PA - Key Persons
Alvin began at Summit Financial in May of 2017. Currently he serves as the Chief Investment Officer, where his main responsibility is to guide the tactical investment strategies for Summit's clients. Alvin also manages fixed income assets by providing customized portfolios and investment solutions tailored to client needs. Additionally, Alvin is leveraging his knowledge and experience to better source fixed income opportunities, evaluate bond inventories and streamline Summit's overall investment selection process. Alvin also acts as the Investment Committee Chair.
Alvin brings over 25 years of experience managing institutional assets. Alvin was the Senior Director of Investments at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. In his 13 years with CareFirst, he was responsible for the oversight of over $3 billion in Corporate and Retirement assets. Additionally, Alvin was responsible for the internal management of approximately $1 billion in fixed income assets. His credentialing includes the AIF® - Accredited Investment Fiduciary designation. As the head of the portfolio management team his other responsibilities included strategic/tactical asset allocation, performance and risk monitoring, due diligence and manager selection. Prior to this, Alvin started his career working in fixed income at T. Rowe Price and then went on to manage fixed income portfolios for the PSERS Pension Fund.
A lifetime resident of the Baltimore area, Alvin attended Calvert Hall and then Towson University where he earned a B.S. in Accounting. He lives in Hunt Valley with his wife Aimee and 3 boys - Ryan, Michael and Steven.
Alvin began at Summit Financial in May of 2017. Currently he serves as the Chief Investment Officer, where his main responsibility is to guide the tactical investment strategies for Summit's clients. Alvin also manages fixed income assets by providing customized portfolios and investment solutions tailored to client needs. Additionally, Alvin is leveraging his knowledge and experience to better source fixed income opportunities, evaluate bond inventories and streamline Summit's overall investment selection process. Alvin also acts as the Investment Committee Chair.
Job Titles:
- Relationship Manager
- Vice President
As Vice President, Haider joined Summit Financial in 1993 bringing his investment expertise in financial advising and retirement, as well as employee benefit planning for professionals and businesses. He began his career with a large, multi-national insurance company.
Haider additionally serves in the role of relationship manager, utilizing attentive client service and communication in building and maintaining client relationships. He supports Summit Financial in the areas of marketing, business development and overall promotion of new sales and opportunities. Haider offers a wealth of knowledge and experience in this role and is a vital component of Summit's innovative ventures.
Haider has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Business Administration and a Master's Degree in Banking. He currently resides in Hunt Valley with his wife.
As Vice President, Haider joined Summit Financial in 1993 bringing his investment expertise in financial advising and retirement, as well as employee benefit planning for professionals and businesses. He began his career with a large, multi-national insurance company.
Haider additionally serves in the role of relationship manager, utilizing attentive client service and communication in building and maintaining client relationships. He supports Summit Financial in the areas of marketing, business development and overall promotion of new sales and opportunities. Haider offers a wealth of knowledge and experience in this role and is a vital component of Summit's innovative ventures.
Haider has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Business Administration and a Master's Degree in Banking. He currently resides in Hunt Valley with his wife.
Job Titles:
- Director of Client Services
- Director of Client Service
Marissa Waskiewicz, Director of Client Services, has been with Summit Financial since 2015. Through managing the business solutions and 401k portfolio, Marissa is responsible for Summit clients' renewals, 401k portfolio management, claims support, customer service, and communications at the group and individual market level; throughout the year. She also supports our staff internally by handling the licensing and compliance for Summit Financial staff.
Marissa supervises the implementation and activities of clients' accounts, growth of existing clients through relationships and excellent customer service. She manages accounts on an ongoing basis, performing essential functions including: plan analysis and plan design recommendations, negotiating rates with carriers, preparing submissions, proposals, and meeting materials, maintaining compliance documents, and supporting clients with ACA requirements and reporting.
Marissa earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland.
Marissa Waskiewicz, Director of Client Services, has been with Summit Financial since 2015. Through managing the business solutions and 401k portfolio, Marissa is responsible for Summit clients' renewals, 401k portfolio management, claims support, customer service, and communications at the group and individual market level; throughout the year. She also supports our staff internally by handling the licensing and compliance for Summit Financial staff.
Marissa supervises the implementation and activities of clients' accounts, growth of existing clients through relationships and excellent customer service. She manages accounts on an ongoing basis, performing essential functions including: plan analysis and plan design recommendations, negotiating rates with carriers, preparing submissions, proposals, and meeting materials, maintaining compliance documents, and supporting clients with ACA requirements and reporting.
Marissa earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland.
Job Titles:
- Vice President
- Vice President of Summit Financial
As Vice President of Summit Financial, Jim brings over three decades of professional experience in the investment and insurance industry. In his role, Jim provides in depth analysis of current employee retirement and voluntary benefit programs, industry wide knowledge of various forms of insurance products, experience with implementing customized employee benefit packages and extensive understanding of regulations, including both state and federal compliance requirements. Additionally, Jim offers guidance negotiation with benefit providers and exceptional customer care including providing education for employees and resolving concerns.
In the community, Jim has served on boards, supported and participated with various local foundations and charities. Jim has served on CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield's Broker Council and is a graduate of Western Maryland College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and a Master's Degree from Loyola College in Maryland in Business and Finance. Also, Jim currently holds multiple Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) licenses and serves as Vice President of Summit Financial.
Job Titles:
- Financial Planning Analyst
- Member of Summit
Kathryn Olson is a member of Summit's wealth management and financial planning team, serving as a Financial Planning Analyst. In this role, Kathryn is responsible for client communications, coordinating meetings and management of client follow-through. She assists with the creation and application of workflows and procedures to improve efficiency and enhance client experience. She also maintains daily operations, assisting internal team members with communications and reporting.
