THE MONITOR GROUP - Key Persons


Amy F. Cox - CEO, Founder

Job Titles:
  • Co - Founder
  • Managing Partner
Amy is a Managing Partner and Co-Founder of The Monitor Group. She dedicates her time to serving the needs of advisors and clients. She has the ability to see the impact of small details in the big picture, and is known for taking complex, financial concepts and making them simple and meaningful. She has been in the financial industry for 25 years, starting her career at Morgan Stanley. Amy and Chris worked together at Morgan Stanley and saw the value in a team-based approach to wealth management. The team was recruited to Citigroup to work with the local diverse community of clients and then to an independent firm focused on financial planning. Amy helped launch The Monitor Group in 2005 so the needs of their clients could be met through lifelong, comprehensive, professional guidance. Amy attended Washington & Lee University, where she majored in Psychology and minored in French. She holds FINRA Series 7, 24, 52, 53 registrations with LPL Financial. She also holds a Series 66 with LPL Financial and Maryland Financial Group, Inc. She has held leadership roles in the community - most recently serving as Chairman of the Board for the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless. Chris and Amy take the team approach off the field as well, finding time to enjoy family life with their two children. When not running after the little ones, you may find her with a camera snapping photos or in the kitchen baking. Although living in the Metro D.C. area for many years, a New Jersey native, she still pronounces water "wudder" and ball "bawl".

Carl Perthel

Job Titles:
  • Director of Equity Research
  • Director of Equity Research for the Monitor Group LLC
Carl Perthel is the Director of Equity Research for The Monitor Group LLC. He has served in several roles, including Portfolio Manager for American Asset Management Group, Inc. since 2001. His expertise is in the areas of Sector, Industry Group and Intermarket Analysis. Carl is the author of STARS Methodology, an enhanced method of portfolio evaluation and holds the designation of Chartered Market Technician (CMT), a globally recognized accreditation awarded to qualifying individuals in the field of financial research and securities analysis. Carl began his career in 1987 with Merrill Lynch & Co. and has served as a Registered Representative with First American National Securities, specializing in the mutual fund industry. In 1994, Carl served as an Equity Analyst with a private investment firm, later becoming an Associate Portfolio Manager. Carl has a B.S. in Business Administration and a graduate degree in Finance from the University of South Carolina. He served the University as a research assistant and is a co-author. Carl is a member of the CMT Association, American Economic Association and holds a Series 65 registration with Maryland Financial Group, Inc. He is a former President of the Washington (D.C.) Association of Money Managers and currently sits on its Executive Committee. He is a past visiting scholar at the Howard University School of Business Administration, George Mason University and at the University of Virginia's Professional Study Program, lecturing on technical market analysis, behavioral finance, and portfolio management. Carl is a Maryland native and enjoys spending time with his family and out on the golf course, no matter the weather. *Carl Perthel is not affiliated with LPL Financial

Christopher L. Cox - CEO, Founder

Job Titles:
  • Co - Founder
  • Managing Partner
Christopher is a Managing Partner and Co-Founder of The Monitor Group. He is very enthusiastic to grow and lead the business. He is committed to developing the firm through people, process, and knowledge. With more than 27 years of experience as a business owner and financial advisor, Chris serves as a constant voice of leadership for the firm. His passion drives The Monitor Group to excel in serving other advisors and clients.

Elizabeth Evers

Job Titles:
  • Operations Manager
Elizabeth joined The Monitor Group in 2011, as an Operations Specialist. She currently serves as the interface between clients and financial institutions, processing all account related activity. Elizabeth is responsible for maintaining client databases to ensure accuracy and adherence to compliance standards. Additionally, she maintains relationships with advisors giving support as needed. Elizabeth received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland in Business Management. She began her career working for MCI Telecommunications. Over a span of 11 years, she served in various positions in Accounting, Carrier Relations, and Auditing departments. Elizabeth then went on to become Office Manager for a small contracting company for 10+ years. Functions ranged from job cost analysis, payroll, accounting and managing office activities. Within these roles, Elizabeth has developed excellent analytical skills which allows her to make considerable contributions to The Monitor Group. Elizabeth's annual beach vacation always coincides with Shark Week - a running office joke which never gets old.

