Robert Schneider

Kartik Patel is a financial advisor at Simplify Investments with eight years of industry experience and holds a Series 65 designation. He also serves as president of Data Express Inc., an information technology consulting firm where he provides business analysis and strategic advice to clients, including those in the financial sector. Prior to founding Data Express, he worked at Tech Karma Inc. for six years. Simplify Investments is an independent, fee-only registered investment adviser serving private individuals, families, and small businesses. The firm employs a fundamentally driven, value-oriented investment approach focused on U.S.-traded stocks, ETFs, and bonds, maintaining a concentrated portfolio and making limited quarterly changes.

As a member of the financial independence community, I understand the value of quality fee only advice catering to the complex and "nontraditional" route we are taking to life. I have built a "lifestyle" practice, where I can serve clients, maintain my balanced lifestyle with two girls, pursue my hobbies and travel. I primarily work with clients on an ongoing retainer basis, charged with a monthly billing arrangement. For legacy (separated) clients or family of clients, I offer hourly based planning. I also prepare tax returns and manage assets, both of which I charge a separate fee for. After graduating from University of Maryland, College Park, I worked in public accounting doing tax preparation and consulting for high net worth individuals, estates and trusts. I changed careers into financial planning in 2013, working mainly with clients pursuing a traditional retirement path, including attorneys, physicians, executives and families with wealth. After working for a large planning firm in the DC area, I launched my firm in 2018. I am a CFP® and CPA. Given my background, I specialize in tax planning, retirement planning and frugality!

John Rathnam is the sole advisor at Rathnam Capital, LLC, an independent firm based in Bluemont, VA. He holds the CFA® designation and Series 65 license, with 21 years of industry experience. Rathnam has led Rathnam Capital since its founding in 2010. Rathnam Capital serves individual and high-net-worth clients, managing approximately $81 million across about three dozen households. The firm provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and consulting, utilizing customized asset allocation strategies and third-party sub-advisers to address a range of investment needs.

David Pickei is the sole advisor at Reye Partners Asset Management LLC in Leesburg, VA, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses with 24 years of industry experience. He has been with Reye Partners since 2005. Reye Partners Asset Management provides discretionary, separately managed investment management and portfolio consulting services primarily for individual clients and trusts. The firm serves both high-net-worth and non-high-net-worth clients, emphasizing portfolio composition, due diligence, diversification, and capital preservation through a manager-of-managers approach.

Bryan Lohr is a financial advisor at Present Value Financial Services LLC with seven years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has been with his current firm since 2018 following a period of semi-retirement. Present Value Financial Services LLC serves individuals and families across income levels, offering comprehensive financial planning, investment management, tax preparation, and financial education. The firm employs a bottom-up fundamental analysis approach combined with capital market theory to create diversified, cost-conscious portfolios and emphasizes financial education through public seminars and workshops.