I believe my strength and focus in finance comes from being a devoted husband and father, as well as, a proud Western Michigan University Alumni. I grew up in the Kalamazoo area and now live with my family in Portage, MI. I love watching college football, playing hockey, and giving to the community. I founded Face 2 Face on a vision that started when I was a young teenager. My father used to take me to factories so I could watch him give financial education seminars to factory workers about their 401k options. That experience and my years of working for a large firm set my vision for wanting a firm that had no minimum asset levels. This gives me the ability to work with clients that want conflict-free advice on topics ranging from college planning to their 401k and all the way up to their retirement. I wanted to make a firm that was different. That’s why I built a firm to serve not only those who are retired but also the 30, 40 and 50-year-olds who want help along the way. I saw from working at larger firms that clients would come to me at retirement and they would have the money that they have, which may or may not have been enough. I felt that if I could help them earlier to make small changes, their future retirement would be in a much better place. This is why I offer different options, from hourly planning to full comprehensive financial planning.

Ryan Hekman is a Wealth Management Advisor at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management and a founding partner of the Hekman & VanderStraaten Group. He has been a financial services professional since 1994 and joined Merrill Lynch in 1999. Ryan works alongside Wealth Management Advisor Jeff VanderStraaten, Financial Advisor Floyd Tucker, and Client Associate Janene Breneman to support clients in achieving their financial goals through personalized planning and portfolio management. Ryan’s expertise includes divorce transition planning, family wealth management strategies, services for endowments, foundations, and non-profits, legacy planning, personal retirement planning, philanthropic planning, portfolio management, and investment strategy for individuals and corporations. He follows a defined process to develop customized financial strategies aimed at helping individuals, families, and businesses. Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Western Michigan University and has earned the Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) designation. He serves on the board of the Grandville Walker Foundation. Outside of his professional life, Ryan lives in Grandville and enjoys spending time with his five children, playing basketball, biking, boating, cooking, golfing, traveling, and watching sports.

Janene Pirbhai is a Wealth Management Advisor with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She began her financial services career in 1991 and has concentrated on integrating wealth management with portfolio management. Janene holds several professional designations, including Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®), Certified Portfolio Manager (CPM), and Personal Investment Advisor (PIA). She earned her bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University. Janene’s client focus areas include family wealth management strategies, managing new wealth, personal retirement planning, portfolio management services, women and wealth, and retirement income. Her approach emphasizes aligning clients' portfolios with their priorities by listening carefully to their needs and ensuring each strategy supports their goals. Janene leads a team of culturally diverse investment professionals to help clients achieve their financial objectives using a full range of resources from Merrill Lynch and Bank of America. Residing in Kalamazoo, Michigan with her husband Erfan, Janene has raised three children and is involved in community initiatives such as Girl Scouts, Inner City Youth for Change, Love & JENGA, and the YWCA. She has hiked Mount Kilimanjaro six times and has helped over 100 individuals reach the summit since 2012.

Tara Nulty is a Senior Resident Director specializing in wealth management with over 10 years of direct experience in the field and 17 years in the financial services industry. She focuses on areas including family wealth management strategies, legacy planning, retirement income, philanthropic planning, and LGBT wealth planning. Tara works closely with clients to develop personalized financial strategies aimed at pursuing long-term goals amid changing market conditions. Before her current role, Tara held positions such as Executive Assistant to the Banc of America Global Head of Mergers & Acquisitions, Senior Management Team member at Barclays, and Analyst in Barclays Wealth Management. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Boston College and is a Personal Investment Advisor (PIA) by professional designation. Tara participates actively in community organizations including the Elizabeth Upjohn Community Healing Center, South Haven Yacht Club, and Western Michigan University Theatre Guild. Her personal interests include boating, fishing, golfing, music, painting, scuba diving, sewing, singing, travel, and spending time with her family.