1929-2025

CFP®, CEO and Managing Partner

Angela Bender has a keen understanding—honed by more than 25 years in financial services—that success is different for each person. Her “advance and defend” asset management process embodies this strategy, helping her clients succeed today and tomorrow.

Angela and her team at family-owned AMJ Financial Wealth Management, located in Leesburg, Virginia, take the time to consult with each client individually and plan the best course of action so that the client feels comfortable. Her team also continuously monitors the plan to make sure it remains on target. AMJ believes that for anyone and everyone, wealth management can be made simple.

She has been an entrepreneur in the financial services industry since 1997. A Certified Financial Planner™ and an Ed Slott Master Elite Advisor*, Angela has been voted a “top financial professional” by Northern Virginia Magazine** for several years. She is also a Certified Long Term Care specialist, a well-established speaker in the Washington, DC, area, and consistently sought-after for contributions to articles on personal finances. 

*Ed Slott’s Elite IRA Advisor Group is solely an indication that the financial advisor has attended training provided by Ed Slott and Company.  AMJ pays a fee to be part of the Ed Slott’s Master Elite IRA Advisor Group℠.
**Individuals selected for Northern Virginia Magazine’s Top Financial Professionals are nominated via peer survey sent by the magazine. This survey is only completed by financial professionals currently practicing in Northern Virginia. The financial professionals that receive the most nominations are featured in the September edition of the magazine. No compensation was paid for this award however, it should be noted that AMJ Financial Wealth Management does advertise in Northern Virginia Magazine.

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CPA, Chief Operating Officer

A Certified Public Accountant, Brett Bender is an experienced chief financial officer for small- and medium-sized businesses. His strength is focused on financial and administrative management for high-growth organizations.

Brett specializes in helping startups, small, and medium-size enterprises with their financial and strategic planning, including preparing and analyzing financial statements, business and cash flow forecasting, evaluating and implementing accounting software, preparing business plans, tax management, and business insurance.

As Chief Operations Officer for AMJ Financial, Brett provides daily leadership and support for a team of investment and advisory professionals and assists them with tax planning and maintaining tax efficient portfolios for clients.

Director of Operations

Robin Benjamin has been with AMJ Financial since 2008 and is currently our Director of Operations. She came to AMJ Financial with over 20 years of sales and marketing experience of which 13 years were spent in media advertising. Robin’s responsibilities include managing support staff in the following areas: new client development; new account opening and processing; client account maintenance; and a myriad of human resources activities. Robin communicates with our clients regularly to ensure that their needs are met on an ongoing basis.

CFP®, CRC®, BFA - Director of Financial Planning

Fridtjov Markussen joined AMJ Financial Wealth Management in 2015. He began his financial services career in 2000 after a career in the IT consulting industry. His prior financial services roles include serving in the Private Client Group of Legg Mason Wood Walker, as an Investment Consultant for TD Ameritrade, and most recently, as an independent financial planner with Waddell & Reed. He has broad experience serving clients’ investment, retirement, education funding, insurance, and risk-management needs. He is a Certified Financial Planner Practitioner™ with a special focus on strategic asset allocation and retirement income planning strategies. He is committed to helping clients achieve greater long-term financial security by providing the highest level of professional guidance.

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CFP®, Portfolio Manager

As Portfolio Manager under the direction of the Chief Investment Officer, Laken Barber keeps her eyes on AMJ clients’ investments. Her primary objective is to utilize our Advance and Defend Asset Management™ process to implement investment strategies, analyze market trends, and identify new opportunities for asset allocation. Her situational awareness on global economic conditions allows her to adapt to market changes in a proactive manner. Laken graduated from Virginia Tech in 2016 with a degree Applied Economic Management with a focus in Financial Planning. She is a Certified Financial Planner™ and holds her Series 65 securities license. 

-Laken Barber is formerly Ashley Laken Adams

Senior Wealth Advisor, CFP®

Tucker Holt joined AMJ in 2019. As senior wealth advisor, Tucker will focus his service on creating strategies to help clients achieve their financial goals ahead of schedule. Before joining AMJ, Tucker worked in the financial services industry as a Financial Consultant with Middleburg Investment Services and in investment consultant positions with Scottrade and ICS Financial. He graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Hospitality Management and earned his MBA from the University of Mary Washington. He is a Certified Financial Planner Practitioner™ and he has also obtained his Series 7 and 66 securities licenses.

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Client Services

Chris Breighner joined AMJ Financial Wealth Management in 2016 as front desk receptionist and administrative assistant. She is the primary point of contact for scheduling all appointments and works alongside the AMJ Team to meet ever-changing client needs with a smile. Chris has 10 years of teaching experience, four with Loudoun County Public Schools. Prior to that, she served in the U.S. Air Force as a public affairs officer with assignments in Alabama, Texas and Missouri, and participated in Operation Allied Force (Kosovo) and operations in the Persian Gulf.