Additionally, Kathryn works as a paraplanner, preparing financial analyses and assisting the advisors in the development of financial plans for clients. She performs product research, obtains illustrations and uses analytical software to review a client's existing financial picture. Working directly with Summit's financial planners and investment advisors, Kathryn assists in the development of personalized and comprehensive financial plans.
Kathryn earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance from Towson University. She served as Public Relations Vice President for Alpha Xi Delta and was a student member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Kathryn Olson is a member of Summit's wealth management and financial planning team, serving as a Client Service Specialist. In this role, Kathryn is responsible for client communications, coordinating meetings and management of client follow-through. She assists with the creation and application of workflows and procedures to improve efficiency and enhance client experience. She also maintains daily operations, assisting internal team members with communications and reporting.
Additionally, Kathryn works as a paraplanner, preparing financial analyses and assisting the advisors in the development of financial plans for clients. She performs product research, obtains illustrations and uses analytical software to review a client's existing financial picture. Working directly with Summit's financial planners and investment advisors, Kathryn assists in the development of personalized and comprehensive financial plans.
Kathryn earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance from Towson University. She served as Public Relations Vice President for Alpha Xi Delta and was a student member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Job Titles:
- Director of Compliance and Operations
As Director of Compliance and Operations, Larisa continuously evaluates the efficiency of Summit's business procedures, according to organizational objectives, and applies strategic improvements where necessary. She oversees and organizes private wealth management client support processes and implements effective workflow designs to enhance client satisfaction. She provides management, monitoring and oversight of all internal firm activities and functions including staff hiring and training. Additionally, Larisa works directly with the firm's Chief Compliance Officer and assists in the maintenance, training, education and enforcement of the firm's compliance program, including ongoing documentation, monitoring, risk assessment, auditing and evaluation of the program's effectiveness.
Additionally, in her role, Larisa provides superior client service and assistance, cultivating relationships with the firm's private wealth clients through handling financial requests, developing personalized presentations and facilitating new account openings and money movement transactions. Larisa also directs marketing initiatives for the firm, working to retain clients while attracting new opportunities through planning, directing, and coordinating innovating marketing efforts.
Larisa received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Towson University. Away from the office, she enjoys traveling and practicing yoga.
As Director of Compliance and Operations, Larisa continuously evaluates the efficiency of Summit's business procedures, according to organizational objectives, and applies strategic improvements where necessary. She oversees and organizes private wealth management client support processes and implements effective workflow designs to enhance client satisfaction. She provides management, monitoring and oversight of all internal firm activities and functions including staff hiring and training. Additionally, Larisa works directly with the firm's Chief Compliance Officer and assists in the maintenance, training, education and enforcement of the firm's compliance program, including ongoing documentation, monitoring, risk assessment, auditing and evaluation of the program's effectiveness.
Additionally, in her role, Larisa provides superior client service and assistance, cultivating relationships with the firm's private wealth clients through handling financial requests, developing personalized presentations and facilitating new account openings and money movement transactions. Larisa also directs marketing initiatives for the firm, working to retain clients while attracting new opportunities through planning, directing, and coordinating innovating marketing efforts.
Larisa received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Towson University. Away from the office, she enjoys traveling and practicing yoga.
Job Titles:
- Representative
- Vice President, Director of Client Service & Operations
Michael joined Summit Financial in 2004. As Vice President - Director of Client Service and Operations, Michael provides management support for the firm's private wealth clients. Over his 15 years in the industry, Michael has extensive investment product knowledge to assist advisors with sales through financial product research, strategic implementation, and assisting in the development of financial strategies for clients.
Michael contributes to the management and facilitation of the company's organizational strategies, policies and procedures. As a member of the Summit Financial Investment Committee, Michael is an integral part in the development and implementation of meeting initiatives. His expertise includes, developing tactical and strategic investment models, guidance on proper Asset Allocation and overall investment knowledge and support.
Michael is a representative providing insurance services as well as comprehensive underwriting management for life, disability, athlete protection, and long-term care insurance programs. Additionally, he works exclusively with the firm's employee benefits business solutions division regarding the plan development and implementation of 401(k), 403(b), SEP and SIMPLE retirement portfolios. In this role, he supports the advisors, as well as assisting businesses with administrative requirements.
Michael received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Systems from Villa Julie College and earned his Master's Degree in Human Resource Development from Towson University. When away from the office, he actively spends time playing soccer and tennis. He lives with his wife, Lauren, and daughter Charlotte, in Fallston, MD.
Michael joined Summit Financial in 2004. As Vice President - Director of Client Service and Operations, Michael provides management support for the firm's private wealth clients. Over his 15 years in the industry, Michael has extensive investment product knowledge to assist advisors with sales through financial product research, strategic implementation, and assisting in the development of financial strategies for clients.
Michael contributes to the management and facilitation of the company's organizational strategies, policies and procedures. As a member of the Summit Financial Investment Committee, Michael is an integral part in the development and implementation of meeting initiatives. His expertise includes, developing tactical and strategic investment models, guidance on proper Asset Allocation and overall investment knowledge and support.
Michael is a representative providing insurance services as well as comprehensive underwriting management for life, disability, athlete protection, and long-term care insurance programs. Additionally, he works exclusively with the firm's employee benefits business solutions division regarding the plan development and implementation of 401(k), 403(b), SEP and SIMPLE retirement portfolios. In this role, he supports the advisors, as well as assisting businesses with administrative requirements.
Michael received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Systems from Villa Julie College and earned his Master's Degree in Human Resource Development from Towson University. When away from the office, he actively spends time playing soccer and tennis. He lives with his wife, Lauren, and daughter Charlotte, in Fallston, MD.