Eric Schultz

Job Titles:
  • Vice President and Wealth Manager
  • Vice President, Wealth Manager
Eric is a Vice President and Wealth Manager at The Monitor Group, joining the firm June 2019. He has over 30 years' experience in the wealth management industry and is an Investment Advisor Representative. He always tries to do what is right for his clients in all situations. Making clients feel financially secure is his passion. Eric graduated the University of Maryland in 1984 and in 1986 passed the CPA exam. He lives in Potomac, MD with his wife, two sons, and his Goldendoodle. He is obsessed with chess and is an avid tennis player, skier and competes in triathlons.

Gary Levine

Job Titles:
  • Client Relationship Manager
Gary joined The Monitor Group in 2008. He currently assists our financial advisors with their client cases and specializes in the development of financial plans. Gary's strong analytic and quantitative skills enable him to help the advisors create financial plans to pursue our clients' goals. Gary received his Masters' Degree from the University of Maryland in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, with a specialization in quantitative methods. He worked with the Montgomery County Public School system in Rockville, Maryland for 32.5 years in the areas of Human Resources, Finance, and Information Technology. He has also been working in the financial planning industry since 2003. When Gary is "off the clock", he spends time with his wife, Karen, as they drive their RV throughout North America in search of beautiful places. Gary and Karen have three grown children.

Haider Javid

Job Titles:
  • Administrative Assistant to Marshall Chawla & Christopher Cox
  • in 2016 As an Administrative Assistant
Haider joined The Monitor Group in 2016 as an administrative assistant. He currently serves as liaison between clients, advisors, and financial institutions, processing all account related activities and requests. As a licensed assistant, he also supports advisors with unique client cases and the development of financial plans. Haider's analytical and detailed-oriented skillset allows him to provide the utmost level of service to our clients and The Monitor Group team. Haider received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from George Mason University, with a minor in Economics. He holds FINRA Series 7 and 66 registrations with LPL Financial. He began his career doing bookkeeping work for a non-profit in mediation services. He then went on to work for Marshall Chawla & Associates, where he currently provides key support to clients in pursuing their goals. In his off time, Haider enjoys the outdoors. He has a passion for gardening, fishing, and exploring all things nature. When not outdoors, he enjoys spending time indoors with family and always learning about fascinating concepts and technology!

Jordan Brandon

Job Titles:
  • Operations Specialist
Jordan joined The Monitor Group in 2008 as administrative support to several advisors. After a brief hiatus to work in her family's business, she returned to the firm in September 2016 and now devotes her time to operations. Jordan's attention to detail, coupled with her ability to see the big picture makes her an invaluable asset to The Monitor Group team. In Jordan's "spare time" she is busy raising her four children in the Maryland suburbs.

Lacey Faris

Job Titles:
  • Operations Associate
  • in 2021 As an Operations Associate
Lacey joined The Monitor Group in 2021 as an Operations Associate and serves as administrative support to several advisors and their clients. She grew up on a small farm in Mantua, Ohio, eventually she made her way to the "big city" of Cleveland where she met her husband Keith in 2012. Three years later they got married on a small peninsula in Belize. The palm trees and ocean made quite an impression and in 2016 Lacey and her husband moved down to Florida and never looked back! Lacey works remotely from Bradenton, Florida. She has over 15 years of experience in the customer service industry with a wide range of skills sharpened through several different arenas from retail to the mortgage and financial industries. Lacey is passionate about being in service to others and has a keen eye for optimizing office procedures and thinking outside the box.

Laura Starr Ramos

Job Titles:
  • Marketing Specialist
  • Office Manager
Laura is a CEO with 20+ years' experience as a serial entrepreneur starting and managing several successful businesses in the Washington, DC area. In 2016, Laura joined The Monitor Group team bringing many years of expertise in working with businesses to help them run more effectively and take over marketing/events and office management. With a degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management from Virginia Tech, Laura understands how important details and service are. When not parenting her 2 young men, Laura volunteers with several local non-profit organizations that focus on homelessness, hunger, children and entrepreneurship.

