Chairman

John Mullis has been in the financial services industry for over 35 years. John has had vast experience working with employer groups of all sizes to create retirement planning solutions for their organizations. His background is very diverse, ranging from being a Vice President in a large regional bank’s Trust Department, to Senior Vice President of Operations for the US and Caribbean of a major insurance company. He has worked with pre-retirees and retirees all over the US to develop retirement plans that fit their goals for today and evolve into efficient distribution plans to meet their future needs.

CFP®, CEO and Managing Partner

Angela Bender has a keen understanding—honed by more than 20 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 the past seven years. She is also a Certified Long Term Care specialist; a well-established speaker in the Washington, DC, area; and a consistently sought-after expert for contributions to articles on personal finances. She is involved in her local community as president of the Loudoun Estate Planning Council and has served on the board of the Community Foundation of Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties.

In addition, Angela is committed to educating the community with her workshops on sound investment strategies and other timely financial topics, including tax reform and Social Security planning. She and her team at AMJ work with clients to improve the overall efficiency of their investments, as well as to help increase investment returns through proper asset allocation. She is dedicated to helping her clients reap the rewards of a well-planned, well-informed retirement.

*Individuals selected for Northern Virginia Magazine’s Top Financial Professionals for 2022 were nominated via a 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 2022 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.

BROKERCHECK

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.

* Not registered with TRIAD ADVISORS LLC

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 our support staff in the following areas: new client development; scheduling/confirmation of client appointments; new account opening and processing; client account maintenance; coordinating educational seminars and client appreciation events; new and existing client correspondence to include weekly and quarterly newsletters. Robin communicates with our clients regularly to ensure that our clients’ service requirements are met on an ongoing basis.

* Not registered with TRIAD ADVISORS LLC

CFP®, Manager 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, 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.

BROKERCHECK

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.

BROKERCHECK

Client Service Associate

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 Texas and Missouri and participated in Operation Allied Force (Kosovo) and operations in the Persian Gulf.

* Not registered with TRIAD ADVISORS LLC

Associate Wealth Advisor

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.

* Not registered with TRIAD ADVISORS LLC

Client Service Associate

Beverly Sheffield, a native of Loudoun County, VA, joined AMJ Financial Wealth Management in 2022. As Client Service Associate, 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.

* Not registered with TRIAD ADVISORS LLC

Senior Paraplanner

Luke Estep joined the AMJ Financial team as a Paraplanner in June of 2022, and is now a Senior Paraplanner. A native of Woodstock, VA, he graduated with a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Roanoke College. As a senior paraplanner, Luke supports the Manager of Financial Planning and advisors in the tailoring and maintaining of financial plans to keep up with client needs and goals, as well as important data collection prior to review meetings, spearheading account openings, and responding to client questions. He has earned the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional designation, as well as obtained his Series 65.

* Not registered with TRIAD ADVISORS LLC

Associate Wealth Advisor

Luke Fowler is an associate wealth advisor with AMJ Financial Wealth Management. As wealth advisor, he will focus his service 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. Luke graduated from Virginia Tech’s CFP® Certification Education Program with a degree in Finance. He earned his Series 65 license in 2022 and passed the CFP® examination in July 2023 and is currently working on fulfilling remaining CFP® requirements for full certification. A native of Forest, Virginia, Luke enjoys traveling, working on his golf game, and spending time with family and friends.

* Not registered with TRIAD ADVISORS LLC

CFP®, Associate Wealth Advisor

Eric joined the AMJ team as an Associate Wealth Advisor in July 2022.  A native of Philadelphia, he previously worked as an independent financial advisor with securities offered through Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, and then as an advisor at Charles Schwab’s Alexandria, VA, location.  Eric enjoys connecting with clients, getting to know their unique aspirations and concerns, and providing professional financial guidance to help shape their future.  Eric graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Economics.  He is a Certified Financial Planner™ and holds his series 7 and 66 licenses.

Portfolio Analyst

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 passed Level I in 2021. 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.

* Not registered with TRIAD ADVISORS LLC

Portfolio Analyst

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 is currently pursuing 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, and sneaking in a round of golf.

* Not registered with TRIAD ADVISORS LLC

Senior Paraplanner

Austin Catania joined the AMJ Financial Wealth Management team as a Paraplanner in March 2023. He graduated with a BSBA in Financial Planning in just three years from Liberty University, where he was also an active member of their T3 Financial Planning Club and Kingdom Advisors. Since graduation, Austin has had extensive experience as a Client Service Associate, collaborating directly with clients and their advisors to streamline data gathering and analyzing clients' tax returns, portfolios, and financial picture to ensure the best outcomes with a commitment to their satisfaction.  Austin has earned his Series 65 license and is currently pursuing the Certified Financial Planner® designation.  When Austin isn't listening to financial podcasts in his free time, he enjoys drumming, going to the gym, and spending time with family and friends.

* Not registered with TRIAD ADVISORS LLC

Paraplanner

Josh Cohen joined AMJ Financial in July 2023 as a paraplanner. 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. Josh is currently studying for his Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional designation. Outside the office, he enjoys skiing and the Red Sox.

* Not registered with TRIAD ADVISORS LLC

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.

* Not registered with TRIAD ADVISORS LLC