Michael Ament

Hi, I'm Steve. I've loved financial planning ever since I was a kid watching the ticker tape on CNBC as my mom, a homemaker learned about finances herself. I grew up in a very frugal household who taught me about working hard and saving for the future. My mother was a homemaker or "domestic engineer" as she calls it and my father was a federal employee. I was fortunate to be introduced to Rita Abel and become the owner of her small, family owned financial planning firm in 2019. Today we work with approximately 60 families. What makes us unique is our passion to be "accountability partner's" for our clients to ensure they take care of the important financial matters in their lives. We are part financial advisors and party financial therapists for our married couples but most importantly we are organized, proactive and have a passion for financial planning. Looking forward to meeting and if you want to know more, I encourage you to read our google reviews online. Just search "Abel Financial Reviews" in google.

My name is Matthew, your advisor at Cadence Planning. I entered the professional world as a teacher. For over six years, I spent time with students, developed after-school robotics programs, and relished the opportunity to educate and empower the people around me. That is why, I believe it is important for clients to understand, I entered the financial world as a teacher as well. The passion for teaching never left me. I had witnessed, first hand, the impact education has on someone's self-confidence, security, and semblance of joy. And I carry this approach with me into my advising. In 2006 I decided to leave teaching altogether to work full-time as a tax accountant. I took and passed each section of the EA exam between 2009 and 2010, receiving my EA designation in March 2011. I've been given the opportunity to present to my peers at conferences and in 2012 was honored to be a recipient of the “Outstanding Young Professionals Award” from the Maryland Society of Accountants. In 2021, I completed the Financial Planning Program at the Boston Institute of Finance at Bryant University and subsequently passed the CFP exam and earned my CFP Marks. It's been a hard but rewarding journey and has left me feeling empowered to help clients. That is why I love what I do.

Kevin Smole is Vice President and Financial Consultant at Fidelity Investments, a position he has held since 2008. He has been with Fidelity since 2001, progressing through roles including Financial Planning Consultant, Investor Center Investments Representative, and Service Trader II. With 25 years of experience, Kevin helps clients recognize their financial goals and offers strategies to align with their plans. He draws upon the resources available at Fidelity to support his clients' financial planning needs. Outside of his professional role, Kevin's personal interests include boating, family activities, fitness, hiking, skiing, and traveling.

Davin Rudy is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, where he serves as a long-term personal resource to clients, assisting them in organizing and managing their broad spectrum of financial and life goals. He brings over twenty-five years of experience in business and team management to his role, engaging with business owners, physicians, executives, individuals, and families at various stages of wealth to provide personalized wealth management strategies. His expertise encompasses portfolio construction and development, education planning, liability management, tax minimization strategies, and overall cash management. Davin's client focus areas include college education planning, corporate executive services, divorce transition planning, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, socially responsible and ESG investing, special needs planning strategies, individual and corporate investment strategy, tax minimization, and retirement income. Davin holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Delaware and professional designations including CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). He is bilingual in English and Spanish and participates in community organizations such as Habitat For Humanity, FC Frederick, and Elite Feet Dance Studio. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, as well as interests in chess, drawing/sketching, football, genealogy, photography, soccer, traveling, and watching movies.

Matthew Larsen is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He works closely with clients to develop personalized financial strategies aimed at pursuing long-term goals. His approach involves understanding each client's full financial picture and creating flexible strategies suited to changing market conditions. Matthew specializes in areas including education planning, family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, liquidity management, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, socially responsible and values-based investing, and retirement income. He and his team assist corporate executives, entrepreneurs, professionals, and their families in implementing coordinated financial strategies focused on simplicity, transparency, and measurable progress. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Salisbury University and holds several professional designations, including CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP), CERTIFIED PLAN FIDUCIARY ADVISOR (CPFA), Personal Investment Advisor (PIA), and Retirement Accredited Financial Advisor (RAFA). Matthew is a member of professional organizations such as Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, Financial Management Association, and Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He was born and raised in Frederick County and is an avid fan of the Washington Capitals and hockey. Outside of work, he enjoys boating, golfing, ice hockey, traveling, and spending time with his family.