Brian Gard

Hi there! I’m Scott, and I help young professionals build wealth wisely while still enjoying their life and their lattes. No, you do not need to give up your $7 coffee drink to be able to retire! In my work with clients, I help answer the following questions (and more): • How much do I need to save to be financially independent (ie, retired)? • Do I have the right investments? • How do I prioritize all the financial things I have going on? • What should I select for my 401K investments? • What do I need to do to create a proper Estate Plan? • Am I taking full advantage of my employee benefits? • Is there anything I can do to lower my taxes, now or in the future? • Will my family be okay if something terrible happens to me? • Is my emergency fund adequate? • Is my spending aligned with my goals? You can read more about my services here: https://forthrightfinances.com/wealth-builder/ One last, quick note: Unlike 99% of financial advisory firms, I do not have account minimums, nor do I charge so much that you need to have a 6 figure income to afford my fee. My services are intentionally designed so that anyone, regardless of their assets or income, can get honest, straightforward, and comprehensive financial advice. Even if you're starting with $0.

I’m a flat fee-only fiduciary who blends financial planning and tax expertise into one streamlined, all-in-one system that supports every part of your financial life. I handle the implementation and maintenance of your plan so you’re not left doing the heavy lifting—and because I don’t sell anything, the advice is always completely unbiased. Clients come to me with any question, big or small, knowing I’ll meet them where they are, explain things clearly, and offer practical, judgment-free guidance. And when couples need clarity or alignment, I help translate complex choices into simple, realistic terms so decisions feel shared, intentional, and confident.

Steven Strong serves as a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. He has over thirty-three years of experience managing client wealth, with twenty-eight of those years at Merrill Lynch. Steven works primarily with affluent clients, providing personalized investment management strategies aimed at creating, growing, and preserving wealth. His services encompass portfolio strategy development, estate planning, trust services in partnership with Bank of America Private Bank, asset and liability management, retirement planning, and wealth preservation. Steven holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arizona, where he also played collegiate baseball and contributed to the team’s 1986 NCAA National Championship. He has been recognized in the industry for his advisory work, including placements on Barron’s “Top 1,200 Financial Advisors” list in 2020 and Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisors from 2021 through 2023. Steven is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) and the past president of the Junior Achievement Advisory Board. He resides in Tucson with his wife and three children and has interests in baseball, fishing, football, gardening, golfing, hunting, spending time with family, and traveling.

Sonia Aquilina is a Senior Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She has been working in financial services since 1988, initially serving as a Vice President International Trust Officer in Private Client Services. Since joining Merrill in 2005, Sonia has held various roles including International Financial Advisor, Assistant Vice President, Financial Solutions Advisor, and Senior Financial Advisor. Her areas of expertise include family wealth management strategies, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, small business strategies, women and wealth, and individual and corporate investment strategy. Sonia holds the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation and earned her High School Diploma/GED from Pima Community College. She is fluent in both Spanish and English. Residing in Tucson with her husband and two children, Sonia prioritizes giving back to her community. She is actively involved in supporting local business owners and is a member of Merrill Women’s Exchange and HOLA, the Hispanic/Latino organization for Leadership and Advancement. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities such as skiing, spending time with her family, traveling, and watching movies.

Bob Ewing is a Financial Consultant currently working at Fidelity Investments since 2015. He has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, specializing in working with individuals and families to help them define and achieve their financial goals. Throughout his career, Bob has held various roles including Vice President at JP Morgan Chase and Oak Ridge Financial, Retirement Consultant at Allianz Financial Services, and Financial Advisor positions at Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Bob's approach emphasizes challenging clients to think critically about what they want their wealth to accomplish, enabling the development and implementation of tailored financial strategies. His extensive experience across multiple reputable financial institutions underscores his expertise in financial consulting and retirement planning.