MARATHON FINANCIAL ADVISORS - Key Persons
Tony is the Branch Manager and has a FINRA Series 7, Series 24 and NYS Life and Health Insurance license. Bringing the experience of nine years as a Financial Advisor, Tony joined the firm in June 2009. Tony works closely with all the registered representatives to handle security research, service for the brokerage accounts, particularly the managed TIMS Accounts, and variable annuities. He frequently assists the representatives with client meetings.
Tony graduated from SUNY/IT of Utica/Rome with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Public Management.
Tony lives in Clay with his 2 daughters. In his free time, he enjoys car shows, fishing, boating, and visiting with his family at their camp on Raquette Lake.
Barbara Carpenter is currently the Director of Marketing. Barb has been with Jon Selzer at Marathon Financial Advisors and previously Koenig & Selzer Asset Management Group since 2009. Previously, Barbara worked at Unity Mutual Life Insurance, Actuarial Pension Analysts and ING. Barbara is a licensed New York State Life, Health & Accident insurance representative, holding licenses for FINRA Series 6 and 63. Barbara has two grown children and resides with her husband, Michael, in Central Square. In her spare time Barbara enjoys visiting wineries and breweries, crafting/quilting, travel and spending time with her family, including two young grandsons in Raleigh, NC.
Christine is the CFO and joined the firm in 2008. Chris handles the business bookkeeping and budgeting, mutual fund maintenance, client paperwork, with her favorite role of client interaction. Chris takes special effort in caring for the firm's clients. Chris holds a License for FINRA Series 6. Chris lives in Liverpool. In her spare time she enjoys traveling to visit her children and grandsons, quilting and crafting, gardening and spending time with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Receptionist
- Director of Health & Medicare Insurance Services
Hannah joined the firm in 2017 as Receptionist and Administrative Support where she spent her time assisting in all aspects of the client experience. Hannah is a lifelong East Syracuse resident and attended Le Moyne college earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, with a concentration in Finance. Since joining the firm, she has obtained her Health and Life Insurance License and specializes in assisting clients with Health Insurance and Medicare needs. Hannah strives to ensure that every client's insurance needs are met appropriately. Hannah resides in East Syracuse with her partner, Jesse, his son Eli, their two rescue dogs - Maude and Charlie, and cats - Archie and Rosie. She is an avid reader, loves to travel and enjoys going to concerts.
Lifetime central New York resident Kathy started her career in Financial Services over 3 decades ago. Her concentration is in comprehensive retirement, estate planning, and charitable giving.
Early in her career she realized that she could best serve her client's needs as an "Independent Financial Advisor". Her flexibility to offer a wide variety of products and services allows for tailored and creative solutions to address the unique needs of clients now and for generations to come.
While Kathy embraces the use of sophisticated financial planning software, she also understands that meaningful conversation can yield valuable information beyond just the numbers creating a true holistic plan for the client. Once implemented, periodic reviews keep the plan and relationship on track to improve financial wellness going forward.
Forward-thinking intergenerational planning and collaboration with trusted advisors such as estate planning attorneys and CPAs has helped earn the trust of her clients' next generation. Kathy states, "A family member passing is a sad and disruptive time. It does not need to be chaotic. With proper titling and estate planning the transfer of wealth can be a quick and orderly process."
Kathy and her husband Tom enjoy an active life of golfing, biking, kayaking, attending concerts and travel, as well as walking their rescue dog Roger. They are parents to 4 adult children, and grandparents to 5.
Job Titles:
- Chartered Life Underwriter
Mary Ann Pierce holds the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation, awarded by The American College in Bryn Mawr, PA, to those who successfully complete advanced courses of study in financial planning, estate planning, investments, retirement and employee benefits, and insurance planning.
Mary Ann has been involved in the Insurance and Financial Services industry since 1989. Since that time, she has built her practice by focusing on education and a commitment to quality advice and service.
Mary Ann is a fitness enthusiast who participates in CrossFit and Olympic and power lifting. She is also an avid reader, spends her free time playing with her 3 dogs and enjoys gardening.
Job Titles:
- Client Relations Specialist
Nikki is our Client Relations Specialist. She started in September of 2021; she has since taken a large role in the Marketing at Marathon Financial Advisors. Nikki lives in Phoenix, NY with her partner, Chris, their combined 8 kids and 6 dogs. When Nikki is not working, she is running to sporting events for the kids or finding ways to keep them entertained. In her free time… who are we kidding, she doesn't have free time!
Sandra Karas joined the team in 2009, having been a consultant in tax and legal matters to the practice before that.
In addition to being a licensed registered representative, Sandra is an attorney and tax accountant focusing on Trust and Estate Planning. With a background in arts, entertainment, and education, she is a frequent lecturer on tax, estate planning, debt management, budget and finances to professional, labor, and arts organizations.
Her philosophy and approach to her practice is to empower each client with the tools needed to understand and feel secure about their financial and long-term planning objectives. Sandra is proud to be a part of the Marathon team where she is able to provide her clients with a full-service approach to their personal, family, and financial goals.
An avid volunteer, she dedicates some of her time to 2 performing arts unions: Actors' Equity Association, the theatre union, as its Secretary-Treasurer and SAG-AFTRA, the film and television union. She is also Tax Director of VITA, an all-volunteer, pro bono tax assistance program, serving low-income and disabled taxpayers.
Sandra earned her BFA from Ithaca College, her MA from Schiller International University in Berlin, Germany, her MFA from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her JD from Syracuse University College of Law. She is admitted in all New York State Courts, Federal District Court, United States Tax Court and the United States Supreme Court.
She splits her time between Syracuse and Manhattan, where she lives with her husband, Andrew Karas. They have two grown children: Christina, an Environmental Scientist, and Alexander, a Mechanical Engineer.
Tom has been with Marathon Financial Advisors for almost 5 years having joined the branch office at the end of 2018. Tom has over 40 years of investment management experience as a licensed broker. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of NY at Oswego. He was awarded an assistantship and fellowship from SUNY at Albany where he earned his Master of Public Administration. Tom completed the advanced financial management program at the Advest Institute at Harvard University.
Tom and his wife, Rosemary grew up in the Syracuse area and other than their studies they have lived and worked locally all of their lives.
Zach joined Marathon Financial Advisors in 2017 as a support staff member, assisting advisors and clients in the office. He came to the firm with a broad industry knowledge after former roles at Cadaret, Grant & Co. and Northwestern Mutual. Zach grew up locally, and attended Cayuga Community College, followed by LeMoyne College, where he majored in Accounting. He now serves as a financial advisor. Zach resides in Jordan, NY with his wife Shaina, her daughter Maya, and their two dogs, Kevin and Ellie. In his free time, Zach enjoys camping, being outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and all things Philadelphia sports, especially the Eagles. Zach aspires to continue growing his client base and to help his clients achieve their financial goals through a thorough understanding of their needs and objectives.