CFP®, AIF® Wealth Advisor

Ryan Albritton joined AMJ in 2024, bringing more than a decade of financial services experience to the AMJ team. As a wealth advisor, Ryan focuses on collaborating with clients to help align their goals with financial strategies to achieve their objectives. Ryan is an advocate for clients and believes in crafting personalized plans that work in their best interest. Ryan began his career as a financial advisor with ING Financial Services and spent time at a couple of other independent advisory firms as a financial advisor and director of financial planning. A native of Fayetteville, NC, he is a Certified Financial Planner Practitioner™ and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF).

Associate Wealth Advisor II

James Ventrelli is an associate wealth advisor with AMJ Financial Wealth Management. His area of focus is on creating strategies to help clients achieve their financial goals ahead of schedule, as well as directly assisting clients with a myriad of needs, including tax and estate planning. He began his career with AMJ in 2022 as a paraplanner directly supporting the Manager of Financial Planning. James graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Finance and a concentration in Financial Planning under the CFP® certification education program. While in school, he was involved with the Virginia Tech Financial Planning Association and served as the Community Outreach officer, as well as the Secretary for the organization. He has also earned his Series 65 license.

Senior Operations Specialist

Beverly Sheffield, a native of Loudoun County, VA, joined AMJ Financial Wealth Management in 2022. As Senior Operations Specialist, she manages a variety of special projects for both clients and a growing staff. Her focus is centered around internal operations and projects such as training manuals, process improvement, marketing, and special events. Beverly brings more than 20 years of experience in customer service and operations to her ever-expanding role at AMJ.

CFP®, FPQP ®, Associate Wealth Advisor

Luke Estep joined the AMJ Team in 2022.  As an Associate Wealth Advisor, he is dedicated to maintaining client relationships. Working with AMJ’s manager of financial planning and senior wealth advisors, Luke uses his financial strategy skills and abilities to help clients achieve their goals.  Luke has earned the following industry designations: Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional, Series 65 license, and is a Certified Financial Planner Practitioner™.  A native of Woodstock, VA, he graduated with a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Roanoke College.

Portfolio Analyst II

Luke Jackson joined the AMJ Financial Wealth Management team as a portfolio analyst in 2022. He graduated from Virginia Tech in May of 2022 with a degree in Finance under the Chartered Financial Analyst concentration. While at Virginia Tech, he invested his own money where he learned more about how to analyze companies as well as the market. Luke is pursuing his CFA charter and has passed Levels 1-3. Preparing for the tests have helped both his portfolio management skills and overall investment knowledge. As a portfolio analyst at AMJ, Luke assists with trading and research, as well as preparing reports and helping with client presentations.

Portfolio Analyst II

A native of Sterling, VA, Patrick Tessier joined AMJ Financial Wealth Management team as a portfolio analyst in 2023. He supports AMJ’s chief investment officer and portfolio manager with trading and research, as well as preparing reports and helping with client presentations. He graduated from James Madison University in December of 2022 with a degree in Finance with a concentration in Financial Technology and Analytics. Throughout his time at JMU, Patrick learned how to better manage and minimize risk in portfolios to better serve clients. He has earned his Series 65 license with plans of further designations in the future. Outside of the office, Patrick enjoys spending time with his family, watching sports (Buffalo Bills!), and sneaking in a round of golf.

Paraplanner

Alexis Peed joined the AMJ Financial Wealth Management team as a paraplanner in July of 2024. She works alongside the financial planning team to ensure that each client’s plan accurately reflects their goals. In addition to that, she is dedicated to making sure all clients’ needs are met. A native of Round Hill, VA, Alexis graduated from Virginia Tech in May of 2024 with a degree in Finance under the CFP® Certification Education Program. She loves her fellow Hokies! Alexis has earned her Series 65 license and is currently working toward her Certified Financial Planner® designation.

Senior Paraplanner

Josh Cohen joined AMJ Financial in July 2023 as a paraplanner, and is currently a senior paraplanner with the firm. Hailing from Woodbridge, VA, he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from James Madison University in May 2023. With an unwavering dedication to client success, Josh collaborates with AMJ’s financial planning team to ensure clients’ plans accurately reflect their goals and dreams. In line with his commitment to excellence, Josh has earned his Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional designation, and has earned his Series 65. Outside the office, he enjoys skiing and the Red Sox.

FPQP ®, Paraplanner

As a paraplanner who joined AMJ in August 2023, Carrie Ludwick assists the financial planning team by gathering and reviewing client information and maintaining financial plans. A 2023 graduate of James Madison University, Carrie has earned her Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional designation and is studying for the Series 65 exam. Outside of AMJ, she enjoys baking and chasing sunsets.

Senior Paraplanner

Kevin Brown joined AMJ Financial Wealth Management as a paraplanner in January 2024. As a member of the financial planning team, Kevin gathers and reviews client financial records, analyzes data, and generates financial plans. He assists the advisory team in helping the client reach their goals. Kevin graduated from Virginia Tech’s CFP® Certification Education Program with a degree in Financial Planning & Wealth Management and has earned his SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 licenses.  He is working towards his Certified Financial Planner® designation.  Outside of the office, he enjoys watching the Pittsburgh Steelers, spending time with family, and finding a lake to spend his weekends.