Nicole Smith

Debra Rosenthal Ritter is a CFP® with 36 years of industry experience, currently serving at Retirement Management Systems. Her prior roles include positions at Geneos Wealth Management Inc, Capital Asset Advisory Services, LLC, WFG Investments, Inc., and RosRit Financial Group, LLC. Outside of advisory work, she is involved in home care services plan sales. Retirement Management Systems provides savings-plan management, discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and plan-sponsor consulting for individual clients and retirement plans. The firm uses risk-based model portfolios developed with LSA Portfolio Analytics and serves a high number of clients with substantial assets under management.

Nelson Gonzalez is a financial advisor with Amicus Financial Advisors, LLC, holding a Series 65 credential and 14 years of industry experience. He has worked with Amicus since 2011 and also serves as a firefighter and EMT with the Houston Fire Department. Additionally, he operates a business consulting firm, Nelson Gonzalez & Associates LLC. Amicus Financial Advisors provides comprehensive financial planning and investment advisory services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, trusts, charitable organizations, pension and profit-sharing plans, and corporations. The firm employs a multi-cap, multi-style investment approach combining active and passive vehicles, managing approximately $511 million on a discretionary basis.

Michael Degan is a financial advisor at Encompass More Asset Management LLC with one year of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked previously with Appreciation Financial, Bluebell Construction, and Team Velocity Marketing. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in insurance and annuity sales as a field sales associate. Encompass More Asset Management LLC serves individual and high-net-worth clients by providing discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and access to private placements. The firm employs a model-based investment approach that integrates quantitative, qualitative, and fundamental analysis, and manages approximately $582 million for about 4,000 clients.

Patrick Beale is a financial advisor at Merit Financial Advisors with 20 years of industry experience and holds a Series 66 designation. His prior experience includes roles at Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Commonwealth Financial Network, Global Wealth Advisors, and LPL. Outside of his advisory work, he is co-owner of Pearland Elite Training Center, LLC, a teaching and coaching business operated by his wife. Merit Financial Group, LLC is an SEC-registered advisory firm managing approximately $10.6 billion with 144 advisors serving individuals, businesses, retirement plan sponsors, and institutions. The firm employs a long-term, diversified investment approach utilizing model portfolios and modular sleeves, overseen by a central Investment Management team and committee, while allowing advisors flexibility in portfolio management.