, saving money in a piggy bank, questioning the cost of every single item, calculating investment returns, watching Maria Bartiromo on CNBC. This about sums up my childhood. Plus basketball..can't leave out basketball. Beautiful Westchester County, NY is the place I have been proud to call home for pretty much my entire life. I have been with my amazing wife Karen since freshman year in high school. 9th Grade! Yes, that is correct...since I am 14 years old. Some things in life are destined to be and for us, we both knew it right away. Having a soulmate is a real thing and I was lucky enough to find mine at a very young age. We have three beautiful and active (aka difficult) children that keep us on our toes ;) I always knew my life would be spent working in the Investing/Financial Markets profession. It is what I was born to do, but it was not a straight easy ride that led me to this point. There were a lot of highs and lows, a lot of leaps of faith, a lot of following our dreams, and a lot of uncertainty. We are the type of people that go for it in life. No regrets. We often choose the road less traveled...and that has made all the difference. I have a passion for helping people figure out their finances. I truly enjoy it. Not all people are wired to deal with personal finances, but the truth is it is super important to living a happy life. I want to find a way to help people that struggle with all this stuff. I did not start this business to only help people that are already well off. Offering education, YouTube videos, blogs, individual coaching, group coaching, on-line classes, and being a trusted fiduciary advisor is my vision for the School of Personal Finance. I don't have it all figured out yet, but I am on my way! I believe the coaching/financial planning piece is much more important than the actual managing of investment accounts for a majority of people. Yes, having the correct asset allocation and matching your risk profile is very important, but with the creation of low-cost index funds and the advances in technology, the need for a portfolio manager is becoming a thing of the past. But you know what will continue to be here forever? The need for personal financial advice, education, and guidance that is easily available and affordable for everyone. Please visit Richard's blog here: https://www.schoolofpersonalfinance.com/blog

I help pre-retirees and early retirees who need assistance making their money last in order to secure the retirement lifestyle they envision. By using a combination of comprehensive financial planning and investment management services I help my clients think through difficult financial tradeoffs and come up with solutions that provide peace of mind. If you are looking for someone you can trust to explain complicated financial issues in a clear way and want to delegate your investment program to a financial advisor, you’ve come to the right place. ★ WHAT MAKES ME DIFFERENT I was previously an art director at Money Magazine and Mutual Funds Magazine where I worked for nearly 12 years helping readers better understand personal finance topics. I am adept at making complex financial issues easy to understand, love solving problems, and skilled at keeping people on task to accomplish their goals. As a career changer and father of two teenage boys, I know what it takes to care for a family while simultaneously working toward achieving personal goals. I truly enjoy collaborating with my clients and helping them transition into their vision of a successful retirement. ★ SPECIALTIES • Retirement Planning • Portfolio Management • Approaching Retirement • Late-Career • Retirement Income Planning • Asset Allocation Strategies • Fund Selection • Ongoing investment monitoring • Life Transitions • Sudden Money Situations • Dealing with the loss of a spouse • Dealing with an Inheritance • Dealing with Stock Options • Help with 401(k) and IRAs • College Education Planning • Cash Flow Planning • Coordination with other professionals

Financial planning isn’t just about accumulating wealth — it’s about making thoughtful decisions with your money so it supports the life you want to live. As a fee-only financial planner, I work with individuals and families who want clarity and confidence around their financial decisions. My role is to help organize the many moving parts of your financial life and guide you through important choices about saving, investing, taxes, retirement, and major life transitions. Many people feel overwhelmed by financial complexity. My goal is to simplify those decisions and help you move forward with a clear plan. Financial planning is not a one-time event — it’s an ongoing process. As your life evolves, your financial strategy should evolve with it. A Planning Philosophy Focused on “Return on Life” I believe financial planning should help people maximize their Return on Life, not just their investment returns. Money is a tool that should support meaningful experiences, opportunities, and the things that matter most to you. My approach focuses on helping clients: • Align financial decisions with their personal values • Build financial security and independence • Spend intentionally on experiences and priorities • Navigate life transitions with clarity and confidence The goal is to help you feel confident that your financial life is supporting a life that is both meaningful and sustainable. How I Help Clients My work focuses on comprehensive financial planning, which may include: • Retirement planning and income strategies • Investment planning and portfolio guidance • Tax-aware financial strategies • Insurance and risk management • Cash flow and savings planning • Guidance through major financial decisions Rather than focusing on individual financial products, my role is to help you see how all the pieces of your financial life fit together. What It’s Like to Work Together Financial planning works best as an ongoing partnership. As your advisor, I aim to serve as a thoughtful guide and sounding board as questions arise and decisions need to be made. My goal is to help you stay organized, informed, and confident as your financial life evolves. A Fee-Only Fiduciary Approach As a fee-only financial advisor, I do not receive commissions from financial products. My advice is independent and designed to support my clients’ goals and best interests. The focus of my work is building long-term relationships centered on clarity, education, and thoughtful

Yenny Cesse Perdomo is a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, specializing in personal retirement planning, women and wealth, and retirement income strategies. She focuses on helping individuals and families build and protect their wealth through clear communication and tailored advice. Yenny guides clients to make confident and informed financial decisions that align with their goals by simplifying complex financial concepts and empowering them to take control of their financial future. Yenny holds a Bachelor's Degree from Florida International University and maintains professional designations including Accredited Wealth Management Advisor (AWMA), Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). Fluent in both English and Spanish, she brings expertise in financial planning and investment needs to her role. Outside of her professional work, Yenny’s personal interests include adventure sports, biking, dancing, ice hockey, reading, traveling, watching movies, and writing.

John O'Neill is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He serves as managing partner and co-leader of the 712 Group, overseeing the strategic vision and direction of the team. John is responsible for creating and managing the team’s planning and review process to ensure consistent implementation of their financial philosophies and strategies. John works with affluent families, corporate executives, business owners, philanthropic organizations, and pension plans. He coordinates the multiple aspects of clients' financial lives, collaborating closely with CPAs and tax/estate attorneys to develop synchronized, evolving wealth management plans. His expertise includes family wealth management, legacy planning, tax minimization, portfolio management, and services tailored for endowments, foundations, and defined benefit plans. Additionally, John is qualified within Merrill Lynch as a Portfolio Manager, authorized to build and manage personalized investment strategies. John holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification, the Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®) designation, and the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ (CRPC™) credential. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Providence College. John is bilingual, speaking English and Spanish. He lives in Bedford, New York, and his personal interests include basketball, chess, golfing, reading, running, spending time with family, and traveling.

Richard Cossa is an Investment Consultant currently working at Fidelity Investments since 2023. He has accumulated over 17 years of experience in the financial industry, having held various financial advisory roles at firms such as Mahoney Asset Management, Lincoln Financial, Chase Investments, Oppenheimer & Co., Wells Fargo Advisors, and Morgan Stanley. Throughout his career, Richard has developed expertise in navigating different market cycles with a focus on asset allocation and delivering customer service aimed at guiding clients through their retirement planning. His professional journey reflects a consistent commitment to supporting clients in achieving their financial goals. Outside of his professional work, Richard has interests in baseball, fitness, football, golf, and yoga.