Martin C. Sullens - CEO

Job Titles:
  • Managing Partner

Natalie Davis

Job Titles:
  • Director of First Impressions
  • in 2022 As Director
Natalie joined The Monitor Group in 2022 as Director of First Impressions. Her experience as a Medical Receptionist, running her own childcare business for over a decade and her welcoming personality, has made her customer service skills shine. Natalie is a Rockville, MD native with a son about to go into high school. She keeps busy with the activities that come with raising a teen, but doesn't miss out on having fun!

Noreen S. Miyake-Char

Job Titles:
  • Director of Investment Portfolio Management
Noreen is a Director of Investment Portfolio Management at The Monitor Group, joining the firm in 2020. She has been in the financial industry for over 20 years, previously serving as Portfolio Manager, Director of Investment Operations and Co-Owner of a registered investment advisory firm. Noreen works with advisors on economic and market research, and the selection of securities for clients' portfolios. She serves a diverse client base, from individuals and families to organizations, non-profits and charitable foundations. She believes collaborative planning solutions and a team approach benefit clients in meeting their unique goals and objectives. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she majored in Communication and minored in Journalism. She has an MBA in Finance and a Graduate Certificate in Investments from The Johns Hopkins University. She holds a Series 65 registration with Maryland Financial Group. She is the former President of The Washington (D.C.) Association of Money Managers, and currently serves as a Board Member. The Asian Pacific American Heritage Council has honored Noreen with the Congressman Horton Award. Noreen was awarded the 2016, 2018-2022 Five Star Professional Wealth Manager Award, an honor based on a 10 objective eligibility and evaluation criteria that are associated with wealth managers who provide quality services to their clients. She has been featured in the The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and Fortune magazine's "Women in Wealth" exclusive. Noreen enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. Traveling and family bike rides are a couple of her favorite activities. *Noreen Miyake-Char is not affiliated with LPL Financial.

Thomas Bonorden

Job Titles:
  • Certified Financial Planner
  • Wealth Advisor
Tom is a Certified Financial PlannerĀ® who works closely with high net worth clients and business owners. Tom provides a holistic approach to financial planning to ensure that all facets of his clients' financial life are addressed. His areas of specialization include retirement planning, portfolio construction, income strategies and estate planning. His primary goal, and the enjoyment he receives as a planner, is to provide financial confidence to his clients. Tom has more than thirty years of experience in the financial service industry. Tom spent many years as a senior executive with several metropolitan Washington, D.C. area financial institutions. He also owned a successful business for more than ten years. He is a 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 recipient of the Five Star Professional Wealth Manager designation as named in the Washingtonian* magazine. Tom earned the prestigious Certified Financial PlannerĀ® designation in 2009. He holds several securities registrations including series 6,7,63 held with LPL Financial and the Series 66 with LPL Financial and Maryland Financial Group, as well as accident/health and life insurance licenses. Tom is a graduate of the University of Maryland where he received his undergraduate degree in business administration. He also completed post graduate work at the Institute of Financial Education. Tom and his wife, Margie, live in Olney, Maryland. They have four children. When not working, Tom enjoys golfing, sailing and gardening.

William Cotton

Job Titles:
  • Director of Business Development With
  • Director of Business Operations
Bill is the Director of Business Development with The Monitor Group. Bill joined the TMG team in 2016. Bill has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, starting in 2000 concentrating on the institutional side of the business. He has earned many high sales achievement awards throughout his career and has raised over $1 billion in assets for several companies. After a successful run on the institutional side of the business, he looked to take on a new challenge and change his focus to the retail side of the business. Bill wanted to concentrate on helping individuals pursue what really mattered in their financial lives. Bill is originally from Argyle, Texas and a graduate of Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He currently lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and their twin teenagers. Outside of spending time with his family, Bill enjoys playing golf, working out, and cooking. He currently serves on the Board of Director for Hollin Meadows Swim and Tennis Club and enjoys volunteering his time with the Men's Group at his parish - Blessed Sacrament.